Wykes, veteran of 'Battle of Kohima', passes away
Dennis Bernard Wykes, one of the veterans of the famous 'Battle of Kohima' during the Second World War, has died at the age of 85.
Dennis Bernard Wykes, one of the veterans of the famous 'Battle of Kohima' during the Second World War, has died at the age of 85.
Wykes, who was called to join the British army in 1942 aged 19, joined the Royal West Kents and saw action in India and Burma.
Wykes wrote his war memoirs, currently lodged in the Imperial War Museum at London in which he describes his experiences as a soldier, in particular the Battle of Kohima, which was the turning point in the war against the Japanese.
During the 16-day siege of Kohima he and his fellow soldiers were attacked day and night and left with little food, water or sleep. Out of the 800 men in the battalion, only 100 survived.
Today, less than 10 soldiers who fought in the battle are living.
Wykes' funeral will take place on Wednesday. It will be attended by members of the Burma Star Association and The Royal West Kents.