9th Sussex.

[Owen]

One of my Wiltshire lads, Pte 55777317 George Ponting died serving with 9th Susssex on this date.
What were they doing at the time?
With 36th Div I think.
His Army Number shows he was originally Wilts Regt.

Name:PONTING, GEORGE
Initials:G
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Private
Regiment/Service:Royal Sussex Regiment
Unit Text:9th Bn.
Age:23
Date of Death:06/08/1944
Service No:5577317
Additional information:Son of Charles Henry and Sarah Ellen Ponting, of Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wiltshire.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:7. A. 19.
Cemetery:TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY

[jimbotosome]

(Owen D @ Feb 4 2006, 05:18 PM) [post=45282]One of my Wiltshire lads, Pte 55777317 George Ponting died serving with 9th Susssex on this date.
What were they doing at the time?
With 36th Div I think.
His Army Number shows he was originally Wilts Regt.
[/b]

Where did he give his life? Do you know?

[Paul Reed]

Owen - there is a history of this battalion in WW2. It is the only book on the regiment I don't have! Missed it when it first came out, and missed it time and again on eBay!

[Owen]

Found some info on Burma Star site but still a bit vague on what they were up to.
I know 1st Wilts took a hammering April 44 and were sent to the NW Frontier. I assume Pte Ponting was transfered to 9 Sussex then.As yet I haven't found out much more.
36th Division at the time were in north Burma working with the American/Chinese Forces under Gen. Stilwell.

[Owen]

Found this about 9th Sussex at the time Pte Ponting was killed.
http://www.burmastar.org.uk/dawes.htm

The wounded Lt., was B.Brewster of ‘D’ Coy and the one killed by the shell by Lt. P. Dunford of ‘C’ Coy. Both are buried in Taukkyan Cemetery, as is Pte Bright.

Name:BREWSTER, MAURICE JOSEPH
Initials:M J
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Lieutenant
Regiment/Service:Royal Sussex Regiment
Unit Text:9th Bn.
Age:23
Date of Death:06/08/1944
Service No:233262
Additional information:Son of Joseph Stockbridge Brewster and Florence Brewster, of Southwick, Sussex.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:6. G. 18.
Cemetery:TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY


Name.DUNFORD, PERCY
Initials:P
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Lieutenant
Regiment/Service:Royal Sussex Regiment
Unit Text:9th Bn.
Date of Death:05/08/1944
Service No:249228
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:7. A. 11.
Cemetery:TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY

Name:BRIGHT, WILLIAM
Initials:W
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Private
Regiment/Service:Royal Sussex Regiment
Unit Text:9th Bn.
Age:21
Date of Death:05/08/1944
Service No:5350377
Additional information:Ward of Mrs. B. Hanslip, of Redbridge, Southampton.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:7. B. 8.
Cemetery:TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY

This Sergeant is mentioned in Len Dawe's account.

I digress. Before going to the hill the Coy. Commander was I think talking to another Major and I and another chap were burying the two Sgts. Allen and Crunden, then an officer took a compass bearing of the graves for the Graves Registration chaps.

Name:ALLEN, FREDERICK RICHARD
Initials:F R
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Serjeant
Regiment/Service:Royal Sussex Regiment
Unit Text:9th Bn.
Age:24
Date of Death:05/08/1944
Service No:5337445
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:7. G. 4.
Cemetery:TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY


Name:CRUNDEN, FREDERICK GEORGE
Initials:F G
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Lance Serjeant
Regiment/Service:Royal Sussex Regiment
Unit Text:9th Bn.
Age:36
Date of Death:05/08/1944
Service No:6396611
Additional information:His brother, Ronald Allenby Crunden, also died on service.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:7. G. 5.
Cemetery:TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY

[Owen]

And this
http://www.burmastar.org.uk/reynolds.htm

[Owen]

Bumped up for gen, aka Mike.