Hi Can anyone help me with some events of the 26th January 1942 Gunner Thomas Douglas Trotman 1083132 is listed on the Singapore memorial as being killed on this day I believe (Google) that this was arround the time that the Japanese attacked Singapore. Does anybody have access to a diary or other docs for 135th around this time? All help appreciated Thanks in advance Colin
Colin, On the Nominal Roll it merely states: "Gnr. Trotman missing between Senggerang and Rengit 26.01.42" Mike
I would strongly recommend getting this book: The Hertfordshire Yeomanry Regiments, Royal Artillery: The Field Regiments, 1920-1946 Pt. 1 aka Volume III 290 pages - Hart Books - 0948527056 - 978-0948527050 86 Fd Regt RA (NW Europe in D-Day); 135 Fd Regt RA (Malaya & Singapore); 191 Fd Regt RA (NW Europe) The comment on the nominal roll strongly suggests that Gnr Trotman was associated with the four guns that formed part of Bancol (a column commanded by Major Banham of 336 Bty 135 Fd Regt) tasked with opening the road between the villages of Rengit and Senggarang. Unfortunately there were multiple roadblocks along the route and the column was caught between a couple of them and destroyed. The book has a couple of pages covering the action.
This war diary covers January 1942 but it's in the Home Forces series. I can only assume that they deployed to the Far East around Dec 41 to Feb 42. WO 166/1547 ROYAL ARTILLERY: FIELD REGIMENTS: 135 Field Regiment. 1939 Sept- 1941 Sept; 1942 Jan-Feb
Hi would anyone by chance have a transcript of this diary entry available to see if any references are made to Gunners involved on this action? Thanks in advance Colin