1st Bn The King's Regiment, (Liverpool), Chindits.

Two more "Previously reported Missing now presumed Killed in Action" Glider casualties taken from the Liverpool Echo.

6th September 1945.
Mrs E. Prescott, of 35, Endsleigh Road, Crosby, has been notified that her son, Pte. J. Prescott, King's Regiment, reported missing in Burma, must now be presumed killed.

3773878 Pte. Joseph Prescott. Killed in Action 5th-6th March 1944. Glider 20B.



3rd November 1945.
Mrs J. Shaw, 40 Haselbeech Crescent, Liverpool 11, has now received official notification that her husband, Private J. Shaw, 1st King's Chindit Regiment, was killed on March 6th 1944, in a glider crash in the Far East. Before joining the Army in June 1940, he was in the building trade in Liverpool. Mrs J. Shaw is anxious to get in touch with Private Faulkner*, who served in the same regiment as her husband and who recently arrived in this country from Rangoon.



3778067 Pte. John Shaw. Killed in action 5th-6th March 1944. Glider 20B.

*3771425 Pte. Thomas Victor Faulkner. Reported missing 6th March 1944. Glider 20B. Captured 11th March 1944. Prisoner of war Rangoon Gaol.

A statement by 3768886 A/C.S.M. Edward Courtiffe, 1st Btn. King's Regiment, of Glider 21P, who was incarcerated in Rangoon Gaol with Thomas Faulkner.



Shaw. March 6th 1944, missing in Burma, now known to have been killed on that date when glider crashed. Jack, (Chindit, King's Regiment.); dear husband of Amy and darling daddy of Sheila, Rita and Billy. (All the things we had planned only ended in a dream). 40 Haselbeech Crescent.

 

Liverpool Echo July 1944

18th July 1944.

Sgt John Alfred Kneale, aged 29, is reported missing in Burma since March 1944. His mother, at 20 Priory Road, Everton, Liverpool 5, would welcome information.

3778152 Sgt John Alfred Kneale. 82 Column. Killed in action 28th March 1944 whilst attacking a Japanese bunker at Broadway.


28th July 1944.

Mrs M. Eccleston, 4 Reform Street, Liverpool 7, has been informed that her son, Private Reginald Clement Eccleston, aged 24, has been killed in action in Burma. He was a regular soldier and had been in the army seven and a half years. He was an old boy of Birchfield Road School, Liverpool. His mother will be grateful for further information. One of his brothers, Jack, is serving in France, and another is in the Merchant Navy.



3771853 Pte Reginald Clement Eccleston. Killed in action 21st June 1944 having previously been wounded on the 22nd March 1944.

 

if only we could find out who was on what gliders at broadway . this is from a family member about my father. they when into burma in gliders he had horses or mules with him but crashed in the jungle with terrible losses, they had to burn the wreckage and i think some bodies to make things untraceable to the enemy . he was injured then and put on a mule before being flown out . kenneth douglas rose 1st kings

 

Liverpool Echo 22nd September 1944.

Mr and Mrs William Offlands, of 7, Carlton Hill, Liverpool 8, have received news that their elder son, Corporal William Offlands, has been posted as missing in the Indian theatre of war. Before joining up nearly five years ago he was employed in Messrs. Yeoward’s Warehouse. Age 25, he was educated at Harrington School and gained a scholarship to Toxteth Technical Institute.

3774338 Cpl. William Offlands. Killed in action 20th May 1944, Namsun, Burma


Mrs A. Alger, of 67, Firwood Road, Liverpool 9, has received news that her brother, Private William Patrick Burns, is reported missing in the Indian theatre of war. Aged 31, he had served in the regular Army for seven years, six of them in India. His sister would welcome any information.

3770975 Pte William Patrick Burns. Killed in action 19th May 1944 Namsun, Burma


Mrs J. McArdle, 48 Lordens Road, Huyton, Liverpool 14, has been informed that her son, Private Edward Albert McArdle, is reported missing in the Indian theatre of war. He is just 21 and has been in the Army for three years. Previous to joining up he was employed by the British American Tobacco Co. and is an old boy of St Alexander’s R.C. school, Bootle. Any information gratefully received by his mother.

3782694 Pte Edward Albert McArdle. 81 Column. Reported missing between 19th & 20th May 1944. Captured 25th May 1944. POW Rangoon Gaol.

 

Private Peter (Terry) Coghlan, aged 23, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Coghlan, 4 Knighton Road, Clubmoor, Liverpool 4, has been posted as missing in the Indian theatre of war since May 20th.

He joined the Territorials before the war, and has served over two and a half years in India. He is an ex pupil of St Anthony's R.C. School, and has a brother also in the forces. his parents would be grateful for further information.

Liverpool Echo 13th October 1944.

3773248. Pte. Peter Coghlan, Killed in action 20th May 1944, Namsun, Burma.

 

Lance Corporal George Frederick Papworth, fourth son of Mrs Florence Papworth, 45 South View Road, Walton, Peterborough. Killed in action in Burma on May 23rd. Private Papworth was previously reported missing, and his mother has now been officially informed of his death. Aged 22, he was an electric welder with Peter Brotherhood, Ltd.

Peterborough Standard, 17th November 1944.

5884463 Pte. George Frederick Papworth. Died of Wounds 24th May 1944 as related in 77th Indian Infantry Brigade wireless message 11263 from 47 Base General Hospital, dated 7th July 1944.

 

Mrs F. Pears, 38 Oakland Avenue, Melton Road, Leicester has been informed by the War Office that her husband, Private Raymond E Pears, missing since May 24th, 1944, is now presumed killed in action in Burma.




4869125 Pte Raymond Edward Pears. 81 Column. Killed in action 24th May 1944, Blackpool.

Casualty Details | CWGC

Lance Corporal Jack Simkins reported missing Burma. Any information gratefully received by his wife, 19 Westhay Road, Hall Green, Birmingham.

1460023 Pte. Jack Simkins. Enlisted in to the Royal Artillery, transferred to the King's Own Royal Regiment 26th March, 1940 before transferring to the King's Regiment (Liverpool). Killed in action 20th May 1944, Samsun, Burma.

Casualty Details | CWGC

 

Two brothers missing in Burma



Two brothers fighting side by side in the same regiment in Burma, have been reported missing on the same day, March 6th. They may have been taken prisoners.

One is Lance-Corporal William Joseph Mullin, aged 23 years, who has a wife and a baby girl living at, 18 Queen’s Crescent, Eastbourne, and the other, Pte John Mullin, aged 21 years, whose home is in Liverpool.

Both brothers are Liverpool born, but Lance-Corporal Mullin, who was in the Territorials, was called up on the outbreak of war and came south. His wife, who is an Eastbourne girl, was Miss E. Rainsley before her marriage. They were married at St Andrew’s Church.

Mrs Mullin told a “Herald” reporter that her husband was at Dunkirk and had been in the Indian theatre of operations for about 19 months. The last letter she had from him was three months or so ago when he wrote in a cheerful vein.

Private John Mullin has been in the Army about three years and had only recently joined his brother in the Burma fighting.

Eastbourne Herald. 1st April 1944

3772109 L/Cpl. William Joseph Mullin, Recce Platoon, 82 Column. Glider 19B.

3606831 Pte. John Mullin, Recce Platoon, 82 Column. Glider 19B.



Reported Missing 6th March 1944.

 

An updated version of the above list:

Glider 19 B. crashed 5/3 approx. Mangin range SG 31.

Missing 13.3.44.
Pilot F/O. Martin MacTigue. (USAAF)

Killed 5.3.44.
Capt. The Rev. Patterson. David Alexander. (82 Column)

Missing 13.3.44.
3772953. Sgt. King. George Victor. (82 Column Mortar Detachment)

3771134. Cpl. Durkin. James. (82 Column Mortar Detachment)

3775198. L/Cpl. Peers. Albert. (82 Column Mortar Detachment)

14316441. Pte. Blundell. Raymond William. (82 Column Mortar Detachment)

3778233. Pte. Fairfield. William J. (82 Column Mortar Detachment).

3772109. L/Cpl. Mullin. William Joseph. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

3606831. Pte. Mullin. John. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

Missing 16.3.44.
3768651. Sgt. McGee. Hugh. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

3718798. Pte. House. Arthur. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

3608672. Pte. Thompson. Robert Desmond. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

608629. Pte. Paxton. Wilfred. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

3713438. Pte. Griffiths. W. A. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

3531905. Pte. Paxford. William Albert. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

Missing 13.3.44.
Padre’s Batman. 3386974. Pte. Booth. Samuel. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

Missing 16.3.44.
Medical Orderly. 3608622. Pte. Millburn. Matthew. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

3777372. Pte. Moffat. Francis. (82 Column Recce Platoon)

14217982. Pte. Potter. John Thomas. (82 Column Mortar Detachment)

 

Glider 19B. The good news.

 

Glider 19B. The bad news.

"After flying for two hours, the towing Dakota cast off our tow rope and continued on its way with the remaining glider on its short tow. Apparently the weight of two fully loaded gliders proved too much for the towing aircraft.

Our fate now lay in the hands of the American pilot,he had to bring his glider down from 8,000 ft. in darkness and into thick jungle. He circled in vain to find a clearing and finally spotted two large trees towering above the jungle undergrowth, "Just like two goal posts" he said. Aiming the glider between them enabled the wings to be torn off and the speed to be slowed down and we crashed through the undergrowth before coming to a shuddering stop. We were all shaken but quickly vacated the crash. Two sentries were posted in case our "arrival" had attracted attention. Most of us had minor injuries but Cpl Durkin thought he may have been ruptured whilst Pte Potter's face was badly swollen (we didn't know until later that his jaw was broken). On re-entering the glider we found that Captain Patterson had been killed. He hadn't worn his seat belt and had been thrown against the control panel."

Having decided to make their way towards the River Chindwin, they marched for many days until, "Towards the end of the third week on the march we sensed that we were getting near a river when we walked straight into an ambush. Pte Griffiths standing next to me was hit first in the back. I helped him undercover. All was shooting and confusion. Sgt McGee dropped his compass. When he went back to retrieve it, a Jap stepped out and fired at him from a few feet away, and missed him, so Hughie shot him.

The Japs searched for us, noisily stabbing their bayonets into the undergrowth. As the noise of their search grew farther away we regrouped and found five men were missing, Sgt King, Pte's Blundell, Fairfield, and Sammy Booth, as well as the American pilot."

Account from Pte Arthur House. Dekho! 121.



14316441 Pte Raymond William Blundell. Captured 13th March 1944. Prisoner of War Rangoon Gaol. Died 15th August 1944 of Beri Beri.



3772953 Sgt. George Victor King. Captured 13th March 1944. Prisoner of War Rangoon Gaol. Died 30th October 1944 of Beri Beri.



3778233. Pte William J Fairfield. Captured 13th March 1944. Prisoner of War Rangoon Gaol. Survived. Liberated May 1945.


3386974 Pte Samuel Booth. Padre's Batman. Killed, 1st April 1944.

Casualty Details | CWGC

 

Their glider crashed. They marched 19 days in Burma.

19 days on the march in Burma, a party of eleven British soldiers eventually contacted a mixed battery of British and Indian Gunners on the Assam border. The men are now back at their base.

Among the party were: L/Cpl. William Mullin and his brother Pte. J Mullin, of Melrose, Kendrick Field, Chester, Pte. Francis Moffatt, of Everton, Liverpool, Pte. William Albert Paxford, of 79 Leigh Road, Handley Green, Wigan and L/Cpl. Albert Peers, of 33 Park Side, Lower Bebbington.

Pte Mullin, who kept a log of the journey, as far as possible, described the experience of the party to a 14th Army Military Observer while his comrades were fitting themselves out with new clothing and enjoying the luxury of a shave.

“We were part of a special force being flown into Burma by glider on March 5th”, he said. We had flown to the other side of the Chindwin when we made a forced landing in the undergrowth. There was one death – our Padre, who was killed instantly. We were all badly shaken and only four of the remaining eighteen were fully fit to undertake a march. We had been ordered to make our way back if we landed within a certain time of crossing the river. On the night of the 6th March, we started and we went over the most difficult country imaginable until March 12th, when we were attacked by a party of Japs. Some of us were wounded, and we had to split into parties of five and thirteen. We made no contact with the other group of five during the rest of the march. Most of our arms had been badly damaged when the glider came down.

Drank swamp water.

“Our food was down and we drank swamp water until we reached the banks of the Chindwin on March 16th. That night we prepared to make the crossing with logs and rafts, but at dusk we sighted the Japs in some strength about 200 yards up the bank and we had to abandon the idea.

The next plan was for the swimmers to get a sampan for the non-swimmers. Four of us, including my brother and myself, tried to make the first crossing. The current was too strong for the non-swimmers to get across.

“At this stage we had with us Sgt. Hugh McGee, of 26, Stafford Street, Bootle, and a medical orderly, but we lost contact with them. They have since got through to our lines”. “We lay up for the night and the following day searched the bank for a more suitable crossing. The only way we could do it was under the cover of darkness, as the Japs were on both banks. We gave up that attempt and returned to our position for the night.

The next day was our last hope, so we took a chance and marched two miles along the bank until we spotted two sampans. The non-swimmers crossed safely and it was the swimmers who had the trouble – the sampan tipped up and three of us lost our boots. I dived in and rescued a pair from the river bottom but they were both right boots. Still I wore them for the rest of the journey.

“The river was about 300 yards wide at the point where we crossed. We lost our arms in the swamps – these were the worst obstacles, even worse than the thick undergrowth which we could only get through by flinging ourselves bodily at it, one behind the other.

“Cpl. Durkin had a narrow escape in a swamp and that was where we lost the rest of our food. Heading west, we went five and a half days without food, and then ran into a Japanese supply line, there Pte. Paxford sneaked up to a sleeping Jap soldier and removed his bag of rice.

We carried on for another three days through what appeared to be completely uncivilised country. We then met a patrol of two English officers and Indian soldiers, and we joined them. We had to lie up on seeing a Jap patrol of six, and just before darkness set in, we spotted another Jap party, complete with camouflage ponies. During the night we heard a Jap Company coming and thought it too dangerous to carry on further, so we lay up once more in the bushes.

The next day we bumped into a battery of British and Indian gunners and that was the end of our Journey”.

“A Jap shot one of our men in the back at point blank range, but he carried on marching for another thirteen days and is recovering. Cpl. Durkin and my brother marched for five or six days with bush hats cut in two for foot wear. By the end of the trip we had one water bottle between the eleven of us and during this time, our clothes were never dry”.

Fined down by their ordeal, the men looked surprisingly fit but tired. They have a contempt for the Jap as a soldier, particularly in regard to his weapon training. They are all rotten shots, they all agreed, even at point blank range.

Liverpool Evening Express. 22nd April 1944.

 

Some really great accounts in this thread HW. The newspaper archive is a fantastic resource, especially in regards to papers based in Liverpool.

 

Indeed it is, I have managed to find some interesting snippets but not much fine detail due to war time reporting restrictions.

I did stumble across a chap called Harry Rowson, a comedian who billed himself as a Liverpool Chindit and he even appeared on the bill at the Tivoli, Liverpool as Sgt. Harry Rowson, King's Liverpool Regt. Chindits. He wasn't on my list and he doesn't appear on your website so I am not sure if he really qualifies as a King's Regiment Chindit. It appears that he spent two years of the Burma Campaign in a concert party so probably missed both Operation Longcloth and Thursday. It seems that he got on the comedy circuit after the war and was still billing himself as the "Liverpool Chindit" as late as 1960.




There is quite a big line up of favourite variety acts in the Pavilion show next week, under the title, "Grin and Bare It". Particularly welcome will be Harry Rowson, the Liverpool "Chindit" comedian with his own company to present some uproarious sketches.

The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express 19th February 1960.

 

Steve,

apparently Harry Rowson is one of yours.

Principal comedian Harry Rowson was with the late Major- General Orde Wingate's column, first to break into enemy territory. He leaves behind his unpleasant memories of the jungle and brings to the foot lights, four amusing sketches of army life.

Thanet Advertiser 25th November 1949.

Amongst the Company one finds such artistes as Sergt. Harry Rowson, of the King's Liverpool Regiment, who went in with the first Chindit column.

Eastbourne Herald. 2nd September 1949.

Simon.

 

It ain't 'alf 'ot, Simon... (Terribly sorry, Chaps... don't know what came over me...) ... Lovely boy...

 

Always great to find a new recruit Simon. I have picked up one or two lately after receiving a large tranche of files donated to me via a new member of the Chindit Society. These are not all King's related and I'm in the middle of collating it all.

 

The lad himself, Harry Rowson. The photograph was taken from The Stage, 8th July 1954.

 

That's brilliant HW. I will put Harry into my mini roll call with the info you have unearthed and the photograph.

 

Chippenham.

Killed in Burma.

Information was received at Chippenham on Friday of the death on service of Private Robert Wilkins, youngest son of the late Mr Frederick Wilkins and of Mrs Wilkins of Emery Lane.

Private Wilkins, who was married, with one six month old baby whom he had not seen, was employed at Mr W J Wheeler's before he joined the Army nearly four years ago. He went abroad just over a year ago. He was keenly interested in the Youth Movement of the Congregational Church.

His father, who died about twenty years ago, served in the last war, and there are two brothers in the present war, Frederick and William.

Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser. April 15th 1944.

5730266 Pte. Robert John Wilkins. Killed in action 22nd March 1944, aged 29