1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders in Burma & India, 1941-1944

I am interested in the history of this battalion in Burma & India and, in particular, am looking for any information about my great uncle, Pte Frank Dunkerley 3058871, 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders (parent division 23rd Indian), who was killed at the Battle of Imphal during a successful attack on Lammu (a village in Manipur State, north-east India) on April 24, 1944.

I've got a book on the 1st Seaforth during this time that gives details of this attack (without mentioning his name; he was one of ten men from the Battalion killed on that day). To get more information, would it be possible to obtain his war record and access the battalion's war diary?

 

Hi MG42 and welcome to the forum.

The answer to your question is yes. To send off for Frank's army service record, please follow the link here:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html

The battalion's war diary is held at the National Archives at Kew in London. The reference is here:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?_q=wo172%2F4912

To read the diary in person you would have to visit the Archives, however, some of the other forum members here provide a very competitive copying service. This might be a more viable option for you.

Best wishes

Steve

 

MG42,

My interest is also the campaign against the Japanese during WW2, with a concentration on the first Chindit operation in 1943. The Seaforths were patrolling the east banks of the Chindwin River at that time and were vital in helping the ailing Chindits as they returned to India in April. It is possible that your great uncle was among these very important soldiers.

The diary reference for 1943 is:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?_q=wo172%2F2544

 

My dad went over to India as a Seaforth but was "volunteered" for the 1st Cameronians and the Chindits...

Welcome...

 

Hello and welcome

I'm struggling to find a 1941 diary at the mo but here are the refs for the rest covering his service

WO 172/883 1 Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's ) 1942 May, July - Dec.
WO 172/2544 1 Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) 1943 Jan.- Dec.
WO 172/4912 1 Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) 1944 Jan.- Nov.

Give me a shout if you want any copying.

Cheers
Andy

 

Here is a very brief summary of the service of the 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders:

1st Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany’s)

China Command – 3 September 1939 to 28 August 1940
The battalion was at Shanghai when war broke out and located at the Race Course. It remained in Shanghai until August 28th, 1940, then sailed for Malaya

Malaya Command – September 1940 to 31 October 1940
On arrival at Singapore, Malaya, the battalion was sent to Penang.

6th Indian Infantry Brigade – 1 November 1940 to 16 February 1941
The 1st Seaforths came under the command of the 6th Indian Infantry Brigade in Malaya on November 1st, 1940 before moving to India, although it still remained at Penang. The 1st Leicestershire Regiment relieved it on February 16th on Penang. It then left the brigade and moved to India.

Delhi Independent Brigade Area – February 1941 to 25 February 1942
On arrival in India, it moved to Agra. On February 25th, 1942 the battalion entrained at Agra enroute to Kohima. During the day the battalion passed through Etawah and Cawnpore on the train. The train moved through Mogal Seal, Goya and Asansol on the 26th and Ishundi, Parbatipur, and Lubmanishat the following day. On the 28th, the battalion embarked on the ferry at Amingoan and crossed the Brahmaputra River. From there it continued to Dimapur on the Manipur Road, which was the railhead. The 1st Seaforths left Manipur Road on March 2nd and moved by bus to Kohima

23rd Indian Infantry Division – 2 March 1942 to 9 May 1942
From Kohima, the battalion sent out patrols to nearby areas.
The 1st Battalion served under the 23rd Indian Infantry Division in Assam from March to May 1942 receiving units of the Burma Army leaving Burma.

1st Indian Infantry Brigade – 9 May 1942 to 31 August 1945
It joined the 1st Indian Infantry Brigade on May 9th, 1942 on the Burma/Assam border and remained with the brigade for the rest of the war. The battalion was located at Shenam on June 12th, 1942. It was on the border until August 15th, 1944, in Shillong until November 30th, 1944, and then in Bombay.

 

Thank you all for the welcome messages and some very useful information.

I will send off for Frank's army service record. In the meantime, if I could please ask Drew5233 to copy the war diaries for 1942-44. Thanks.

 

Good luck MG42, please keep us posted with what you find out.

 

Browsing a auction site recently, I happened across this set of medals for sale. Adds a little bit to this thread, not much, but a bit.

http://www.dnw.co.uk/auctions/catalogue/lot.php?auction_id=322&lot_id=1576

 

I see he was with the BEF in 1940. If that was a BEF MM I would be soooooo tempted !

 

Hi Andy,

There were three gallantry awards to Chindit or nearly Chindit soldiers, tempted by them all, but more scared of the missus!!

 

I'm not overly keen on the method of bidding either - Think I'd rather be at the auction so I knew when to stop rather than putting in a sealed massive bid if that makes sense.

 

Definitely, it always concerns me that the auction house know the upper limit of someone's bid and 'could' if they wanted engineer the price to reach just below that level, to ensure you pay the full amount. Conspiracy minded I know, but more than possible to achieve.

You can bid live on line, but this has brought its on problems, especially with the time delay.

 

MG42,

I wondered if you had a photograph of Frank's inscription upon the Rangoon Memorial.

Here is an image of the panel and one of the inner cloisters of the memorial itself.

 

Thanks a lot, bamboo43. I already had a copy of the first photo but not the second. Very good to have another, wider view.

 

No problem.

 

Hello everybody, I know this is an old thread but my mothers uncle was killed on the same day (24th Aptil 1944) and I womder if anyone had any more information they can share. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome Fergus... it is not too uncommon for dates of death to be shared... if someone went MIA and was never located again, a date had to be decided for the presumed death ot the person in question...
As noted above, your first course of action is your great-uncles records, and then you can start on the ever steepening slippery path that is research... there are numerous books many could recommend too, but those records come first...
Good luck
Kenny

 

Thanks for the reply Kenny. I'm just getting the paperwork ready to order his Service Record. Tragically his brother was killed in Burma just a month before with the 1st Bat Seaforths. I've seen the War Diary that Drew5233 posted for those dates so that was great as I doubt I will ever make it done to Kew. Thanks again for the welcome.
Fergus

 

My father was there with the Seaforths on 24th April 1944, commanding 'C' Company.(My was himself an Argyll). XThe days events for him and his company, and the name of the village are recorded in his citation. On 28th of this year 2020 February I will spend a week with a guide and be taken to the very place. If I can help any further please let me know.