Researching officer on attachment

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by Assam, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. Assam

    Assam Senior Member

    Hi All, I have an interesting project going at the moment need some help.

    Rather an interesting chap. Captain Maurice Edward Knight with double issue medals.

    Knight , a native of New Zealand was undertaking post grad studies at London university & upon outbreak joined the only NZ unit to be formed in the UK ,being 34th anti Tank battn. due to his linguistic & geographical knowledge in Northern europe, he was seconded to 5th Bn The Scots Guards (ski Bn) for the invasion of Finland.

    After this was called off, he went to anti aircraft with commision.

    here is my problem,

    He died in 09/1944 & is buried in Ranchi India whilst on attachment with 15th Punjab regiment.

    Is there anyone out there who can tell me what Bn's were in or around Ranchi at that time in order that I can narrow my research?

    Thanks in advance

    Regards

    simon
     
  2. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Simon,

    According to the British Military History site:

    Divisional Troops
    137th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
    This regiment was a second line Territorial Army unit formed in June 1939 as a duplicate of the 88th Field Regiment. It was based at Blackpool, Preston and Lancaster. The title 2nd West Lancashire was not allocated. The regiment left the United Kingdom and arrived in Malaya on 28th November 1941, with its ‘mother’ regiment. It was allocated to Malaya Command.
    (H.Q., 349th, 350th & 501st Field Batteries, Royal Artillery)
    155th (The Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
    The Lanarkshire Yeomanry was a Territorial Army unit, based in Lanark, Scotland. In February 1940, the regiment converted into a Field Artillery Regiment. It left the United Kingdom in March 1941, and on arrival in India in May 1941, it came under the command of the 9th Indian Division in Kirkee on the 5th May. It arrived in Malaya on 2nd September 1941, and transferred to this Division on 1st October 1941.
    (H.Q., ‘B’ & ‘C’ Field Batteries, Royal Artillery)
    80th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
    The regiment arrived in Malaya from the United Kingdom on 6th November 1941. 272nd Battery was detached to join 9th Division, whilst the bulk of the regiment joined 11th Division.
    (H.Q., 2nd (Minden), 215th & 273rd Anti-Tank Batteries, Royal Artillery)
    http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/aqadmin/media/uploads/4b3b8e0a13b6b_11%20Indian%20Division%20(1941-42).pdf

    Mark
     
  3. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Hi All, I have an interesting project going at the moment need some help.

    Rather an interesting chap. Captain Maurice Edward Knight with double issue medals.

    Knight , a native of New Zealand was undertaking post grad studies at London university & upon outbreak joined the only NZ unit to be formed in the UK ,being 34th anti Tank battn. due to his linguistic & geographical knowledge in Northern europe, he was seconded to 5th Bn The Scots Guards (ski Bn) for the invasion of Finland.

    After this was called off, he went to anti aircraft with commision.

    here is my problem,

    He died in 09/1944 & is buried in Ranchi India whilst on attachment with 15th Punjab regiment.

    Is there anyone out there who can tell me what Bn's were in or around Ranchi at that time in order that I can narrow my research?

    Thanks in advance

    Regards

    simon

    Can you explain the "double issue medals", I don't know what that means. I will try to check into the actual question, but here is some filler for now.....

    According to the CWGC he was a member of the Royal Artillery with service number 200546 when he died 03/09/1944 aged 36

    He was the Son of Herbert Douglas and Ellen Knight, of Dannevirke, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. M.A. - however, the London Gazette has his address as "Christchurch, New Zealand, lately a Captain in H.M. Army. 3rd September, 1944."

    http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37572/supplements/2429/page.pdf



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

    According to the SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 19 AUGUST, 1941

    ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.

    The undermentioned Cadets, from O.C.T.U's., to be 2nd Lts. 2nd Aug 1941: Maurice Edward KNIGHT (200546).


    I can’t see his subsequent promotions or any awards which might have given clues as to his movements.

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

    Checking NZ Archives shows a Military Personnel File for KNIGHT, Maurice Edward - WW1 2/3031 - Army. As the bloke you are researching died in 1944 aged 36 then this is either a NZer with the same name (an uncle perhaps) or he lied about his age to join up again in WW2


    The only other hit in the archives is that probate was applied for KNIGHT Maurice Edward in the Wellington High Court in 1945 (I wonder if this was for the WW1 veteran, or for Captain Knight's death in India in 1944)

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

    It looks like the name lived on in the British Army:

    ROYAL CORPS OF TRANSPORT - REGULAR ARMY

    Short Serv. Commn.

    22547533 W.O. I Maurice Edward KNIGHT (496812) to be 2nd Lt, 1st Nov. 1973. To be Lt., 1st Nov. 1973.
     
  4. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Here is one possibility - the 4/15th Punjab was moved back into the field around the time he was killed in India


    33rd Indian Infantry Brigade in the 7th Indian Infantry Division


    1st Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
    4th Bn. 15th Punjab Regiment (2)
    4th Bn. 1st King George V’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)

    (2) In September 1944, the 4th Bn. 15th Punjab Regiment returned to the brigade. This
    allowed the 1st Bn. The Queens Royal Regiment (West Surrey) to leave the brigade on
    8th September 1944 to rest and refit following heavy casualties sustained over the
    previous months.
     
  5. Assam

    Assam Senior Member

    Dave B,

    I have knights service record from NZ & he is the same man. as he transferred to the royal Artillery, his NZ file is still active & it is noted on his file that he was killed in action serving with the RA in india.

    it is an anomily that the original unit in which he served was a New Zealand outfit "34th Anti tank' which formed part of the RA. The only members of this unit WERE Kiwis, the unit was formed after communications between the colonial office & the NZ government papers for this are on file & I quote from a telegram sent to the NZ high commisioner to the UK "
    Special Units
    34th Anti-Tank Battery, New Zealand Artillery

    275
    The High Commissioner for New Zealand (London) to the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Extract]

    4 September 1939
    The formation of a unit comprising citizens of overseas Dominions living in or visiting this country is being considered by the War Office. New Zealanders, of whom there are a great number offering their services, are being referred to the War Office on the understanding that facilities for transfer will be considered if later a New Zealand Expeditionary Force should be formed for service in Europe1

    277
    The High Commissioner for New Zealand to the Prime Minister

    20 September 1939
    Further to your telegram of 8 September (No. 276). As it is wished to avoid volunteers drifting away meanwhile to other units I ampage 209anxious for your reply concerning the formation of a unit here. A decision is also required regarding the liabilities of officers on the New Zealand reserve and the retired list who are in the United Kingdom.

    278
    The Prime Minister to the High Commissioner for New Zealand

    21 September 1939
    Government approval has been given to the formation of the nucleus of an anti-tank regiment as part of the organisation of the infantry division which New Zealand is now raising. Major Duff, Royal New Zealand Artillery, is to command the unit temporarily. Bona fide New Zealanders only are to be enlisted. The rates of pay will be cabled to you separately. The Liaison Officer1 is to confer with the War Office regarding accommodation, training facilities, material, &c.
    Those officers on the retired list have no liability, but officers on the New Zealand Reserve of Officers may be required. Before employment is found for them by the War Office, could the names of these officers be cabled to New Zealand."

    Interestingly, his memorial cross was with his original NZ number but shows his rank as Captain & his unit as RA.

    Thanks to those who replied , it is appreciated

    Regards

    simon
     
  6. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    In September 1944, after the battle of Imphal, 17th Indian Division was sent to Ranchi where it was joined by 99th Indian Brigade. One of units in the brigade was 6/15th Punjab Regiment. Now I don't know was brigade already there when the division arrived or it joined later.
     
  7. Assam

    Assam Senior Member

    Dave B,

    RE: double issue medals, should not happen, but Knights entittlement from New Zealand is 1939-45 war medal & New Zealand Service medal.

    Because he transfered to the R.A. the Brits have issued to him 1939-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, 1939-45 war Medal so the double issue comes with the war medal.

    Regards

    simon
     

Share This Page