In Memory of Gunner Thomas Archer WILLIAMSON

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by Skoyen89, Aug 14, 2019.

  1. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    1130983 Gunner Thomas Archer Williamson of 129th Field Regt, RA Presumed killed and commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial. Son of Edward William and Cecilia Williamson of Kirk Langley, Derbyshire. Article from Derbyshire Daily Telegraph of 13 March 1946
    Williamson Thomas Archer KIA may 1944 129 Field Regt RA.JPG
     
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  2. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    Royal Artillery Attestations, 1941:
    Williamson_RA.jpg

    Casualty Lists:
    Williamson_01.jpg

    Williamson_02.jpg

    Williamson_03.jpg

    RA Casualty Card:
    Williamson_Cas.jpg
     
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
    Name: Thomas Williamson
    Given Initials: T A
    Rank: Gunner
    Death Date: 13 May 1944
    Number: 1130983
    Birth Place: Derby
    Residence: Derby
    Branch at Enlistment: Royal Artillery
    Theatre of War: Burma
    Regiment at Death: Royal Artillery
    Branch at Death: Royal Artillery

    TD
     
  4. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    It would be interesting to know how he went missing.
     
  5. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Gunner Williamson was part of a Royal Artillery Observation Post south of the Silchar Track and Pt 5846. The escort was provided by 1/4 Gurkha Rifles. The guns of 129 Field Regt that they were directing were back in 'Gunner Box' near the village of Bishenpur. The OP was overrun by the Japanese on the night of 12th/13th May 1944. The Officer in charge (Capt DWMB Gordon RA: 93534) was killed as was Williamson and Trooper WLK Almond of 'A' Squadron, 3rd Carabiniers. Gunner Normanton (968033) and Gunner Cook survived and escaped. Gunner Normanton's statement in the RA Missing Men file gives more detail of the night. Williamson TA Missing Men Report.JPG Gordon Cpt Missing Men Report .JPG

    It seems that Capt Gordon's body was found subsequently when the area was taken and there were also some freshly dug graves found but the GRU could not find the graves after the war and so Gordon, Williamson and Almond are commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial.
     
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  6. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    GORDON, DUNCAN WILLIAM BLACK

    Captain, Service Number 93534
    129 Field Regt. Royal Artillery
    Aged 38

    Mentioned in Despatches

    Died 13/05/1944

    Son of Robert and Mary Jane Gordon; husband of Pamela Jane Gordon, of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Chartered Accountant.

    Gordon Duncan WBM Memorial Fearn Abbey.jpg Gordon DWMB Scotsman 26 June 1944.JPG
     
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  7. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    ALMOND, WALTER LANCELOT KENNETH

    Trooper; Service Number 7904760
    "A" Sqn. 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards), Royal Armoured Corps

    Died 13/05/1944
    Aged 24
    Son of W. W. Lance Almond and K. Almond, of Ramsgate, Kent.

    He is not mentioned in the 3rd Carabiniers War Diary for 12/13 May 1944.

    Almond WLK 3 carabiniers Thanet Advertiser 9 June 44.JPG
     
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  8. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

  9. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks for posting these updates Skoyen89. I would be interested to know which WO361 series file, the information on Williamson comes from.

    Cheers now

    Steve
     
  10. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Hi Steve

    WO 361/210 Missing Personnel Royal Artillery. I copied it all and have a few others. If you are looking for something - shoot me an email and I will dig around.

    All the best
    Tony
     
  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks Tony. I think I have all the large nominal rolls from that file, but not the individual witness statements. There is nothing specific really, but we have had a fair amount of traffic in relation to the RA personnel lost during the evacuation of the Chindit Blackpool stronghold in late May 1944.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2020

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