Gordon Graham : Lochaber No More!

Charles Chasie (“Lochaber No More” is a Scottish lament particular to the Cameroon Highlanders. Lochaber is a place in Scotland from where the Cameroon Highlanders were raised. So, “Lochaber No More” means “Visiting Lochaber never again” because they have passed away. This lament is usually played by a bagpiper because it is also a tune and most probably it will be played at Gordon’s funeral too. These words are also found on the memorial stone of the Queen’s Own Cameroon Highlanders in Kohima Village, just above the Baptist Church, at the highest point, which is being maintained by the villagers). [dropcap]A[/dropcap] very dear friend of the Naga people has gone home! Dr William Gordon Graham, MC & Bar, who fought at the Battle of Kohima in 1944-45 as a young Captain in the 1st Battalion of the Queen’s Own Cameroon Highlanders, and later became a giant figure in the writing and publishing world, passed away last Friday at the age of 95, following a stroke a week earlier. His funeral service will be held at the Amersham Crematorium, North East of London, on Thursday, May 7 at 1345 hours. Brief CV of Gordon Graham? Gordon Graham was born to Thomas Graham and Marion Hutcheson on July 17, 1920. After completing his MA from Glasgow University in 1940 he joined the army next year and put in six years of war service in England, India and Burma. He was awarded the MC & Bar for his services in Kohima (India) and Burma during 1944-45. He retired from the army as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1943, just before going to war, he got married to a Swiss girl named Margaret Milne in Bombay. Sadly, she died in 1946. Later in 1994, he re-married Betty Cottrell from the USA who survives him, besides two daughters. After retiring from the British army, he returned to India and spent a numbers of years as a newspaper correspondent and publishers representative till 1965. He went on rising in his career, working in different international publishing houses. What is significant is that, during this time, he also decided and went to work in Japan, among his former enemies. Of course, for a man who finished his MA studies at the age of 20, he also managed to complete his PhD in the midst of all these. His last job as a publisher was as Chief Executive and Chairman of Butterworth Publishers till he retired from there in 1990. Immediately, he became the founder editor of LOGOS, the international publishers’ quarterly journal about the book business worldwide. Needless to say, he was a treasured member of many international press and publishing organizations. Gordon has written four books apart from numerous articles, peer reviews etc. His last book, in 2005, titled “The Trees Are All Young On Garrison Hill”, was in the form of a personal military memoir but written in such a way that it was in a genre of its own. It had connection with everything – past and present and brought in elements that give continuity for present generation to continue into the future. The first print was quickly sold out and became more of a collector’s item – there was no second print. A lot of his experiences in the Battle of Kohima are included. Those wishing to read it can look it up on E-Bay for the electronic version – both written and audio versions are available. This will follow a personal route but that is how the initiative evolved. I first met Gordon Graham in 1993 after attending a conference of the International Communications Forum (ICF) in Nizney Novgorod (Russian Federation), earlier called Gorky, the Science City of the USSR. A senior British friend very kindly drove me all the way to Marlow from Portsmouth – I don’t exactly remember the distance but it was about 5 hours drive I think. Gordon and I lunched on his front lawns, the friend having gone back after dropping me. I do not recall the specifics of our conversations. After I returned home I remember us corresponding a few times but that was all. Then, in first part of 2001, Gordon Graham wrote a letter saying that the British soldiers had always felt they carried a debt of honour to the Naga people who helped them during the War and that before the remaining veterans all passed away they would like to do something for the Nagas to show their gratitude. It was something out of the blue for me and at first I did not know how to react. I only remember saying “Oh! So the British have not forgotten the Nagas!” Ever since the 2nd world war, neither the British nor the Japanese had tried to get in touch with the Naga people nor expressed any desire to do something for them. The Japanese and the British had even held a reconciliation ceremony at the Kohima Cathedral but it did not extend to the Naga people in a significant way. In my mind I was thinking the battle of Kohima had been like the African saying that “when two elephants fight, the grass gets trampled!” I shared the letter with a few friends and we discussed the idea. The consensus view was that this had obviously come from a man of conscience out of a spiritual stirring and it would be wrong to reject such an offer. So, I wrote back a letter welcoming his offer. After a few exchanges of letters, we decided that education would be an excellent area of support for Naga children as the UK was still at the very top in education. By December Gordon’s “ambassadors” in the form of his daughter and son-in-law were in Kohima – they had come via Burma/Myanmar where they went on a kind of pilgrimage following in the War “footsteps” of Gordon Graham, going where he went during the War. In 2003, Gordon and his wife Betty made the difficult trip to Kohima – I still recall as two of us accompanied the family through the Kohima Cemetery, Gordon was overcome with emotions at one point which his daughter said seldom happens with him. The possible creases in the relationship between the two sides and how we may function were ironed out. Following these, the Kohima Educational Trust was set up as a charitable trust in the UK. The Initiative was formalized at the last reunion of the veterans in 2004 in York Minster which was attended by 135 surviving veterans, during the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima. This was followed by registration of the Kohima Educational Society, under Societies Act 1860, with Government of Nagaland. Thus was born the KET/KES Initiative. During the initial years, till recently, Mr Pheluopfelie Kesiezie very ably carried the responsibility of the KES as chairman. We had earlier agreed that since this was about the Battle of Kohima, somebody from Kohima Village ought to take on the leadership at the Nagaland end. About the KET, this is what Gordon had to say, “What happens when memories fade? Too often nothing. They pass into oblivion, or at best become vicarious as oral history or recordings for readers, listeners and viewers. Converting memories into action underlies the Kohima Educational Trust, founded in 2004, sixty years after the Battle of Kohima. Until then, survivors had met annually to keep memories alive, to renew friendships and to honour their dead comrades. Now the numbers were dwindling. There were 135 veterans at the final reunion in 2004; the memorial service in York Minster in 2013 was attended by 15”. “The Trust, dedicated to assisting the education of the descendants of the Nagas who were our allies in the battle, is helping to shape the tomorrows for which those who died at Kohima in 1944, in the words of what has come to be known as the Kohima Epitaph, ‘gave our today’. This involves action in Nagaland where volunteers implement a wide range of educational projects, and in the UK where volunteers raise funds and develop ideas”. Although this initiative has been carried on at a more informal level, it has provided the first touch of healing of past hurt feelings coming as it did from British veterans. A bit of history must be mentioned here to put things into context. As most Nagas will remember, there was great disappointment among Naga people when the British left India without making any statement on the status of the Naga people. Many Nagas felt betrayed by their former British allies who happily accepted Naga help during the War but left them “at the mercy of the Indians” after the War. One can understand the British Government’s position at the time but this did not lessen the feeling of bitterness among many Nagas. This feeling of hurt, especially among the Naga Nationalists, had remained unhealed in spite of the fact that Phizo himself had sought asylum and lived in Britain for many decades before his death. And despite the warm fellow feeling that continued among former comrades in battle – Naga veterans and British veterans. Some might ask why we did not try to raise the KET to a higher and more formal level? The initiative started with the stirrings in one man! This had to be properly appreciated. Many of our people have the tendency to think that foreign funding means in terms of millions of dollars. This was not like that. KET was not a rich organization; its initial funding started with surviving veterans contributing 5 Pounds, 10 Pounds etc. from their meagre pensions. These were sacrificial givings to “remember Kohima” and not out what could be spared. Gordon Graham himself, apart from carrying all the organizational responsibilities was spending almost all his time to raise funds, besides contributing from his writings. Moreover, Gordon had to fight sceptics who thought the Initiative might turn out to be a waste of time! From such humble beginnings, the KET came to birth. But the conviction of one man can become a formidable force. The influence of the KET in Britain has been growing all the time. The KET now has a very able group of Trustees from different walks of life. It even has HRH, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, who was also in Kohima, as the patron of the KET and last year the KET meeting was held at Buckingham Palace in which one of our KES members took part. With the growth and wider support for the KET, Kohima itself has been growing in repute. As most are aware, the Battle of Kohima-Imphal has also been voted the most significant battle in the entire history of Britain. The campaign for this was carried out by Mr Robert Lyman, well-known military historian, writer and current chairman of the Kohima Educational Trust. For Naga readers, it may also be mentioned that our friends in the KET played not an insignificant role in inviting a Naga Troupe to the Edinburgh Tattoo, an international event of considerable repute and exclusiveness – more information on this will be forthcoming soon. The KET has been doing a lot to enhance the image of the Naga people world-wide in a positive way. In Nagaland too many dignitaries, including past Governors, Chief Minister, other ministers and prominent citizens etc., have been extending their support at different times. For instance, the former chief minister of Nagaland, Mr Neiphiu Rio, bought 200 copies of the DVD, brought out by the KET, about the Battle of Kohima. So, the healing and bridge-building has been going on at both ends which is as it ought to be because a bridge cannot be strong unless the pillars at both ends are strong enough. On the Nagaland side, the members of the Kohima Educational Society (KES) all contribute their services on voluntary basis. But, perhaps, mentioning some of the projects will give a better idea of how much is being done to benefit our people although the contributions have been going on quietly. 1. Scholarship : The flagship project of the KET is the scholarship given to high school students every year. Till date, 185 students from across Nagaland have received a 3-year scholarship at the High School level. Each year advertisements are placed in local newspapers so that students can apply for the scholarship. The applications are shortlisted by the KES. For the award ceremony, members of the KET travel to Kohima each year. 2. Dictionary : A good Oxford dictionary has been presented to all the schools in Nagaland. 3. Reference Library : A reference library has been set up in Kohima. At the moment, it is housed at the State Library. 4. Ray Jackson Basketball Court : Ray Jackson, a pilot during the War was shot over the jungle in Phek. He was look after by two Chakhesangs and safely returned to British lines. In gratitude he wanted to do something for the area people. After consultation and according to the wishes of the people a basketball court was constructed at Phek for the children to play. 5. Medical scholarship : A medical scholarship was started in memory of Dr Keith Halnan, a founding member of the KET, for health workers from remote areas. The project was implemented in collaboration with Downtown Hospital, Kohima. However, this has been kept in abeyance for the time being. 6. English teaching scholarship : So far, an English teacher from Dimapur was sponsored to do an M.A. course in English teaching in England. The idea is to propagate English teaching methods in schools. She has been giving training since her return. 7. School hostel at Pangsha : A school hostel has been constructed at Pangsha for the school children of the area as they faced great hardships in getting accommodation particularly those coming from neighbouring villages. The Pangsha people participated by making contributions of their own towards the project. 8. The first Naga Bibliography has been completed and it is now available on the KET website : www.kohimaeducationaltrust.net. Anyone can access the site and make use of it, particularly researchers and scholars. The website also welcomes suggestions and inclusions where titles have been inadvertently left out. Just keep in mind that at this point, the site hosts only English titles. 9. A multi-lingual Glossary (Dictionary) is in the offing, containing the 16 recognized tribe languages of Nagaland. Everything has been completed and in the process of being sent to press. It should be out soon. This work contains the most commonly used words and phrases and is aimed at better communication and understanding among the Naga tribes. It will be useful to others also including scholars and researchers. 10. Battle of Kohima Film : KET has recently produced a documentary film on the Battle of Kohima with real battle scene footage. The film is titled, Kohima: An Exploration of War, Memory and Gratitude. Made by a professional film-maker, David Percy, the film “skilfully mingles opposites – war and peace, youth and age, living and dying, joy and sorrow – all set in a remote mountain village which was once a scene of death and destruction where two armies met in a do-or-die battle”. The film also recounts the story of the KET. According to Gordon Graham, “The film is a witness to the past and a promise to the future, melding in words and pictures two totally different peoples flung together with brief intensity by the fortunes of war”. He continued, “Kohima (film) is a vivid drama portraying the continuity of life through the experiences of a few individuals… You are transported in a flash after the opening idyllic shots of Kohima today to feel like a participant in primitive combat amid mountains and jungle, to scenes of mud, misery and savagery in a battle subsequently, although not at the time, seen as one of the epic encounters of World War II. The film emerges seamlessly from the tragic past into a hopeful future, in which the key players are veterans, both British and Naga, and Naga children of today”. • There was also a students’ exchange programme while other new projects are in the pipeline. Some assistance have also been given to two groups which were felt deserving. The above are just to give readers a taste of what has been taking place so that they may begin to comprehend the important works that have been quietly going on. Who was Gordon the man? How do you evaluate a man? Only God can do that. All our attempts can at best scratch the surface depending on our readings of the man. What one can say with conviction in the case of Dr Gordon Graham is that he was a great soul, a deeply spiritual man who faithfully followed the deepest promptings he received from his heart. A military man who experienced first-hand what War was all about, he chose the path of peace and reconciliation and building-bridges. He was a giant of a man and a great intellectual but consciously remained private. Both writers and publishers craved for his friendship. He was a great friend and confidant to many people including the late Bill Porter, founder president of the International Communications Forum (ICF), at whose funeral he spoke movingly. He was also a great friend of Masuo, the Japanese Quarter Master in the Battle of Kohima (entire Burma Campaign), who started the initiative to reconcile British and Japanese soldiers and which culminated in the reconciliation ceremony at the Kohima Cathedral. At a personal level, he was not just a great friend, philosopher and guide but seemed more of a parent to me. He knew me exactly and he always managed to bring out the best in me. But it was not just me. Helping any person was his passion. But the Naga people and their welfare were almost always in the forefront of his mind. I remember him sending me a few Naga names he had come across who were doing some good works. He wanted me to get in touch with them and see how we might help them. His last thoughts were also about the Naga people from what one could get from here. Just before his stroke, he had dictated so many of his thoughts to be conveyed to his Naga friends. Sadly, he could neither speak nor swallow after his stroke but one can be fairly certain that among his thoughts were the Nagas and his KET. One is still in a state of some shock. While one knows the inevitable, at such times, one is usually caught unprepared. The following are a few thoughts about Gordon that come to mind at this stage. 1. Gordon started the process of healing and rapprochement of Naga-British relations by remembering history and doing something about it at his level. This has grown and has become bigger than an individual or even between the British veterans and the Naga veterans. Today, the initiative embraces the British public and the Crown as well, with also the Duke of York as the patron of the KET. 2. Gordon was truly a man with a sense of history in all the senses of that word and not just because of the efforts he made for rapprochement of Nag-British relations. Such a man is universal and his thoughts and actions are for the good of everyone and durable. At times, it would seem that he had the ability to look and see into the future. 3. Gordon was a great intellectual and ideological in his ways of thinking and actions. Few things he did were casual although he was also a fun-loving person. He consciously chose to remain private, quietly pursuing and doing well the few things he thought he was meant to be doing at each moment. He was fulfilling the purpose/s for which he came into this world, one felt. 4. Through the KET/KES, the Naga image is being promoted and enlarged in a positive manner and in ways we cannot still fully fathom. The writings above give some idea. 5. Benefits are accruing to the Naga people in both direct and indirect ways, both at home and abroad. The goodwill and support for KET/KES pouring in from all kinds of people has simply been amazing. The gap Gordon has left behind can never be filled. One consoles oneself with the thought that God would surely reward a person like Gordon for all his good works. The information that he passed away peacefully is another comfort. I would like to end with a request for all, especially the beneficiaries of KET projects, their families, and those who have known Gordon, to remember him and the surviving family members, at 1345 hrs on May 7, when the funeral takes place.