John (Sean) a.k.a Bernard Dermody

Known as the Fighting Chindit From Dring Colmcille
John (Sean) Dermody, was born in Dring, Purth near Granard in Co Longford c.1921, and grew up to be a proficient horseman. He joined the Irish Army c.1938 and soon was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 1940, he and some of his comrades deserted the Irish Army and enlisted in the British forces. Sean enlisted under the name of his older brother, Bernard, although he was affectionately known as 'Paddy' to his new army comrades. 

In 1943 and 44 served with the Chindits in the steaming jungles of Burma. They were a long-range penetration group, comprised of British and Indian soldiers. Sean was one of the very few Other Ranked soldiers to take part in both Chindit expeditions, Operation Longcloth and Operation Pagoda; he served with both Brigadier Orde Charles Wingate and Brigadier Michael "Mad Mike" Calvert who mentioned Seán (as Paddy) in his book Fighting Mad.

In March 1944 during an attack on their 'White City' stronghold, Sean was badly wounded in the groin, soon after he was flown to hospital in India. where he sadly died of wounds on the 6th July 1944. 

In the 1970s BBC programme, The World At War, Seán is included in Episode 14, 'It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma' (1942-44) in its segment on the Chindits. 

Link to CWGC entry, as Bernard Dermody; First Anniversary, Longford Leader, 7 July 1945; Seán's entry ChinditsLongcloth1943.com; footage of the Chindits in 1944 from CiriticalPast on YouTube;  video on the Pacific 24 Hour ration used by the Chindits