My late father never spoke of his time in Burma during WW2. He would tell us about India but nothing about his time in Burma. I have his Soldiers record book which tells us he was awarded the Burma Star, but I know he never applied to receive it. My late aunt (his younger sister) told me that he was in situation that meant they were supplied by air, and that they would be sent beer but not water and they would wash and shave with it, apparently putting him off beer for life! I have recently wondered where he served, as the service record book more or less just has his personal details and a long list of injections along with departure dates and arrival in India. The details of the unit have been obliterated with heavy blue ink. I applied for his service records and these have now arrived (See attached copies) Unfortunately not much to tell me what /where he was in the war. I wonder if he served with service group 29, as the figure 29 appears on the notification of impending release in the box for service group. Any thoughts please appreciated or where to look further. Richard.
Your (Age &) Service Group 29 reference is not to a military unit. It is the demobilisation group he was in. There was a table that used a man’s age and date of joining the army (Sept 1939 for men serving at the outbreak of war) from which an individual’s A&S Group could be calculated. As a general rule men were demobilised in A&S group order. Steve
Welcome Richard. Have you thought about contacting the MoD Medal Office with regard to your father’s medals? If any were never claimed or issued, I believe the next of kin can apply for them. Ministry of Defence medal form
I did ask my Father about medals, and his view was that he didn't want to be there in the first place, and no reminders were needed, and so they could keep their medals. So in respect of his opinion, that is where they stay!
Steve, thanks for that, he joined up in 1941 and came home from India in 1946. Attached is a picture of him in action!
I did ask my Father about medals, and his view was that he didn't want to be there in the first place, and no reminders were needed, and so they could keep their medals. So in respect of his opinion, that is where they stay! Hi Owen, Indeed my Father departed for India on 20th July 1942, possibly in the 2nd echelon? On the Kohima museum.com site they give the unit formations for the division as follows: Royal Signals. 2 Div HQ & Signal regiment 4 Bde HQ & Signal section 5 Bde HQ & Signal section 6 Bde HQ & Signal section 5&6 Brigades appear to be Indian forces while the 4th Brigade would seem to be British infantry men. The question seems to be where next (if this is possible) to find out more about his war?
2nd British Division was entirely British. List of orders of battle for the British 2nd Division - Wikipedia
