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WILLIAM FREDERICK WHAY
Fred's grandson Carl writes "
My Grandfathers name was
William Frederick Whay, known as Fred by his friends. He was born and raised
in Peckham, London.
My Father tells me that my Grandfather never said very much about his time in Burma and after reading the site I now realise that this is common with many. We do know that he served in the Royal Artillery. He was apparently mentioned in despatches for removing a live shell from a "heavy gun" saving the gun and also the lives of the men in his unit. He was also apparently a batman for General Slim for some time who, after the war, presented him with a watch to thank him for his services. The location for the photos are unknown although it is thought the group photos are taken somewhere in this country and the photo showing him bare chested is in Rangoon. He returned home on the Mauratania and went to work for the COOP as a milkman. The only name my Father can remember him saying is Jimmy Wray. We don't know if he is in the photos or not. The story is that my Grandfather travelled all the way to Burma and found he was posted with another young man from the same block of flats.....Jimmy Wray.
My Grandfather was a
very proud man who although suffering from terrible pain brought on by
arthritis etc. never complained and always showed respect and courtesy to
others. After reading stories on the site I realise he had probably seen and
experienced far worse. He died in 1987 and so I cannot ask him many of the
questions I have. Hopefully someone on your site may recognise him or
themselves and be able to help shed light on my Grandfathers life and times in
Burma. I can be contacted on whay@whay.worldonline.co.uk
Photograph below:-
Can anyone shed any light on the identification of these men? |
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