ARGYLE & SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS

New Books 'Moon Over Malaya' A tale of Argylls & Marines Click Here for more 'Notify Alec Rattray' A story of Argyle POW survival Click Here for more

Letter from Jonathon Moffatt re: Sgt Jim Masterton(1st Chindit Expedition)"

Last year I co-authored the book Moon Over Malaya: A Tale of Argylls and Marines about 2A&SH and the Plymouth Argyll Royal Marines in the Malayan Campaign. I'm now trying to follow up the stories of those who escaped or were evacuated from Singapore in February 1942. In all I now know that 53 Argylls and 22 Royal Marines reached Ceylon, India and Australia. Some of these Argylls joined the Seaforth Highlanders and fought in Burma. Some, like your own Brigadier David Wilson, played an important role in jungle warfare training.

I would welcome any recollections of these men who included Sgt C. Wallace and Cpl Archie Hoggan MM. I'm particularly interested in the story of Sgt Jim Masterton [Cpl A Company 2A&SH Malaya], as to what unit he served with in Burma and whether or not he was awarded the MM. Having escaped the Japanese at Singapore he was captured in Burma and was liberated from Rangoon Gaol in May 1945. The only clues I have are a photo of him in Accra in mid-1942 and the script of a 1945 radio interview from Rangoon.

We have since found out that Jim Masterton was Cypher Sergeant on the 1st Chindit Expedition 1943 and was captured then - assume around March 1943?  Are there any of this expedition group who may be able to help?

Any help most welcome.