Charlotte Carty and her team, hailing from Milborne Port in Somerset (UK), embarked on a remarkable journey retracing the steps of her grandfather during World War II. She walked 77 miles (124km) across hills and jungle from the village of Jessami to Kohima on April 2 to 3, mirroring her grandfather’s 39-hour trek.
The journey was organized to commemorate the wartime efforts of her grandfather, Lieut Col William Felix “Bruno Brown”, who served as the commanding officer of the 1st Assam Regiment in 1944. Carty’s walk aimed to honor his legacy and the sacrifices made by his regiment.
At the conclusion of her journey, a small program was organized by the Kohima Educational Trust at the World War-II cemetery in Kohima.
Speaking about her experience, Carty expressed the emotional significance of retracing her grandfather’s footsteps. Despite the physical challenges of walking day and night without sleep or proper rest, she acknowledged that the hardships faced by her grandfather and his regiment during wartime were undoubtedly more severe.
While also acknowledging the difficulties of accurately recreating the exact path taken by her grandfather, Carty emphasized the importance of remembering and celebrating the past, urging the younger generation to value the history and heritage of their ancestors.
Carty said she had been planning this journey for about two years, and it involved meticulous planning and coordination. She was accompanied by 26 friends, including her three children and her husband. Among the participants were descendants of individuals involved in the war, along with historians and travel experts.
Throughout their journey, Carty said they were moved by the warmth and hospitality of the people they encountered. Despite the challenges, almost all members of the group successfully completed the walk, ranging in age from 23 to 64 years old.
Upon reaching Kohima village, the team was greeted by members of the Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) and escorted to their final destination, the war cemetery, by local leaders and officials, including the chairman of D. Khel council Pele Khezhie, Quick Response Team (QRT), GBs and others.