Tickets are available for the world premiere of a new film, ‘Forgotten Allies’, by Grammar productions, which aims to shed light on the forgotten heroes of World War Two.
The film follows the charity Help for Forgotten Allies (H4FA) as it tracks down surviving veterans from Burma who fought for Britain against the Japanese in the Second World War.
The synopsis explains:
‘In the darkest hours of World War 2, thousands of men from Burma (now Myanmar) gave their lives fighting a brutal war for Britain against the Japanese, and to carry out the most successful guerrilla campaign of the war. But after the Allied victory, Burma sank into isolation, dictatorship and civil war, and Britain forgot the bravery of these men. Now only a handful of veterans remain - will they get the recognition they deserve before it's too late? One determined band of Brits are in a battle against time to make sure they do.’
The film has been produced after a 2018 crowdfunding campaign kindly supported by public figures connected to the Burma campaign, including Dame Vera Lynn, Viscount Slim, Griff Rhys Jones and Levison Wood, and had the backing of major veterans charities including The Royal British Legion, The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League and Help for Heroes.
Norwich School has several links to this topic, such as the Seagrim Brothers - ONs who both fought in the war. Hugh Seagrim was notable for his leadership of Karen rebels fighting Japanese invaders in Burma and received the George Cross posthumously in 1946 for gallantry under captivity. Former headmaster Philip Stibbe (NS 75-84) also fought in Burma, and later wrote a book, ‘Return Via Rangoon’ about his experiences in the war. He dedicated the book to the memory of a brave Burmese Rifleman, Maung Tun, who saved his life by refusing to reveal Stibbe’s whereabouts to Japanese soldiers.
The premiere takes place on 12th June 2019, from 6.15pm – 8.15pm. The film will be screened at the National Army Museum in London after a drinks reception, and will be followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers.
More information and details of how to buy tickets can be found here.
