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Chinthe

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Chindits Chinthe

1878
9
Chindits Chinthe

A carving in lime of the mythical Chinthe, this is the emblem of the Chindits from Burma during World War II. IT is the body of a lion with a dragon like head. I carved this as a first project as a novice woodcarver. I was very reticent about taking on this task, but was persuaded by the members of the Chindits Old Comrades Association, for whom I have a great deal of respect for what they achieved during WWII in Burma, to attempt it. It now stands proudly as a bronze on their memorial in the Burma Star Memorial Grove at The NAtional Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK. It was a very great honour to be asked to attempt this as a woodcarving novice and I still can’t believe that this will still be there when I am not. Mindblowing experience!

chinthe chindit burma star

9 Comments

Mike40 commented over 9 years ago

Great work on this and very interesting subject too. Looks like it was done by an accomplished professional, not a novice.

Mike, an American living in Norway

Chinthe commented over 9 years ago

Thanks for such a great compliment Mike40. I put it down to having a great interest in the “Forgotten” XIV Army in Burma during WWII. My late father spent his wartime service out there, it was through him I got involved first with the Burma Star Association and then the Chindits Old Comrades Association. He had great respect for the Chindits as they went behind the enemy lines to disrupt their supply routes. He told me they were very instrumental in bringing the siege and battles of Imphal and Kohima to the right conclusion. He was at Imphal and Silchar. Sadly he only got to see the half size maquette, but at least he knew what it would look like.

Thorreain commented over 9 years ago

Indeed the honour of being a part of the associations remembrance statue alone is fantastic. But you have out done it in such a fantastic rendition as a novice carver too. You have given the world a treasure to remember the deeds of the brave heroes that fought for freedom. Way to go!!! Great carving.

CHRIS, Charlottetown PEI Canada. Anytime you can repurpose, reuse, or recycle, everyone wins!

Jack King commented over 9 years ago

I have no words in my vocabulary to do describe your work or the honor that is due those souls that it represents. Thank you.

Jack

Chinthe commented over 9 years ago

I feel very honoured to have such a compliment from you Thorreain. Can I thank you for your service with the armed forces too. Too many people take our armed forces for granted, without them we would not be as safe as we are.

Chinthe commented over 9 years ago

Thank you Jack. They were very brave men and women, and I have the honour to have some of the survivors as very good friends.

Chinthe commented over 9 years ago

The big question is what do I do next?

a1jim commented over 9 years ago

wow your the same kind of novice Michiel Angelo was. Beautiful.

woodworking classes, custom furniture maker

Chinthe commented over 9 years ago

Thank you for your very kind comment a1Jim. I still can’t believe I actually managed to do it, it took over 4,000 hours (I stopped counting at 4,000) to produce both carvings. The smaller one was recently sold via a sealed bid auction by the Chindits Old Comrades Association which was only open to their members. It is now very proudly owned by a Chindit veteran and will remain in his family for generations, I know the veteran and he has become a very good friend. I am planning to go and visit him in a few weeks time. If you would like to see photos of the bronze version feel free to visit the following link.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.547581545277612.1073741831.220733657962404&type=3
This was a set of photos taken on the day it was mounted on the memorial stone.

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