John Ridley Johnston - Chindits

Dad was in the Chindits and they went behind the Japanese lines. He died on 6/06/1944, born 15/10/1915 - he was 28; I'm 83.

He was in 7th Battalion, Royal Leicester Regt and was CQMS.

I remember being carried on his shoulders, I must have been about 3 when he went overseas; we were going down Station Road to the railway station to see him off. That was the last time me and Mum ever saw him. There was a photograph of where he was buried, but I don't know where it is now.

He is buried in the CWGC cemetery in Rangoon. Mum always blamed him for volunteering to join the Chindits. I've seen him twice on the old newsreels, looking at maps with Wingate - he was the gaffer of the Chindits; I always knew it was him because he had a big nose, it was a programme on TV about the Forgotten Army, the 14th. I still have it on tape.

Another one I saw was when they were walking through a river with their rifles held above their heads. I've requested his medals but haven't got them yet. Mam got a telegram and sat me down and told me that Dad had died; I would have been 4 and a half.

I was the only boy at school who didn't have a father - I became a bit of a bully because other boys were taking the mickey out of me because my Dad didn't come back after the war and I hit them.

I can remember living on Park Road, I remember the Spitfires flying over very low. Where the old workhouse was on London Road was an American anti-aircraft base. When the war was over I remember them leaving and coming out of the base towing the wagons towing the guns behind them and they knocked down one of the gateposts.

It wasn't repaired until donkeys years later when Hinckley College took over. They used to give us sweets. The wrecks used to be taken to Gamecock Barracks - we used to go there on our bikes and see all the German bombers and fighter aircraft that had been shot down.

Where Castle Street car park is there were a row of thatched cottages, I used to pass them going to and coming back from St Mary's Church school.

My stepfather wanted me to change my name to Hartshorn, but Mum said no. I remember rationing, but I don't remember any problems with food.

I don't remember seeing German aircraft flying over - that would be at night when I was in bed. Everybody was cheering on VE Day, but it was VJ Day that I was interested in.

On VE Day we had street parties - on Park Road it was just one long line of tables with all the grub. I had 3 uncles who came back, Uncles Bill, Derek and Jack - still in uniform. Mam got married again in 1947 - I looked miserable in the wedding photos. Dad is buried in Row E Grave 15

Uncle Ernie, Dad's youngest brother, went out there. One of my uncles was an engineer and he used to make me all sorts of things, pedal car and pedal steam engine - he spoiled me rotten because I'd lost my Dad.