By E. P. Jones from Welshpool
"I was born in 1919 and joined the Territorial Army in July 1939. I was called up on the first day of the war with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In January 1940, I was sent to the Independent Companies which were known as 'Suicide Soldiers'.
I was in raids on the French coast around the time of Dunkirk. We were taken at night by R.A.F. speedboats to do as much damage as we could - besides meeting up with the Germans when all hell would start. We never knew whether we would come back or not.
In August 1940, we were sent back to our Battallions, 2nd Batt R. W. Fus. We were attached to the 29th Independent Brigade.
We had trained for seaborne landings and in February 1942, we sailed from the Clyde and landed in Madagascar to take the Naval base of Diego Suaiez which the Japanese were using. After eight months of fighting the Vichy French, we had taken all of the Isles.
From there, we were sent to the war against the Japanese in Burma in 1943. The first big battle was down in the Arakan, known as the 'Admin Box', where we defeated them. That battle lasted for about six weeks. That's the first time the Japanese were beaten which was a turning point.
After nine months in Arakan, we were pulled out of the fighting for a rest for a month. We were then flown in to North Burma by the U.S.A. 10th airforce and dropped 800 miles behind enemy lines, on an air-strip at a place called Myitkyina.
The brigade had to fight its way down the railway corridor towards Rangoon which was 1,400 miles. We were taking casualties most days as we had to fight for every station. We reached the Torawaddy river, which was two miles wide on the 21st December 1944 and had Christmas dinner on the 25th December.
We crossed the river on the 28th December 1944. It was very frightening and I said my prayers many times. Here we were fighting again as we had caught up with the Japanese on 11th January 1945 and a big battle started. This was about 200 miles north of Mandalay and here I got wounded in the leg and head.
I was taken back to a little air-strip from which I was flown out to a dressing station. The pilot who flew me out was the American actor Jacky Coogan.
I was awarded the Military Medal, I did not see my family for seven years. One of the worst things was coming home and going to see my mates' parents."
By E. P. Jones from Welshpool
your comments
Mike Twist, Rhyl N.Wales
Hi,could you help me,I'm trying to find out if my grandfathers regiment fought at the battle of the Somme,he was in the south wales borderers,my uncle[his son]said he did, but I cant find any records of it,many thanks.
Tue Jul 7 11:27:41 2009
Patrick Digney from Stirling Scotland
My dad fought in burma and was in the royal scot fusiliers. His name is Patrick Digney he is mow 88yrs old and still going strong/
Mon Jun 22 09:34:08 2009
Arun from Kitchener,Canada
Interesting article
Fri May 15 10:37:15 2009
Janet Monk from Romford
My father,Aubrey Bertram Delves also served in Burma. My mother said he did not go until 1947 due to his age? He was with the Royal East Kent Regiment. He told my mother that even post war he was shot at by a sniper the bullet missed his head and embedded in the lorry he was driving.When he came home by ship to Southampton, there was no one to meet them and they had to make their own was home. He never recieved any medals or papers. Does anyone else have any reports of this treatment?
Tue Mar 31 14:00:47 2009
Jonathan Hyde, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
my grandfather served with the 2/5th battalion the welsh regiment during WW2. He joined up at the age of 21 in 1939. I'm hoping to find out about his battalion and movements in normandy. I don't know where to start. I have his name, service number, D.O.B etc. Anyone who remembers 'Randal Griffiths' 3963910 from Merthyr, stationed at leominster in 1939, i'd love to know more. thank you.
Tue Feb 24 09:13:20 2009
Cyril Breeze Evans - Nr Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire
Response to Brian Powell from Leominster. In my late Father Bob Evans (RWF 1st & 2nd battn)Army album I have a photo of a 'Basher' Powell from Swansea - if connected then welcome to contact me.
Fri Jan 30 09:31:33 2009
frank ,brackenbury in lincoln
anyone remember frank ,my grandad in burma ?43-44?wendy dont know much at all can you help?
Tue Jan 13 10:21:54 2009
David Anderson, Fife, Scotland
Looking for anyone that remembers my grandfather, i think he served with the 1st battalion black watch in burma.Sgt or SSgt Thomas Anderson from Leven, fife, Scotland.Brn 14/10/1924.
Tue Jan 6 13:43:15 2009
Jane Ferrara Huddersfield
I am emailing on behalf of a friend. His name is Cyril Bradley, he served in Africa in 43, he was in the Infantry, then moved to Europe. He remembers a comrade called Albert Edward Evans who lived in Bower,(thats how Cyril pronounced it), South Wales. Albert's nickname was Taffy, he used to sing and the Italians would all gather to hear him singing. Cyril said that Taffy would only sing if he had had a drink!Albert went to Cyril and Pat's wedding in Llandudno. Albert must be about 85 now according to Cyril. I do hope that someone can help reunite them if possible.
Sat Dec 27 16:38:52 2008
François Lorcet from Morsang sur Orge
I am confused enough to write a few words. In fact, I am French and my father was a sailor in Diego Suarez in 1942. He fought against the English troops and he was prisoner of them. He left Madagascar for Liverpool and Ascott where he was in a camp mixed with the Nazi sailors. It was unfair just because he was not a nazi, just a French Vichy sailor. In 1940, her ship was sunk by the HMS Hood in Mers el Kebir and plenty of his friends were killed in this tragedy. My father is always alive and he is 88. I would be very happy to get in touch with someone or a veteran even ! if he was an enemy at this period. Thank you very much
Tue Dec 2 12:52:18 2008
Peter M Thomas, Poole Dorset
My late Father Seth Vernon Thomas was a member of the 2nd Bn RWF and served in Shanghai before the war. He took part in the Madagascar Campaign, and afterwards in India transferred to the CMP (India), He married my mother in Poona in l944 and completed his army service in the MPSC in 1958. I would love to hear from anyone who knew him or his family.
Tue Sep 9 09:21:19 2008
Jacqueline Prosser
my uncle enlisted in r.w.f.2 bn name thomas john michael died burma 18/10/1944 any info appreciated I am doing family tree any info about that time please thanks.
Tue Aug 26 09:18:18 2008
Lorna Price from Swanea
My grandad Fredrick Lewis Davies was a prisoner of war in Korea.He died a few years ago and my family and i would like to know more about his time in the army.We would love to hear from anyone who knew him.He was born on the 17-01-22
Tue Aug 12 12:13:32 2008
Linda Burton from Auckland NZ
My father, Staff Sergeant Victor Glover (engineer from Erith, Kent - serving in Burma) never spoke about the war or his part in it. The only reminder we have of his part is his demob card, a photo album and of course his 'Burma Star'. The photos are of 'happy times' in Poona, Darjeeling and Calcutta. From some of the photos we know that he was in Poona in '42. My family would like to get in touch with anyone who may remember him, my sons would like to know what dad did in the war. One person who crops up many times in the photos is 'Den'. Can anyone help?
Thu Jun 26 09:06:39 2008
Jo Jones
My father Ted Jones AKA Alfred Sidney Jones died last year....he served in the Second World War and came from Radnor...I wanting to find out more about his war service....or anyone that knew him
Tue Mar 4 12:25:36 2008
Andy Hazell, Knighton Powys
My dad, Gordon(Jock)Hazell died 2 years ago, i never knew what he did in the war. I found a scrap of paper with 146 Regt. RAC, and an arm badge with Special B service.My sprightly mum says he mentioned a ship from the Clyde, Diego Suarez,landing tanks in Madagascar and being in Hospital in Poona for a very long time.It seems he must have been in Burma,but never mentioned it.Seven years of his life deliberately filed away,as it was all too horrible to remember. For some the war was the best of times,for my dad it must have been the worst of times.It's so sad.
Mon Jan 7 08:27:02 2008
Hugh Strathearn
Can anyone please help me with information on my father who served in Burma with the black watch. His name was Hugh Strathearn and was born on 26/3/1920.
Wed Dec 12 09:36:13 2007
Brian Powell from Leominster
I'm trying to trace army records for my father (Ronald Charles) and uncle (Gordon Horace. They were both in the RWF 2nd battn. fighting in Burma and Korea. My father was made up to sgt and they both came from Swansea. Any details would be very much appreciated.
Mon Dec 3 08:29:26 2007
Shaun Canniford from Weston-Super-Mare
Does anyone know of my Father in Law called Frank Elrick from Ballater Scotland.He served as a Para (welsh) at Normandy, North Africa and after the war in Palestine. At some stage he was a provost Sergant within the Regiment. His original Regiment was the Black Watch.If you can help please get in touch.
Wed Nov 28 09:07:07 2007
Sam Harris
I have managed to find info on my great granfather Michael O'Neill and would like to find out if anyone remembers him.He was born in Port Talbot 15/2/14 Served in the RWF and held the rank of Sgt untill his death on 18/10/48. He is buried at Munster Heath Cemetery in Germany He is included on Armed Forces Memorial in Staffordshire,and The roll of honour at The Chapel Royal Hospital Chelsea. I also have his service number 4189783.
Mon Nov 12 14:12:48 2007
Kevin Price from Rotherfield Sussex
My father Charles was in the 2nd batt band, he joined in 1936 and served in Madagascasr and Burma ,he also spent time in South Africa and India before the war, his Uncle William Ramsden Price was also in the RWF and injured in 1918,he went to Nalla Hall, I would be interested in any photos of either of these.
Mon Oct 15 13:00:41 2007
Sam Harris, Sussex
I'm looking for any info on my great grandfather,unfortunately I don't know a lot about him. I do know his surname is o'Neill and we know he was in the welch fusiliers,he died in germany between 1944-1946 and saved a small child from a landmine,if anyone can help that would be great.
Mon Oct 8 08:06:39 2007
Mike, Abergele
My late father from Guilsfield served with the 1st battalion RWF 1934/42and 6th para bn 1942/46. He was Sgt Nat Edwards 4190997 any ex RWF remember him?
Sun Sep 9 16:05:45 2007
Cheldon Barnett
All my fathers documents went up in flames during a house fire. His name was william Glendore Cheldon Barnett. All I know, is that he was in World War II in Burma, I dont know where to find any information on him.
Thu Aug 9 09:35:54 2007
Roy Dadge
I was interested to read your account Ted. My father must have served with you as you seemed to have both been transferred from the the 1st to the 2nd at the same time. My father Frank, joined the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers on the 1st Mrach 1933 and served in D Company with them from Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Sudan retuning on the UK on the 10th December 1938. He went to France on the 23 September 1939 as part of Sixth Brigade and returned on 29th May 1940. On the 25th August 1940 he transfereed to the 2nd Battalion at Bolney and Angmering in Sussex awaiting the invasion of the Germans. The Battalion left Crowburgh on the 7th May 1941 for Selkirk to train for Combined Operations as part of the 29th Independant Brigade. They sailed from the Clyde on the 23rd March 1942 on HMS Karanja for Freetown, Durban and Madagascar. After three landings at Antsirane, Majunga, and Tamatave with an intervening period spent in Mombassa they returned to South Afica and then to India, Chittagong and the Arakan.
Fri Aug 3 13:10:14 2007
Ta Eh Shee, poe from Norway
It was interesting to read your account on WWII. My grandfather (Saw Aaron poe yin) served in WWII in Burma. He was was awarded the Military Medal and he left us in 1992 while took a refuge in Thailand refugee camp. He always talked about his British comrades when he he still alive. He mentioned many names that I can't remember. He told me his own experience during WWII and very sad too. My grandmother still alive and has the medal with her. Wish everyone all the best.
Wed Jul 4 09:33:25 2007
Vicky Johnson, Alton, Hampshire
My father William John Simmons with the Royal Welch Fusiliers out in Madagascar, Burma during WW2. Recruited, Pola Cinema Welshpool. Born in Welshpool and was educated at Bronwylfa Scool and at Ellesmere College. Anyone remember him?
Tue Jun 26 12:04:41 2007
Claudia Kennedy from telford
I found reading these accounts very interesting to read. I am currently trying to find out about my great grandfather, i know for a fact he was stationed in Burma. His name was George Minton.If you know any helpful ways i could find this information out for myself or could find out any information that would be fantastic.
Wed Mar 21 09:45:37 2007
W(Bill) Robinson from Bridgend
I feel sad when I read these comments, I served myself in Madagascar and Burma with the 2nd Bn RWF, remembering names is difficult Jones being a common Welsh name, I had two Sergeant Jones in my Platoon. we were fighting in small units,although one
made close friends. Others were aquaintances but comrades none the less. I
am in touch with many being a member of the Burma Star Association. We try and help as much as we can. We are getting old
now and to recall events is getting more difficult. We do wish we could help more.
Sun Feb 18 10:48:57 2007
Wayne Archer ,Wolverhampton
Sidney Miles 3908342 R.S.M. was my grandfather. He served in Burma in ww2 with the parachute battalion, but started in the south wales borderers so my nan used to say but his daugter, my mum said he started in the Gloucesters. I was told he held the record for the youngest RSM in the British Army....Please can anyone help me with info or regimental photo.
Tue Jan 2 10:16:17 2007
mick smedley from Nottingham
I always believed my father to have been in the London Welsh regiment and he was involved in campaigns in North Africa/Scicily and Italy, also Monte Casino. Is that a correct assumption on my part please?
Thu Nov 23 09:47:27 2006
Neville Griffiths
My father was in the Royal Welch. We have some memories of his time in Burma. As children we played with the funny shaped 'anna' coins he bought back, we learnt how to count in urdu (or sanscrit) we took pleasure in going through all the different army badges he kept in an old plastic bag..He talked of riding this white horse in India and somebody taking a photograph of him.As children we never knew how hard it was for him. but as we were growing up I witnessed the poignant moment when L.Mountbatten was killed and my father cried. As we became young adults and still children, age, illness and the past caught up with him and as he was dying he relived some of the horror, I remember now as an adult the missionary nuns that he spoke about which really upset him and the Vichy French at madagascar.
I saw a burma veteran in bournemouth a few years ago working as a waiter (after testing him in urdu) he told me that somebody said he should forget what happened in the past he disagreed and said what was the point of me going there if I am to forget it all.
To some like my father they cannot or could not.
My dads name was/is Hugh Lloyd Griffith s (with or without the s) Old soldiers never die
Lest we forget
Mon Nov 13 10:04:16 2006
Gillian Brown Middlessex
My mother's uncle stanley dyer died in burma serving with the royal sussex regiment (1942-1945). Does anyone remember him
Mon Oct 23 09:59:19 2006
Lynn Niblett
Dennis Niblett, aged 18yrs, rwf, killed in action on hill 112,Normandy, July 17th 1944. Anyone who has any links or info on the brave men who fought this battle please get in touch as his brother is researching hill 112 and rwf and other regiments involved.
Fri Aug 18 09:35:53 2006
Michael Forbes from Wales
My Father George Forbes (Sargent Major) was in the 2nd battlion RWF. He served in India and the Sudan. I believe he was transferred to the 11th battalion from 1940 till the end of the war. Does the name ring a bell? I would love to hear from you if you can recall him. I never knew my Father and any information would be appreciated.
Regards Mike
Wed Jul 5 11:26:59 2006
mike abergele
To Stephen Bone: if you know his battalion, the following might help. The 1st battalion RWF France 1939/40; India 1942; Burma1942/1945 2nd battalion RWF Madagascar, India Burma 1942 1945 4th 6th 7th battalions territorial army Normandy, Belguim, Holland, Germany 1944/1945 8th bn uk 9th bn uk 1940 1945 10th bn RWF converted to the 6th Royal Welch parachute battalion the parachute regiment north africa italy south of france greece palestine 1942 1947 .5th 11th 12th were converted to royal artillrey units the 13th served in northern ireland.
Sun Jan 29 16:48:02 2006
Gwyneth Goodwin
My dad was in the Welsh Fusilliers. His name was Elvet Goodwin, he lived in Llanfyllin, and I know he fought in Burma. He was a Sergeant Major, then later dropped a rank so he could become a sergeant in the military police. I don't really know much more than that as he passed 11 years ago, it would be wonderful if anyone knew him.
Sat Jan 28 22:32:26 2006
Allan Poole - Wrexham
Can I point your readers in the direction of the Royal Welch Forum at:
www.rwf-forum.co.uk
The site is a meeting point for those with an interest in The Royal Welch Fusiliers. The site aims to provide advice and assistance, for anyone researching their family members, who may have served with the regiment. It has a vibrant message board and an extensive photo gallery. Plus its free!!
Sun Jan 15 18:20:57 2006
Linda Buckley From Arizona
It was very interesting to read your account on WW2. My father Green F # 4192645 was in the Royal Welch Fusiliers 2nd Battalion 29th Brigade. We know he fought in Madagasca from a poem he sent home called "The Fighting Twenty Ninth" May 5th 1942 it was signed Fred 29th IB. Madagascar. Were you part of that Group and do you know of the poem. My father must have gone to the same places as you. We have sent for his service records but that will take at least 4/6 months so we are trying to piece together his story while we are waiting, sadly he passed away in 1995. Is there anywhere we could find out more infromation would you point us in the right direction. We have a few photo's one of Wrexham Barracks with a group of men holding a sign 'Somme' in front of the group. Is there somewhere we can find out the names of the men in the photo. We have another small photo taken in India with 2 friends but the only name on there is Gordon.
Many Thanks.
Wed Aug 10 19:00:50 2005
Stephen Bone Newcastle upon Tyne
Unfortunately my father (Tommy Bone) died in 1964 when I was eight and I never found out where he was in WW11. However I do have his id which shows him in the RWF. Any ideas how to find out more?
If you can help, please
get in touch.
Thu Jun 30 11:46:25 2005
Allan Jones from Rochdale
It was fascinating to read this account or the Welsh Fusilliers in Burma. I lost touch with my father, so he couldn't tell me about his own experiences, but he was in Burma. The fact that the regiment were once stationed in Rochdale accounts for my being brought up there, and sadly, losing contact with my Welsh cousins. Thanks for the insight into one man's experience, which must have been very similar to my father's. He was Sgt John Jones from Wrexham.
Mon Jun 13 00:47:51 2005
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Ted Jones was away from his family for seven years during World War II. He saw action on the French coast around the time of Dunkirk and ended his war in Burma, taking part in the battle of Arakan.
