Please help to decipher the name on the back of a map of Burma.

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by High Wood, Oct 7, 2020.

  1. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    I have a 1 Inch to 2 miles wartime map of Burma (84 I S/W) with some interesting annotations made by the original owner. These seem to be code names for various villages around Kalemyo on the Chindwin river. The map dates from 1944 so the annotations must refer to events around November 1944 when Kalemyo was recaptured.

    Another big clue is that the owner's name is written on the back of the map and, despite the fact that I cannot decipher the writing, it is unusual in that he refers to himself as Mr rather than by a military rank. It is of course possible that the map was given to a civilian as a souvenir and that it is his name on the back.

    Either way, I cannot make out the name from he signature and I am hoping that someone on the forum can. I have altered the contrast to make the signature more readable.

    Blurp 002.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2020
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  2. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    Could the mister be a Major?
     
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  3. veronicad

    veronicad Well-Known Member

    Mr Edelman ?
    Veronica.
     
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  4. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    I was thinking along those lines and came up with Edseman but the name doesn't exist.

    I have just found an officer called Easeman in the 1944 Army List and I think that he is a possible candidate. I just have to find evidence that he was in Burma.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2020
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  5. veronicad

    veronicad Well-Known Member

    Yes I can see Easeman.
    Veronica.
     
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  6. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    There is a William George Easeman, in the Burma Star forms - he was a Major in 4th Field Regiment RA
     
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  7. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    He also gets a mention in Dekho as passing in 2012 (notification date not necessarily date of death)
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2020
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  8. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

  9. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    1912?
     
  10. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    OOps
     
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  11. RobertBerry99

    RobertBerry99 Member

    Looks like it says "..... Exserviceman" to me
     
  12. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Can certainly see what you’re saying there but the “Easeman” evidence is rather compelling. Also, I think there are similarities in each “a”, so I’m of the opinion it’s “Ea” rather than “Ex”.
     
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  13. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Brilliant, many thanks. I now have to find when the 4th Field Regiment were in the Kalewa area.
    That is the one that I have. Commissioned 23/12/1941 (W.S. Lt. 01/10/1942).
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2020
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  14. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Here are the annotations on the map. There are clearly code names for the various locations.

    Blurp 005.JPG
     
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  15. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Almost certainly, yes.
     
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  16. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    I think you could be right about Major Easeman.
    My attention was drawn when I saw the map as I have a different one of the same area that we found during the research of a man on our village memorial. Major Stephen Hallett of 2 Field Regt Royal Indian Artillery was killed 21st November 1944 and his battlefield burial is marked on the map. His father was the Governor of Bihar State in India at this time, Sir Maurice Hallett and presumably because of his importance was sent this map. Strangely there is no mention on the CWGC site of his concentration to Taukkyan Cemetery.
    I wonder if you could post a picture of your map showing this location as it’s just out of shot.
    Incidentally, my co-researcher on our memorial project visited Halletts grave last year.
    Lionboxer
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Hopefully, this is the section that you need. Strangely, I have just noticed that there is a pencilled circle around Indainggyi.

    Map 002.JPG
     
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  18. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Here is a larger section taken from Major Easeman's map
    Map2 002.JPG
     
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  19. RobM

    RobM Active Member

    Hi, does the map also go further east from Kalemyo to show Kalewa?
    It would be just further right on the map I think from your photo above on the Chindwin
    My grandad was based in the area March-July 1945 thanks
     
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  20. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    This group of maps on line is very useful if you have not seen them before. I think the one you want is NF46-3 Mawlaik. Once the map has downloaded you can click on it again to zoom in:

    Burma AMS Topographic Maps - Perry-Castañeda Map Collection - UT Library Online
     
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