Signalman Arthur Nicholls and the R.C.O.S. Draft from China
Cap badge of the Royal Corps of Signals.
In January 2011, a collection of WW2 ephemera was offered up for sale on the popular on line auction website eBay. This turned out to be some Army documents in relation to the war service of one, Arthur Edward Nicholls. My attraction to the auction lot was Arthur's late addition as a Signalman to the ranks of the first Wingate expedition in 1943. Amongst the documentation was a nominal roll of Signalmen who were drafted into the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade on the 19th January 1943, almost at the very last minute before the operation began.
Sadly, I did not acquire these invaluable papers, but the names contained within the nominal roll expanded my knowledge of the men from the Royal Corps of Signals and their contribution towards Operation Longcloth.
Arthur Edward Nicholls was born in Tottenham, London on 22nd August 1921, and worked as an Electrician's Mate prior to enlisting into the Territorial Army at New Smithgate in October 1937. He was called up for active service on 15th February 1940 and was posted to the Royal Corps of Signals with the Army number 2574291. His postings during the early years of WW2 are unknown, but he volunteered for special duties (possibly the commandos) in late 1941 and travelled overseas to India where he was posted to the Supply and Transport Base at Mhow.
Not long after, Arthur was transferred to the Chinese theatre, along with a large draft of Signallers and took part in what was called the 204 Military Mission. An Air ticket, which formed part of the eBay lot, for a flight with the China National Aviation Corporation, indicates that he was flown from Calcutta to Chungking, the then provisional capital of China on 1st June 1942. The 204 British Military Mission to China, led by Major-General L.E. Denys MC, was set up to provide assistance to Chiang Kai Shek in his fight against the Japanese. The groundwork for this secret mission was laid in Burma during the spring of 1939 and looked to send suitably skilled Army personnel to China to work with and support the local guerrilla forces.
On their return from China on the 8th October 1942, many of the personnel involved with 204 Mission, especially men from the Commando units found themselves transferred to the fledgling 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, now training for the first Wingate expedition at Saugor in the Central Provinces of India.
Sadly, I did not acquire these invaluable papers, but the names contained within the nominal roll expanded my knowledge of the men from the Royal Corps of Signals and their contribution towards Operation Longcloth.
Arthur Edward Nicholls was born in Tottenham, London on 22nd August 1921, and worked as an Electrician's Mate prior to enlisting into the Territorial Army at New Smithgate in October 1937. He was called up for active service on 15th February 1940 and was posted to the Royal Corps of Signals with the Army number 2574291. His postings during the early years of WW2 are unknown, but he volunteered for special duties (possibly the commandos) in late 1941 and travelled overseas to India where he was posted to the Supply and Transport Base at Mhow.
Not long after, Arthur was transferred to the Chinese theatre, along with a large draft of Signallers and took part in what was called the 204 Military Mission. An Air ticket, which formed part of the eBay lot, for a flight with the China National Aviation Corporation, indicates that he was flown from Calcutta to Chungking, the then provisional capital of China on 1st June 1942. The 204 British Military Mission to China, led by Major-General L.E. Denys MC, was set up to provide assistance to Chiang Kai Shek in his fight against the Japanese. The groundwork for this secret mission was laid in Burma during the spring of 1939 and looked to send suitably skilled Army personnel to China to work with and support the local guerrilla forces.
On their return from China on the 8th October 1942, many of the personnel involved with 204 Mission, especially men from the Commando units found themselves transferred to the fledgling 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, now training for the first Wingate expedition at Saugor in the Central Provinces of India.
Sgm. Arthur Edward Nicholls, circa 1942.
Arthur Nicholls and the other Signalmen did not join up with 77th Infantry Brigade until much later, arriving at the temporary camp at Jhansi on 29th December 1942. These men were quickly allocated to the various Chindit columns and by the 19th January 1943, were all set for the Brigade's journey to the Assam/Burma border. Arthur's column placement is unknown, but he did spend a short time in the 53rd Indian Hospital in late January 1943, just before the Brigade's move to the final formation camp at Imphal.
Unfortunately, I have not come across any mention of Arthur Nicholls in the books, diaries and other written material in relation to Operation Longcloth. However, one piece of information about his time in Burma was recorded on another of the paper items from the eBay auction. It was noted that Nicholls suffered from a bout of malaria during the expedition, with this fact documented on a British Army Medical Inspection Report, issued in the field on 28th March 1943.
Perhaps his health issues were part of the reason for Arthur's next Army posting, which saw him transferred to the 10th Indian Division Signals. A Movement Control Order Card indicates that he was posted from India to the Middle East with this unit in late 1943 aboard the H.M. Transport Ship, H22.
After nearly a year of relative inactivity and training at places such as Cairo and Haifa, the 10th Indian Infantry Division was sent in March 1944 to Italy. Here they became part of the Eighth Army and fought throughout the rest of the Italian Campaign.
Arthur Nicholls was discharged to the Army Reserve with effect from 25th August 1946. He entered Civvy Street shortly after, working briefly for the Ministry of Transport in Palestine in 1947. Arthur was back in London by the beginning of 1949 and it was around this time that he joined the London Fire Brigade. He excelled in this role and had a very long and distinguished career in the Brigade. By 1968, Nicholls was a Divisional Officer (Grade III) with the London Fire Brigade, in the same year he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, as recorded in the London Gazette on 6th September 1968, with the citation reading: "for services when a woman was rescued from a ledge of a building 60 feet above the ground."
Arthur Nicholls was promoted Acting Chief Fire Officer and was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in 1975, and then the Officer of the Order of the British Empire as recorded in the London Gazette on the 13th June 1981. He had also been one of only a handful of Firemen to be awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, when he was Acting Chief Officer in Charge of Personnel Services. He is believed to have retired from the Brigade in the mid 1980's. Arthur's full medal entitlement is as follows: Officer of the Order of the British Empire; Queen's Fire Service Medal; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; Silver Jubilee Medal 1977; Fire Brigade Long Service Medal and of course his Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to the WW2 and subsequent Fire Brigade service of Arthur Edward Nicholls. Please click on any image to bring on forward on the page.
Unfortunately, I have not come across any mention of Arthur Nicholls in the books, diaries and other written material in relation to Operation Longcloth. However, one piece of information about his time in Burma was recorded on another of the paper items from the eBay auction. It was noted that Nicholls suffered from a bout of malaria during the expedition, with this fact documented on a British Army Medical Inspection Report, issued in the field on 28th March 1943.
Perhaps his health issues were part of the reason for Arthur's next Army posting, which saw him transferred to the 10th Indian Division Signals. A Movement Control Order Card indicates that he was posted from India to the Middle East with this unit in late 1943 aboard the H.M. Transport Ship, H22.
After nearly a year of relative inactivity and training at places such as Cairo and Haifa, the 10th Indian Infantry Division was sent in March 1944 to Italy. Here they became part of the Eighth Army and fought throughout the rest of the Italian Campaign.
Arthur Nicholls was discharged to the Army Reserve with effect from 25th August 1946. He entered Civvy Street shortly after, working briefly for the Ministry of Transport in Palestine in 1947. Arthur was back in London by the beginning of 1949 and it was around this time that he joined the London Fire Brigade. He excelled in this role and had a very long and distinguished career in the Brigade. By 1968, Nicholls was a Divisional Officer (Grade III) with the London Fire Brigade, in the same year he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, as recorded in the London Gazette on 6th September 1968, with the citation reading: "for services when a woman was rescued from a ledge of a building 60 feet above the ground."
Arthur Nicholls was promoted Acting Chief Fire Officer and was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in 1975, and then the Officer of the Order of the British Empire as recorded in the London Gazette on the 13th June 1981. He had also been one of only a handful of Firemen to be awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, when he was Acting Chief Officer in Charge of Personnel Services. He is believed to have retired from the Brigade in the mid 1980's. Arthur's full medal entitlement is as follows: Officer of the Order of the British Empire; Queen's Fire Service Medal; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; Silver Jubilee Medal 1977; Fire Brigade Long Service Medal and of course his Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to the WW2 and subsequent Fire Brigade service of Arthur Edward Nicholls. Please click on any image to bring on forward on the page.
As mentioned earlier, it was from information contained within the Arthur Nicholls papers, that my understanding of the role played by the Royal Corps of Signals on Operation Longcloth was strengthened. Other soldiers from the RCOS draft, men such as Eric Hutchins for instance, had featured heavily in books and other Chindit 1memoirs during my initial research, but the nominal roll included in the Nicholls papers brought the entire RCOS draft to my attention.
The vast majority of the 50 plus men from the Royal Signals special detachment, that joined the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade on the 19th January 1943, cannot be attributed as belonging to any particular Chindit column. Around a quarter of the men however, are mentioned in books, war diaries or other similar writings in relation to the first Wingate campaign and some of their stories already feature on the pages of this website. Most often working in pairs, these men collectively ensured that all inter-column communication was maintained, as well as performing the vital task of calling in air supply drops from the RAF Rear Base at Agartala.
The Signalmen of Operation Longcloth for the most part worked with the FS6 Wireless Set, a new radio system developed in Australia during the early years of WW2. The FS6 was versatile and reliable, this was in direct contrast to the wireless equipment (the No. 21 Set) used by the RAF Liaison sections on the operation, which was poor and failed dramatically when faced with the challenging conditions experienced in the Burmese jungle. Their role was an arduous one, having to forgo rest periods during column halts in order to send signals to other Chindit units, or to update their own units progress to Head Quarters back in India. Signallers were often the last men in a column to bed down for the night, and this only after all their various communication duties were completed.
Signals Sections usually led by a Lieutenant, formed part of the Column Head Quarters in each Chindit unit. This often placed them at the forefront of any engagement with the Japanese and made them extremely vulnerable to enemy weapons fire. This continuously exposed postion may account for the high casualty rate amongst the RCOS men during the first Wingate expedition. Indeed, the only time to my knowledge that extra reinforcements were sent to bolster the numbers on Operation Longcloth, were when two Signallers were parachuted into Burma during the large supply drop at the village of Baw on the 24th March 1943. Sadly, both these men were killed later on during the operation.
Seen below are some of the nominal rolls and lists, showing the strength of the Royal Corps of Signals on Operation Longcloth. This includes the draft of men that came from their previous assignment in China. Please accept my apologies for the poor quality of the 'Nicholls' listing. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The vast majority of the 50 plus men from the Royal Signals special detachment, that joined the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade on the 19th January 1943, cannot be attributed as belonging to any particular Chindit column. Around a quarter of the men however, are mentioned in books, war diaries or other similar writings in relation to the first Wingate campaign and some of their stories already feature on the pages of this website. Most often working in pairs, these men collectively ensured that all inter-column communication was maintained, as well as performing the vital task of calling in air supply drops from the RAF Rear Base at Agartala.
The Signalmen of Operation Longcloth for the most part worked with the FS6 Wireless Set, a new radio system developed in Australia during the early years of WW2. The FS6 was versatile and reliable, this was in direct contrast to the wireless equipment (the No. 21 Set) used by the RAF Liaison sections on the operation, which was poor and failed dramatically when faced with the challenging conditions experienced in the Burmese jungle. Their role was an arduous one, having to forgo rest periods during column halts in order to send signals to other Chindit units, or to update their own units progress to Head Quarters back in India. Signallers were often the last men in a column to bed down for the night, and this only after all their various communication duties were completed.
Signals Sections usually led by a Lieutenant, formed part of the Column Head Quarters in each Chindit unit. This often placed them at the forefront of any engagement with the Japanese and made them extremely vulnerable to enemy weapons fire. This continuously exposed postion may account for the high casualty rate amongst the RCOS men during the first Wingate expedition. Indeed, the only time to my knowledge that extra reinforcements were sent to bolster the numbers on Operation Longcloth, were when two Signallers were parachuted into Burma during the large supply drop at the village of Baw on the 24th March 1943. Sadly, both these men were killed later on during the operation.
Seen below are some of the nominal rolls and lists, showing the strength of the Royal Corps of Signals on Operation Longcloth. This includes the draft of men that came from their previous assignment in China. Please accept my apologies for the poor quality of the 'Nicholls' listing. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
"Some of my fellow Signallers just completely disappeared in Burma and were never heard of again. We were the guinea pigs, we were the people that the higher command learned through by their mistakes, and they did learn, because the second Chindit campaign was far better organised." Signalman Eric Hutchins, January 1995.
The last part of this story, shows, as far as I know, what happened to the draft of RCOS reinforcements that joined the ranks of the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in January 1943. Of the men listed alphabetically below at least 60% had previously served with Arthur Nicholls on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. I have included all the information known about each man and whether he became a casualty, was recorded as missing in action, lost on the jungle tracks of Burma, fell into Japanese hands or was fortunate enough to return to India.
Signalman 3775126 Victor Foch Amos was the son of William and Elizabeth Amos from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. He was a last minute addition to Wingate's Brigade HQ in January 1943, having previously served on covert missions in the Yunnan Province of China (204 Mission). Victor survived his initial period as a prisoner of war, but sadly perished inside Block 6 of Rangoon Jail on the 1st February 1944. His POW number was 550 and he was originally buried at the English Cantonment Cemetery, located close to the Royal Lakes in the eastern sector of the city. His grave reference for the Cantonment Cemetery was recorded as number 148. Victor Foch Amos is now buried at Rangoon War Cemetery: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2259656/AMOS,%20VICTOR%20FOCH
Signalman 850444 John Beeton was the son of Bernard and Sarah Jane Beeton from Nottingham. John was attached to Brigade Head Quarters on Operation Longcloth, but sadly nothing more is known about his service in 1943. He is remembered upon Face 3 of the Rangoon Memorial at Taukkyan War Cemetery. www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2505075/BEETON,%20JOHN
Signalman 6290071 Herbert Michael Belchier was the son of Thomas and Mary Belchier from Enfield in Middlesex. He had been a last minute reinforcement for Operation Longcloth, joining the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade on the 19th January 1943 as the unit moved down to Imphal in Assam. Herbert was attached to Wingate's 77th Brigade from their temporary base at Jhansi and had previously taken part in clandestine operations in the Yunnan Provinces of China as part of the 204 Military Mission. Herbert was lost from Brigade HQ when the Japanese opened fire on his boat as he tried to cross the Irrawaddy River on the return journey to India. To read more about this incident, please click on the following link: Lieutenant Robin Patrick Gordon
Signalman 4344045 F. Bennett. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 3187663 A. Caldwell. Part of the Signals Section with 142 Commando, this man also returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth. Nothing more is known in regards to his Chindit pathway in 1943.
Signalman 2368923 Ernest Garrett Calvert was the son of John and Leah Calvert from Mytholmroyd in Yorkshire. Ernest was part of the 204 Military Mission draft of Signallers to join the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in January 1943. It is not known how he perished on the 30th March 1943, although it is highly likely that it would have been at the opposed crossing of the Irrawaddy River which took place on that date. He is remembered at Taukkyan War Cemetery which is located on the northern outskirts of Rangoon.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2084660/CALVERT,%20ERNEST%20GARRETT
Signalman 2369158 C. Camozzi. This soldier took part on the 204 Military Mission to China and was part of the draft of men that joined 142 Commando during training for the first Wingate expedition. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth, but nothing further is known about his Chindit pathway.
Signalman 3717500 Frederick Douglas Chadwick was the son of Fred and Lily Chadwick and the husband of Annie Chadwick from Eccles in Lancashire. Frederick was another man who served on the 204 Mission to China before joining the 77th Brigade in January 1943. He is one of a group of men, that I believe fell into Japanese hands during Operation Longcloth, but who did not survive long enough as a prisoner of war to reach the confines of Rangoon Jail. He is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2506806/CHADWICK,%20FREDERICK%20DOUGLAS
Corporal 2373483 Edward James Crawford was the son of Edward and Eliza Crawford and the husband of Jane Crawford from Altrincham in Cheshire. Another man from the Nicholls list that served in China on the 204 Military Mission in 1942, Edward, a Wireless operator in Wingate's Brigade Head Quarters was sadly killed during the opposed crossing of the Irrawaddy River on the 29th March 1943. His Signals partner in Brigade HQ was Lance Corporal Eric Hutchins, who remembered the occasion of Edward's death at the Irrawaddy:
By the 29th March, Brigade HQ was back on the west banks of the Irrawaddy, close to the town of Inywa. I was sent over in one of the first boats to help form a bridgehead on the far bank. As the lead boats approached the west bank they came under heavy enemy machine gun and mortar fire and many men were killed or wounded. I was with Corporal Crawford and we managed to turn our boat around and paddle back to the east bank. On reaching the shoreline, we jumped out of the boat and began running back along the sand, suddenly a single shot rang out and Corporal Crawford fell to the ground. He had been shot in the head by a sniper's bullet and had died instantly.
Lt. R. A. Wilding, the Brigade Cipher Officer was also with Edward Crawford at the Irrawaddy on the 29th March:
As soon as we arrived at the river, I was told to take my ciphers, my Sergeant and a transmitter across and be ready to encipher and send a message to the RAF asking for help in case our crossing was interrupted. As the only canoe immediately available, held but three plus the paddlers, we decided to take one of the bomber dinghies, which I had acquired from Agartala and tow it over. I put the transmitter in the dinghy.
To my horror we were fired on from the west bank. I much regretted the dinghy at this moment, for it was bright yellow! It is a very odd feeling when you personally are fired at, especially if it is for the first time. Also the noise made by the bullets ricocheting off the water is a bit intimidating too. The paddlers, who were locals, knew that the Japs would kill them, but were pretty sure that, in spite of my lurid threats, I would not. So they turned back and we regained the east bank.
Very sadly, Sergeant Crawford of the Royal Signals was killed. It was rotten luck, he was hit by a bullet which had ricocheted off the water and going sideways, hit him in the throat, killing him instantly. I reported to the Brigadier, who fortunately had witnessed everything. We withdrew from the bank and back into the jungle. Thinking about it all these years later, we should of course have continued and forced a crossing. It would no doubt have been costly, but not as costly as the alternative proved to be. But all this is hindsight.
Edward Crawford is remembered upon Face 3 of the Rangoon Memorial:
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2507728/CRAWFORD,%20EDWARD%20JAMES
Signalman 2596860 R. C. Curtis. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience. Update 26/11/2019: Robert Charles Curtis was part of Brigade Head Quarters on the first Wingate expedition and was from Aldershot in Hampshire.
Gallery One. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The last part of this story, shows, as far as I know, what happened to the draft of RCOS reinforcements that joined the ranks of the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in January 1943. Of the men listed alphabetically below at least 60% had previously served with Arthur Nicholls on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. I have included all the information known about each man and whether he became a casualty, was recorded as missing in action, lost on the jungle tracks of Burma, fell into Japanese hands or was fortunate enough to return to India.
Signalman 3775126 Victor Foch Amos was the son of William and Elizabeth Amos from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. He was a last minute addition to Wingate's Brigade HQ in January 1943, having previously served on covert missions in the Yunnan Province of China (204 Mission). Victor survived his initial period as a prisoner of war, but sadly perished inside Block 6 of Rangoon Jail on the 1st February 1944. His POW number was 550 and he was originally buried at the English Cantonment Cemetery, located close to the Royal Lakes in the eastern sector of the city. His grave reference for the Cantonment Cemetery was recorded as number 148. Victor Foch Amos is now buried at Rangoon War Cemetery: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2259656/AMOS,%20VICTOR%20FOCH
Signalman 850444 John Beeton was the son of Bernard and Sarah Jane Beeton from Nottingham. John was attached to Brigade Head Quarters on Operation Longcloth, but sadly nothing more is known about his service in 1943. He is remembered upon Face 3 of the Rangoon Memorial at Taukkyan War Cemetery. www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2505075/BEETON,%20JOHN
Signalman 6290071 Herbert Michael Belchier was the son of Thomas and Mary Belchier from Enfield in Middlesex. He had been a last minute reinforcement for Operation Longcloth, joining the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade on the 19th January 1943 as the unit moved down to Imphal in Assam. Herbert was attached to Wingate's 77th Brigade from their temporary base at Jhansi and had previously taken part in clandestine operations in the Yunnan Provinces of China as part of the 204 Military Mission. Herbert was lost from Brigade HQ when the Japanese opened fire on his boat as he tried to cross the Irrawaddy River on the return journey to India. To read more about this incident, please click on the following link: Lieutenant Robin Patrick Gordon
Signalman 4344045 F. Bennett. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 3187663 A. Caldwell. Part of the Signals Section with 142 Commando, this man also returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth. Nothing more is known in regards to his Chindit pathway in 1943.
Signalman 2368923 Ernest Garrett Calvert was the son of John and Leah Calvert from Mytholmroyd in Yorkshire. Ernest was part of the 204 Military Mission draft of Signallers to join the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in January 1943. It is not known how he perished on the 30th March 1943, although it is highly likely that it would have been at the opposed crossing of the Irrawaddy River which took place on that date. He is remembered at Taukkyan War Cemetery which is located on the northern outskirts of Rangoon.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2084660/CALVERT,%20ERNEST%20GARRETT
Signalman 2369158 C. Camozzi. This soldier took part on the 204 Military Mission to China and was part of the draft of men that joined 142 Commando during training for the first Wingate expedition. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth, but nothing further is known about his Chindit pathway.
Signalman 3717500 Frederick Douglas Chadwick was the son of Fred and Lily Chadwick and the husband of Annie Chadwick from Eccles in Lancashire. Frederick was another man who served on the 204 Mission to China before joining the 77th Brigade in January 1943. He is one of a group of men, that I believe fell into Japanese hands during Operation Longcloth, but who did not survive long enough as a prisoner of war to reach the confines of Rangoon Jail. He is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2506806/CHADWICK,%20FREDERICK%20DOUGLAS
Corporal 2373483 Edward James Crawford was the son of Edward and Eliza Crawford and the husband of Jane Crawford from Altrincham in Cheshire. Another man from the Nicholls list that served in China on the 204 Military Mission in 1942, Edward, a Wireless operator in Wingate's Brigade Head Quarters was sadly killed during the opposed crossing of the Irrawaddy River on the 29th March 1943. His Signals partner in Brigade HQ was Lance Corporal Eric Hutchins, who remembered the occasion of Edward's death at the Irrawaddy:
By the 29th March, Brigade HQ was back on the west banks of the Irrawaddy, close to the town of Inywa. I was sent over in one of the first boats to help form a bridgehead on the far bank. As the lead boats approached the west bank they came under heavy enemy machine gun and mortar fire and many men were killed or wounded. I was with Corporal Crawford and we managed to turn our boat around and paddle back to the east bank. On reaching the shoreline, we jumped out of the boat and began running back along the sand, suddenly a single shot rang out and Corporal Crawford fell to the ground. He had been shot in the head by a sniper's bullet and had died instantly.
Lt. R. A. Wilding, the Brigade Cipher Officer was also with Edward Crawford at the Irrawaddy on the 29th March:
As soon as we arrived at the river, I was told to take my ciphers, my Sergeant and a transmitter across and be ready to encipher and send a message to the RAF asking for help in case our crossing was interrupted. As the only canoe immediately available, held but three plus the paddlers, we decided to take one of the bomber dinghies, which I had acquired from Agartala and tow it over. I put the transmitter in the dinghy.
To my horror we were fired on from the west bank. I much regretted the dinghy at this moment, for it was bright yellow! It is a very odd feeling when you personally are fired at, especially if it is for the first time. Also the noise made by the bullets ricocheting off the water is a bit intimidating too. The paddlers, who were locals, knew that the Japs would kill them, but were pretty sure that, in spite of my lurid threats, I would not. So they turned back and we regained the east bank.
Very sadly, Sergeant Crawford of the Royal Signals was killed. It was rotten luck, he was hit by a bullet which had ricocheted off the water and going sideways, hit him in the throat, killing him instantly. I reported to the Brigadier, who fortunately had witnessed everything. We withdrew from the bank and back into the jungle. Thinking about it all these years later, we should of course have continued and forced a crossing. It would no doubt have been costly, but not as costly as the alternative proved to be. But all this is hindsight.
Edward Crawford is remembered upon Face 3 of the Rangoon Memorial:
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2507728/CRAWFORD,%20EDWARD%20JAMES
Signalman 2596860 R. C. Curtis. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience. Update 26/11/2019: Robert Charles Curtis was part of Brigade Head Quarters on the first Wingate expedition and was from Aldershot in Hampshire.
Gallery One. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Signalman 2325793 Noel William Edwards was the son of William and Margaret Edwards from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was part of a draft of Signalmen which joined Chindit training very late on in January 1943, just a few short weeks before the operation entered Burma. Noel does not feature in any of the books or war diaries I have read, but is listed as being part of Head Quarters, Indian Infantry Brigade, Signals. If this information is correct then it means that Noel formed part of the Signals section for Wingate's own Brigade HQ.
The date range given for his date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time. The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. Noel is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1292087/EDWARDS,%20NOEL%20WILLIAM
Signalman 2586179 J. Faulds. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 2931182 W.E. Formby. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey.
Corporal 4345629 G. Foster was from Hull on Humberside. He also served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. On Operation Longcloth he partnered fellow Wireless Operator Sgm. Byron White in 5 Column under the command of Major Bernard Fergusson. Both men were temporarily lost to the column on the 28th March 1943, after an engagement with the Japanese at a place called Hintha. Fortunately, both Signallers were re-united with Fergusson and his men a few days later and returned safely to India. Corporal Foster was awarded a Mention in Despatches for his efforts on the first Wingate expedition.
Lance Corporal 2368943 Charles Edward Fountain was from Bramley in Yorkshire. He served as a Wireless Operator on the 204 Mission to China in 1942, moving to the ranks of 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in January 1943. His column placement on Operation Longcloth is unknown, but we do know that Charles was captured by the Japanese on the 28th June 1943 and spent two years as a prisoner of war (POW number 381) inside Rangoon Central Jail. He was liberated on the 29th April 1945 at the Burmese village of Waw, close to the Pegu Road.
Update 19/04/2019.
From a one-line witness statement written by Chindit commander, Major Kenneth Gilkes in November 1943, it can now be presumed that Charles Fountain was part of the Signals Section for No. 7 Column on Operation Longcloth.
Gilkes simply says that: Lance Corporal C.E. Fountain, was left with money in a friendly Kachin village owing to exhaustion.
Signalman 2328907 Norman Wilfred Hackley was from Birmingham. He was a member of the draft of Signallers that served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. To read more about his time on Operation Longcloth, please click on the following link: Norman Hackley
Norman was killed on the 28th April 1943, with an uncorroborated report from family members that this may have occurred whilst crossing the Irrawaddy River. He is remembered alongside many of his RCOS comrades upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial at Taukkyan War Cemetery.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2510531/HACKLEY,%20NORMAN%20WILFRED
Signalman 6290114 Leslie John Hall was the husband of Cicely Hall from Stoke Newington in London. Leslie was another Wireless Operator that had previously served in China before being posted to the Chindits. Although his CWGC details suggest that he was killed on the 9th January 1943, there is documentary evidence in the form of a missing in action listing, that has him down as being lost from his unit on the 2nd May 1943. Nothing more is known about his time in Burma. Leslie is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2510608/HALL,%20LESLIE%20JOHN
Signalman 5192166 Arthur Edward Hayward was the son of Mary Hayward from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. Although his Chindit column is unknown, we do know that he was captured by the Japanese and sent to Rangoon Jail. Arthur was liberated on the 29th April 1945 at the Burmese village of Waw, close to the Pegu Road.
Signalman 2327793 R. Hennessey. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman Arthur Hooper worked at the Rear Base Supply Centre located at Agartala in India and performed liaison duties, ensuring that the correct cipher replies were sent back to his comrades in the field.
Lance Corporal 2573556 Eric William Frederick Hutchins missed out on the 204 Military Mission due to ill health. This gave him the opportunity of a longer training period with 77th Brigade, where he took over wireless operating duties in Brigade HQ. To read more about his contribution on Operation Longcloth, please click on the following link: Signalman Eric Hutchins
Signalman 2573618 William Jarvis took part on the 204 Mission to China in 1942. His date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time during Operation Longcloth. The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. William is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2512578/JARVIS,%20WILLIAM
Signalman 4195393 Frank Jones. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey.
Signalman 4195383 J. Jones was recorded as being part of Major George Dunlop's dispersal group in early May 1943 and returned safely to India. It is possible that although he made his return to India with the remnants of 1 Column, he had in fact been a member of 4 Column at the outset of Operation Longcloth.
Signalman 5440806 J. Kitchen. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 6400398 A. Larkin. This man also took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman Joseph Walter Lawton was with the British Expeditionary Force in 1940 and was rescued at Dunkirk. He then went to Egypt and from there on to Burma. He served with the Chindits in 1942/43 after which he was posted to the 7th Indian Division.
Gallery 2. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The date range given for his date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time. The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. Noel is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1292087/EDWARDS,%20NOEL%20WILLIAM
Signalman 2586179 J. Faulds. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 2931182 W.E. Formby. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey.
Corporal 4345629 G. Foster was from Hull on Humberside. He also served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. On Operation Longcloth he partnered fellow Wireless Operator Sgm. Byron White in 5 Column under the command of Major Bernard Fergusson. Both men were temporarily lost to the column on the 28th March 1943, after an engagement with the Japanese at a place called Hintha. Fortunately, both Signallers were re-united with Fergusson and his men a few days later and returned safely to India. Corporal Foster was awarded a Mention in Despatches for his efforts on the first Wingate expedition.
Lance Corporal 2368943 Charles Edward Fountain was from Bramley in Yorkshire. He served as a Wireless Operator on the 204 Mission to China in 1942, moving to the ranks of 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in January 1943. His column placement on Operation Longcloth is unknown, but we do know that Charles was captured by the Japanese on the 28th June 1943 and spent two years as a prisoner of war (POW number 381) inside Rangoon Central Jail. He was liberated on the 29th April 1945 at the Burmese village of Waw, close to the Pegu Road.
Update 19/04/2019.
From a one-line witness statement written by Chindit commander, Major Kenneth Gilkes in November 1943, it can now be presumed that Charles Fountain was part of the Signals Section for No. 7 Column on Operation Longcloth.
Gilkes simply says that: Lance Corporal C.E. Fountain, was left with money in a friendly Kachin village owing to exhaustion.
Signalman 2328907 Norman Wilfred Hackley was from Birmingham. He was a member of the draft of Signallers that served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. To read more about his time on Operation Longcloth, please click on the following link: Norman Hackley
Norman was killed on the 28th April 1943, with an uncorroborated report from family members that this may have occurred whilst crossing the Irrawaddy River. He is remembered alongside many of his RCOS comrades upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial at Taukkyan War Cemetery.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2510531/HACKLEY,%20NORMAN%20WILFRED
Signalman 6290114 Leslie John Hall was the husband of Cicely Hall from Stoke Newington in London. Leslie was another Wireless Operator that had previously served in China before being posted to the Chindits. Although his CWGC details suggest that he was killed on the 9th January 1943, there is documentary evidence in the form of a missing in action listing, that has him down as being lost from his unit on the 2nd May 1943. Nothing more is known about his time in Burma. Leslie is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2510608/HALL,%20LESLIE%20JOHN
Signalman 5192166 Arthur Edward Hayward was the son of Mary Hayward from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. Although his Chindit column is unknown, we do know that he was captured by the Japanese and sent to Rangoon Jail. Arthur was liberated on the 29th April 1945 at the Burmese village of Waw, close to the Pegu Road.
Signalman 2327793 R. Hennessey. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman Arthur Hooper worked at the Rear Base Supply Centre located at Agartala in India and performed liaison duties, ensuring that the correct cipher replies were sent back to his comrades in the field.
Lance Corporal 2573556 Eric William Frederick Hutchins missed out on the 204 Military Mission due to ill health. This gave him the opportunity of a longer training period with 77th Brigade, where he took over wireless operating duties in Brigade HQ. To read more about his contribution on Operation Longcloth, please click on the following link: Signalman Eric Hutchins
Signalman 2573618 William Jarvis took part on the 204 Mission to China in 1942. His date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time during Operation Longcloth. The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. William is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2512578/JARVIS,%20WILLIAM
Signalman 4195393 Frank Jones. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey.
Signalman 4195383 J. Jones was recorded as being part of Major George Dunlop's dispersal group in early May 1943 and returned safely to India. It is possible that although he made his return to India with the remnants of 1 Column, he had in fact been a member of 4 Column at the outset of Operation Longcloth.
Signalman 5440806 J. Kitchen. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 6400398 A. Larkin. This man also took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman Joseph Walter Lawton was with the British Expeditionary Force in 1940 and was rescued at Dunkirk. He then went to Egypt and from there on to Burma. He served with the Chindits in 1942/43 after which he was posted to the 7th Indian Division.
Gallery 2. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Captain 120880 John Weston Lloyd was Chief Cipher Officer at 4 Corps in India from February 1943 and therefore senior Signals officer for both Wingate operations.
Signalman 2581683 P. Losban. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience. Update 26/11/2019: According to his Burma Star Association membership details, Philip Michael Losban attained the rank of Sergeant before the end of WW2 and was from Gatley, near Cheadle in Cheshire.
Signalman 3310622 James MacIvor was from Dumbarton in Scotland. He took part on the 204 Military Mission in China, but was captured by the Japanese during Operation Longcloth on the 28th April 1943. James spent some time inside Rangoon Central Jail, holding the POW number of 364, but it seems that he may have been moved to another camp, possibly in Thailand at a later date. It must be presumed that he survived his incarceration, as his POW documents (and the CWGC website) do not indicate that he died whilst in Japanese hands.
Signalman 3712496 Oldfield. Part of the Signals Section with 142 Commando, this man also returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth. Nothing more is known in regards to his Chindit pathway in 1943.
Sergeant 2323195 A.W. Palmer. This soldier took part on the 204 Military Mission to China and was part of the draft of men that joined 142 Commando during training for the first Wingate expedition. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth, but nothing further is known about his Chindit pathway. Update 26/11/2019: According to his Burma Star Association membership details, Arthur William Palmer served with the Royal Corps of Signals until the end of the war and was from Acocks Green in Birmingham.
Signalman 6409021 H. E. Pickering. This soldier also took part on the 204 Military Mission to China and was part of the draft of men that joined 142 Commando during training for the first Wingate expedition. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth, but nothing further is known about his Chindit pathway.
Signalman 2329391 Thomas Alfred Pope was the son of Thomas and Dorothy Pope from Pitminister in Somerset. Thomas had taken part in the Military Mission to China in 1942, but was sadly killed in action on the 1st May 1943 during Operation Longcloth. Nothing more is known in regards to his Chindit pathway in 1943. www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2521625/POPE,%20THOMAS%20ALFRED
Signalman 5881821 John James Povey was the son of Edward and Mary Povey and the husband of D. L. Povey from Walthamstow in Essex. John was a Wireless Operator that had previously served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. His date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time during Operation Longcloth.
The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. John is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave:
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2521642/POVEY,%20JOHN%20JAMES
Sergeant 2343317 A. Puckett. This man was a Wireless Operator during the 204 Mission in 1942. As part of 8 Column on Operation Longcloth, he took charge of a party of 14 men during the column's dispersal from Burma in May 1943. After losing contact with the rest of 8 Column whilst crossing the Mandalay-Myitkhina railway, Sgt. Puckett succeeded in leading the men under his command back to India some three weeks later.
Signalman 4345945 Geoffrey Rawlings from Hull in Humberside. This man served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942 and then with 7 Column on Operation Longcloth. As chance would have it, Geoffrey Rawlings moved back through the Yunnan Provinces of China during his march out of Burma in May 1943. He was part of the advance party, under Captain Blackburne of the King's Regiment and Sgt. MacKenzie that reached the Chinese town of Sima-Pa on the 10th May.
From the Daily Mail, Tuesday 22nd January 1946:
Hull Soldier's Second Honour
Mrs. Joan Rawlings of 6 North Road, Hull, has received news that her husband, Corporal Geoffrey Rawlings of the Royal Signals has been mentioned in despatches for the second time. Cpl. Rawlings was first 'mentioned' for his work with the first Wingate Expedition (Chindits) in 1943, which went into Burma on foot with a mule train. Starting in India, his column marched through Burma and into China. He gained his second honour after being transferred to the 25th Indian Division, which went into action in the Arakan, and took part in raiding operations behind enemy lines and the seaborne landings at Akyab, Myebon, Kangaw and Ruywe during the advance to Rangoon.
Before joining the Forces in January 1940, Cpl. Rawlings was employed at the Hull Co-operative Society, in the grocery department. He attended Osborne Street School and is a former member of the Hull Boy's Club.
Geoffrey was a long time member of the Burma Star Association after the war and held the position of Welfare Officer for a number of years at the Hull branch. It was from within the obituary pages of the Winter 2017 issue of Dekho Magazine, that I learned of his sad passing. The entry simply reads:
G. Rawlings; 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, 1st Chindits; Hull.
Gallery 3. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Signalman 2581683 P. Losban. This man took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience. Update 26/11/2019: According to his Burma Star Association membership details, Philip Michael Losban attained the rank of Sergeant before the end of WW2 and was from Gatley, near Cheadle in Cheshire.
Signalman 3310622 James MacIvor was from Dumbarton in Scotland. He took part on the 204 Military Mission in China, but was captured by the Japanese during Operation Longcloth on the 28th April 1943. James spent some time inside Rangoon Central Jail, holding the POW number of 364, but it seems that he may have been moved to another camp, possibly in Thailand at a later date. It must be presumed that he survived his incarceration, as his POW documents (and the CWGC website) do not indicate that he died whilst in Japanese hands.
Signalman 3712496 Oldfield. Part of the Signals Section with 142 Commando, this man also returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth. Nothing more is known in regards to his Chindit pathway in 1943.
Sergeant 2323195 A.W. Palmer. This soldier took part on the 204 Military Mission to China and was part of the draft of men that joined 142 Commando during training for the first Wingate expedition. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth, but nothing further is known about his Chindit pathway. Update 26/11/2019: According to his Burma Star Association membership details, Arthur William Palmer served with the Royal Corps of Signals until the end of the war and was from Acocks Green in Birmingham.
Signalman 6409021 H. E. Pickering. This soldier also took part on the 204 Military Mission to China and was part of the draft of men that joined 142 Commando during training for the first Wingate expedition. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth, but nothing further is known about his Chindit pathway.
Signalman 2329391 Thomas Alfred Pope was the son of Thomas and Dorothy Pope from Pitminister in Somerset. Thomas had taken part in the Military Mission to China in 1942, but was sadly killed in action on the 1st May 1943 during Operation Longcloth. Nothing more is known in regards to his Chindit pathway in 1943. www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2521625/POPE,%20THOMAS%20ALFRED
Signalman 5881821 John James Povey was the son of Edward and Mary Povey and the husband of D. L. Povey from Walthamstow in Essex. John was a Wireless Operator that had previously served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. His date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time during Operation Longcloth.
The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. John is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave:
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2521642/POVEY,%20JOHN%20JAMES
Sergeant 2343317 A. Puckett. This man was a Wireless Operator during the 204 Mission in 1942. As part of 8 Column on Operation Longcloth, he took charge of a party of 14 men during the column's dispersal from Burma in May 1943. After losing contact with the rest of 8 Column whilst crossing the Mandalay-Myitkhina railway, Sgt. Puckett succeeded in leading the men under his command back to India some three weeks later.
Signalman 4345945 Geoffrey Rawlings from Hull in Humberside. This man served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942 and then with 7 Column on Operation Longcloth. As chance would have it, Geoffrey Rawlings moved back through the Yunnan Provinces of China during his march out of Burma in May 1943. He was part of the advance party, under Captain Blackburne of the King's Regiment and Sgt. MacKenzie that reached the Chinese town of Sima-Pa on the 10th May.
From the Daily Mail, Tuesday 22nd January 1946:
Hull Soldier's Second Honour
Mrs. Joan Rawlings of 6 North Road, Hull, has received news that her husband, Corporal Geoffrey Rawlings of the Royal Signals has been mentioned in despatches for the second time. Cpl. Rawlings was first 'mentioned' for his work with the first Wingate Expedition (Chindits) in 1943, which went into Burma on foot with a mule train. Starting in India, his column marched through Burma and into China. He gained his second honour after being transferred to the 25th Indian Division, which went into action in the Arakan, and took part in raiding operations behind enemy lines and the seaborne landings at Akyab, Myebon, Kangaw and Ruywe during the advance to Rangoon.
Before joining the Forces in January 1940, Cpl. Rawlings was employed at the Hull Co-operative Society, in the grocery department. He attended Osborne Street School and is a former member of the Hull Boy's Club.
Geoffrey was a long time member of the Burma Star Association after the war and held the position of Welfare Officer for a number of years at the Hull branch. It was from within the obituary pages of the Winter 2017 issue of Dekho Magazine, that I learned of his sad passing. The entry simply reads:
G. Rawlings; 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, 1st Chindits; Hull.
Gallery 3. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Signalman 4204186 D. Roberts. This man also took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 4204630 Eric Rostance took part on the 204 Military Mission to China, but was sadly captured by the Japanese in April 1943, whilst serving with 8 Column on Operation Longcloth. Eric perished as a prisoner of war inside Rangoon Jail on the 27th September 1943. To read more about his time during the first Wingate expedition, please click on the following link: Eric Rostance
Signalman 2363697 Lawrence Speedie was the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Speedie. This man also took part in the 204 Mission to China in 1942 and then joined the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, taking his place in Brigade Head Quarters on the first Wingate expedition. Lawrence's date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time during Operation Longcloth. The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. Lawrence is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave:
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2526166/SPEEDIE,%20LAWRENCE
Signalman 2311301 George Sutton. This man also took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 4453160 G. Syson from Blackpool in Lancashire. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey.
Signalman 2331838 Vernon Graham Talbot was the son of Moses and Elsie Talbot and the husband of Gwenlyn Talbot from Seaford in Sussex. Vernon was a member of the draft of men who served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. On Operation Longcloth he was captured by the Japanese and sadly died as a prisoner of war inside Rangoon Jail on the 4th September 1943. He died as a result of contracting beri-beri at the prison and was one of the first Chindits to perish from this condition during their incarceration at Rangoon.
Vernon Talbot is now buried at Rangoon War Cemetery: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2261309/TALBOT,%20VERNON%20GRAHAM
Update 30/11/2021.
Thanks to the vigilant eye of fellow WW2 researcher, Tony Honeyman, some newspaper articles in relation to Vernon Talbot and his Chindit story have come to light. From these we now know that Vernon attended the Abertillery County School where he was described as a quiet, retiring and undemonstrative child, and where his easy-going, amiable and unhurried ways, made him popular with both staff and pupils alike. Staff recalled his quiet chuckle, a ready smile, keen sense of humour and great love of rugby, and remembered him revelling in his opportunity to finally play for the 1st XV.
Vernon as we already know was the son of Moses Talbot a schoolmaster at the Aberbeeg School in Llanhilleth in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. Before the war Vernon was employed by the Gwalia Relay Company, which might account for his posting to the Royal Corps of Signals on enlistment into the Army. His father made a great effort to find out what had happened to his son in Burma and the newspaper article below recounts some of his findings.
Paraphrased transcription from the South Wales Gazette, dated 31st August 1945:
Burmese Betrayed Abertillery Hero
This is the moving story of how an Abertillery hero, died for our freedom in the Far East. It will be read with pride by his fellow citizens for it gives a glimpse of what was bravely endured by our men in the grim conditions of jungle warfare.
Signalman Vernon Talbot, son of Mr. & Mrs. Moses Talbot, School House, Aberbeeg, was reported missing two years ago and his parents have know received information that he died whilst a prisoner of war on September 4th 1943. The military authorities in India based their report on camp records recovered when Rangoon POWs were freed and on the evidence given by these liberated prisoners.
Signalman Talbot was last seen near the Irrawaddy River, which he crossed as a member of the Wingate expedition in April 1943, after being attached to a dispersal group which ultimately failed to return to India. The cause of Vernon Talbot’s death was not stated in the report from India, but Mr. Talbot has been in communication with a POW recently returned from Rangoon after his own liberation from the camp. He reported that he was with Vernon on the night they attempted to cross the Shweli River.
He (the surviving POW) was in the next party to cross over, but in consequence of the raft on which Signalman Talbot and three other companions being swept away, further crossings that night had to be abandoned.
They next met at the Maymyo POW Camp, from which they were eventually moved down to Rangoon. Here after about three months, Signalman Talbot and one of his companions on capture died after contracting beri beri, a disease resulting from lack of food and a defective diet. They were buried in the British section of Rangoon Military Cemetery.
Mr. Talbot (senior) has endeavoured to contact another of his son’s former companions and has been informed by this man’s father, that his son is not yet fit enough to return home and is currently recuperating from the effects of his privations back in India.
The soldier however, gave the information that after crossing the Shweli River, the four men including Sgt. Talbot set up a wireless outpost. This was located and bombed by the Japanese and after this the four went into hiding in the jungle. Here they remained for five days, out of touch with the remainder of the expedition and without food. In the end hunger compelled them to go to a village to obtain food. They then returned to the jungle, but a Burmese villager informed the Japanese that they were in the vicinity. They were eventually taken prisoner and endedup at Rangoon Central Jail.
Signalman 4204630 Eric Rostance took part on the 204 Military Mission to China, but was sadly captured by the Japanese in April 1943, whilst serving with 8 Column on Operation Longcloth. Eric perished as a prisoner of war inside Rangoon Jail on the 27th September 1943. To read more about his time during the first Wingate expedition, please click on the following link: Eric Rostance
Signalman 2363697 Lawrence Speedie was the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Speedie. This man also took part in the 204 Mission to China in 1942 and then joined the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, taking his place in Brigade Head Quarters on the first Wingate expedition. Lawrence's date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time during Operation Longcloth. The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. Lawrence is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave:
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2526166/SPEEDIE,%20LAWRENCE
Signalman 2311301 George Sutton. This man also took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit experience.
Signalman 4453160 G. Syson from Blackpool in Lancashire. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey.
Signalman 2331838 Vernon Graham Talbot was the son of Moses and Elsie Talbot and the husband of Gwenlyn Talbot from Seaford in Sussex. Vernon was a member of the draft of men who served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. On Operation Longcloth he was captured by the Japanese and sadly died as a prisoner of war inside Rangoon Jail on the 4th September 1943. He died as a result of contracting beri-beri at the prison and was one of the first Chindits to perish from this condition during their incarceration at Rangoon.
Vernon Talbot is now buried at Rangoon War Cemetery: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2261309/TALBOT,%20VERNON%20GRAHAM
Update 30/11/2021.
Thanks to the vigilant eye of fellow WW2 researcher, Tony Honeyman, some newspaper articles in relation to Vernon Talbot and his Chindit story have come to light. From these we now know that Vernon attended the Abertillery County School where he was described as a quiet, retiring and undemonstrative child, and where his easy-going, amiable and unhurried ways, made him popular with both staff and pupils alike. Staff recalled his quiet chuckle, a ready smile, keen sense of humour and great love of rugby, and remembered him revelling in his opportunity to finally play for the 1st XV.
Vernon as we already know was the son of Moses Talbot a schoolmaster at the Aberbeeg School in Llanhilleth in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. Before the war Vernon was employed by the Gwalia Relay Company, which might account for his posting to the Royal Corps of Signals on enlistment into the Army. His father made a great effort to find out what had happened to his son in Burma and the newspaper article below recounts some of his findings.
Paraphrased transcription from the South Wales Gazette, dated 31st August 1945:
Burmese Betrayed Abertillery Hero
This is the moving story of how an Abertillery hero, died for our freedom in the Far East. It will be read with pride by his fellow citizens for it gives a glimpse of what was bravely endured by our men in the grim conditions of jungle warfare.
Signalman Vernon Talbot, son of Mr. & Mrs. Moses Talbot, School House, Aberbeeg, was reported missing two years ago and his parents have know received information that he died whilst a prisoner of war on September 4th 1943. The military authorities in India based their report on camp records recovered when Rangoon POWs were freed and on the evidence given by these liberated prisoners.
Signalman Talbot was last seen near the Irrawaddy River, which he crossed as a member of the Wingate expedition in April 1943, after being attached to a dispersal group which ultimately failed to return to India. The cause of Vernon Talbot’s death was not stated in the report from India, but Mr. Talbot has been in communication with a POW recently returned from Rangoon after his own liberation from the camp. He reported that he was with Vernon on the night they attempted to cross the Shweli River.
He (the surviving POW) was in the next party to cross over, but in consequence of the raft on which Signalman Talbot and three other companions being swept away, further crossings that night had to be abandoned.
They next met at the Maymyo POW Camp, from which they were eventually moved down to Rangoon. Here after about three months, Signalman Talbot and one of his companions on capture died after contracting beri beri, a disease resulting from lack of food and a defective diet. They were buried in the British section of Rangoon Military Cemetery.
Mr. Talbot (senior) has endeavoured to contact another of his son’s former companions and has been informed by this man’s father, that his son is not yet fit enough to return home and is currently recuperating from the effects of his privations back in India.
The soldier however, gave the information that after crossing the Shweli River, the four men including Sgt. Talbot set up a wireless outpost. This was located and bombed by the Japanese and after this the four went into hiding in the jungle. Here they remained for five days, out of touch with the remainder of the expedition and without food. In the end hunger compelled them to go to a village to obtain food. They then returned to the jungle, but a Burmese villager informed the Japanese that they were in the vicinity. They were eventually taken prisoner and endedup at Rangoon Central Jail.
Vernon was remembered by his former school in their WW2 Memorial Book, an image of which can be seen in the gallery below along with a photograph of his grave plaque at Rangoon War Cemetery. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Signalman 2372451 Joseph Timney. This man also took part in the 204 Mission to China in 1942 and then joined the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in January 1943. Joseph's date of death on the CWGC website suggests that he was possibly a prisoner of war for a short time during Operation Longcloth. The date, 1st June 1943 is common with those men who were held by the Japanese, but, who did not survive long enough to reach the final Chindit POW destination of Rangoon Jail. Joseph is remembered upon Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial, the central feature of Taukkyan War Cemetery. This memorial was constructed to honour all those who fell during the Burma Campaign, but who have no known grave: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2527398/TIMNEY,%20JOSEPH
Signalman 5671892 C.C. Venn. This man served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942, bit it is unclear from the records available if he actually took part on Operation Longcloth or not. Update 26/11/2019: According to his Burma Star Association membership details, Clifford Charles Venn went on to serve with the 19th Indian Division after the first Wingate expedition. He attained the Army Long Service/Good Conduct medal for his service post WW2 and lived near Taunton in Somerset. Clifford sadly passed away on the 22nd February 2000.
Gallery 4. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Signalman 5671892 C.C. Venn. This man served on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942, bit it is unclear from the records available if he actually took part on Operation Longcloth or not. Update 26/11/2019: According to his Burma Star Association membership details, Clifford Charles Venn went on to serve with the 19th Indian Division after the first Wingate expedition. He attained the Army Long Service/Good Conduct medal for his service post WW2 and lived near Taunton in Somerset. Clifford sadly passed away on the 22nd February 2000.
Gallery 4. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Signalman 885195 Alexander Pryde Watt was the son of Thomas and Margaret Watt from Musselburgh in Scotland. Alexander took part in the 204 Military Mission in 1942. Sadly, he was captured by the Japanese on Operation Longcloth and perished inside Rangoon Jail (POW number 465) on the 3rd July 1943. His final resting place is Rangoon War Cemetery:
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2261389/WATT,%20ALEXANDER%20PRYDE
Corporal 2324295 K. Whim. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey. Update 26/11/2019: According to his Burma Star Association membership details, Kevin Thomas Whim served with 3/2 Gurkha Rifles during the first Wingate expedition and was from Chester in Cheshire.
Signalman 4805738 Byron White was from Grimsby on Humberside. He served as a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. On Operation Longcloth he partnered fellow Wireless Operator Corporal G. Foster in 5 Column under the command of Major Bernard Fergusson. Both men were temporarily lost to the column on the 28th March 1943, after an engagement with the Japanese at a place called Hintha. Fortunately, both Signallers were re-united with Fergusson and his men a few days later and returned safely to India. Signalman White was awarded a Mention in Despatches for his efforts on the first Wingate expedition. Sadly, Byron passed away on the 12th February 2002. In Bernard Fergusson's book, Beyond the Chindwin, the author explained how an aversion to rice had almost compromised Byron's chances of making the trip back to India:
By early April, some of the men had stomach trouble, and I was particularly anxious about White the Signaller. He and Foster had taken to being infantrymen with great and praiseworthy enthusiasm, but rice did not agree with White, and we were at pains to buy chickens and eggs for him. At times I worried about Jim (Harman), Abdul and White, and wondered whether they could stick the journey.
Signalman 3780658 Jack White was the son of George and Sarah Harriet White and the husband of Margaret Ellen White of Ashington in Northumberland. He was a member of the draft of men who took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He was captured on Operation Longcloth and perished inside Block 6 of Rangoon Jail (POW number 556) on the 10th February 1944, suffering from both beri beri and dysentery. He was originally buried at the English Cantonment Cemetery in the eastern sector of the city, close to the Royal Lakes. His grave reference for the Cantonment Cemetery was recorded as number 151. To read more about Jack White, please click on the following link and scroll down to his story: Jack White.
Signalman 4865736 V. White. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey. I have sometimes wondered whether this man is in fact Byron White and that his initial has been incorrectly recorded on the nominal roll.
Signalman 2322139 W. Whitfield. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey, other than he suffered greatly with malaria.
Signalman 2369287 A. Williams. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey.
Lance Corporal 6103385 James Arthur Willis was the son of William and Mary Willis and the husband of Isobel Willis from Slough in Berkshire. He was a last minute reinforcement to 77th Brigade and had also been on active service in China prior to joining Wingate's Brigade HQ in January 1943. James was one of the Brigade's Wireless Operator's on Operation Longcloth and was allocated to the dispersal group led by Captain Hosegood and Lieutenant Wilding on the 30th March 1943.
By the time of his capture on the 2nd May, James was the only Chindit in his dispersal group still in possession of a serviceable rifle. James Willis died in Block 6 of Rangoon Jail on the 11th September 1943 and was buried alongside his comrades at the English Cantonment Cemetery. His POW number whilst inside Rangoon was 557 and his grave reference in the Cantonment Cemetery was recorded as 73. After the war was over, all the POW burials from Rangoon Jail were removed from their original resting place and re-interred at the newly constructed Rangoon War Cemetery: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2261418/WILLIS,%20JAMES%20ARTHUR
Signalman Thomas John Wisbey served with the Royal Corps of Signals at Dunkirk in the summer of 1940, before being posted overseas to India. He took part in both Chindit expeditions in 1943 and 1944. Thomas sadly died in 1978.
Signalman W.I. Wonham served with RCOS on both Chindit operations and was a member of Dah Force in 1944 under the command of Captain Denis 'Fish' Herring.
Gallery 5. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2261389/WATT,%20ALEXANDER%20PRYDE
Corporal 2324295 K. Whim. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey. Update 26/11/2019: According to his Burma Star Association membership details, Kevin Thomas Whim served with 3/2 Gurkha Rifles during the first Wingate expedition and was from Chester in Cheshire.
Signalman 4805738 Byron White was from Grimsby on Humberside. He served as a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. On Operation Longcloth he partnered fellow Wireless Operator Corporal G. Foster in 5 Column under the command of Major Bernard Fergusson. Both men were temporarily lost to the column on the 28th March 1943, after an engagement with the Japanese at a place called Hintha. Fortunately, both Signallers were re-united with Fergusson and his men a few days later and returned safely to India. Signalman White was awarded a Mention in Despatches for his efforts on the first Wingate expedition. Sadly, Byron passed away on the 12th February 2002. In Bernard Fergusson's book, Beyond the Chindwin, the author explained how an aversion to rice had almost compromised Byron's chances of making the trip back to India:
By early April, some of the men had stomach trouble, and I was particularly anxious about White the Signaller. He and Foster had taken to being infantrymen with great and praiseworthy enthusiasm, but rice did not agree with White, and we were at pains to buy chickens and eggs for him. At times I worried about Jim (Harman), Abdul and White, and wondered whether they could stick the journey.
Signalman 3780658 Jack White was the son of George and Sarah Harriet White and the husband of Margaret Ellen White of Ashington in Northumberland. He was a member of the draft of men who took part on the 204 Military Mission to China in 1942. He was captured on Operation Longcloth and perished inside Block 6 of Rangoon Jail (POW number 556) on the 10th February 1944, suffering from both beri beri and dysentery. He was originally buried at the English Cantonment Cemetery in the eastern sector of the city, close to the Royal Lakes. His grave reference for the Cantonment Cemetery was recorded as number 151. To read more about Jack White, please click on the following link and scroll down to his story: Jack White.
Signalman 4865736 V. White. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey. I have sometimes wondered whether this man is in fact Byron White and that his initial has been incorrectly recorded on the nominal roll.
Signalman 2322139 W. Whitfield. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey, other than he suffered greatly with malaria.
Signalman 2369287 A. Williams. This man was a Wireless Operator on the 204 Military Mission to China. He returned safely to India after Operation Longcloth in 1943, but nothing more is known about his Chindit journey.
Lance Corporal 6103385 James Arthur Willis was the son of William and Mary Willis and the husband of Isobel Willis from Slough in Berkshire. He was a last minute reinforcement to 77th Brigade and had also been on active service in China prior to joining Wingate's Brigade HQ in January 1943. James was one of the Brigade's Wireless Operator's on Operation Longcloth and was allocated to the dispersal group led by Captain Hosegood and Lieutenant Wilding on the 30th March 1943.
By the time of his capture on the 2nd May, James was the only Chindit in his dispersal group still in possession of a serviceable rifle. James Willis died in Block 6 of Rangoon Jail on the 11th September 1943 and was buried alongside his comrades at the English Cantonment Cemetery. His POW number whilst inside Rangoon was 557 and his grave reference in the Cantonment Cemetery was recorded as 73. After the war was over, all the POW burials from Rangoon Jail were removed from their original resting place and re-interred at the newly constructed Rangoon War Cemetery: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2261418/WILLIS,%20JAMES%20ARTHUR
Signalman Thomas John Wisbey served with the Royal Corps of Signals at Dunkirk in the summer of 1940, before being posted overseas to India. He took part in both Chindit expeditions in 1943 and 1944. Thomas sadly died in 1978.
Signalman W.I. Wonham served with RCOS on both Chindit operations and was a member of Dah Force in 1944 under the command of Captain Denis 'Fish' Herring.
Gallery 5. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Update 22/04/2017.
From the pages of the Daily Mail dated May 21st 1943 and under the headline, Hull Men in Commando Raid:
According to a Reuters message, L/Cpl. George Foster and Signalman Byron White of Grimsby, were among the men who took part in the commando operations in Burma as reported today. British and native troops, led by a Brigadier, penetrated the Japanese lines in Burma, and for three months wrecked railways and bridges far behind the frontline and killed Japanese wherever they found them. The important Mandalay-Myitkhina railway was cut in at least seventy-five places, four large steel bridges were destroyed along the line and at least 500 Japanese killed.
Brigadier Orde Charles Wingate led the expedition, which was composed of British Commando veterans, Gurkhas, Nepalese, Kachin and Shan troops. In the middle of February the force filtered through on the Upper Chindwin and now, three months later, they are trickling back after having done a magnificent job.
From the pages of the Daily Mail dated May 21st 1943 and under the headline, Hull Men in Commando Raid:
According to a Reuters message, L/Cpl. George Foster and Signalman Byron White of Grimsby, were among the men who took part in the commando operations in Burma as reported today. British and native troops, led by a Brigadier, penetrated the Japanese lines in Burma, and for three months wrecked railways and bridges far behind the frontline and killed Japanese wherever they found them. The important Mandalay-Myitkhina railway was cut in at least seventy-five places, four large steel bridges were destroyed along the line and at least 500 Japanese killed.
Brigadier Orde Charles Wingate led the expedition, which was composed of British Commando veterans, Gurkhas, Nepalese, Kachin and Shan troops. In the middle of February the force filtered through on the Upper Chindwin and now, three months later, they are trickling back after having done a magnificent job.
Update 25/09/2022.
Lance Sergeant 6912645 R. Leverston-Allen was another Signalman who served on the 204 Mission and then trained at Saugor with 77 Brigade. From the 1942 war diary of 142 Commando, a notification dated 8th September, states that Leverston-Allen is to be retained by 77 Brigade owing to his previous experiences in China, his knowledge of wireless operation and that he was fluent in Urdu.
Signalman 5671417 R. Powell was present at the Saugor training camp on the 18th November 1942 and was recorded (see image below) as leaving the unit for Lalitpur alongside Signalman A. Caldwell. The pair were to eventually re-join 77 Brigade at Jhansi. Apart from Sgt. Powell, all the other men listed on the order sheet are already mentioned on this page.
Lance Sergeant 6912645 R. Leverston-Allen was another Signalman who served on the 204 Mission and then trained at Saugor with 77 Brigade. From the 1942 war diary of 142 Commando, a notification dated 8th September, states that Leverston-Allen is to be retained by 77 Brigade owing to his previous experiences in China, his knowledge of wireless operation and that he was fluent in Urdu.
Signalman 5671417 R. Powell was present at the Saugor training camp on the 18th November 1942 and was recorded (see image below) as leaving the unit for Lalitpur alongside Signalman A. Caldwell. The pair were to eventually re-join 77 Brigade at Jhansi. Apart from Sgt. Powell, all the other men listed on the order sheet are already mentioned on this page.
To learn more about the Royal Corps of Signals and their role in the British Army, both past and present day please click on the following link:
www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk
Certa Cito-Swift and Sure
Copyright © Steve Fogden, October 2016.