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 09 to18 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. 09. CROFTON-MOSS James Charles. Lieutenant. Born 10th November 1908 and died 19th April 1945. Parent unit General List. SRD (SOE Australia) Op. Starfish. Ambon War Cemetery, Indonesia 10. DARBY Oliver. Lieutenant. Born c1914 and died 17th March 1942. Parent unit General List. Oriental Mission SOE, Stay Behind Party No.2 and FMSVF. Taiping War Cemetery, Malaysia 11. DAVIDSON Donald Montague Noel. DSO. Lieut. Commander. Born 30th January 1908 and died 18th October 1944. Parent unit RNVR. Chief Instructor SRD (SOE Australia) Op. Jaywick. Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore 12. ELLIS Henry (Harry?) Everard. Major. Born 13th August 1918 and died 25-26th March 1945. Parent unit Leicestershire Regiment. SOE, Z Special Unit, Semut 1. Panel 9, Labuan Memorial, Borneo 13. FALLS Walter Gordon (Poppa). DSM. Able Seaman. Born 5th January 1920 and died 7th July 1945 Parent unit RANR. SOE, SRD (Australia), Z Special Unit, Op. Jaywick, Op. Rimau. Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore 14. FLETCHER Roland Bernard. Corporal. Born c1916 and died 7th July 1945. Parent unit Australian Infantry. Z Special Unit, Op. Rimau. Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore 15. GOOLEY David Peter. Sergeant. Born c1918 and died 7th July 1945. Parent unit Australian Infantry. Z Special Unit, Op. Rimau. Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore 16. GRAHAM Ronald aka GREHAN Ronald. Lieutenant. Born (unknown) and died 18th September 1942 Parent unit General List. SOE Oriental Mission, Stay Behind Party. Column 113, Singapore Memorial, Singapore 17. HABIB SHAH. Jemadar. Born c1910 and died 24th February 1943 Parent unit Corps Of Royal Indian Engineers. SOE Ceylon, Op. Bunkum. Delhi Karachi 1939-1945 War Memorial 18. HALLEY Paul Vladimar. Captain. Born 21st July 1916 and died 25th December 1944. Parent unit General List Canadian Army. SOE, Force 136. Bhowanipore War Cemetery, India LEST WE FORGET Tony Buckley www.asiawargraves.com
Buckit, In my opinion it would be best to stick to one thread, you have Part One on: WW2 Asian Region - SOE and Special Units - A Tribute (one)
