9th Border Regt

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by 78SqnHistory, Mar 10, 2012.

  1. 78SqnHistory

    78SqnHistory Junior Member

    Does anybody have the war diary or is in a position to say what the 9th Borders were doing during November and December of 1943. I believe that they were somewhere in the Chin Hills of Burma.

    many thanks

    Daz
     
  2. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    I'm currently re-reading parts of Quartered Safe Out Here: A Recollection of the War in Burma by George MacDonald Fraser, OBE FRSL.

    There's a striking extract here for those who have never read it:

    GEORGE MACDONALD FRASER - Quartered Safe Out Here - 25 Centuries of Great War Writing

    As most of you here likely know he served with 9th Border Regiment. I'm considering going to the war diaries to compare with his account, but I hoped somebody here might also have access to the following publication by one of his comrades:

    Black Cats and Bush Hats: Burma 1943-45 Recalled With Some Laughter and Tears
    by Cpl A L Griffiths, 9th Border Rgt, 17th Indian Div, 14th Army (Frank Richards: 1991).

    black-cats-bush-hats-griffiths-1991_360_8a43066da684efd6b0d34176dacc4740.jpg

    It's only 88 pages long and paperback, but copies are elusive and libraries are not an option for me.

    Are there any other published sources for studying this battalion?
     
  3. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Last edited: Jan 16, 2018
  4. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    "Quartered Safe out here" and "B Company" are good books, I read them a few years ago along with "The Little Men" which is about 2nd Borders in the Far East - also recommended, I guess I should keep an eye out for "Black Cats and Bush Hats" too

    Alistair
     
  5. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Crikey, this battalion is well represented with audio interviews. The IWM have the following:

    Cooper, Raymond Arthur
    British officer served with 9th Bn Border Regt in Burma, 1943-1944
    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80018053

    Hazelhurst, Peter Warwick
    British private served with 9th Bn Border Regt in India and Burma, 1943-1945
    Hazelhurst, Peter Warwick (Oral history) (19062)

    Gibson, James Borradaile
    British private served with 9th Bn Border Regt in India and Burma, 1942-1945
    Gibson, James Borradaile (Oral history) (19925)

    McCloud, Frederick
    British private served with 12 Platoon, B Coy, 9th Bn Border Regt in GB, India and Burma, 1940-1945
    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80018089

    Jeffries, Edward
    British private served with 9th Border Regt in GB, India and Burma, 1940-1945
    Jeffries, Edward (Oral history) (19390)


    Brodrick, Francis Walter Gabriel
    British officer served with 9th Bn Border Regt in GB, India and Burma, 1940-1945
    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80018814

    Robinson, Peter
    British private served with 9th Bn Border Regt and Headquarters, 4th Corps in GB, India and Burma, 1942-1945
    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80018280

    McCrystal, Arthur
    British officer commanded 14 Platoon, C Coy, 9th Bn Border Regt in India and Burma, 11/1943-5/1944
    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80018046

    Griffiths, Arthur Leslie
    British NCO served with 6th Bn King's Own Royal Regt in GB, 1940-1941; served with 9th Bn Border Regt and 1st Bn Berkshire Regt in India and Burma, 1942-1945

    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80018827

    This batch is going to take a fair while to listen through.
     
  6. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    I now have a copy of the book above. I've only flicked through it so far, but I must say it's a handsome publication--I'll give you the blurb.

    20180116_203122.jpg 20180116_203136.jpg 20180116_203209.jpg
     
    bamboo43 likes this.
  7. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Let us know what you think when you have read it through CF. This is one of those titles I have pondered over every now and then. Roundabout reading for me.
     
  8. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Will do--but it may be a while. I'm looking into getting the battalion war diary and reading them side by side while referring to Quartered Safe Out Here.
     
  9. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks CF, no rush. Sounds like multi-tasking to me, my better-half says I cannot achieve this type off thing.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  10. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    If the person who outbid me to win this booklet yesterday is a member here, be a sport and upload the contents here. Nobody I know can lay their hands on a copy and that's what I was going to do if I'd managed to buy it!
     
  11. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Just been reading the battalion diary for 1943 and came across a page that may interest. Shortly after moving to HAPPY VALLEY in SHILLONG in July, the battalion established a commando platoon. My first impression is that to be achieved this would have required intensive training. I'll get back to you if I subsequently discover how far these aspirations were met and how the platoon was subsequently employed.

    Composition and requirements as detailed below.
    Extracted from WO 172-2501: 9 Border Regiment 1943 (Jan-Dec):


    P7900519.JPG

    Edit: By Nov '43 most of the battalion was conducting 36 mile marches 'without a fallout'. Average duration 13.5hrs, which seems respectable. The reports from the adjutant (Capt. R. Travers) are quite comprehensive and indicate a real focus on keeping the men physically and psychologically sharp.

    Edit 2: The adjutant very helpfully included a complete order of battle for the battalion that stretches to weapons, ammunition, transportation, and equipment/clothing per man including weights--right down to the spare bootlaces! By the end of the year (and following action and casualties around the Tiddim-Falam Road) there were minor changes to the commando platoon:

    P7900568.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2018
    Deacs and 4jonboy like this.
  12. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

  13. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Hi

    I am researching 9th Borders battles on OP Hill, south-west of Bishenpur, in the battle of Imphal in May 1944. I am looking for any detailed accounts of the battle.

    I have the War Diaries and have been through the IWM Oral Histories but there is not a great deal there. Does anyone have any of the books mentioned above - if so could you check if there is anything on OP Hill in it.

    Thanks
     
  14. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Deacs and Charley Fortnum like this.
  15. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

  16. idler

    idler GeneralList

    It's a bit late for Christmas - sorry...
     
  17. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    I'm a bit broke for Christmas.

    It turns out that global pandemics are bad for business!
     
  18. Tug Wilson

    Tug Wilson New Member

    I wrote My Dads Army - the White Gurkhas, I also organized the 9 Border reunions for 20 years. I was in touch with all known ex soldiers of 9 Border. What made the battalion unique was the very difficult task to be excepted in an all Gurkha division.
     
    Deacs, sol and Charley Fortnum like this.
  19. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Welcome to the board.

    I hope to pick up a copy of your book before too long. 9th borders, and indeed Burma, are a long way off the beaten track for me (my primary interests lie in Africa and Italy), but I've found it interesting reading about the unit.

    Are any of the old members still with us, to your knowledge?
     
  20. Tug Wilson

    Tug Wilson New Member

    None, do I see 1/4 Essex on your interest? I worked and did exhibitions and displays for 24 years in the Essex Regiment Museum.
     

Share This Page