2nd Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1941/42

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by High Wood, Mar 29, 2020.

  1. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    One more K.O.Y.L.I. name and a connection with the Bush Warfare School ....

    Bush Warfare School Battalion – Burma 1942

    From file “Bush Warfare Battalion, 204th Military Mission”, WO 172/1453.

    On 21st April 1942, Major Calvert, C.O. of the Bush Warfare School at Maymyo, was ordered to form an infantry battalion of convalescent personnel from the British Infantry Depot.

    Three companies were formed of about 100 British other ranks each, the men from different arms and infantry battalions, including the 2nd Battalion, K.O.Y.L.I.

    The only man identified as K.O.Y.L.I. in this account is Captain Chadwick.

    Steve
     
  2. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    30821 Captain (A/Major) Geoffrey Turner Chadwick was evacuated to the Regimental Depot at Maymyo during the retreat suffering with malaria. He rejoined the battalion on the 17th March 1942, three weeks after the Sittang Bridge debacle of the 23rd February. He had seen none of the early fighting but took command of the battalion for the latter part of the campaign.

    Captain Gerald Fitzpatrick Commanding the Mortar Platoon had very strong opinions about Chadwick's leadership abilities, particularly after he had ordered the lorry carrying the mortars and their ammunition to be evacuated with the main body, leaving the rearguard, which included the mortar platoon, without any mortars.

    In 1943 Chadwick was also responsible for reconstructing the battalion war diary for the 1942 action which later formed the basis for their section of the regimental history.

    He was given the O.B.E. for his services during the retreat.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2020
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  3. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    Yes, it's a strange one. Here are the extracts from WO 172/1453. This diary is most likely one of many from 1942 that were recreated from memory after the retreat to India. Maybe 'Chadwick' was confused with another officer.

    Steve

    [​IMG]
     
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  4. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Steve,

    Is this the short (10-12 page) file that includes Mike Calvert's return to India?
     
  5. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    Steve - yes it does cover that - up to 19th May 1942.

    Steve
     
  6. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks for clarifying that. I thought I might have missed a file at TNA for a minute!!
     
  7. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    Phew!
     
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  8. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Steve,

    many thanks for the 142 lists. 18 names of which I was only previously aware of 4. I know that many of the original 2nd battalion men ended up fighting in Europe with the 1/4th battalion, but it now seems that many others went back into Burma.

    Simon.
     
  9. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Steve,

    if these Diary entries are from Operation Longcloth they will date from 1943 and Captain Chadwick could have been present.

    Simon
     
  10. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Glad they were of use and relevant to your current research.
     
  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    The diary entries are from 1942 and partly recount Mike Calvert's return to India in May that year. He then went on a period of R' n R' before assuming command of 142 Coy in July and commencing Chindit 1 training at Patharia.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2020
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  12. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry tropical slip on shoulder title.

    user4122_pic175612_1578487630.jpg
     
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  13. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Given that the published sources that list names of those of the 2nd K.O.Y.L.I. who took an active part in the 1942 Burma Campaign are limited or wildly inaccurate I am going to take a closer look at what is published.

    Firstly, there is, 2nd Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 1937. Maymyo, Upper Burma, published by the Times of India Press, Bombay. This publication is effectively a publicity brochure for the battalion which paints a picture of regimental life in a peaceful, colonial back water in the late 1930s. It has many photographs but few names, except those of the officers and assorted regimental prize winners. Used in conjunction with a 1935 Army List, the closest that I have to 1937, it a useful starting point. The downside is that given that for the British army actual fighting began in May 1940 and that there was no fighting in Burma until late December 1941, many an officer itching to fight, left the 2nd battalion to see action with the 1st battalion in Europe and North Africa.

    Added to this, many of the senior 2nd battalion officers had seen service in the Great War and were coming to the end of their military careers. Thus the roll call of the battalion officers was very different in 1937 to what it would become in 1942.

    Koyli Maymyo 001.JPG
     
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  14. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    This photograph shows the vast majority of the 2nd Battalion officers in 1936/37, other officers also appear in the publication who are not in this photograph and, even with these, there are still some mentioned in the Army List who are not present.

    Koyli Maymyo 003.JPG

    I will look at these officers individually.
     
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  15. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    The Commanding Officer, Lt-Col Thomas Bromhead Butt, a pre war regular officer, Commissioned 14th February 1912, served as a Lieutenant in the 2nd battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry during the Great War. He disembarked in France on 16th August 1914 and took part in the heavy fighting of the battles of Mon's, Le Cateau and the Retreat from Mons. He was reported missing on the 9th September 1914, during the Battle of the Marne. Taken prisoner of war, having been wounded, he remained in captivity until 11th September 1917 when he was repatriated. He served as GSO3 at the School of Instructors, Berkhamsted from 31st August 1918 - 27th March 1919. Appointed Brigade Major, School of Instructors, Berkhamsted 28th March 1919 - 20th July 1919. Staff Officer in the War Office 21st July 1919 to 10th April 1920. Officer of a Company of Gentleman Cadets at the Royal Military College from 11th April 1920 to 27th August 1924. Promoted Major 1st April 1929 and to Lieutenant Colonel, 30th September 1935. He retired from the Army 24th April 1939 and therefore played no part in the Burma Campaign. His role of C.O. was taken by Lt.-Col Christopher Joseph Keegan, known to his men as 'Jack'.

    Koyli Maymyo 002.JPG
    Koyli Maymyo 015.JPG

    30850_A000267-00475.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2020
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  16. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    To avoid jumping all over the place in terms of rank, I will upload individual photographs of the officers in the photograph starting with the back row. I will add further details about each individual as my research continues.

    Lt. (Q.Mr). W. Wride.

    William Wride (67684) was commissioned Lt. (Quarter Master) on the 1st May 1936 having previously served as R.S.M. 4680949 from the 22nd May 1931.
    His original career with the 2nd battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry began during the Great War where he served as a corporal and later as a Col-Sgt, service No 12018. He lived in the Married Quarters in Maymyo where his wife was a member of the Ladies Rifle Team. His name does not appear in the list of those involved in the retreat compiled by Cpl John Heald which is published in Burma 1942. Memories of a Retreat. The Diary of Ralph Tanner. KOYLI.

    He appears to have served with the B.E.F. in 1940 as the notification of his M.I.D. was published in the London Gazette on the 20th December 1940.

    Koyli Maymyo 004.JPG
    William Wride.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2020
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  17. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    2nd Lt. Frederick John Anne. Attended R.M.C., commissioned 2nd Lt. 30th August 1934. Captain Frederick John Anne. Maymyo 1936-37. Took part in the 1942 Burma Campaign. Attached to Brigade H.Q. M.I.D. L.G. 28/10/1942. Changed surname by deed poll to Charlton in 1951. Burma Star Association. Resided, Hexham, Northumberland.

    Koyli Maymyo 005.JPG
     
  18. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Lt. E.N.N. D'Abo.

    62640 2nd Lt. Edward Nassau Nicolai D'Abo. Commissioned 1st February 1934. Not mentioned in Heald's roll but the fact that he married in London, in 1939 would suggest a period of leave and perhaps a change of battalion. A career officer he served until 10th February 1962 when he relinquished his commission.
    Koyli Maymyo 006.JPG
     
  19. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Lt. J.R.I. Doyle.

    58171 2nd Lt. John Reinhold Innes Doyle. Commissioned 2nd February 1933. Commanded the Signal Company, Maymyo 1937. Lt-Col Keegan's Adjutant. Took part in the 1942 campaign. Wounded 23rd February 1942 at Sittang.
    Koyli Maymyo 007.JPG
     
  20. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Lt. A.W.N.L. Vickers.

    62638 2/Lt Arthur William Neville Langston Vickers. Maymyo 1936-37. "Stayed at Maymyo during the 1942 Burma Campaign" according to J. Heald. Later Temp Lt-Col. M.B.E. London Gazette 13th June 1946.
    Koyli Maymyo 008.JPG
     

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