In memory of Jack Lindo 1919 - 2008

My Life, my Regiment and my War in Burma.

When you go home, tell them of us and say,"for your tomorrow we gave our today"

Saturday 28th June 2008.
Jack's funeral was held on Friday 27th June at 10.am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel on High Park St, Liverpool for a Requiem Mass. This was followed by a Cremation at Springwood Crematorium in Allerton, Liverpool.

The ceremony was well attended and a truly moving experience. The flowers were lovely. One gentleman standing outside the church asked If I knew Jack and said that he had read about Jack's passing and wanted to pay his respects, simply because of Jack's bravery when he was a Chindit. Standing at the back of the room in Springwood Crematorium, "We'll meet again" was played and many of the mourners tearfully sang the words to the song, coincidentally the same song used in the video above.

Rest in peace Jack, thanks for being such a lovely person and a very hospitable host when I visited you - no one made bacon and egg cobs like you did so make 'em in heaven for all your old mates. We will always remember and continue to be inspired by your example. 'From Dingle to Heaven'.

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EULOGY FOR JACK LINDO (1919 - 2008)
By his Great Nephew, Tom Calderbank

John Joseph (Jack) Lindo was a remarkable man, who lived a most remarkable life. He was my Great Uncle, Granddad Barney's brother, and together they were amongst the men my Mam, Maggie, loved most in her life. Maggie Calderbank was born a Lindo, and so was I. After her dad, I think Maggie loved Jack the most because he had the qualities she admired and felt reflected in herself. Things like: intelligence, love, loyalty, compassion, pride, humour, courage. Jack had all these qualities and more. Like our lost, lamented Overhead Railway, he was a one-off.

We who are left behind are fortunate indeed, because when it came to accounting for your life, Jack Lindo wrote the book. He was not only witness to history, he made it. He was the first member of the family to write his autobiography: 'From Dingle to Delhi' is an absolute classic of its genre. Thanks in large parts to the efforts of his late partner and inspiration, his dear Ena, who gave him his first word processor and plenty of cajoling to write his book (at the age of 80, mind you); as well as his nephew Brian Kelly who got it to print, Eleanor Grundy who re-typed and edited, Barbara and Bob Dutton, who believed in him totally, and who Jack perhaps loved best at the end, and the encouragement of his wartime regimental platoon commander Major Fred Freeman. All these people helped Jack immeasurably. Also, Dave Roberts helped him achieve another family first: setting up a website which is a work of art. I helped promote the book locally and produce the play based on his life, 'Jack Lindo's Dream' by Torn McLellan and performed by Shorefields Drama Group. The book stands as one man's testimony of a lost Liverpool, and a lost Empire, and is part of what elevates this man to the ranks of greatness. Read it and weep.

When Death finally called for him, Jack welcomed him as a friend. And so he is that old reaper of Souls. He saves you when the pain, hopelessness and loneliness OVERWHELM. Jack had dodged him loads of times, to be fair but as we here all know, he gets everyone in the end.

Jack was one of the good guys, and someone who was always there. He was an authoritative figure, who people looked up to. His strength and will to survive took him from the Hungry Years in Herculaneum Terrace to the warzones of Burma. From one jungle to another. Gliding into the jungles of Burma to fight the Japanese to supervising all the public swimming pools in Liverpool after the war. Jack lived a life of contrasts.

He made a major contribution to the cultural life of this city, which needs to be proclaimed LOUDLY in this, our year as European Capital of Culture 2008. His legacy is profound and our collective loss is outweighed only by our collective gain. So, in closing, Dingle's finest son, thanks for showing us how its done! You taught us the true meaning of the word 'hero'. Your love and words will live in our hearts forever. We raise a glass in your honour. . . .

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July 2005- Pictures from the Reunion at Litchfield below.

Jack's epic Burma Pilgrimage in 2004-Jack's story and photos' here

15th August 2005 was the 60th Anniversary of the end of hostilities -V.J. Day.

Jack's book and a dramatisation of the book was launched on the 22nd of July 2003 at the Mount Carmel Social Club, 33 High Park Street, (off Princess rd) Liverpool 8. Books were signed by Jack, and the play (written by Tom McLennan) was wonderfully performed by the Shorefields Drama Group.

Monologues (extracts from Jacks book) were performed at the Kings Regiment Museum, which is housed within the "Museum of Liverpool Life", adjacent to the Albert Dock. Liverpool. MORE HERE

Pictures from the garden party at Highgrove House with Chindit Colleagues and HRH Prince Charles - more.

Listen to Jack wav file on Jack's book page.