4542771 Private Francis Henry Frank FAWCETT, 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regiment): 07/06/1944

Remembering Today

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2674542/
FAWCETT, FRANCIS HENRY FRANK
Rank: Private
Service No: 4542771
Regiment/Service: 2nd Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Date of Death: 07/06/1944
Age: 29
Cemetery: IMPHAL WAR CEMETERY
Grave Reference: 3. G. 4.
Additional Information: Son of Amos and Harriet Fawcett, of Horsforth, Yorkshire.
Personal Inscription: IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRANK. LOVED AND REMEMBERED ALWAYS

 

From what I can see the 2nd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was in 9th Infantry Brigade of 5th Indian Infantry Division


This is an extract from the 1951 London Gazette despatch on operations in Burma at the time of this loss:



75. While these actions were in progress 23 Indian Division had relieved 20 Indian Division on the Palel—Tamu road, southeast of Imphal, and had thrown back continuous enemy attacks. 20 Indian Division was transferred to the area east and northeast of Imphal, whence operating in two columns it continued the advance on Ukhrul.


5 Indian Division made slow progress northwards, astride the main road, and by the first week in June, had cleared the strong enemy position at Kanglatongbi, fifteen miles north of Imphal. During the succeeding fortnight, this Division advanced slowly in the face of strong opposition in difficult country and under most adverse weather conditions.

 

Frank Fawcett died in the attack on "Zebra", a fortified Jap position covering the main Imphal to Kohima road two miles north of Kanglatongbi.
In a well planned action supported by the tanks of 3 Carabiniers and 7 Cavalry, C Company WY were tasked with the capture of this feature while the other companies were in support. Six others from WY were also killed.
The photo shows Zebra area with the main road behind the photographer looking west. The Jap bunkers were to the right of the picture out of shot and the attack came from left to right across several nullahs.
Frank was originally buried just behind the trees on the left before being interred in Imphal Cemetery several months later.

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Google Earth image showing location.

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