One of the last surviving ‘Chindit’ soldiers from the Second World War’s Burma campaign, Sidney Machin, has received the Freedom of the at Guildhall today.
Sidney, who is 101 years old and from Dorset, has been nominated by Corporation Elected Members, Marianne Fredericks, and Simon Duckworth.
Sidney’s son, Trevor, a retired Police Officer, will receive the Freedom alongside his father.
Born in East Tottenham in 1924, Sidney initially served in Chindit HQ as a Signaller, before returning to 1st King’s (Liverpool) Regiment and flying into the ‘Broadway’ landing strip by glider in March 1944.
The Chindits were a British and Indian special forces unit that operated in Burma (now Myanmar) during World War II. They were known for their deep-penetration jungle warfare tactics and were instrumental in disrupting Japanese supply lines and infrastructure. ‘Chindit’ is derived from the Burmese word, ‘Chinthe’, a mythical lion-like creature that guards temples.
‘Broadway’ was the code name for a jungle landing strip used during Operation Thursday in World War II. It was a key part of the Chindits campaign, a series of long-range penetration operations behind Japanese lines. Gliders and later, Dakota transport aircraft, were flown into Broadway to deliver troops, supplies, and equipment. The landing strip was hastily constructed in a logging clearing, posing significant challenges due to the terrain and weather.
A member of 81 Column, 77th Brigade, Sidney was part of a floater platoon operating around Broadway. On its closure, the 1st King’s marched across to support 111th Brigade at the stronghold codenamed ‘Blackpool’. While supporting 111th Brigade, a sliver of bamboo pierced his foot and became infected, requiring him to be carried on an officer’s horse for several days and being treated in hospital in Meerut. He returned to Regimental HQ in Liverpool and then, to Officers Training Unit at Maresfield Sussex.
On retiring from the army, Sidney spent over 40 years working in the as a telephone engineer and later, in management. He moved to Dorset in 1988.
Speaking after his Freedom ceremony, Sidney Machin said:
“I’m very grateful to Marianne Fredericks and Simon Duckworth for nominating me for the Freedom of the .
“Having spent over 40 years working in the City after the war, receiving this recognition and at such an enjoyable ceremony at Guildhall, holds a particularly special meaning for me.”
Corporation Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, said:
“I am very happy to extend my congratulations to Sidney Machin on receiving the Freedom, which is a fitting tribute to his service during the Second World War.
“I also hope that today’s ceremony will be a memorable and meaningful occasion for his son, Trevor, as he celebrates this special moment alongside his father. His own sterling work with the Police has been recognised and appreciated.”
Speaking after the Freedom ceremony, Corporation Elected Member, Marianne Fredericks, said:
“It is a genuine pleasure and indeed, a privilege, to support a Freedom of the nomination for someone of Sidney Machin’s calibre, a man to whom we all owe a profound debt of gratitude.
“Sidney would, no doubt, resist being described in heroic terms and yet, the courage, resilience, and ingenuity demonstrated by people like him during the Second World War remain a lasting source of inspiration to us all.”
One of the ’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
Recent high profile recipients include multi-award-winning choreographer and director, Sir Matthew Bourne; six-time Olympic gold-winning athlete, Sir Chris Hoy and his wife, Lady Sarra Hoy; Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage; and comedian, actor, and writer, Sir Lenny Henry.
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