The Commemoration visit in 2019 was particularly poignant.
As well as ‘the usual suspects’, the service, conducted by Rev Fraser Penny, was attended by Donnie MacKenzie of Ullapool, his wife Ann and and family.
Donnie laid a wreath at the memorial.
Donnie from Logie near Ullapool, originally joined the Seaforth Highlanders.
While serving in India, he volunteered to serve with the Chindits and was transferred to 1st Cameronians. The Chindits were a special force, created to operate behind Japanese lines in the jungles of Burma.
Rifleman MacKenzie took part in ‘Operation Thursday’’ one of the most dangerous actions of the war in the East. Thousands of men were ‘dropped’ into the Burmese jungle by glider. The Chindits operated for almost five months behind Japanese lines; sabotaging strategic roads and rail lines in an effort to prevent the Japanese from reaching India.
Suffering from jaundice, malnutrition and all the hardships of combat life in the jungle, Donnie spent eight weeks in hospital to recover.
His story has been recorded in oral and printed form by the Museum at Low Waters by Barrie Duncan ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eob1zisFKi8)
Sadly, Donnie passed away, age 97, on 6 June 2021
Andrew McMorrine attended the funeral to represent the Regiment and the wider regimental family.
