Pte. Arthur Birch.
Arthur Birch and Platoon 17, Column 8
Arthur Birch was 27 years old when he took his place within column 8 on Operation Longcloth. He became part of Platoon 17, commanded by Captain J. Coughlan and served as a Bren gunner (number two position) teaming up with another soldier called Norman Lambert. The platoon and column had experienced one or two incidents during the early weeks of the expedition, but in general terms had not faced the Japanese in any prolonged or open combat.
This all changed towards the end of March, as columns 7 and 8, along with Wingate's HQ marched toward the village of Baw, expecting to receive a large supply drop there before deciding on the next stage of the expedition. (As it turned out the order to return to India was given only a few days after the supply drop at Baw).
Firstly, let's get to know the men of Platoon 17. The unit was led by Captain JSF Coughlan of the 13th Kings, who had sailed over to India in late 1941 with the original battalion, his junior officer in the platoon was David Rowland, formerly of the Sussex Regiment, who had joined Chindit training at Saugor in the summer of 1942.
Another member of the group was Sergeant Tony Aubrey who had already been into Burma as part of the pre-operation scouting party, sent across the Chindwin in January 1943, to assess the enemies strength and the attitude of the local villagers in regard to supporting any Allied activities, especially in providing the soldiers with supplementary rations. Sergeant Aubrey had recounted his experiences in WW2 in a book entitled 'With Wingate in Burma', written by author David Halley, and it is from this book that much of the information for this story comes.
Arthur Birch was 27 years old when he took his place within column 8 on Operation Longcloth. He became part of Platoon 17, commanded by Captain J. Coughlan and served as a Bren gunner (number two position) teaming up with another soldier called Norman Lambert. The platoon and column had experienced one or two incidents during the early weeks of the expedition, but in general terms had not faced the Japanese in any prolonged or open combat.
This all changed towards the end of March, as columns 7 and 8, along with Wingate's HQ marched toward the village of Baw, expecting to receive a large supply drop there before deciding on the next stage of the expedition. (As it turned out the order to return to India was given only a few days after the supply drop at Baw).
Firstly, let's get to know the men of Platoon 17. The unit was led by Captain JSF Coughlan of the 13th Kings, who had sailed over to India in late 1941 with the original battalion, his junior officer in the platoon was David Rowland, formerly of the Sussex Regiment, who had joined Chindit training at Saugor in the summer of 1942.
Another member of the group was Sergeant Tony Aubrey who had already been into Burma as part of the pre-operation scouting party, sent across the Chindwin in January 1943, to assess the enemies strength and the attitude of the local villagers in regard to supporting any Allied activities, especially in providing the soldiers with supplementary rations. Sergeant Aubrey had recounted his experiences in WW2 in a book entitled 'With Wingate in Burma', written by author David Halley, and it is from this book that much of the information for this story comes.
Bren Gunner Norman Lambert and some pals from 1943.
Here is how Aubrey remembers those first few weeks in Burma:
"The platoon slowly began to get to know each other. On the long night time halts in bivouac there was nothing else to do other than talk about our families, previous experiences and our hopes and fears about what might lie ahead in the coming days.
Our platoon sergeant was Tom Quick, a genial type of chap from Manchester. He was the last sort of fellow you would ever had thought likely to get himself mixed up in a war. Poor Tommy only ever wanted to get back home to his family whom he clearly loved dearly.
Then there was Corporal Walsh, who was also from Manchester. He was a ginger headed lad, but his nature belied the colour of his hair, as a cooler customer you could never wish to meet.
Norman Lambert was from Middlesborough and always seemed to be with his great buddy Arthur Birch. Lambert was a great hand on the piano and Birch was a comical little fellow always ready with a gag. They would have made a great double act in the music halls back home, as they did on the Bren gun in Burma. Another comic in Platoon 17 was Jim Suddery from Islington, London. He was always ready with a crack and his quick-fire Cockney wit contrasted hilariously with the more placid humour of Birch. Jim was number one on another Bren and nothing ever separated him from his beloved gun, it was flesh of his flesh. All in all we were a happy family and got along very well."
"The platoon slowly began to get to know each other. On the long night time halts in bivouac there was nothing else to do other than talk about our families, previous experiences and our hopes and fears about what might lie ahead in the coming days.
Our platoon sergeant was Tom Quick, a genial type of chap from Manchester. He was the last sort of fellow you would ever had thought likely to get himself mixed up in a war. Poor Tommy only ever wanted to get back home to his family whom he clearly loved dearly.
Then there was Corporal Walsh, who was also from Manchester. He was a ginger headed lad, but his nature belied the colour of his hair, as a cooler customer you could never wish to meet.
Norman Lambert was from Middlesborough and always seemed to be with his great buddy Arthur Birch. Lambert was a great hand on the piano and Birch was a comical little fellow always ready with a gag. They would have made a great double act in the music halls back home, as they did on the Bren gun in Burma. Another comic in Platoon 17 was Jim Suddery from Islington, London. He was always ready with a crack and his quick-fire Cockney wit contrasted hilariously with the more placid humour of Birch. Jim was number one on another Bren and nothing ever separated him from his beloved gun, it was flesh of his flesh. All in all we were a happy family and got along very well."
Tony Aubrey back in India in May 1943.
The supply drop at Baw was planned for the 23/24 of March and was be an extremely large affair, re-supplying around 1300 men from Northern section. Wingate and his column commanders surveyed maps of the area and chose the drop zone (a succession of dry paddy fields on the outskirts of the village), orders were given for two units to secure the main roads leading in and out of the village, one of the road blocks was to be manned by Platoon 17.
The platoon set off to secure the tracks to the east of the village and were supposed to be in place before first light the following morning. The men encountered some dense jungle during their journey to the agreed location and in the end Captain Coughlan called a halt to proceedings and told the men to bed down for a few hours until there was enough light to complete the march in comfort. This was to prove his units undoing and would cost the Captain his rank and his place in Column 8.
At first light the platoon pushed on, but immediately ran into Japanese sentries, a Burma Rifleman shot one of the enemy, disastrously this brought out the entire Japanese garrison from the village and all element of surprise was lost. Platoon 17 were soon pinned down by Japanese mortar fire and snipers took pot shots at the men as they scrambled for cover. It was during these early exchanges that Pte. Arthur Birch was killed. Here are his CWGC details, please click on the link below:
http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/2505981/BIRCH,%20ARTHUR
Here is how Tony Aubrey remembers the action at Baw on 23rd March 1943:
"We took up a defensive position on the crest of a small rise on the edge of the woodland. Visibility was barely 10 yards forwards as the enemy opened fire on us. Our unit soon suffered casualties, Pte. Birch was killed, with no fewer than 17 bullets finding him out. Lambert was shot in the chest, Yates in the hand and shoulder and Suddery received a bullet which went through his right bicep, punctured his ribs and exited through his stomach. In spite of his wounds Suddery continued to fire his Bren from the hip as we attempted to retreat into the woods".
The platoon set off to secure the tracks to the east of the village and were supposed to be in place before first light the following morning. The men encountered some dense jungle during their journey to the agreed location and in the end Captain Coughlan called a halt to proceedings and told the men to bed down for a few hours until there was enough light to complete the march in comfort. This was to prove his units undoing and would cost the Captain his rank and his place in Column 8.
At first light the platoon pushed on, but immediately ran into Japanese sentries, a Burma Rifleman shot one of the enemy, disastrously this brought out the entire Japanese garrison from the village and all element of surprise was lost. Platoon 17 were soon pinned down by Japanese mortar fire and snipers took pot shots at the men as they scrambled for cover. It was during these early exchanges that Pte. Arthur Birch was killed. Here are his CWGC details, please click on the link below:
http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/2505981/BIRCH,%20ARTHUR
Here is how Tony Aubrey remembers the action at Baw on 23rd March 1943:
"We took up a defensive position on the crest of a small rise on the edge of the woodland. Visibility was barely 10 yards forwards as the enemy opened fire on us. Our unit soon suffered casualties, Pte. Birch was killed, with no fewer than 17 bullets finding him out. Lambert was shot in the chest, Yates in the hand and shoulder and Suddery received a bullet which went through his right bicep, punctured his ribs and exited through his stomach. In spite of his wounds Suddery continued to fire his Bren from the hip as we attempted to retreat into the woods".
One page of the casualty returns for the 13th Kings in 1943. Ominously Pte. A. Birch's name has been crossed out in red.
Taken from the column 8 War Diary for Operation Longcloth, here is the official view of what transpired at Baw:
"On 23rd March the Brigadier ordered the group to move toward the village of Baw for a large SD (Supply drop). Two road blocks were to be set up on the tracks leading north and south of the village. Lieut. Astell of the Burma Rifles to set the northern block and Captain Coughlan the southern block. Coughlan's platoon started off late and did not secure their block until first light. They had to go through the village itself where they were contacted by the Japanese. Tied down by enemy sniper fire and mortars the platoon became isolated from the main body. It took several hours of fierce fighting to extricate Coughlan from his position and relieve his unit. Good work here from Platoon 15, Column 7, led by Captain Petersen. The supply drop continued, but enemy interference hindered proceedings greatly."
"On 23rd March the Brigadier ordered the group to move toward the village of Baw for a large SD (Supply drop). Two road blocks were to be set up on the tracks leading north and south of the village. Lieut. Astell of the Burma Rifles to set the northern block and Captain Coughlan the southern block. Coughlan's platoon started off late and did not secure their block until first light. They had to go through the village itself where they were contacted by the Japanese. Tied down by enemy sniper fire and mortars the platoon became isolated from the main body. It took several hours of fierce fighting to extricate Coughlan from his position and relieve his unit. Good work here from Platoon 15, Column 7, led by Captain Petersen. The supply drop continued, but enemy interference hindered proceedings greatly."
Arthur Birch (right) and an unknown pal at Saugor in India.
In November last year (2011) shortly after this website was released, I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Mick Trumpeter and he has supplied me with the wonderful photographs of Arthur Birch shown on these page.
As with so many of the Longcloth families I have met, information about the soldier is often scarce, especially for those Chindits who did not return from Burma in 1943.
Here are a few of the sentiments Mick has shared with me during our email correspondence.
"I was so excited to find that you have some information on Arthur Birch as I have not been able to find anything. Thank you for the pictures and the KIA notification you recently sent over, I have seen the Lambert photograph before and my wife commented on the family likeness of the man at the rear, next to Lambert. It is great to read the pages from 'With Wingate in Burma', and now know that Arthur was definitely with Lambert and Platoon 17.
Arthur is still very much a mystery man in our family, we understand more about him today than we ever did. We know he left behind a wife (Lillie) and a daughter who was born after his death in 1943. She has since grown up, married and moved away from the area. I may try and make contact with the Lambert family and I will let you know if anything turns up."
Seen below is Pte. Birch's inscription on Face 5 of the Rangoon Memorial located at Taukkyan War Cemetery in Burma.
As with so many of the Longcloth families I have met, information about the soldier is often scarce, especially for those Chindits who did not return from Burma in 1943.
Here are a few of the sentiments Mick has shared with me during our email correspondence.
"I was so excited to find that you have some information on Arthur Birch as I have not been able to find anything. Thank you for the pictures and the KIA notification you recently sent over, I have seen the Lambert photograph before and my wife commented on the family likeness of the man at the rear, next to Lambert. It is great to read the pages from 'With Wingate in Burma', and now know that Arthur was definitely with Lambert and Platoon 17.
Arthur is still very much a mystery man in our family, we understand more about him today than we ever did. We know he left behind a wife (Lillie) and a daughter who was born after his death in 1943. She has since grown up, married and moved away from the area. I may try and make contact with the Lambert family and I will let you know if anything turns up."
Seen below is Pte. Birch's inscription on Face 5 of the Rangoon Memorial located at Taukkyan War Cemetery in Burma.
Face 5 of the Rangoon Memorial, these panels record the names of casualties from the Burma campaign who have no known grave.
Below is a final quote from Tony Aubrey's book followed by a list of the members of Platoon 17 and their ultimate fate on Operation Longcloth.
"So there we were, but the question was what to do next? Should we push on and attempt to complete our task, ignorant as we were of whether the Japs held the village in considerable strength, or were we to retreat upon the main body? The platoon commander seemed a little uncertain, as indeed anyone well might be, but the question was settled for us in an abrupt and unexpected fashion. In a split second four mortar shells arrived on the scene and pitched with deadly accuracy amongst us. It was obvious that the Japanese had a fixed line laid on our position and this was no place for us to remain. The Jap is deadly with his mortars, he can get them into action in an incredibly short space of time and do amazing damage with them when he does. We employed the better part of valour and retired to the eminence where we had previously spent the night."
This is what I know about the men featured in this story and what happened to them in 1943:
Sergeant 4189704 Tony Aubrey. Originally a member of column 6 in Chindit training, he was chosen to take part in the scouting mission led by Captain Herring in January 1943. Wounded in the action at Baw, he was fortunate to be one of the 17 men flown out of the jungle in a C-47 supply plane in late April. To read more about Sgt. Aubrey and his time during the first Wingate expedition, please click on the following link: Lance Sergeant Tony Aubrey
Pte. 5116512 Arthur Birch. A Bren gunner (number two position), sharing the gun with Norman Lambert in Platoon 17, Column 8. Killed in action at the Baw supply drop on 24th March 1943.
"So there we were, but the question was what to do next? Should we push on and attempt to complete our task, ignorant as we were of whether the Japs held the village in considerable strength, or were we to retreat upon the main body? The platoon commander seemed a little uncertain, as indeed anyone well might be, but the question was settled for us in an abrupt and unexpected fashion. In a split second four mortar shells arrived on the scene and pitched with deadly accuracy amongst us. It was obvious that the Japanese had a fixed line laid on our position and this was no place for us to remain. The Jap is deadly with his mortars, he can get them into action in an incredibly short space of time and do amazing damage with them when he does. We employed the better part of valour and retired to the eminence where we had previously spent the night."
This is what I know about the men featured in this story and what happened to them in 1943:
Sergeant 4189704 Tony Aubrey. Originally a member of column 6 in Chindit training, he was chosen to take part in the scouting mission led by Captain Herring in January 1943. Wounded in the action at Baw, he was fortunate to be one of the 17 men flown out of the jungle in a C-47 supply plane in late April. To read more about Sgt. Aubrey and his time during the first Wingate expedition, please click on the following link: Lance Sergeant Tony Aubrey
Pte. 5116512 Arthur Birch. A Bren gunner (number two position), sharing the gun with Norman Lambert in Platoon 17, Column 8. Killed in action at the Baw supply drop on 24th March 1943.
Pte. 3657813 Norman Lambert. Arthur Birch's pal and fellow Bren gunner. Originally enlisted into the British Army on 3rd April 1940. Received a gun shot wound to the chest at Baw, and was also one of the fortunate passengers on the C-47 aircraft. Like many of the men who fully recovered from the trials and tribulations of Operation Longcloth, Norman Lambert became part of the 15th (Kings) Parachute battalion and was preparing to be dropped into Malaya when the Atom bombs dramatically ended the war.
Update 15/11/2020.
I was delighted to receive the following email contact from Malcolm Bowstead, the nephew of Pte. Norman Lambert:
I am the nephew of Pte. Norman Lambert whom you mention on your website. The group photograph on the page about Pte. Birch was the one I sent to the Burma Star Association many years ago in the hope of identifying the other men shown. I have a treasured copy of David Halley's book, With Wingate in Burma which I have read often. I have to say that some of the information you have collected together I was totally unaware of. Kind regards, Malcolm Bowstead.
I replied:
Dear Malcolm,
Thank you for your email contact via my website. I was delighted to receive your message and remember reading your post on the Burma Star website all those years ago. In fact, the photograph you posted of Norman and his three pals was possibly the first image I ever saved onto my computer when I began my research.
I would very much like to add some more information about Norman onto the website if possible. So, if you can tell me more about his life before and after WW2, things like his employment etc, then it would be my honour to add this to the Platoon 17 pages. If you also have a photograph of Norman from after the war, then I would be honoured to place this up on the site too.
Malcolm replied:
Dear Stephen,
Thank you for a prompt reply. I will talk to my brother who has a number of photographs that I think will be relevant to Norman's story, along with some life history for your records. We discovered quite a bit of paperwork after our Dad, Norman's brother-in-law, passed away last year. I will be back in touch. Kind regards, Malcolm.
Update 15/11/2020.
I was delighted to receive the following email contact from Malcolm Bowstead, the nephew of Pte. Norman Lambert:
I am the nephew of Pte. Norman Lambert whom you mention on your website. The group photograph on the page about Pte. Birch was the one I sent to the Burma Star Association many years ago in the hope of identifying the other men shown. I have a treasured copy of David Halley's book, With Wingate in Burma which I have read often. I have to say that some of the information you have collected together I was totally unaware of. Kind regards, Malcolm Bowstead.
I replied:
Dear Malcolm,
Thank you for your email contact via my website. I was delighted to receive your message and remember reading your post on the Burma Star website all those years ago. In fact, the photograph you posted of Norman and his three pals was possibly the first image I ever saved onto my computer when I began my research.
I would very much like to add some more information about Norman onto the website if possible. So, if you can tell me more about his life before and after WW2, things like his employment etc, then it would be my honour to add this to the Platoon 17 pages. If you also have a photograph of Norman from after the war, then I would be honoured to place this up on the site too.
Malcolm replied:
Dear Stephen,
Thank you for a prompt reply. I will talk to my brother who has a number of photographs that I think will be relevant to Norman's story, along with some life history for your records. We discovered quite a bit of paperwork after our Dad, Norman's brother-in-law, passed away last year. I will be back in touch. Kind regards, Malcolm.
James Suddery in 1945.
Pte. 3968528 James Suddery. Another Bren gunner from Platoon 17, seriously wounded at the Baw action and another passenger on the C-47 aircraft that managed to land in a jungle clearing in April 1943. Another soldier from No. 8 Column, Pte. Henry Taylor, recalled the incident when Suddery was wounded in his own Chindit memoir for Operation Longcloth:
So after that we get to Baw, but something had gone wrong and the Japanese were waiting for us. I was suffering with malaria during this time and was resting up against a tree, when this man got shot in the lower chest and they had to drag him out. His officer killed the Japanese who had shot him and they propped Suddery up against this tree where I was. Like I said, the bullet had gone in through his chest, but had come out of his belly while he was leaning against the tree. It just plopped out. Suddery was led away on the back of a charger alongside Captain Petersen who had been wounded in the head. I’m sure he was showing that bullet to the camera (see photograph below) when he was flown out a few weeks later. He kept that bullet because I saw it again when we were at Karachi.
Pte. 3781736 John Yates. Yates received a gun shot wound to his hand at Baw and was also amongst the C-47 passengers in 1943. To read more about the Dakota rescue party, please click on the following link: The Piccadilly Incident
So after that we get to Baw, but something had gone wrong and the Japanese were waiting for us. I was suffering with malaria during this time and was resting up against a tree, when this man got shot in the lower chest and they had to drag him out. His officer killed the Japanese who had shot him and they propped Suddery up against this tree where I was. Like I said, the bullet had gone in through his chest, but had come out of his belly while he was leaning against the tree. It just plopped out. Suddery was led away on the back of a charger alongside Captain Petersen who had been wounded in the head. I’m sure he was showing that bullet to the camera (see photograph below) when he was flown out a few weeks later. He kept that bullet because I saw it again when we were at Karachi.
Pte. 3781736 John Yates. Yates received a gun shot wound to his hand at Baw and was also amongst the C-47 passengers in 1943. To read more about the Dakota rescue party, please click on the following link: The Piccadilly Incident
Tommy Walsh.
Corporal 3781734 Thomas Walsh. Having survived the action at Baw, Tommy Walsh completed the march out of Burma on foot in 1943, successfully re-crossing the Chindwin River in early May with one of the Column 8 dispersal parties. He also gave valuable details about the fate of other men, including Sgt. Bert Fitton to the debriefing staff who were investigating the casualties from Operation Longcloth.
Update 17/04/2017.
In March this year (2017), I was pleased to receive an email contact from the great nephew of Tommy Walsh. Stephen Walsh told me:
My great uncle was Tommy Walsh, who was a Corporal. He has a couple of mentions in the David Halley book With Wingate in Burma. He was from Manchester and the brother of my own grandfather, Joseph Andrew Walsh. I'm trying to find out more about him, can you offer up any information please.
After sending over what little information I had in relation to Corporal Tommy Walsh, Stephen again replied:
Many thanks for your very rapid reply. I'll be printing off the stories you sent and showing them to my Dad when I visit in a few weeks. He'll be thrilled. I'm too young to remember Tommy Walsh, but I understand he didn't talk much about his experiences, which seems to be a common thing with these men. I do remember however, that he periodically suffered from the results of malaria and had an awful time with nightmares and flashbacks. My Dad is unwell presently, but he will still enjoy hearing all the new information about his uncle. Thanks again and I will let you know if I find out more.
Update 11/02/2019.
I was delighted recently to receive a second contact from Stephen Walsh, the great nephew of Corporal Tommy Walsh:
Dear Stephen,
You may remember that I contacted you some months ago regarding Thomas Henry Walsh. I now know that he was born in Salford near Manchester in the year 1913 and that he came from quite a large family. I have also been able to locate his grave at Wardley Cemetery in Manchester (plot no. 647), he died on the 27th June 1997. I am in touch with a common relative who told me that two of Tommy's children live in Canada and am hoping to learn more about Tommy from them and hopefully find a photograph for you.
True to his word, Stephen did locate a photograph of Tommy Walsh from his WW2 days (see above). Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to the men mentioned above, including a photograph of Tommy Walsh's grave at Wardley Cemetery in Manchester. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Update 17/04/2017.
In March this year (2017), I was pleased to receive an email contact from the great nephew of Tommy Walsh. Stephen Walsh told me:
My great uncle was Tommy Walsh, who was a Corporal. He has a couple of mentions in the David Halley book With Wingate in Burma. He was from Manchester and the brother of my own grandfather, Joseph Andrew Walsh. I'm trying to find out more about him, can you offer up any information please.
After sending over what little information I had in relation to Corporal Tommy Walsh, Stephen again replied:
Many thanks for your very rapid reply. I'll be printing off the stories you sent and showing them to my Dad when I visit in a few weeks. He'll be thrilled. I'm too young to remember Tommy Walsh, but I understand he didn't talk much about his experiences, which seems to be a common thing with these men. I do remember however, that he periodically suffered from the results of malaria and had an awful time with nightmares and flashbacks. My Dad is unwell presently, but he will still enjoy hearing all the new information about his uncle. Thanks again and I will let you know if I find out more.
Update 11/02/2019.
I was delighted recently to receive a second contact from Stephen Walsh, the great nephew of Corporal Tommy Walsh:
Dear Stephen,
You may remember that I contacted you some months ago regarding Thomas Henry Walsh. I now know that he was born in Salford near Manchester in the year 1913 and that he came from quite a large family. I have also been able to locate his grave at Wardley Cemetery in Manchester (plot no. 647), he died on the 27th June 1997. I am in touch with a common relative who told me that two of Tommy's children live in Canada and am hoping to learn more about Tommy from them and hopefully find a photograph for you.
True to his word, Stephen did locate a photograph of Tommy Walsh from his WW2 days (see above). Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to the men mentioned above, including a photograph of Tommy Walsh's grave at Wardley Cemetery in Manchester. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Update 22/06/2020.
I was delighted to receive an email contact from Sharon Webster, who is Tommy Walsh's granddaughter:
Hello Steve,
I am the granddaughter of Corporal Thomas Henry Walsh. My Mum Sheila, is Thomas' youngest child and the only one of his children still alive. She would love to learn anything else you might know about his time in Burma and during the war.
My grandad had four children, three sons and one daughter. Two sons went to live in Canada and have sadly both passed away over the last twelve months. The other son lived in Rochdale and passed away around twelve years ago, leaving just my Mum who was born in 1946. Thomas and my Nanna, Kitty Walsh had 14 grandchildren. Nanna died in 1982.
I will try to locate some more information about my grandad for you, he was such a lovely and kindhearted gentleman who I miss very much. Thank you again for all you have done in telling his wartime story. Best wishes, Sharon.
I was delighted to receive an email contact from Sharon Webster, who is Tommy Walsh's granddaughter:
Hello Steve,
I am the granddaughter of Corporal Thomas Henry Walsh. My Mum Sheila, is Thomas' youngest child and the only one of his children still alive. She would love to learn anything else you might know about his time in Burma and during the war.
My grandad had four children, three sons and one daughter. Two sons went to live in Canada and have sadly both passed away over the last twelve months. The other son lived in Rochdale and passed away around twelve years ago, leaving just my Mum who was born in 1946. Thomas and my Nanna, Kitty Walsh had 14 grandchildren. Nanna died in 1982.
I will try to locate some more information about my grandad for you, he was such a lovely and kindhearted gentleman who I miss very much. Thank you again for all you have done in telling his wartime story. Best wishes, Sharon.
Pte. 'Tommy' Atkins. One of the dog handlers from Platoon 17, it is stated that he was particularly deaf and therefore relied heavily on his beloved labrador cross 'Judy' for guidance in the jungle.
Pte. John Gardiner. Gardiner was the other dog handler in the platoon. 'Judy' would move back and forth between the two handlers, sometimes carrying messages from one section to another. The dog was only allowed to be managed and petted by it's two handlers, this was strictly adhered to in order for her to recognise their scent only and always return to them rather than any other member of the group. John Gardiner is stated as having been captured in May 1943 and became a POW in Rangoon Jail, but this cannot be confirmed.
Sergeant 3777823 Samuel Anthony 'Tommy' Quick. Sergeant Quick (photographed in the gallery above) became ill soon after the battle of Baw and was lost from the line of march in early May 1943. He was a member of Lieutenant Horncastle's dispersal group and was captured by the Japanese on 6th May. He spent and survived two years in Rangoon Jail eventually liberated in May 1945. Below is Quick's Japanese index card for his time as a POW, it shows some personal details and confirms his date of capture and POW number which was 97.
Pte. John Gardiner. Gardiner was the other dog handler in the platoon. 'Judy' would move back and forth between the two handlers, sometimes carrying messages from one section to another. The dog was only allowed to be managed and petted by it's two handlers, this was strictly adhered to in order for her to recognise their scent only and always return to them rather than any other member of the group. John Gardiner is stated as having been captured in May 1943 and became a POW in Rangoon Jail, but this cannot be confirmed.
Sergeant 3777823 Samuel Anthony 'Tommy' Quick. Sergeant Quick (photographed in the gallery above) became ill soon after the battle of Baw and was lost from the line of march in early May 1943. He was a member of Lieutenant Horncastle's dispersal group and was captured by the Japanese on 6th May. He spent and survived two years in Rangoon Jail eventually liberated in May 1945. Below is Quick's Japanese index card for his time as a POW, it shows some personal details and confirms his date of capture and POW number which was 97.
The Japanese index card for Tommy Quick.
Captain 184456 J.S.F. Coughlan. Commander of Platoon 17, Column 8 in 1943. Wingate demoted him to Private for failing to reach the agreed road block location at Baw. He was transferred into Column 5 commanded by Major Bernard Fergusson, to his great credit Coughlan took this reprimand on the chin and had worked himself back up to Sergeant by the end of the expedition. By September 1944 he had been promoted to Major and eventually became battalion Adjutant for the 13th Kings whilst the men were based in Calcutta. To read more about Captain Coughlan and his experiences on Operation Longcloth, please click on the following link: Captain Joseph Coughlan
Lieutenant 207775 David MacDonald Rowland. Having been heavily involved at the battle of Baw, including saving Jim Suddery's life by shooting dead an advancing Japanese soldier about to bayonet the Private, Rowland was asked to remain in the vicinity with some much needed supplies for the ailing Column 5. He soon caught up with his platoon again but in late April was sadly killed in action at a place called Kaukkwe Chaung. This was a fast flowing river that Column 8 were struggling to cross when they were attacked by an enemy patrol from the rear, Rowland, along with several NCO's attempted to engage the Japanese whilst the non-swimmers were ferried over the river, this brave action cost him his life. To read more about this incident click on the link below:
Frank Lea and the Kaukkwe Chaung
Below is a photograph of Lieutenant Rowland's inscription on the Rangoon Memorial in Taukkyan War Cemetery, you will notice that he is placed alongside the casualties from his original regiment, the Royal Sussex.
Lieutenant 207775 David MacDonald Rowland. Having been heavily involved at the battle of Baw, including saving Jim Suddery's life by shooting dead an advancing Japanese soldier about to bayonet the Private, Rowland was asked to remain in the vicinity with some much needed supplies for the ailing Column 5. He soon caught up with his platoon again but in late April was sadly killed in action at a place called Kaukkwe Chaung. This was a fast flowing river that Column 8 were struggling to cross when they were attacked by an enemy patrol from the rear, Rowland, along with several NCO's attempted to engage the Japanese whilst the non-swimmers were ferried over the river, this brave action cost him his life. To read more about this incident click on the link below:
Frank Lea and the Kaukkwe Chaung
Below is a photograph of Lieutenant Rowland's inscription on the Rangoon Memorial in Taukkyan War Cemetery, you will notice that he is placed alongside the casualties from his original regiment, the Royal Sussex.
The inscription for DM Rowland on the Rangoon Memorial (photograph courtesy of Tony B).
Update 26/08/2013.
I thought it might be of interest to this story to read Brigadier Wingate's view and appraisal of the Supply Drop at Baw. Here is a paraphrased account from his debrief notes:
"Our experience on this occasion proved, but as I already knew, that unless you gain possession of the supply dropping area before the arrival of the enemy, it will prove costly, and indeed impracticable to attempt to carry one out successfully. To drive off numerous enemy attacks and eliminate well concealed enemy posts sited in the jungle, which disappear on your approach, only to come to life again as you pass by, is a lengthy and thankless task.
So, although it is very necessary to strike back hard and carry on when you have completed your own defence of the SD area, it is folly to do so when the enemy has already completed his. On this occasion the Column Commanders in question (Gilkes and Scott) attacked the enemy ferociously in accordance with my clearly expressed orders. This was necessary to raise morale, as continuous evasion along with some recent bungling in encounters was having a bad effect on our troops. Although we did suffer a small amount of casualties, the enemy came off much worse and ultimately backed away from the area."
Update 08/08/2016.
Norman Frank Wilkinson
I was pleased recently to receive an email from Kenneth Wilkinson, whose eldest brother, Norman was a member of 17 Platoon in 1943:
My eldest brother was in 17 Platoon 8 Column in 1943, his name was Norman Frank WIlkinson. I will always remember my brother coming back to our house to say goodbye to my Dad before he went away. My father gave him his Military Medal which he won in the First World War, to take as a good luck charm, consequently Norman lost it in the jungle. I do know that in 1948 he went to Libya as a Clerk, apparently he then went to Palestine and joined the British Police, where he was shot twice in the back by a young girl at the time that Israel was being formed. Sometime later he married a lady who was a NAFFI Manageress. He returned to the UK and was employed by the Sun Life Insurance Company in Liverpool and lived in the Wirral area.
As is often the case with men who survived Operation Longcloth, I had found no mention of Norman in any book, diary or other documentation. There was a reference to a Corporal Wilkinson in the 13th King's War diary for May 1944, but of course, although this could refer to Norman, it is impossible to substantiate. However, I was able to confirm his service with the British Police Force in Palestine. According to the General Service Medal Rolls with the clasp Palestine 1945-48, Norman Wilkinson began his Constabulary service on the 3rd September 1947.
Shown below are some images in relation to this update, please click on any image to bring it forward on the page. I would like to thank Kenneth for his email and the information he provided about his brother, Norman Wilkinson.
I thought it might be of interest to this story to read Brigadier Wingate's view and appraisal of the Supply Drop at Baw. Here is a paraphrased account from his debrief notes:
"Our experience on this occasion proved, but as I already knew, that unless you gain possession of the supply dropping area before the arrival of the enemy, it will prove costly, and indeed impracticable to attempt to carry one out successfully. To drive off numerous enemy attacks and eliminate well concealed enemy posts sited in the jungle, which disappear on your approach, only to come to life again as you pass by, is a lengthy and thankless task.
So, although it is very necessary to strike back hard and carry on when you have completed your own defence of the SD area, it is folly to do so when the enemy has already completed his. On this occasion the Column Commanders in question (Gilkes and Scott) attacked the enemy ferociously in accordance with my clearly expressed orders. This was necessary to raise morale, as continuous evasion along with some recent bungling in encounters was having a bad effect on our troops. Although we did suffer a small amount of casualties, the enemy came off much worse and ultimately backed away from the area."
Update 08/08/2016.
Norman Frank Wilkinson
I was pleased recently to receive an email from Kenneth Wilkinson, whose eldest brother, Norman was a member of 17 Platoon in 1943:
My eldest brother was in 17 Platoon 8 Column in 1943, his name was Norman Frank WIlkinson. I will always remember my brother coming back to our house to say goodbye to my Dad before he went away. My father gave him his Military Medal which he won in the First World War, to take as a good luck charm, consequently Norman lost it in the jungle. I do know that in 1948 he went to Libya as a Clerk, apparently he then went to Palestine and joined the British Police, where he was shot twice in the back by a young girl at the time that Israel was being formed. Sometime later he married a lady who was a NAFFI Manageress. He returned to the UK and was employed by the Sun Life Insurance Company in Liverpool and lived in the Wirral area.
As is often the case with men who survived Operation Longcloth, I had found no mention of Norman in any book, diary or other documentation. There was a reference to a Corporal Wilkinson in the 13th King's War diary for May 1944, but of course, although this could refer to Norman, it is impossible to substantiate. However, I was able to confirm his service with the British Police Force in Palestine. According to the General Service Medal Rolls with the clasp Palestine 1945-48, Norman Wilkinson began his Constabulary service on the 3rd September 1947.
Shown below are some images in relation to this update, please click on any image to bring it forward on the page. I would like to thank Kenneth for his email and the information he provided about his brother, Norman Wilkinson.
Copyright © Steve Fogden and Mick Trumpeter 2012.