Frank Baker Brocklehurst R.A.V.C

Frank Baker Brocklehurst was an officer in the R.A.V.C . He died in 1945 in India in a freak accident can any one add anything about him or the R.A.V.C in the far east

 

Frank Baker Brocklehurst was an officer in the R.A.V.C . He died in 1945 in India in a freak accident can any one add anything about him or the R.A.V.C in the far east


Dear Izzi:

In this sheet of The London Gazzete seems is named the same person SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 24 MARCH, 1944 1375

Use the search function inside the PDF file for locate him.


I also attach at my message





Jan.

 

They are one and the same.

Name:BROCKLEHURST, FRANK BAKER
Initials:F B
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Lieutenant
Regiment/Service:Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Secondary Unit Text:attd. H.Q. 64th Indian Inf. Bde.
Age:25
Date of Death:19/02/1945
Service No:309906
Additional information:Son of William and Elizabeth Brocklehurst; husband of Isobel Winifred Brocklehurst. M.R.C.V.S.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:3. A. 16.
Cemetery:MAYNAMATI WAR CEMETERY

 

Izzy, below is the order of battle for the 64th Indian Brigade

From To Subordinate Nation
01-Feb-1942 15-Mar-1945 5/10 Baluch Regiment Indian
07-Feb-1942 10-Nov-1944 1/6 Gurkha Rifles Gurkha
15-Aug-1942 31-Aug-1945 2 The Worcestershire Regiment British
01-Dec-1944 26-Jan-1945 1/6 Gurkha Rifles Gurkha
02-Feb-1945 31-Aug-1945 1/6 Gurkha Rifles Gurkha
15-Mar-1945 18-Mar-1945 1/15 Punjab Regiment Indian
15-Mar-1945 18-Mar-1945 2 The Royal Berkshire Regiment British
15-Mar-1945 18-Mar-1945 8/12 Frontier Force Regiment Indian
18-Mar-1945 31-Aug-1945 5/10 Baluch Regiment Indian
20-Jul-1945 11-Aug-1945 1/15 Punjab Regiment Indian
20-Jul-1945 11-Aug-1945 1/19 Hyderabad Regiment Indian
20-Jul-1945 11-Aug-1945 6/15 Punjab Regiment Indian
20-Jul-1945 11-Aug-1945 MG/13 Frontier Force Rifles Indian
15-Mar-1945 18-Mar-1945 115 Field Regiment RA British
15-Mar-1945 18-Mar-1945 134 Field Regiment RA British
15-Mar-1945 18-Mar-1945 33 Anti-Tank Regiment RA British

 

and a bit of back ground history to the RAVC during WW2

World War Two

Following World War One the RAVC underwent rapid demobilisation and as mechanisation progressed the RAVC reduced in size. In 1938 the Army Veterinary School in Aldershot closed after 48 years.
At the outbreak of World War Two there were 85 officers (59 of whom were in India) and 105 soldiers, this increased over the course of the war to a total of 519 officers and 3,939 other ranks. A Even with the increased mechanisation of World War 2 horses and mules were still essential means of transport, most notably in Palestine and the Italian campaign where terrain made it impossible for vehicles. In 1942 the strength of military animals was 6,500 horses, 10,000 mules and 1,700 camels. The RAVC also had a presence in Greece, Ertirea and Syria and, as well as pack transport, were responsible for the local provision of livestock for slaughter, meat inspection and the rearing of livestock. The Italian campaign was the only one where RAVC units operated in the dual role of evacuating animal casualties and issuing replacements. In addition to the mules shipped over from North Africa and the Middle East there were almost 11,000 mules purchased in Sicily and Southern Italy. Battle casualties among mules in Italy were higher than had been anticipated, whilst losses from infection and contagious diseases were lower.
As well as horses and mules, in Burma General Wingate also used bullocks, which were utilised as pack animals but were also ‘meat on the hoof’. Elephants were also used as transport and forest clearance. Because of the nature of the campaign in Burma, animals receiving serious battle wounds could not be evacuated with the result that many that might have recovered had to be shot.
In 1942 the Army Veterinary and Remount Service became responsible for the procurement of dogs for all services and the War Dog Training School was established.

1945 onwards

In the aftermath of World War Two, the RAVC was involved in many countries, notably Germany, Austria, Greece, Burma and Malaya, in the disposal of surplus animals, the prevention of the spread of disease and animal husbandry. The RAVC also required a permanent depot and moved to the old Remount Depot at Melton Mowbray in 1946, where it remains to this day as the Defence Animal Centre.
The RAVC did not fall to pre-war levels as World War Two had highlighted the role of dogs, which took over from horses and mules as the main military animal (the last operational pack transport unit was eventually disbanded in Hong Kong in 1976 although recent operations in Afghanistan have questioned the need for pack transport in difficult terrain). In Malaya and Borneo, during the 1950s and 1960s, dogs worked as tracker dogs seeking out insurgents. In Northern Ireland dogs have worked as arms and explosive search dogs seeking out terrorist arms and explosives, a role they are also carrying out in Iraq, and in Hong Kong dogs were trained to detect and apprehend illegal immigrants. However the main role is still one of protection reducing the number of soldiers needed for guard duties. The RAVC has permanent dog units in Northern Ireland, England, Germany and Cyprus.
The RAVC is one of the smallest Corps in the British Army yet provides invaluable support to the Army’s animals and serves worldwide with them today.

Source: AMS Museum - RAVC History

 

Thanks for the replies there is some valuable background information in there for my research many thanks to all

 

and musnt forget the Elephants

 

He was born at Sandy Lane Farm in Bold, Lancs, and christened at Farnworth Church. My mother was one of two, as an 8 year old bridesmaid, to his parents wedding at Farnworth on 7 Jun 1912.
He went to University school, Southport as a boarder, as I did from 1945.
His picture as a swimmer was seen in the Dining Hall until the school closed in 1972. Later he went to Liverpool University. His name was on the WW II memorial in the Hall blessed in March 1956 when I was present. Unfortunately when the school closed it was moved to All Saints Church where boys went, but the church burned down in the late 1970s.
He was a good hard hitting batsman at Cricket as I was told 5 years ago by a school friend from the 1930s. I wore his yellow and black striped blazer in the 1950s when I got into the eleven. I have tried to construct his life in a few dates on my family tree on Ancestry. Sadly there is very little to know of his War Record, from comrades. Is any of this useful.

 

JackJb p.m sent. Very intresting Look forward o hearing from you.

 

Frank Baker Brocklehurst was an officer in the R.A.V.C . He died in 1945 in India in a freak accident can any one add anything about him or the R.A.V.C in the far east


Hi Izzy - only just saw this thread due to the recent posts. Do you have the details on the freak accident that killed this officer?

I was doing some research on the 19th Division a while ago & I am certain that I came across a story concerning an officer who was awarded a gallantry medal due to his work with a mule column.

I think it was around the same time as this casualty and it must have been during the operations with Stilleto Force as it took place during a particularly hazardous journey (at night?).

Does this ring any bells? It is frustrating me as I can remember bits of what I read about the incident but I can't put it all together.........

cheers


Dave

 

Frank Baker Brocklehurst died in a tragic Swimming accident.He dived into the water and struck a submerged rock.

 

Thanks Izzy - I hadn't noticed that he didn't die in Burma, I should have read the post better.

So he was attached to the 64th Brigade of 19 Indian Division who at that time were crossing the Irrawaddy in Burma when he died in a swimming accident in India.


And now I have even less of a clue as to the incident I was thinking of.......

 

Forgot to mention the Irrawaddy was the river Frank drowned in.

 

I think I am just raising more questions but as far as I'm aware the Irrawaddy doesn't go anywhere near India.

Yet he is buried in what is now Bangladesh, I wonder if he was severely injured and evacuated to a hospital in India where he died (the quote below from the CWGC would indicate that either was possible - died in one of the hospitals back in India or moved from a temporary grave in Burma post-war).

Next query is - why did he dive into the Irrawaddy? This was still an active combat area (I think) and not a time for recreational swimming.

Possibly diving in to salvage something / someone in the water ..........

*******************************************************

Maynamati War Cemetery - "a number of military hospitals, both British and Indian, were in the area, including Nos. 14 and 150 British General Hospitals; and the majority of the burials in Maynamati War Cemetery were from the various hospitals. Graves from isolated places in the surrounding country, and some from as far afield as Burma, were moved into the cemetery by the Army Graves Service and later on by the Commission"

 

Geography not being my best feature i was unaware where the Irrawaddy is situated i was told by Franks replacment that this is where he died and also that he was having an early morning swim.Information i have from the C.W.G.C is that Frank was buried in the grave he now lies in. although in will double check later when i read through his file.

 

Just checked Franks File and found a mention of his death on his brothers headstone mentions that he died in Burma.Although i have a letter from the C.W.G.C stating he had no previous place of burial.
The death certificate mentions the cause of death as Paraplegis as the result of fracture of the spine accidently substained whilst bathing.