Hi Everyone, I am researching a Soldier who was in the above Regiment and no matter how I try I cannot find any information on this Unit of the R.A.O.C.:- PRIVATE RALPH BLYTHEN Service Number: 7640369 Regiment & Unit/Ship - Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 18 Ordnance Field Park* Date of Death - Died 09 July 1943 Age 25 years old Buried or commemorated at KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY - Coll. grave 10. F. 2-10. L. 4. Thailand Commonwealth War Graves Commission Country of Service - United Kingdom Additional Info - Son of William and Sarah Blythen; husband of Elizabeth Blythen, of Halkyn, Flintshire. Personal Inscription - RESTING WHERE NO SHADOWS FALL I looked at this website, which was excellent describing what the Ordanance Field Park was, but not the 18 Ordnance Field Park. * Ordnance Field Parks – "To the Warrior His Arms" "To the Warrior His Arms" HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS AND ITS PREDECESSORS I think I have his family but need information on what the Regiment was doing in Thailand, he was one of hundreds of Servicemen who were captured on the 15th February 1942, as shown on the Casualty Lists, I have attached. I hope someone can help, so his story of his suffering, as well as thousnads of others who suffered can be told and his sacrifice will be remembered. Kind regards, Mavis Williams
Hi Mavis, He looks to have been a FEPOW casualty (Thai Railway?) and as his POW date coincides with the mass surrender at Singapore I’d hazard a guess he was part of 18 Division Ordnance Field Park. I’ll ask a MOD to amend the topic title to reflect he was a Far East casualty and that will hopefully attract one of the FEPOW experts. Steve
Thank you so much, I was also assuming he was one of the men who were in the Fall of Singapore. Many thanks again, Mavis
Steve (#3) is correct. Ralph Blythen was in the Ordnance Field Park attached to 18th Division and captured at the Fall of Singapore. RAOC Roll This shows Ralph was sent from Singapore to work on the Thai-Burma Railway on 9 May 43 as part of 'H' Force. 'H' Force was one of the worst with a death rate of 27%. H Force Thailand Tim
Thank you Tim, You have come to my aid many times, I do appreciate it. You are all so knowledgeable, Many thanks again and to Steve too for moving my request to the right list.. Kind regards, Mavis
Thank you Graham, I noticed as well that his Personal Effects were buried with him, I have never seen this before. I thought that they were returned to the next of kin, if possible. Thanks again, Mavis
