Hi All, A bit of a long shot here, but with the expertise and knowledge on the forum, you just never know. I've been given the above mentioned soldiers details and am told that he served in Burma during the war and possibly with the Chindits. John Roland Santer began his Army career, presumably as a Private with the King's Regiment, Army number: 3770192. On the 14th November 1943, he was commissioned (London Gazette 21/03/1944) into the Royal Sussex Regiment with the new number of 308964. I have been speaking to forum member Shiny 9th, but Santer has not turned up with the officers that served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment and he is not present in any of the Chindit 2 related war diaries, or with the lists I have for Longcloth soldiers. So, my long shot is, does he appear in any of the Burma campaign related officers returns for other regimental battalions, post November 1943? Any assistance gratefully received. Many thanks Steve
Hi Steve, Santer appears in the India Army List for October 1945, under The Royal Sussex Regiment as 2nd Lieutenant, Emergency Commission, 14th November 1943. He also appears in the British Army List for 1944 and 1945. War substantive Lieutenant from 14th November 1944. Steve
Thanks Tony, that is something to go on now. Santer may turn up in either the 1st or 2nd battalion war diaries (1943-45) for the Royal Welch Fusiliers, if he fought in India/Burma as the family suspects.
Thanks again to all who have chipped in regarding Lt. Santer and his regimental placement post commission. We have not yet solved the mystery, but have learned a fair bit so far.
After looking at Tony’s post above (on Lt Santer’s wedding) did a little search and found this article, not him but indicating when the Ceremony in Caerarvon took place (11th April) and the “guard” came from the 6th RWF which were station in Düsseldorf Germany at the time. If Lt Santer was still with the Regt (which I presume he was) it is possible that he was stationed in Germany at that time.
Following up on the clues provided by Tony56 and Temujin above, I have tracked down Lt. J.R. Santer following receipt of a shiny new copy of the excellent ‘Regimental Records of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Vol. V, 1918-1945, Part 2, June 1940-December 1945’ by Riley, Crocker and Sinnett and published by Helion Books. (See AbeBooks for discounted new copies). He served in N.W. Europe with the 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers from November 1944 to April 1946. Lt. Santer appears to have joined the 6th Battalion, R.W.F. (160th Brigade) on 2nd November 1944. The Battalion enjoyed a rest period at Bree between 1st and 13th November, following the battle of s’Hertogenbosch. During this time, a contingent of Officer reinforcements arrived. Presumably Santer was one of the these. He is listed as ‘unplaced’ within the Battalion at this time. Between 18th January and 8th May 1945, Santer commanded the Pioneer Platoon (No.5) of the Support Company, 6th Battalion, R.W.F. Santer commanded the Pioneer Platoon (No.5) until April 1946. Rothy
That's great Steve, many thanks for chasing that one up. So, we only really have a gap of one year to fill, November 43 till October 1944. The family hold photos of him in Burma/India which I have yet to view. Hopefully, these will throw some light. Thanks again to all.
BPey, welcome to the forum, if John Roland Santer was your father do you have any information on his military service that would add to the original post?
Yes I have been in touch with Stephen and gave him some information I have my dads army records from when he enlisted and lots of photos and some newspaper cuttings of his time in the army and in Burma and other places I am going to meet up with Stephen in London to show him our album and records and he can borrow them and take photos as necessary Hope this helps Thank you
