1st Bn, Essex Regiment - Burma 44th & 56th Columns

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by Fitzgeraldr, May 27, 2014.

  1. Fitzgeraldr

    Fitzgeraldr Active Member

    Thanks Bamboo, have seen this but at £60 a bit out of what I can spend at them moment but definitely on my shopping list :)
     
  2. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Yes, that is a bit on the expensive side. I have the same dilemma, both the 2nd Gurkha Rifles history and the Sirmoor Rifles during the Indian Mutiny are available for approximately the same price. Not quite important enough to pay that much for basically.

    Cheers
     
  3. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

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  4. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Well done sol. That is a very much more tempting price tag.
     
  5. Fitzgeraldr

    Fitzgeraldr Active Member

    Hmm yes much more tempting..... think that might just be worth it :)
     
  6. veronicad

    veronicad Well-Known Member

  7. veronicad

    veronicad Well-Known Member

    There is no need to buy expensive books. Even if the book is out of print (old) The British Library can always accommodate Even though your local library does not hold a copy. I have had several books , paid around £5.00 for the privilege,your local library then make a request to their archives.Hey presto, you have three weeks to read and decide if it is worth a purchase.
     
  8. Hebridean Chindit

    Hebridean Chindit Lost in review... Patron

    ... or, if only required for research, the time to OCR the text, obviously for reference purposes only...

    Present OCR software I use is Nuance Omnipage 18 and is available reasonably cheaply...

    Once you have something scanned and converted into a text file it becomes really easy to search for places or names, etc...
     
  9. Fitzgeraldr

    Fitzgeraldr Active Member

    Thanks will try my local library see what they can do
     
  10. Mike Donnelly

    Mike Donnelly New Member

    Hello Richard
    My name is Mike Donnelly, I'm the son in law of Albert F. Keel who served with the Chindits in 1944. I'm currently trying to piece together odd bits of information the family has but there is very little to go on. What we do know is his regimental number was 14400387 an he was in the 1st Essex. I believe that means he was in the 23rd Battalion but may have that wrong. Just wondering if you have seen his name in your research to date. Anything you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
    Mike Donnelly
    Nanaimo, BC
    Canada
     
  11. veronicad

    veronicad Well-Known Member

    Hello Mike, Whilst I do not have war diaries for the Essex , I can confirm that they were indeed with the 23rd Brigade.
    I can help you with details of the Essex as members 23rd Bde. From March to August 1944 as Chindits. But not before this date.
    23rd Bde were trained as Chindits, they fought as Chindits. The difference being,that, as this brigade was moving up the railway from India to Silchar to join other Chindit forces. It was decided this force should not be flown into Central Burma.They were given the task of severing the lines of communication and lead to starvation of the Japs.They fought in the Naga hills.( mountains) They were supplied always by air.
    I would urge you to apply for your father-in-laws service records. £ 30.00 from Glasgow. Worth every penny.
    You are welcome to pm me. Veronica.
     
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  12. Mike Donnelly

    Mike Donnelly New Member

    Many thanks Veronica
    If you have the member list from March to August 44 that would be very helpful. My father in-law served during that period. Your description of their activities certainly rings true from my memory of discussions with Albert before he passed away some years ago. With any details you can offer and what we find out from Veterans UK we hope to piece together his activities during that period, both in Burma and in India.
    Just a quick shout out to the authors of the Chindit Society's newsletter "Chindit Column". Very nicely put together, I'm sure this will be well read in our family circle.
    Thank you for your offer of assistance Veronica.
    Kind Regards
    Mike
     
  13. Regan

    Regan New Member

    Could i ask for another family history related question please!

    I'm trying to find more information on my uncle. I have a few ww2 photographs but very basic military information. He was William Francis Regan, and was in the 1st Essex Regiment. He served in Burma in 1943 and was known to be trained as a Chindit.

    I don't know his number or any other information. Any help would be greatly appreciated
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Fitzgeraldr

    Fitzgeraldr Active Member

    my apologies to those that have left me messages asking for help I am currently out in Hong Kong and do not have my files with me. I will be returning to the UK in April and will have a look and post anything i find then.
     
  15. Fitzgeraldr

    Fitzgeraldr Active Member


    wondered if you had managed to move forward with this project and if you had anything that you can/would share?


    Thanks


    Richard Fitzgerald
     
  16. BritishMilitaryHistory

    BritishMilitaryHistory Junior Member

    Dear Richard, the simple answer is yes, but slowly. I have been seriously ill over the past two years, which has slowed me down a lot. I am now waiting for my ninth operation since January 2015. At least I am getting value for money for my N.I contributions! I am currently writing the history of 54 Field Company, Royal Engineers, on behalf of the current unit which is stationed at R.M.B. Chivenor, near me. They served with 14 Brigade in Special Force, so my interest is reawkened. I have managed to find and purchase a copy of Frank OWEN's post-war book/magazine on the Chindits, and two additional books to add to my library. In addition, I now have all the Gurkha histories as well, which is useful for my Chindit work (albeit, not 23 Brigade). If you wish to send me an email at: info.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk, I am happy to share with you where I am so far. The chapters on Mogaung and Morris Force are complete, but now need updating as I have new information to add. Best wishes, Rob
     
  17. Fitzgeraldr

    Fitzgeraldr Active Member

    my email is saying info.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk is not a valid email address have i copied this wrong?
     
  18. BritishMilitaryHistory

    BritishMilitaryHistory Junior Member

  19. Luke Parker.

    Luke Parker. New Member

     
  20. Luke Parker.

    Luke Parker. New Member

    Hi, my name is Luke, I'm the grandson of William Parker who served with the 1st Essex Regiment in Assam and Burma. William was a bren gunner with 7 platoon under Lieutenant Pritchard and completed the whole tour through to Ukhrul.
    I thought I was the only person in the world who was interested I this subject until I saw this forum!
    I have only scanned through your list so you may have these names but here are a fewI know from conversions and photographs I have found. All bar one are 7 platoon as far as I'm aware. Spellings may not be accurate.
    Pte Alfred Wilkinson, Leeds, KIA, 29th May 1944.
    Pte James Hayes, Manchester, KIA.
    Pte, William Athol.
    Pte, Roy Jens.
    Sergeant, Charles Cherang/Sherang??? USA.
    Medical Officer, Peterson, Norway.

    Pte? Frank Block, Reconnaissance, KIA.
     

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