Search2

1684571 Gnr James Hannigan: 53 then 72HAA REGT RA:
James' grandson Iain who is a Cpl in the R.E.M.E. writes "

CAPTAIN FRED PARKINSON - LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS OR ONE OF THE LANCASHIRE REGIMENTS: Fred's nephew Bill writes "I am trying to find any information about my uncle Captain Fred Parkinson who fought in Burma against the Japanese. I think he was in a Lancashire Regiment being brought up in Preston. I Know he was involved and wounded in an action resulting in the capture of a company of Japanese in the Burmese jungle.

CHARLES WILLIAM COLES: We are searching for anyone who may have knowledge of CHARLES WILLIAM COLES

Charles' son is aware that his Dad served somewhere in Burma with the 9th Gurkha div that is about all we can find out. We know he saved a Gurkha who had his legs blown off and Charles carried him through the jungle and saved his life. We also know he was a prisoner working on a railway line.

Several years ago somebody who was writing a book wanted to include his story but my father never replied to him the letter has been thrown away as this would have been a great help as they knew about Paul Cole's dad's exploits.

Charles was a member of the Scarborough Branch of the Burma Star Association and we know that he was presented with a candelabra by the 'Chandra Group'

Is anyone able to help with information about Charles or the 'Ghandra Group'. If you do have anything, could you let pecbsa@btconnect.com know please.

SGT GEORGE BYNG - ROYAL HAMPSHIRE REGT attached to ROYAL WORCESTERS. Andrew Phillips is trying to find out about his Grandad GEORGE BYNG. Although he was with the Royal Hampshire Regt., he was attached to the Royal Worcesters and with them, went to fight in the Burma Campaign. He had a friend called CHARLIE COLE. Can you help us at all. If so, could you e-mail Andrew on erps@phillips-spicer.freeserve.co.uk or here at pecbsa@btconnect.com Many thanks again

ARTHUR E. KING - 27th FIELD REGT - 25TH INDIAN DIV:
Tom's son, Terry writes "

I am looking for information on my late father's war time service, He joined up pre war from Snodland , Kent. Went to France with the BEF , evacuated at Dunkirk, Following time in this country , went to Burma (Arakyan) campaign, then on to Rangoon. Would like to hear from any one who knew him (or Tom Sissons -same unit - my uncle) or any regimental history.

JOB MEANEY/DIA DAVIES - A Company 2nd Btn KINGS OWN (LIVERPOOL) REGIMENT:- Tom Meaney (Job's Grandson) is trying to contact ex-colleagues of his Grandfather - can you help. Dia we believe comes from North Wales, possibly Abergavenny. If you can help, can you contact tommeaney@madasafish.com

'LITTLE JACK' HILTON - ROYAL ENGINEERS: Danny Hilton (Jack's Grandson) writes "

CAN YOU HELP ME I,M TRYING TO TRACE SOME WAR HISTORY ON MY GRANDFATHER,WE KNOW HE GOT THE BURMA STAR BUT IS THERE ANY KIND OF LIST I CAN SEE TO CONFIRM THIS WITH MAYBE A DATE. HIS NAME WAS JOHN HILTON KNOWN AS LITTLE JACK IN THE ROYAL ENGINEERS......

ANY HELP WOULD BE HELPFUL ......THANKS....DANNY HILTON....PROUD GRANDSON."

If you can help, Danny is on daniel@hilton16.freeserve.co.uk

Richard "Dick"Ted CHAMBERS Private 14614481- ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT: We are after information on the above. He enlisted on 20 May 1943 and was transferred to the RWK's on 1 July 1943. He was then sent to India 22 February 1944 and was transferred to the 9 battalion Royal Sussex on 11 June 1944. On 5 August 1944 he was wounded and later suffered several bouts of malaria. His discharge was on 12 February 1946 as medically unfit and he spent some time in hospital in England (shell shock) before being released on a part pension for a few years. He was awarded a 1939-45 medal, 1939-45 star and a Burma star.

Dick's grandson hasn't as yet been able to find out if he was at the siege of Kohima or not, although he was in the RWK's at that time. His stint with the Royal Sussex in 36 Div. though would have put him in with Stilwell's push south from Ledo but once again details are few and far between.

We are trying to find information to help one of our readers learn about his father - it does seem like it may be a very interesting and emotional story. Can you help? Please continue reading.....

ERIC THOMAS EGAN - ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT:

I have been trying to trace and track down information on my Father, Eric Thomas Egan. He served under Field Marshall Slim in Burma during the war and was captured by the Japanese. He escaped from the POW camp and spent time hiding in the jungle until he gave himself up to the Americans. I understand that he was in the Royal Berks regiment. He never received his Burma star. I have his 1939 - 1945 star his Pacific star and his 1939 - 1945 George VI medal. He died back in 1970 aged 72 and was born in Ireland in County Cork. I also understand that he was on the Repulse or the Prince of Wales. He saved a man called Williams when the ship was sunk. That's about all I know.

I found some notes that my Mother left me before she died. They are a bit vague, She writes:- Eric Thomas Egan P.O.W. re C.Q.M.S escape from Japs.

My husband was taken prisoner in Singapore, he was put to work on the Siam Railway. He was under Field Marshall Slim and another General whose name I can't remember, I know it began with A.G. While he was captive he made it known to two officers his intentions to escape. They helped collect a few things to help him on his way. He got away with another soldier who was later recaptured and beheaded. My husband was long gone. He hid in the Burma jungle where he met up with a German, a Mr Freelander, who gave him food and some clothes. He walked from Singapore to the Burma border.

He disguised himself as a Turk, fez and all and got by the Jap guards and crossed the Meni Bridge only to be sent back by the guards on the other side. He made his way back to Singapore. My husband said it was 900 miles each way. He was in the jungle for three and a half years. He got information that the Americans were in Singapore, so he gave himself up and was put in Chanhi Prison and was interrogated. The grade was Black, Grey, and white. As he was white he was kitted out and arrived back in Singapore at the time the Repulse and the Prince of Wales were sunk. My husband helped to get the Sailors off safely and he was the last man off before the Prince of Wales sank. He came home in February 1948. but never got his Burma star medal. He had to sign papers to the effect that he would not reveal how he made his escape. He was awarded the Loyalty Medal. This is as much as I remember. He was 15 stone when he enlisted and was less than eight stone when he got home. He died in May 1970. He also served in the Kings own Royal regiment 1st Lancaster 1914 - 1918 war, he enlisted under age.

So you see Paul, the above is all I have to work with. As my mother was 84 years of age, I am not sure if she got a few bits wrong or if everything is correct. She also wrote some numbers on the bottom of her notes, these are:- 534974PARA and KR1940/39XX1XA class. I have not got a clue what these are. Maybe if I add these to my message someone will recognise them, what do you think? Anyway thanks again for you help if I get any ware I will drop you a line and let you know. By the way my Fathers Pacific Star does not have a clasp with Burma on it. It is possible that it was lost over the years. Thanks again.

Can anyone out there help me?? Maybe one of you remembers my Father or you may even be Mr Williams.

Can you help - please have a think and see if this brings back any memories.

PRIVATE GEORGE BURTON (5829964) - LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT/ROYAL WEST KENTS/ Tennis Court - Kohima
Melany Copley (George's granddaughter) writes "My grandfather was in the tennis court battle at Kohima, I am trying to trace survivors and find out info on what happened to these brave fellows.

My grandad was in Burma from 14th April to the 16th April 1945 and then travelled through Burma to Rangoon India. He was in three different regiments, the Lincoln"s I think but I can't find that regiment the West Kent and finally demobbed in the West Yorkshire. My mum has told me there is a monument to the fallen soldiers! wow.

It seems that he was in Burma/India from 14thApril 1942 to 17th Sept !946 He was involved in the Tennis court Kohima, which I believe only a handful or two survived.

Please E mail me on copbond1@aol.com with any info you have or sites which I can explore. A very grateful Granddaughter to all the brave men out there which sacrificed their lives to a generation which needs to know what happened to them so we can pass this on to the generations to come, so THAT IT WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN>

REGINALD HUTTON - Firefighter from Liversedge in West Yorkshire: Reg's grandson writes "

I wonder if you could help me? I am researching my family history, my grandfather Reginald Hutton born 1903 in Liversedge, West Yorkshire, England, was a firefighter as part of his duties in the second world war. He recieved the Burma Star but no body knows were it is, i donot know his service number or any other information, Could anybody please help me find out please?