Can anyone help with information on my uncle Private Alexander Rennie from Glasgow? He served with the Royal Catering Corps during WW2. I understand he was killed in Java, but I have no confirmation of this. I cannot find anything about his service in the Dutch East Indies. There is no grave but his name does appear on the War memorial in Kranji, Singapore. I was named after him. Mrs Alexandra Angus Anderson, nee Rennie
I hope someone can help because this looks interesting - he died a month or so after the war ended but no body was recovered hence the listing on the memorial. The Java link makes some sense as he could have been one of the first British occupation troops killed following the Japanese surrender (but I don't know if any troops were on the ground by the 13th of October). Or he could have been a long-term POW who died after the war ended - either due to health issues caused by the treatment the POWs received at the hands of the Japanese or due to the fighting between Indonesian insurgents and the Japanese (who bizarrely enough were fighting on behalf of the Allies post-surrender). cheers & good luck Dave Update - I just noticed where you posted a similar request elsewhere, but that time with the added info that he was, indeed, a POW http://www.pows-of-japan.net/guestbook2/guestbook.php Name: Mike Location UK 30.12.2013 Comments: Hi Alexandra, ....... Cpl Angus Rennie of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, service number 2979984. Taken prisoner in the jungle of Malaya, probably on 7th January 1942 at the Battle of Slim River. Imprisoned at Pudu Gaol, Kuala Lumpar. Sent to Ban Pong on the Railroad on 14th October 1942. Arrived at Tamarkan Camp on 23rd October 1942. Died 29th November 1944, now buried at Chunkai Cemetery. I cant help regarding Alexander (service number 14364524), but I am rather puzzled by the fact that he is recorded as having died nearly 2 months after the end of the war, on 13/10/1945, yet does not have a grave, and is remembered on the Singapore Memorial. I can only assume that this is the date he was identified as missing from all rolls of POWs. Name: Mrs Alexandra Angus Anderson Location QLD, Australia Email: m Comments: I am named after two uncles who were Japanese POWs. They were Pte Alexander Rennie , Army Catering Corps. His brother was Cpl Angus Rennie of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Both died while prisoner. Does anyone know anything about them? Alexandra
Hi Alexandra Do you by any chance know which division he served with? In October '45 the British was only beginning to build up forces on Java but I have not heard of any casualties from the Catering Corps in the period.
Hi Dave B. I did believe Alexander, like brother Angus was a Japanese POW. I now do not think he was captured. Alexandra
Hi Alexandra, It might be wise to take a step back from looking into the POW possibility and apply for Alexander's Army Service Records. These may contain the answer you are searching for, or at least clarify his unit and postings. Here is a link to follow: http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html I did a quick search on the Cofepow database and found Angus, he is stated as being taken prisoner on 20/01/1942, this is the only new information not included with the detail you have from the other website. Sorry I cannot help more. Steve
Thanks I will try the link you suggest. I think I am pretty sure now that Alexander was not a POW, so I will take that step back. Kind regards Alexandra
Hi Alexandra, I took a look at 'Scotlandspeople' website and found 2 possible death entries for an Alexander Rennie in the Minor Records section. Have you any idea what year he was born? To view them you would need to register and purchase credits. It costs £7 for 30 Credits at the moment. If you want to view them follow the link below, then select Statutory Deaths (1855-2012) from the top left hand column then at "County" use the drop down menu tab and select "Minor Records". I also restricted the search range from 1939 to 1946. http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ I hope one of the entries is for your Alexander. Good luck with your research and get his Army service record ordered from the office in Glasgow (remember to request the FULL record). It will be worth the cost (£30) and the wait. https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records Cheers - Maria
RENNIE, ALEXANDER Rank: Private Service No: 14364524 Date of Death: 13/10/1945 Age: 33 Regiment/Service: Army Catering Corps Panel Reference Column 112. Memorial SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of Bruce and Margaret Rennie, of Glasgow. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2142635/RENNIE,%20ALEXANDER
Just checked if the Army Catering Corps was formed in March 1941. And people had to be trained to do the job plus being transported to Singapore before the surrender?