In dealing with SOE and its associated units (Force 136, STS 101, FMS Volunteer Force, Oriental Mission, British Special Forces, Special List and RAF Special Duties) it's near-on impossible to confirm, by viewing headstones and memorials, if a particular individual served with such a unit. Indeed: in all the cemeteries I've visited, to-date, in Asia, I've only ever seen 2 SOE names on one memorial (Singapore) and one SOE name on a headstone (Sri Lanka). And, to make matters more complicated, I've wondered, many times, about those 2 terms ''Special List'' and ''General List'', mentioned numerous times on both headstones and memorials - what's all THAT about? Four months ago, someone was kind enough to send me an ebook: Unearthing Churchill's Secret Army - authors Martin Mace & John Grehan - Pen & Sword 2012. I was amazed to find in Chapter 5, Section VIII (pages 403-410) a list of 57 names, and all associated with SOE and Asia. I have now managed to find 57 images, of headstones and memorials, in relation to these 57 men, and would like to share them with you. note: Images 01 to 08 attached. note following points: The majority of images have been taken by myself, and the remaining ones have been 'credited' to source/photographer etc. There are numerous discrepancies between the book and the CWGC database and, in all cases, I have opted for the CWGC version. Given the background in which these men and women operated, I make no claim to the accuracy of this data and, as such, feel free to add additional information if you think it's relevant to that particular individual. 01. ARCHAMBAULT, Jean Paul. M.C.. Captain. Born 13.11.1908 and died in explosives accident, Burma, 19 May 1945 age 36. Parent unit Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. - Force 136 F Section SOE code-name Chico. Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar - Burma Face 19 02. BAIRD, Alexander. Private. Born 10 Oct 1919 and died in captivity, Siam, 7 October 1943. Parent unit 2 Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. - Op. Puma (101 STS) - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. 03. BRERETON MARTIN, William Percy Somerset (Paddy). Major. Parent unit Corps of Indian Engineers (Sappers and Miners). Born 30.9.1904 Batu Gajah, Malaya and died 25 January 1945. - Force 136 SSVC HQ (Army) Singapore (intelligence) SOE Op. Carpenter - Mention in Dispatches. Column 153, Singapore Memorial, Singapore 04. BURTON, Henry Ronald. Corporal. Born c1901 and died Singapore, 4 December 1941. Parent unit Royal Engineers - Op. Puma. Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore 05. CAMERON, Colin Barclay. Sergeant. Born 13 December 1922 and died Merapas Island, Indonesia 5 November 1944. Parent unit Australian Infantry. - SOE STS 101 Op. Rimau. Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore 06. CAREY, Walter George. Lieutenant. Born 13 Dec 1913 and executed, Bukit Timah, Singapore, 7 July 1945. Parent unit Australian Infantry. - Op. Rimau. Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore 07. COLE, Sidney. Private. Born c1920 and died as POW on Burma-Siam railway 4 October 1943. Parent unit 2 Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. - STS 101. Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanmar-Burma 08. CRAFT, Colin Montague. Corporal. Born 10 April 1919 and died in Indonesia, 21 December 1944. Parent unit Australian Infantry. - ZSU Op. Rimau. Column 118, Singapore Memorial, Singapore LEST WE FORGET Tony Buckley www.asiawargraves.com
I recall a post, probably mine, that referred to the heavy losses for Force 136 missions to the Netherlands East Indies (NEI and now Indonesia) and largely due to a hostile native response. There were no actual details. See Post 6: Major Peter Kemp, SOE: The man just liked fighting — a true war lover A few days ago I found a reference that confirmed Louis Heren served with Force 136 in the NEI, although it appears to have been post-VJ day. See Post 8 on: Japanese forces under British command in Java, late '45 (novel)
This man wrote about his all-round experiences in 4 books - will try and find copies. Thanks for sharing Dave. As an aside: I do believe that the actor - Dirk Bogarde - was based in Indonesia during that same period. Obituary: Peter Kemp MC DSO
buckit, The thread re Kemp above contains a link to the trilogy of books he wrote. Yes, Dirk Bogade was there and in a formal military role: From: The Death Knell of the British Empire - Standpoint
Above noted 'With Thanks.' p.s. Someone has just sent me his 3 books in MOBI (Kindle) format - Many Thanks.