I've recently received a copy of the Second Edition of a book written by Pat Walker, who is a member of this Forum. We've been corresponding for a while and now that he has published it, he is a little reluctant to give it a plug. I will do so on his behalf. For those who collect books of WW2 RA Unit Histories, this would be a worthy addition to your collection. This unit was captured in the Far East by the Japanese in 1942 and lists the names of almost 500 men who did not return and almost 738 that did. An invaluable book for relatives looking for information on those that served in 6 HAA Regt. Please PM Pat if you you like to buy a copy. http://ww2talk.com/forums/user/8139-patwalker/
Robert, Thank you for the post. The book would appear to be a required read to all those interested in RA History and the foreword bodes exceptionally good for the book. I wish Pat success with the book sales. Regards Tom
Many thanks Pat my copy arrived yesterday and at the first flick through it looks very good. Cheers Andy
I've almost finished reading my copy and it's very detailed. A rather tragic story of a Regiment who were with the BEF in France and escaped almost unscathed. However, that was to change, as whilst on the way to the Middle East, the Regiment were diverted to the Far East and eventual captivity under the Japanese. Like most units captured, they endured hell and a large loss of life. It's not a book that you can enjoy reading because of it's harrowing tales of what happened, but it's a extremely worthy memorial to the men who died and those who survived. Credit to Patrick Walker for the time and effort he must have put in to research the subject.
I'm sure that this is an excellent book. Patrick Walker (whom Ramacal kindly put me in touch with) knows that I am going to buy a copy; it is only because of a hip fracture, which has immobilised me in recent weeks, that I have not done so already. Everything I've heard and seen about the book points to it being an invaluable history of this overlooked and much-beleaguered regiment. Pat is to be greatly admired for the lengths he has gone to to document the plight of these men and bring the sad history of this unlucky regiment to public attention.
I've recently received a copy of a book written by Pat Walker, who is a member of this Forum. We've been corresponding for a while and now that he has published his book, he is a little reluctant to give it a plug. I will do so on his behalf. For those who collect books of WW2 RA Unit Histories, this would be a worthy addition to your collection. This unit was captured in the Far East by the Japanese in 1942 and lists the names of almost 500 men who did not return and almost 400 that did. An invaluable book for relatives looking for information on those that served in 6 HAA Regt. Copies of the front and back describing the contents, together with the foreword written by Brigadier Ken Timbers, Chairman of the Royal Artillery Historical Society. Please PM Pat if you you like to buy a copy. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/members/patwalker.html Belatedly I have purchased my copy, and it arrived today. It looks truly excellent and I am very much looking forward to reading it.
Ordered my copy too and received a very nice email from Mr Walker asking how I'd heard about the book so was happy to give credit to you all here. Cheers Mark
The Second edition of this book is now available. I've just received my copy and there is more information from relatives about those that served and extra names of men that served also added.
Meticulously researched over 4 years by Patrick Walker, this new revised edition has many more stories and photographs of this forgotten Regt. The military awards section has been enlarged and so too the Rolls of Honour. The survivors list is now 738 and along with the 495 names on the Rolls of Honour must almost be the complete Regt. There are some rare pictures of men released from Japanese POW camp in Japan of 12 and 15 Bty`s. Also contained are further details of the Paratroop assault in Sumatra and the tragedy at Kalidjati in Java along with several personal accounts. This book now represents a very full record for historians and those wishing to find their relatives details from all men in 6th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt and seeing how this unit contributed and suffered as part of their war.
What a lovely way to keep alive the memory of the men of this regiment . I will be clicking on the link and getting my copy. elsie
Thanks ever so much for sharing what looks like a great book, will follow the link and buy it . And a big Thank you to the author for making sure the regiment history and the story of these brave soldiers is never forgotten. No better monument than a good book . Elsie
