80th Anniversary Gala Dinner, York

The beautiful surroundings of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall in York played host to our Kohima 80th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Wednesday 3rd July 2024.

Over 100 guests joined us for this very special event to commemorate the 80th annniversary of the battles of Kohima and Imphal.

We were honoured to be joined by His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mrs Johanna Roper, by The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Margaret Wells, by Martin Vander Weyer, Governor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers, by The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, by The Reverend Canon James Milne, Canon Precentor York Minster (pictured 5th below) with Ms Claire Wesley, Master of the Company of Merchant Taylors, and by The Venerable Dr (Air Vice Marshal) Giles Legood, Chaplain-in-Chief and Archdeacon for the RAF.

We were delighted to welcome our guest speaker General The Lord Dannatt who spoke movingly and inspiringly, drawing parallels between the Second World War and the conflict in Europe that we face today. 

Lord Dannatt was presented with a Naga scarf by outgoing KET Chairman Steve White:

At the end of the evening Lord Dannatt kindly signed copies of his recent book 'Victory to Defeat: The British Army 1918-40' writtten with KET trustee Dr Robert Lyman:

Below, our guests meet with KET trustees past and present:

Past Chairman of KET, Major General David Murray Naylor (below left) speaks with new KET Chairman Angus Barclay:

KET Trustee, historian and author Dr Robert Lyman MBE (below centre) and below, KET Trustee Bishop Nigel Stock in conversation with our guests.