The Kohima Educational Trust is delighted to announce a webinar by Elizabeth Lockhart-Mure, author of ‘Front Line and Fortitude’ – the story of the Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma), a small contingent of brave women who worked with the men of the 14th Army.
The Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma), known as ‘The Wasbies’, were a small contingent of women who ran a canteen service for the men of the 14th Army during the Burma Campaign of WW2.
They were formed in January 1942 to undertake cipher duties for the Army in Burma, but upon the fall of Rangoon, they transferred to India, where they set up a canteen service, operating both static and mobile facilities for the men of the South East Asia Campaign.
Their canteens could be found at staging points, air strips, sea ports and railheads, as well as deep in remote mountainous jungle and on hot, dusty plains.
When operating with forward divisions, they were often within earshot of gunfire and could feel the pounding of the big guns. They toiled in steaming heat and dust, in monsoon rain and mud, living in mosquito-ridden camps amongst the men themselves, with little regard to their obvious discomfort.
Where the troops went, the Wasbies went too. They were a huge morale boost to the battle-weary men of 14th Army.
To join this online talk on Thursday 17th April at 8pm, please follow this link.
