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Please scroll down to read about Harry's time in Burma and the Far East
Harry's story:- I was called up to Glen Parva Barracks in Leicester on the 15th November 1939 when aged 20. I carried out his initial 8 week training at Glen Parva and moved to Park Road, Blaby. Volunteered to go to the Middle East and joined the 2nd Battalion, the Leicestershire Regiment at Jericho on February 22nd 1940. After a march from there to Latrun, in September 1940, we left Palestine and on the 9th September went to Sidi Haneish in the Western Desert. During December, we were in action at Side Barroni in Bardia. We then left Salum by boat and was shipped to Alexander. After pulling in a short leave in Cairo, it was back up to Mersa Matruh and then on to Side Haneish again. I was there able to recover a photograph I had left on my first encounter. On May 12th 1941 I was taken back to 'Alex' and then two days later, shipped out to Crete, We travelled on the Figi and the Gloucester and the following week (May 22nd), both were sunk off Crete. We arrived at Crete on May 15th/16th and on the 20th, German parachutists were dropped on us. On May 29th we were evacuated on the Dido. On one occasion we came under attack and I was under 'A' Gun turret. Dive bombers attacked and the 'B' gun turret took a direct hit. May 31st we were at Jahag Camp in Egypt but on June 11th left for Palestine once more and then on to Syria. On June 22nd we were in action against the Vichy French which was quite a 'Rough Do'. There was then an armistice. On September 17th, we left Syria and went to Beirut and then on board H.M.S. Hobart, we sailed for 'Alex'. From there we were moved on to Tobruck - what a year that was! We were there for 3 months until relived on December 22nd. In January 1942 I was able to get some leave in Cairo and there met his brother in law. February 4th, we were en route to Syria and had battle dress issued - everyone thought that they were coming home. February 17th - the ship started back to Egypt then on March 1st, we were issued with tropical kit. On March 6th, we left Egypt on the SS Neu Amsterdam bound for Ceylon. The ship was unescorted and made fast progress. March 16th - Arrived Columbo and spent a year there mostly training and sport. On New Year's Eve 1942, I managed to break my arm playing rugger against some New Zealand lads, but on learning that the Battery we leaving for India, I managed to join them. On February 2nd 1943, we left Ceylon and after a 7 day rail journey, arrived in Ranchi. May 11th, we arrived at Ghinger Gacha but I fell ill and was taken to hospital in Calcutta for 3 weeks. July 1st, I travelled south to Bangalore and began Chindit training with 13 Platoon, bren gun support for Flame Throwers. From October there was training at Bijawar and as a last bit of 'luxury', all had Christmas dinner here. On 17th January 1944 we were entrained for the Ledo Road. February 8th was the start of the long march into Burma (630 miles covered in all). 29th Feburary (Leap Year but only the Mules to propose to) I spent up to the waist in the River Chindwin trying to get the mules to swim across. On the 25th March, came under fire at Auktaw where I had a round fly through his pack just missing me. L/Cpl Flowers was killed. 26th March - Forced to march to Indaw. Heavy fighting until the 30th March when we pulled out under cover of an air strike. Harry Slaney was the last man to leave! 30th April 1944 - Flown out from air strip 'Aberdeen' and landed overnight at Imphal. The following day a DC4 flew over with supplies. The pilots asked where we needed to go. We took off in a terrible storm but a few hours later, were able to land safely at Comilla. Saw Very Lynn and I was able to send a filmed message through to Mum, Dad and Peg. 5th May - 6 day trip down to Bangalore, Here everyone was given a medical check up - apart from being bright yellow from taking Mepacrine tablets, I was ok. A month's leave followed in Bagalore, three days of which me and a few friends spent with the Maharja of Mysore where all had a fabulous time. On my return, I went to the hospital to give blood and met Lt. Col. Wilkinson who had been wounded and flown out of Burma. I asked how he was and told him that I had given blood, to which he replied 'How noble of you'. I attended the Methodist Church at met a Reverend Hopkins. When I told him that I came from South Wigston, he told me that his brother was the Minister at the Blaby Road Methodist Church there (It's a small world). September 23rd 1944 - sailed from Bombay on the S.S. Sratheden back through the Suez and the Med, arriving at Liverpool on October 26th. I had leave for a month during which time I got married. I then went back to hard rookie training at Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire (November 1944). January 1945 - Very ill after two weeks in hospital. Had 5 weeks convalescence at Shuckbrough Park. June 1945 had leave and was then sent to Germany to join the 1st Btn, Leicestershire Regiment at Mondon. On March 3rd 1946 I left Mondon en route for demob at Northampton. March 8th 1946 - Mr W.H. Slaney aged 27. Weight 9stone 2lbs after 6 years and 4 months service. Harry can be contacted through bgarnershearsby@cs.com He would particularly like to contact Stanley Wootton who was with him in Egypt in 1940. Ed: Harry is also a very accomplished poet and some of his works can be found in the following:- "The Stars" is an anthology of poems which were collected and selected for the Boston and North Cambridgeshire branch of the Burma Star Association by H E ("Sandy") Williams. The collection of 118 poems is a very moving testament to those who fought, sometimes died and were often forgotten in the Burmese jungles. Includes an address given by Rev J F Titus Oates in St Dominic's Church, Washington on 18th October 1981 on the occasion of the dedication of the Standard of the first American branch of the Burma Star Association. The book has 144 pages, costs £11.95 including postage and can be obtained from Richard Kay Publications, 80 Sleaford Road, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 8EU, tel: 01205 353231. This is soldiers writing poetry, not poets writing about soldiers. REVIEW BY REV. E.J.C. LOSEBY - Click Here
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