my grandad served in india for seven years according to his service book but would he have been in other battles in and around india iam new to this if this sounds like a stupid question sorry..........
Ricky - There are no stupid questions - although some answers may border on that state - however your Grandad did not just sit there in India as they fought at Kohima - which was very tough battle - but your best plan is to get in touch with the Wiltshire museum which they call the "wardobe" and ask them all about the 1st battalion. Somone else will give you the address of the museum very shortly I am sure . Cheers
thanks for the quick reply ,i live in salisbury not far from the wardrobe will pop down saturday morning ,have lots of photos might take them down ,cheers ricky
I was going to post some info but as you going to The Wardrobe soon I won't as you'll soon have the same info as I can provide. Make sure you buy this when you get there. WW2 1st Wiltshires History & War Diary Price: £18.00 https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/prodInfo.php?prod_id=171
welcome aboard ricky if you go to the museum we do offer a service for tracing relatives and things. https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/archive.php this is the internet page related to the subject. I work at the museum and the people there will only be to happy to try and help
As promised some info from Kenrick's History from 1936 - 1944. As you say he left 1 Wilts beginning of 1944 the bit about their move to Burma will be irrelevent.
Would Owen be so kind as to show the next few pages from Kendrick's History - I'm interested in the events leading up to 7th May 1944, when the soldier I am researching (William Frederick Orchard Hayes) apparently died of their wounds? Of course, I don't know how long he was injured before he died but do know that he is buried at the Taukkyan War Cemetery.
Here are a few pages from the transcribed War Diary for May 1944 for sale at The Wardrobe. https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/prodInfo.php?prod_id=171
The chapter from Kenrick's history regarding 1 Wilts in Burma. Sorry they all different sized images, I saved them all as 750 pixels wide, somehow Photobucket alters that when uploading to there.
Hello All. I am researching Pte. William Cain of the 1st Wiltshires who was killed on 15th February 1944. Thanks for the information. Jonathan
I am researching Pte. William Cain of the 1st Wiltshires who was killed on 15th February 1944. Thanks for the information. War Diary entry for that day is very brief. 15/2/1944 PRINKHAUNG, Burma 13.30 hrs. Adv Bde HQ moves to PRINKHAUNG. 18.05 hrs. MAJOR E.W.W MAGAWLY accidently shot dead. CAPT. A.K. FALLON assumes command of D Coy. Reference to Appendices None.
Thanks for the reply. Looks like he was one of the casualties picked off by the Japanese as they proceeded alonmg the trail. Jonathan
To see the Burma locations mentioned on GoogleEarth see this thread. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/burma-india/22859-trying-find-location-maungdaw-buthidaung-road-googleearth.html
Used Geoff's Search Engine to find all listings of 1st Bn men. Page 1 of 6 001 ALABASTEREJ142250821ST BN 15/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 002 ALDRIDGEJ142959051ST BN 11/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 003 ARKLIEGE55765641ST BN 07/04/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 004 BAILEYFW56254331ST BN 02/12/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 005 BALDWINWJ145521371ST BN 25/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 006 BARNESW35986531ST BN 19/03/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 007 BARNESMR55693471ST BN 24/05/1941WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 008 BAYLISSWJ145209351ST BN 14/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 009 BEALRW55690871ST BN 26/03/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 010 BELLINGHAML1368231ST BN 30/03/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 011 BONDPWG56789441ST BN 01/03/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 012 CAINW39729821ST BN 15/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 013 CANNINGTR1095571ST BN 19/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 014 CORNISHAB55684611ST BN 14/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 015 COULTASJ55688531ST BN 21/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 016 COUSINSJF55684241ST BN 25/01/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 017 CROSSW57300471ST BN 21/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 018 DAVIESDW42099931ST BN 31/01/1945WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 019 DAYDAS1095581ST BN 22/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 020 DOBNEYJW56286461ST BN 23/05/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 021 DUNSFORDHE56739241ST BN 14/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 022 EDDYWJ55732971ST BN 05/10/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 023 EDSONWE25705001ST BN 25/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 024 ESCOTTKJ55704531ST BN 23/04/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 025 EVANSWJ56289021ST BN 22/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 026 FARRAREAL55767631ST BN 29/03/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 027 FENNELLHLK55766011ST BN 23/08/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 028 FERBRACHEA55717681ST BN 26/07/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 029 FLANAGAND110530341ST BN 20/01/1946WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 030 FRENCHSJ79494251ST BN 19/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 031 GALLIMOREJ49188601ST BN 25/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 032 GARDNERAFG55752271ST BN 05/05/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 033 GLAZZARDFG49194071ST BN 22/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 034 GORESG144011911ST BN 20/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 035 GREENEA143868821ST BN 19/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 036 GRIFFITHSGH143426341ST BN 21/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 037 HARBERLA56259571ST BN 05/05/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 038 HARRISONFR51816841ST BN 21/09/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 039 HARTNACKF143890701ST BN 24/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 040 HARVEYPJ56802831ST BN 22/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 041 HAYESWFO55756461ST BN 07/05/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 042 HEMBROWWG148172091ST BN 10/05/1946WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 043 HENSONLJ142177441ST BN 19/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 044 HOLLOWAYEY56287641ST BN 19/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 045 HOPSONJ42016441ST BN 14/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 046 HUGHESJL49271731ST BN 18/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 047 HUMPHREYSRI143872461ST BN 25/03/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 048 JAMIESONJJ55693001ST BN 04/12/1941WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 049 JEFFRIESJT55712701ST BN 21/12/1941WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 050 JOHNSONAW55766201ST BN 02/06/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 051 JOSLINWH145744351ST BN 05/05/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 052 LAMPARDWF55698871ST BN 22/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 053 LANFEARRC55690771ST BN 11/06/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 054 LENGCRJ55686911ST BN 25/12/1939WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 055 LEWISB56808451ST BN 15/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 056 LIDIARDWA55752351ST BN 14/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 057 LUKINSEC55714671ST BN 04/09/1940WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 058 LUMERSA55726021ST BN 02/01/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 059 LUSHINGTONSP55766221ST BN 22/02/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 060 LUXTONT56213211ST BN 25/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 061 LYLEWJ55687621ST BN 17/11/1940WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 062 MACKENZIEH56273141ST BN 01/11/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 063 MAGAWLYEW740121ST BN 15/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 064 MAJORFJ55712821ST BN 21/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 065 MARATTYJ56809051ST BN 15/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 066 MARSHSF60133221ST BN 23/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 067 MAYMW55719611ST BN 15/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 068 MILDENF56275571ST BN 25/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 069 MILLSER55715771ST BN 24/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 070 MINTYAE55712861ST BN 19/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 071 NELSONR55748901ST BN 05/09/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 072 NILEGS56241031ST BN 15/04/1944WILTSHIRE 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REGIMENT 091 STROUD-TIZZARDR55686391ST BN 25/02/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 092 TARRVW56764951ST BN 07/06/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 093 THOMASTJ145417671ST BN 03/08/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 094 TOMKINSJR55689731ST BN 14/10/1939WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 095 TRIGGSAJ57301781ST BN 19/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 096 UNSWORTHJ55686751ST BN 09/08/1947WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 097 WAKEFIELDOG145589521ST BN 11/08/1945WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 098 WALSHD55759621ST BN 30/12/1943WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 099 WARBYHF55743811ST BN 15/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 100 WAREC56805591ST BN 19/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 101 WEEDB145301751ST BN 25/04/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 102 WILLIAMSWB55757731ST BN 08/05/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 103 WOODFH55663641ST BN 19/03/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 104 WOODCOCKLG58350941ST BN 23/02/1944WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 105 WOODWARDSJ55741591ST BN 08/05/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT 106 WOOLNERJW55687071ST BN 28/04/1942WILTSHIRE REGIMENT
This chap is mentioned in text of Kenrick's book. CWGC :: Casualty Details MORTON, ANTHONY ALAN Regiment/Service:Royal Berkshire Regiment Secondary Regiment:Wiltshire Regiment Secondary Unit Text:attd. 1st Bn. Geoff's SE thrown up this one. CWGC :: Casualty Details BRYANT, ALBERT Regiment/Service:Army Catering Corps Secondary Regiment:Wiltshire Regiment Secondary Unit Text:attd. 1st Bn. & this chap. CWGC :: Casualty Details WHITING, LEONARD WALTER Regiment/Service:Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Secondary Regiment:Wiltshire Regiment Secondary Unit Text:formerly of 1st Bn. CWGC :: Casualty Details WATTIS, HUGH PRESTON Regiment/Service:South Staffordshire Regiment Secondary Regiment:Wiltshire Regiment Secondary Unit Text:attd. 1st Bn.
Sgt Fredereck Lee 3956534 1st Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment Awarded the Military Medal On 15/4/44 B Coy took part in the attack on "Hump" (Map Ref Maungdaw North Sheet 4 449432). Sgt Lee in command of No.10 Pl was ordered to attack this feature from the West – this entailed climbing a very steep part of the feature, and coming in on the enemy's rear. When Sgt Lee's Pl reached the top they were heavily engaged by small arms fire and grenades. Sgt. Lee co-ordinated his Pl and returned the fire using grenades at 20 yds range. At this time an enemy mortar bomb landed in the vicinity of the Pl and blew Sgt Lee about 40 yds down the hillside. he was wounded in the back of his splinters. He had his wound dressed by S.B's and then returned to the top of the hill were again he took control of his Pl. For the next hour he led a series of rushes against the enemy in particular against a Jap L.M.G. which was the backbone of their defence, until the Japs were eventually killed or escaped, and the L.M.G. silenced. Eight enemy bodies were counted and many wounded escaped. During the whole of this operation in which Sgt. Lee's Pl suffered 1 killed and 4 wounded, Sgt. Lee led his Pl with great dash and determination quite regardless of his own safety. His inspiring leadership was undoubtedly the main cause for the success of this particular operation which captured "Hump". LG 27.07.44
Substantive Major Acting Lt.Col. John Houghton-Brown 32779 1st Battalion, the Wiltshire Regiment Awarded with the Distinguished Service Order The powers of leadership and superb personal courage displayed by this Battalion Comd throughout the campaign were of the highest order. He at all times by his personal example maintained the spirit of his men. In his Units first action in the Laung Chaung area where it was opposed by strong bunker position in very difficult country Lt.Col. Houghton Brown was always with his forward troops seeing for himself the difficulties and helping his men forward. He was wounded in this action but refused to leave his Command even for a few hours. Later when his Bn was occupying a position partly behind the enemy lines and under heavy gun and mortar fire he moved his Tac Headquarters up to his foremost troops knowing that his presence would help his men who were largely unseasoned. He was again this time, badly wounded at this headquarters. This officer sustained display of brave leadership, his cheerfulness under the most difficult conditions and above all his superb personal courage set a magnificent example to his men and was at all times a great inspiration to them all. LG 08.02.45
Private Edwin John Brown 5571964 1st Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment Awarded the Military Medal On 20 Feb 1944 at about 438545 (Ref Map Maungdaw North Sht No.2) North of the Laung Chaung Bunkers, Arakan, Pte Brown, RSB, attached to 'A' Coy 1st Bn The Wiltshire Regt, attended to wounded men directly under enemy fire. On 21/2/44 in the same area he again went forward to attend a man who was hit about 4 yds from an enemy posn, the man was dead, although this fact was unknown to Brown. On 22/2/44 during action in the same area he went forward to assist in the removal of Capt D.A.S. Day who was mortally wounded close under the fire of the enemy. On 25/2/44 in action against the same bunker Brown went forward to a wounded man, about 10 yds from the objective, he was unable to do anything himself and thus calmly returned for assistance. On 25/Apr '44, Pte Brown was attached to 'B' Coy during their attack on an enemy hill known as "Bun" (Map ref Maungdaw North Sht 4 440426). During the attack an O.R. was hit three yds from one of the enemy posn. The attack failed and the Pl withdrew some forty yds to re-organise. During this re-organising Pte Brown volunteered to go forward and bring back wounded man. This he did – on reaching the man he found him dead, but collected his rifle and ammunition and returned. Throughout all these attacks Pte Brown has consistently shown outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy. This coupled with his cheerfulness and complete disregard for his own personal safety in the execution of his duty has been a constant inspiration to all ranks. LG 08.02.45