The Armenian spirit: The wartime legacy of the Agazarian family

The story of the Agazarian family begins with a fateful love that bridged distant worlds. In his late teens, Berge Agazarian left his beloved Armenia and arrived in Liverpool, England, in 1911, seeking a new life filled with promise. It was in England that he met Jacqueline Marie-Louise le Chevalier, a young French woman sent to London to study. From the moment he saw her, he knew his life would never be the same. She came from a world far different from the one Berge had known, yet despite the vast differences in their origins and cultures, they were drawn to each other—as if fate had destined them to meet. Together, they built a beautiful life in England, running a successful electrical business in London while raising four sons and two daughters.

One of their sons, Levon Agazarian, was born on July 31, 1914, in London. He was educated at Dulwich College and later worked in France. In 1940, as freedom and democracy came under attack, Levon joined the Royal Air Force, where he served with exceptional courage. He flew Hurricane aircraft during the defense of Calcutta, India, and later became part of the legendary Chindits, a special forces unit known for its unconventional tactics, carrying out deep penetration missions in jungle terrain to disrupt enemy forces. The Chindits played a crucial role in the Burma Campaign, supporting the 14th Army’s efforts to liberate Burma from Japanese control. Levon’s bravery and spirit led him to his appointment as the aide-de-camp to Major General Orde Wingate, leader of the Chindits.