EC13336 Major Harold Martyn-David, HQ 465 Army Troops Engineers, RIE

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Philipay, Jul 14, 2022.

  1. Philipay

    Philipay Member

    We are looking for information on a Major Harold Martyn-David. No.363366.
    ( He has also been shown has also been shown as "T/Major" and No. EC13336 RIE )
    On his application for membership of the Burma Star Association he gave his number as No.363366 and unit as :
    "HQ 465 Army Troops Engineers
    14th Army & ALFSCA"
    and said he held: War Medal, Burma Star, 1939-45 Star, SEA Medal, Mentioned in Despatches

    Ideally we would like to find out about his MiD, but don't know where to begin with finding the unit records since we don't really understand how that HQ designation fits in with a regimental, or whatever, designation? Could anyone help please?
     
  2. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    His MiD was Gazetted in April 1945 while with the Indian Engineers of 465 Army Troops. This unit was at Imphal during the Siege. I may have further information about this but need to look through my material.
    Lionboxer
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  3. Philipay

    Philipay Member

    That is brilliant, thank you very much. If your info does show anything else we would love to know, please.
     
  4. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    Do you have any further info about Harold? What is your relationship with him? If we can confirm he was indeed with the HQ of 465 in March/April 1944 then I can show you exactly where he was and, in 2024 can take you to the actual location in Manipur!!
    Have you applied for his service record from the MoD?
    Lionboxer
     
  5. Philipay

    Philipay Member

    Good morning.
    Major Harold Martyn-David has a son, also called Harold Martyn-David, who is my wife's business partner. He knows almost nothing about his father's activities during the war and we are attempting to fill in some of the gaps for him ( and his sisters). Family-wise they were living in Rangoon before the war and evacuated ahead of the Japanese. Major H. M-D had a brother, Capt Lawrence David, who won the MC for his work in laying telecoms across the Irawaddy under heavy fire. Major H subsequently married a Dutch nurse who had worked in the Resistance during the war.
    As for confirmation of his unit, I am attaching an extract of his application for membership of the Burma Star Assoc, in his own handwriting, so it is reasonable to assume it is correct. Extract.jpg

    No, we have not so far applied for his records because we didn't understand the unit designations to know where to look, hence our original query.
     
  6. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    You don’t need to know a soldiers “unit” to apply to U.K. MOD for service records. It would often be very misleading as soldiers were often moved around during the course of their service.

    All you need is a full name and DOB for a MOD search via this link -

    Request records of deceased service personnel

    Once you have official confirmation of a soldiers military movements via the service record you can then look to research further via the unit War Diary held at U.K. National Archives.

    Steve
     
    Tony56 likes this.
  7. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    Bingo!! Have now got your man!
    Harold was a Captain and Adjutant of HQ 465 Army Troops Engineers (Bengal Sappers and Miners) under the command of Lt Col Page and at the end of March beginning of April 1944 was located in LION BOX Kanglatongbi. Previous to this 465 were located at Lynx Box at Keithelmanbi under the command of 20 Reinforcement Camp (my fathers unit). For over twenty five years I have researched and studied this battle at Kanglatongbi and at the moment am writing a revised edition of my book first published in 2001 (now out of print). I can tell you that Harold would have been in the thick of the action when the Japanese penetrated the defences of the Engineers sector of Lion Box.
    There is much, much more to share with the family!
    Lionboxer
     
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  8. Philipay

    Philipay Member

    Thanks Steve. Just been looking at those forms, typical Government/MOD speak!
     
  9. Philipay

    Philipay Member

    That is amazing, thank you, will pass it on straight away.
    Re your last line, is that something you want to post on here or would you prefer to send it as an email?
    Philip
     
  10. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    Over the years I have posted a fair bit about Lion Box on here. Maybe you might like to search the forum for this. It would be good to contact the family directly. PM me with contact details.
    Lionboxer
     

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