Osborn Hill - b Sep 1916 in Wetherby - Where do I begin please?

Discussion in 'War Against Japan' started by Tony Thurston, Sep 23, 2020.

  1. Tony Thurston

    Tony Thurston Member

    I am trying to discover the military activities of Osborn. Osborn was born in 1916, worked initially as a farmer and joined the army before the outbreak of WWII, possibly a Yorkshire regiment. He was stationed near Bristol around 1937.

    He served several years in Singapore, and escaped when it fell to the Japanese. On his return to England via India, he re-habilitated in Hertfordshire. He was known as ‘Yorkie’ or ‘Joe’

    I dont know his regiment but I thought maybe his imprisonment (and escape) maybe recorded but I dont know where to find that information

    Any suggestions would be much appreciated
     
  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Is that your family tree on Ancestry? If so you will have seen that there are some POW candidates, to know which one is yours and in order to learn about his military career you really need his service records.
    Get a copy of military service records
     
  3. Tony Thurston

    Tony Thurston Member

    Thank you Tony 56, yes i am on ancestry and I can see some POW candidates but none of them are Osborn, no "e", no middle name - am I missing something please?
     
  4. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    That was my point, there are no first names, only initials, so you do not know which (if any) are yours, that is why you need some other information. The same applies on Findmypast casualty lists (no first names). There is a possibility:
    4537055 Gnr O HILL, reported missing in Malaya, 15/2/42 and later reported not missing. This may be the same as the one on Ancestry.

    Trouble is without something to confirm it is him you may end up researching someone else, if you get his service records (no military information required) then you will know his number and regiment. The good thing is that 4537055 enlisted with the West Yorkshire Regiment, it's up to you!

    Edit: Casualty list states Royal Artillery, 9 Coast Regt.
     
  5. Tony Thurston

    Tony Thurston Member

    Understood, I'll circle back to see whether I can get any further background. I discovered today his father served in the West Yorkshire Regiment (1895-1901)(probably longer #3341, 4th battalion based upon a photograph of the regiment badge) so I was going to search for this regiment.

    I am still outstanding one request to MOD since before COVID

    Thanks again
     
  6. Tony Thurston

    Tony Thurston Member

    Hi I can see the records for 4537055 on FMP (cant find them on ancestry) - how did you determine he enlisted with the West Yorkshire Regiment please?

    Thank you
     
  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

  8. Tony Thurston

    Tony Thurston Member

    Thank you very much
     
  9. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    9th Coast Regiment RA was raised in Singapore in 1934 & served there till 1942.
    History
    History
     
  10. Enigma1003

    Enigma1003 Member

    There is an O. Hill listed as Missing from 9th Coast Regiment at Changi., but although very feint to read his number appears to be 837055 not 4537055. It shows his fathers address as Walker Buildings, Bramham, Tadcaster, Yorks. (I assume this is now classified as Wetherby ?)
    Alongside the M for missing it also has SPX which I believe I have read before means 'Singapore Escape'
     
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  11. Tony Thurston

    Tony Thurston Member

    Thank you Travers1940 and Enigma1003

    Osborn's father, Alfred Hill, did live at Walker Buildings - a Singapore escape is in keeping with the family

    FMP has a National Archives record WO361/2185 with #837055 and M-PAD? - what does M-PAD mean?

    Where can I see these records and find Osborn's service record please

    Thank you very much
     
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  12. Enigma1003

    Enigma1003 Member

    M-Pad means 'Missing- possibility at Padang in West Sumatra.' Many who escaped Singapore were recaptured in Sumatra. Therefore I would take this as an assumption that was incorrect.
     
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  13. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Only one place for service records as per my post #2:
    Get a copy of military service records
    My guess is that 837055 is a misquote of 4537055; WO 361/2185 is on FMP or Fold3 via Ancestry but provides no additional information.
     
  14. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Two small points.
    I actually think that 9th Heavy (later 9th Coast) was formed (raised) in the UK and then sent to Singapore.

    Correct interpretation of M-PAD? which will have been written by the BRE in Changi from whatever information that could be gleaned from others. However, since he was not captured (confirmed by there being no Japanese Index Card) there is a strong possibility that he did reach Padang and managed to get onto one of the evacuation ships. Lucky as many were sunk. Service Record will eventually help as it should show where he eventually resurfaced.

    Tim
     
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  15. Tony Thurston

    Tony Thurston Member

    Thank you - I am researching for my friend, whose father is Osborn (and his father is Alfred). Ill touch base with him regarding the MOD service. I am delighted with the discoveries you have helped me with. My one question is where can i find the information of where "O. Hill listed as Missing from 9th Coast Regiment at Changi., but although very feint to read his number appears to be 837055 not 4537055. It shows his fathers address as Walker Buildings, Bramham, Tadcaster, Yorks" - This to me confirms the father son link

    Thank you very much
     
  16. Enigma1003

    Enigma1003 Member

    Tony T. The information is in National Archives file Wo 361/2090. This is not available anywhere apart from Kew. Its a very faded file, I will crop and paste the relevant section for you.
     
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  17. Enigma1003

    Enigma1003 Member

    .................................... Hill crop.jpg
     
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  18. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Casualty List 84 dated 12 Jun 42 which lists Gnr O Hill as 'Reported Missing now not Missing' also shows several others from 9th Coast. I have checked some against the Changi BRE Rolls for the Royal Artillery (WO361/2184-2188) and they all have the notation M-PAD? Interestingly one also has a pencilled notation 'Reptd Safe India'.
    There may well be further clues in the file WO361/350 (9th Coast Regiment - Missing personnel) but I don't have a copy.

    Tim
     
  19. Tony Thurston

    Tony Thurston Member

    Thank you very much gentlemen
     
  20. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    Just to give possible timescales for receipt of his service records. Not official figures, but before covid prob a minimum of 3-6 months. Now with the backlog & the increase in interest in family history during lockdown 12 months min ?

    It's still the best way to get the right information on a soldier, so don't be put off, but the earlier you apply, the higher up the queue you are. Payment is by cheque which usually go out of date in 6 months, so maybe worth enquiring from mod if they need an undated cq etc.
     

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