1/8th Lancashire Fusiliers 1944/45

[Zimrich]

Hi,

I was hoping someone may help. I was trying to find some information about WO Thomas Sidlow 1/8th Lancs Fusiliers who died on 19th March 1945 and who is buried at Taukkyan cemetery.

Were the 1/8th part of the Chindits?I know the chindits disbanded in late 1944 so would anyone perhaps know why my chap was still in Burma in 1945.

Sorry If I'm being a bit ignorant here my knowledge of the Far East campaign is limited but I'm trying to learn!!

Thanks for any help

Rich

[Kyt]

They were part of the Chindits (3rd Indian Division) during it's first and second expeditions in 1943 and 1944.

After the end of the expedition, they became part of the 4th Infantry Brigade of the 2nd British Division, which took part in the Irrawady crossings that started in February 1945. It seems that your man was unfortunately killed during the tale end of the fighting.

Have a read of this link, and I'll get back to you moreinfo tomorrow:

seac report

EDIT - sorry getting my Lancashire Fusiliers mixed up. It was 1/XX (20th) that were part of the Chindits. The 1/8th remained part of the 2nd Division.

Lancashire Fusiliers Photographs 1st Bn WW2

[Kyt]

Sorry, I'm showing my ignorance of battalion make-ups here. Hopefully, someone will be able to tell you exactly which battalion was which. I think I've got it wrong.

[Owen]

1st/8th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers served in 4 Inf Bde, 2 Inf Div from May 40 - Aug 45. Initially in UK, the Division (complete with 1/8 LF) arrived in India in Jun 42, to Burma in Apr 44 and back to India in Apr 45.(Info - Lt.Col. Mike Jackson)

Lancfuslrs <<< from Burma Star website.


2nd British Division from Burma Star site.
2ndbrit



1/8th shows that the unit was a First Line Territorial unit. That form of showing the Battalion was used far more in WW1, not so much in WW2. Must Regiments just numbered their TA units with a single digit.
ie; 4th Wilts etc etc

8th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers [UK]


Where Kyt is getting confused is the old 20th Foot, or XXth Foot, was the old numbered Line Regt that became the Lancashire Fusiliers.
some Regts liked to keep that in their title.
The Regular 1st Bn was the Chindit one.

[Kyt]

Cheers Owen. I knew something was wrong but at some point last night I started getting the two mixed up.

Well, we agree that the unit was involved in the actions of 1945 that I mentioned.

[Zimrich]

Thanks for putting me right guys and for the info its much appreciated

Cheers
Rich