On Sunday 7th April 2024 at the Burma Star Memorial within the National Memorial Arboretum a service of remembrance was held for the 106 British & Indian men who fell during the battle of Lion Box, at Kanglatongbi 80 years ago.
A Church of England Minister, the Reverend Dr Andrew Sangster, led the service with a bugler, a bagpiper and numerous Standard Bearers and serving soldiers represented the units involved in the battle. Several family members of those who fought, two of whom are direct descendants of men who were awarded the Military Cross during the action, also attended and took part in the ceremony. For the first time anywhere a full Roll of Honour was called for the 106 British and Indian men who died.
The group who organized the service, the Lion Cubs of Kanglatongbi, is an unofficial group formed from the families of those who served at Lion Box (the Lions) and their supporters. The group has grown considerably over the years and members have stood on the actual battlefield for the 60th, 70th and 75th anniversaries, and in this 80th year it is the first time a service has been held in the UK.
Picture from Tim Vaughan on X
