Hi My great uncle Sidney Kendall died in Burma on or around 14.3.44. After a long years wait I have finally received his service records. They provide a wealth of information, which I can't fathom. Please can anyone help?!! Sidney born in Hull, embarked for India on 25.10.43 the unit was RGYOF!! The next entry in his records states (and again means nothing to me) Unit RE CAS Missing believed drowned India NBC, Sapper a later entry shows the unit as XII on another piece of paper, the last entry reads 67th Field Can anyone help me to understand this please, what unit should I be looking for? I understand that I will need to visit the national archives to read the war diary - I am in Yorkshire, so wonder if the archives have a research service. Also, do you think the diary would have details of how he drowned? This is my first post, so hello!
Welcome Marge, here is your Great Uncles CWGC entry he was in 67 Field Company Royal Engineers. Casualty
Hello, Marge. Welcome to the forum. This is Sidney's entry on the CWGC website: Casualty Sapper SIDNEY KENDALL 14333642, 67 Field Coy., Royal Engineers who died age 19 between 17 March 1944 and 18 March 1944 Son of Arthur John and Florence Kendall. Remembered with honour RANGOON MEMORIAL 67 Field Coy RE is definitely where to look but watch out for 67 Fd Coy Indian Engineers who were also in that part of the world). They have a war diary for this period: WO 172/5078. The RGYOF is a draft code for his journey - or a part of it - out to the Far East.
Hi Marge, Welcome, apart from the War diaries, there are also Missing in Action files for RE units at the National Archives. These are held under References: WO361/388 WO361/389 It could be that Sidney is mentioned in these? Steve
From Joslen's Orders of Battle: 67 Fd Coy 1.5.43 Converted fron 67 (CW) Coy [Chemical Warfare] Stationed at Chittagong 11.6.43 Moved to Ranchi area 28.6.43 Moved to Rowriah Assam under command CRE 108 Works 24.9.43 Moved to Budni Central Province India under 52 Inf Bde [Infantry Brigade] 1944 No change 29.4.45 Arrived at Lohardaga No further change He also states that 52 Inf Bde's role was to train British infantry reinforcements in jungle warfare. I imagine that 67 Fd Coy were involved with building and maintaining the brigade's infrastructure, and perhaps some training duties as well.
