Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers - Photos

Hi John,

I'm so sorry I missed your post earlier this month. If your mother can locate your grandfather's Army log book, then the best thing you can do is to use his Army number to apply for his service records.

Here is a link to the MOD website, which will offer you more information about the process:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk

Good luck going forward.

Steve

 

Hi Mick
I just saw your post from 5 years ago. If I understood correctly, you have one or two photos taken in India showing many Inniskillings and their names. My father, Michael McGinley, served with the Inniskillings in India/Burma during WW2. I remember that, 40 years ago, our family had a photo taken in India of a large number of Inniskillings in lines (like a school photo). The photo has been lost but I still have a photocopied fragment of it. My father is on the left side in the top row.

I would be very grateful if you could check your photo to see if Michael McGinley or his friend, Bernard (Barny) Harney, is there.

Thanks,
Francis

 

H


Hi

I've been researching my family tree for a while now and have been concentrating on the family service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line.

My Great Grandfather John James McCarron Pte 23768 was in 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 109th Brigade of the renowned 36th Ulster Division during WW1 . He was killed in action on 10th March 1916 at the frontline in Autheille and he is buried in Autheille Military Cemetery in France.

He had two sons who went on to join up with the regiment.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt joined in the late 1920s. At the start of WW2 he was in the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was part of the BEF in France. He was at Dunkirk where he sustained a head injury which caused temporary blindness. He was captured and taken POW by the Germans although he was repatriated home to Northern Ireland and spent time at Campbell College Military Hospital in Belfast.

My Grandfather Emerson Carson McCarron Cpl initially joined the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line in 1933 aged 19yrs. He later transferred a year later into the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He spent time serving in Shanghai and Tienstin in China, then Singapore Malaya, before being sent to India serving in Waziristan, Dehra Dun, Madras and Wellington to name a few. Having looked at my copy of the war diaries for the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers they initially thought they would remain in India despite the start of WW2, although that changed after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded most of the Far East. Like you grandfather he was prepared for being flown into Rangoon along with his Battalion.

Alongside him was his half brother Edward Laird Pte 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. My Granda Emerson and Edward's mother, my Great Grandmother Matilda McCarron Laird passed away suddenly in 1936. Granda Emerson was in China at the time...Edward was only 16 and he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers shortly after his mother's death. Granda Emerson was sent home on leave prior to being sent into Burma and his half brother Edward accompanied him back to India for jungle training.

The 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were one of the only regiments to be flown into Rangoon, Burma. They were able to effectively carry out their orders to destroy the oil fields at Yenangyaung in April 1942, however the aftermath was a bit of a disaster. Edward was a Signaller who was sent out with two other Signallers to scout out, however all 3 were captured by the Japanese on 19th April 1942. Having read through the file detailing those who were injured, captured and taken POW, or killed in action within the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers I have read first hand witness accounts which give details of Edward's capture and that of his comrades. His two other Signallers were later shot....Edward had mouthed off at their treatment and he had his hands and feet bound and told to kneel. On 19th June 1942 the Japanese officer raised his Katana sword above his head and brought it down on the top of Edward's scalp splicing his head open. All three bodies were left lying on the river bank to be scavenged by vultures and whatever other wild animals that were about. Some time later other Inniskillings POWs came across the remains and obtained permission from their Japanese captors to bury all three at the side of river, although they were not allowed to remove their personal effects such as dogtags etc. Unfortunately after the war ended Edward's body was never recovered probably due to the monsoons having washed their remains away. His name is forever remembered at Taukkyan Cemetery in Yangon present day Myanmar.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt later joined my Grandfather Emerson and the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in India as they prepared to return to Burma.

Both were involved at the Battle of Sittang River where the Battalion were surrounded by the Japanese and had to fight hand to hand to fight their way out. James McCarron was captured as were many other Inniskillings.

My Grandfather Emerson and other Inniskillings regrouped and planned to carry out a counterattack and rescue mission. The fighting was fierce and the Bren Gun my Grandfather was carrying became so hot that the metal actually burnt his hand. James, other Inniskillings POWs and 8th Belfast HAA POWs were found alive in small bamboo cages with no room to sit or lay down and the ground was covered in excrement as many of them had dysentery and malaria. Other injured POWs had been used for target practice and bayonet practice by their Japanese captors. James told my Grandfather Emerson that they had received no medical treatment, and little food or water. Japanese soldiers would often drink water in front of them and then pour the remainder of it on to the ground whilst they walked off laughing at them. Both were later involved at the first Arakan campaign and experienced difficulties being able to cross the Sinoh pass.

My Grandfather Emerson was later returned home to St Lucia's Barracks in Omagh Co Tyrone after spending time at the hospital in Ranchi India due to Malaria and foot rot. After arriving back home he was billeted at 25th ATS at Lisanelly Barracks. James McCarron Sgt remained in India and was latered repatriated home to Omagh after the 1st Battalion left Wellington Barracks in the lead up to partition in India.

My Grandfather Emerson went onto to serve a total of 21years full time with the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and joined the 5th Royal Inniskilling TA for a further ten years. He went onto to work as a Charge Nurse at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Psychiatric Hospital in Omagh until his retirement. Unfortunately he continued to experience recurrent bouts of malaria which took a severe toll on his heart and he passed away suddenly just after his retirement in September 1980 aged just 66years old.

He never spoke of his experiences or time in Burma....until the late 70s. My Dad and Granda Emerson were at the Royal British Legion in Omagh. A group of WW2 veterans from Belfast and another from Portadown had called in. My Dad got talking to this man from Belfast and he'd asked what my Dad's name was. Finding out his surname was McCarron he said he had served with a "Wiper" McCarron in Burma. My Dad confirmed that this was his father as he recognised his nickname as Granda Emerson had been a regimental boxer with the Skins. My Dad brought the men down to the lower bar were my Granda Emerson was. It turned out to be the 8th Belfast HAA men which my Granda Emerson had helped to rescue....something my Dad knew nothing about. He said it was the first time he had ever witnessed his father cry along with other Burma Veterans. Unfortunately my Dad can't remember the names of the men, although he does recall that one was a boxer with the 8th Belfast HAA and his nickname was "Rocky".

We often wonder what happened to this group of men....however I'm sure many of them are no longer with us after all these years.

 

Hi

I've been researching my family tree for a while now and have been concentrating on the family service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line.

My Great Grandfather John James McCarron Pte 23768 was in 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 109th Brigade of the renowned 36th Ulster Division during WW1 . He was killed in action on 10th March 1916 at the frontline in Autheille and he is buried in Autheille Military Cemetery in France.

He had two sons who went on to join up with the regiment.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt joined in the late 1920s. At the start of WW2 he was in the 2nd Battalion RoyalInniskilling Fusiliers and was part of the BEF in France. He was at Dunkirk where he sustained a head injury which caused temporary blindness. He was captured and taken POW by the Germans although he was repatriated home to Northern Ireland and spent time at Campbell College Military Hospital in Belfast.

My Grandfather Emerson Carson McCarron Cpl initially joined the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line in 1933 aged 19yrs. He later transferred a year later into the 1st BattalionRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He spent time serving in Shanghai and Tienstin in China, thenSingapore Malaya, before being sent to Indiaserving in Waziristan, Dehra Dun, Madras and Wellington to name a few. Having looked at my copy of the war diaries for the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers they initially thought they would remain in India despite the start of WW2, although that changed after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded most of the Far East. Like you grandfather he was prepared for being flown into Rangoon along with his Battalion.

Alongside him was his half brother Edward Laird Pte 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. My Granda Emerson and Edward's mother, my Great Grandmother Matilda McCarron Laird passed away suddenly in 1936. Granda Emerson was in China at thetime...Edward was only 16 and he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers shortly after his mother's death. Granda Emerson was sent home on leave prior to being sent into Burma and his half brother Edward accompanied him back to India for jungle training.

The 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were one of the only regiments to be flown into Rangoon, Burma. They were able to effectively carry out their orders to destroy the oil fields at Yenangyaung in April 1942, however the aftermath was a bit of a disaster. Edward was a Signaller who was sent out with two other Signallers to scout out, however all 3 were captured by the Japanese on 19th April 1942. Having read through the file detailing those who were injured, captured and taken POW, or killed in action within the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers I have read first hand witness accounts which give details of Edward's capture and that of his comrades. His two other Signallers were later shot....Edward had mouthed off at their treatment and he had his hands and feet bound and told to kneel. On 19th June 1942 the Japanese officer raised his Katana sword above his head and brought it down on the top of Edward's scalp splicing his head open. All three bodies were left lying on the river bank to be scavenged by vultures and whatever other wild animals that were about. Some time later other Inniskillings POWs came across the remains and obtained permission from their Japanese captors to bury all three at the side of river, although they were not allowed to remove their personal effects such as dogtags etc. Unfortunately after the war ended Edward's body was never recovered probably due to the monsoons having washed their remains away. His name is foreverremembered at Taukkyan Cemetery in Yangon present day Myanmar.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt later joined my Grandfather Emerson and the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in India as they prepared to return to Burma.

Both were involved at the Battle of Sittang River where the Battalion were surrounded by the Japanese and had to fight hand to hand to fight their way out. James McCarron was captured as were many other Inniskillings.

My Grandfather Emerson and other Inniskillings regrouped and planned to carry out a counterattack and rescue mission. The fighting was fierce and the Bren Gun my Grandfather was carrying became so hot that the metal actually burnt his hand. James, other Inniskillings POWs and 8th Belfast HAA POWs were found alive in small bamboo cages with no room to sit or lay down and the ground wascovered in excrement as many of them had dysentery and malaria. Other injured POWs had been used for target practice and bayonet practice by their Japanese captors. James told my Grandfather Emerson that they had received no medical treatment, and little food or water. Japanese soldiers would often drink water in front of them and then pour the remainder of it on to the ground whilst they walked off laughing at them. Both were later involved at the first Arakan campaign and experienced difficulties being able to cross the Sinoh pass.

My Grandfather Emerson was later returned home to St Lucia's Barracks in Omagh Co Tyrone after spending time at the hospital in Ranchi India due to Malaria and foot rot. After arriving back home he was billeted at 25th ATS at Lisanelly Barracks. James McCarron Sgt remained in India and was latered repatriated home to Omagh after the 1st Battalion left Wellington Barracks in the lead up to partition in India.

My Grandfather Emerson went onto to serve a total of 21years full time with the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and joined the 5th Royal Inniskilling TA for a further ten years. He went onto to work as a Charge Nurse at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Psychiatric Hospital in Omagh until his retirement. Unfortunately he continued to experience recurrent bouts of malaria which took a severe toll on his heart and he passed away suddenly just after his retirement in September 1980 aged just 66years old.

He never spoke of his experiences or time in Burma....until the late 70s. My Dad and Granda Emerson were at the Royal British Legion in Omagh. A group of WW2 veterans from Belfast and another from Portadown had called in. My Dad got talking to this man from Belfast andhe'd asked what my Dad's name was. Findingout his surname was McCarron he said he had served with a "Wiper" McCarron in Burma. My Dad confirmed that this was his father as he recognised his nickname as Granda Emerson had been a regimental boxer with the Skins. My Dad brought the men down to the lower bar were my Granda Emerson was. It turned out to be the 8th Belfast HAA men which my Granda Emerson had helped to rescue....something my Dad knew nothing about. He said it was the first time he had ever witnessed his father cry along with other Burma Veterans. Unfortunately my Dad can't remember the names of the men, although he does recall that one was a boxer with the 8th Belfast HAA and his nickname was "Rocky".

We often wonder what happened to this group of men....however I'm sure many of them are no longer with us after all these years.

 

Hi

I've been researching my family tree for a while now and have been concentrating on the family service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line.

My Great Grandfather John James McCarron Pte 23768 was in 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 109th Brigade of the renowned 36th Ulster Division during WW1 . He was killed in action on 10th March 1916 at the frontline in Autheille and he is buried in Autheille Military Cemetery in France.

He had two sons who went on to join up with the regiment.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt joined in the late 1920s. At the start of WW2 he was in the 2nd Battalion RoyalInniskilling Fusiliers and was part of the BEF in France. He was at Dunkirk where he sustained a head injury which caused temporary blindness. He was captured and taken POW by the Germans although he was repatriated home to Northern Ireland and spent time at Campbell College Military Hospital in Belfast.

My Grandfather Emerson Carson McCarron Cpl initially joined the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line in 1933 aged 19yrs. He later transferred a year later into the 1st BattalionRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He spent time serving in Shanghai and Tienstin in China, thenSingapore Malaya, before being sent to Indiaserving in Waziristan, Dehra Dun, Madras and Wellington to name a few. Having looked at my copy of the war diaries for the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers they initially thought they would remain in India despite the start of WW2, although that changed after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded most of the Far East. Like you grandfather he was prepared for being flown into Rangoon along with his Battalion.

Alongside him was his half brother Edward Laird Pte 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. My Granda Emerson and Edward's mother, my Great Grandmother Matilda McCarron Laird passed away suddenly in 1936. Granda Emerson was in China at thetime...Edward was only 16 and he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers shortly after his mother's death. Granda Emerson was sent home on leave prior to being sent into Burma and his half brother Edward accompanied him back to India for jungle training.

The 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were one of the only regiments to be flown into Rangoon, Burma. They were able to effectively carry out their orders to destroy the oil fields at Yenangyaung in April 1942, however the aftermath was a bit of a disaster. Edward was a Signaller who was sent out with two other Signallers to scout out, however all 3 were captured by the Japanese on 19th April 1942. Having read through the file detailing those who were injured, captured and taken POW, or killed in action within the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers I have read first hand witness accounts which give details of Edward's capture and that of his comrades. His two other Signallers were later shot....Edward had mouthed off at their treatment and he had his hands and feet bound and told to kneel. On 19th June 1942 the Japanese officer raised his Katana sword above his head and brought it down on the top of Edward's scalp splicing his head open. All three bodies were left lying on the river bank to be scavenged by vultures and whatever other wild animals that were about. Some time later other Inniskillings POWs came across the remains and obtained permission from their Japanese captors to bury all three at the side of river, although they were not allowed to remove their personal effects such as dogtags etc. Unfortunately after the war ended Edward's body was never recovered probably due to the monsoons having washed their remains away. His name is foreverremembered at Taukkyan Cemetery in Yangon present day Myanmar.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt later joined my Grandfather Emerson and the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in India as they prepared to return to Burma.

Both were involved at the Battle of Sittang River where the Battalion were surrounded by the Japanese and had to fight hand to hand to fight their way out. James McCarron was captured as were many other Inniskillings.

My Grandfather Emerson and other Inniskillings regrouped and planned to carry out a counterattack and rescue mission. The fighting was fierce and the Bren Gun my Grandfather was carrying became so hot that the metal actually burnt his hand. James, other Inniskillings POWs and 8th Belfast HAA POWs were found alive in small bamboo cages with no room to sit or lay down and the ground wascovered in excrement as many of them had dysentery and malaria. Other injured POWs had been used for target practice and bayonet practice by their Japanese captors. James told my Grandfather Emerson that they had received no medical treatment, and little food or water. Japanese soldiers would often drink water in front of them and then pour the remainder of it on to the ground whilst they walked off laughing at them. Both were later involved at the first Arakan campaign and experienced difficulties being able to cross the Sinoh pass.

My Grandfather Emerson was later returned home to St Lucia's Barracks in Omagh Co Tyrone after spending time at the hospital in Ranchi India due to Malaria and foot rot. After arriving back home he was billeted at 25th ATS at Lisanelly Barracks. James McCarron Sgt remained in India and was latered repatriated home to Omagh after the 1st Battalion left Wellington Barracks in the lead up to partition in India.

My Grandfather Emerson went onto to serve a total of 21years full time with the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and joined the 5th Royal Inniskilling TA for a further ten years. He went onto to work as a Charge Nurse at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Psychiatric Hospital in Omagh until his retirement. Unfortunately he continued to experience recurrent bouts of malaria which took a severe toll on his heart and he passed away suddenly just after his retirement in September 1980 aged just 66years old.

He never spoke of his experiences or time in Burma....until the late 70s. My Dad and Granda Emerson were at the Royal British Legion in Omagh. A group of WW2 veterans from Belfast and another from Portadown had called in. My Dad got talking to this man from Belfast andhe'd asked what my Dad's name was. Findingout his surname was McCarron he said he had served with a "Wiper" McCarron in Burma. My Dad confirmed that this was his father as he recognised his nickname as Granda Emerson had been a regimental boxer with the Skins. My Dad brought the men down to the lower bar were my Granda Emerson was. It turned out to be the 8th Belfast HAA men which my Granda Emerson had helped to rescue....something my Dad knew nothing about. He said it was the first time he had ever witnessed his father cry along with other Burma Veterans. Unfortunately my Dad can't remember the names of the men, although he does recall that one was a boxer with the 8th Belfast HAA and his nickname was "Rocky".

We often wonder what happened to this group of men....however I'm sure many of them are no longer with us after all these years.

 

Hi

I've been researching my family tree for a while now and have been concentrating on the family service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line.

My Great Grandfather John James McCarron Pte 23768 was in 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 109th Brigade of the renowned 36th Ulster Division during WW1 . He was killed in action on 10th March 1916 at the frontline in Autheille and he is buried in Autheille Military Cemetery in France.

He had two sons who went on to join up with the regiment.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt joined in the late 1920s. At the start of WW2 he was in the 2nd Battalion RoyalInniskilling Fusiliers and was part of the BEF in France. He was at Dunkirk where he sustained a head injury which caused temporary blindness. He was captured and taken POW by the Germans although he was repatriated home to Northern Ireland and spent time at Campbell College Military Hospital in Belfast.

My Grandfather Emerson Carson McCarron Cpl initially joined the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line in 1933 aged 19yrs. He later transferred a year later into the 1st BattalionRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He spent time serving in Shanghai and Tienstin in China, thenSingapore Malaya, before being sent to Indiaserving in Waziristan, Dehra Dun, Madras and Wellington to name a few. Having looked at my copy of the war diaries for the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers they initially thought they would remain in India despite the start of WW2, although that changed after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded most of the Far East. Like you grandfather he was prepared for being flown into Rangoon along with his Battalion.

Alongside him was his half brother Edward Laird Pte 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. My Granda Emerson and Edward's mother, my Great Grandmother Matilda McCarron Laird passed away suddenly in 1936. Granda Emerson was in China at thetime...Edward was only 16 and he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers shortly after his mother's death. Granda Emerson was sent home on leave prior to being sent into Burma and his half brother Edward accompanied him back to India for jungle training.

The 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were one of the only regiments to be flown into Rangoon, Burma. They were able to effectively carry out their orders to destroy the oil fields at Yenangyaung in April 1942, however the aftermath was a bit of a disaster. Edward was a Signaller who was sent out with two other Signallers to scout out, however all 3 were captured by the Japanese on 19th April 1942. Having read through the file detailing those who were injured, captured and taken POW, or killed in action within the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers I have read first hand witness accounts which give details of Edward's capture and that of his comrades. His two other Signallers were later shot....Edward had mouthed off at their treatment and he had his hands and feet bound and told to kneel. On 19th June 1942 the Japanese officer raised his Katana sword above his head and brought it down on the top of Edward's scalp splicing his head open. All three bodies were left lying on the river bank to be scavenged by vultures and whatever other wild animals that were about. Some time later other Inniskillings POWs came across the remains and obtained permission from their Japanese captors to bury all three at the side of river, although they were not allowed to remove their personal effects such as dogtags etc. Unfortunately after the war ended Edward's body was never recovered probably due to the monsoons having washed their remains away. His name is foreverremembered at Taukkyan Cemetery in Yangon present day Myanmar.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt later joined my Grandfather Emerson and the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in India as they prepared to return to Burma.

Both were involved at the Battle of Sittang River where the Battalion were surrounded by the Japanese and had to fight hand to hand to fight their way out. James McCarron was captured as were many other Inniskillings.

My Grandfather Emerson and other Inniskillings regrouped and planned to carry out a counterattack and rescue mission. The fighting was fierce and the Bren Gun my Grandfather was carrying became so hot that the metal actually burnt his hand. James, other Inniskillings POWs and 8th Belfast HAA POWs were found alive in small bamboo cages with no room to sit or lay down and the ground wascovered in excrement as many of them had dysentery and malaria. Other injured POWs had been used for target practice and bayonet practice by their Japanese captors. James told my Grandfather Emerson that they had received no medical treatment, and little food or water. Japanese soldiers would often drink water in front of them and then pour the remainder of it on to the ground whilst they walked off laughing at them. Both were later involved at the first Arakan campaign and experienced difficulties being able to cross the Sinoh pass.

My Grandfather Emerson was later returned home to St Lucia's Barracks in Omagh Co Tyrone after spending time at the hospital in Ranchi India due to Malaria and foot rot. After arriving back home he was billeted at 25th ATS at Lisanelly Barracks. James McCarron Sgt remained in India and was latered repatriated home to Omagh after the 1st Battalion left Wellington Barracks in the lead up to partition in India.

My Grandfather Emerson went onto to serve a total of 21years full time with the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and joined the 5th Royal Inniskilling TA for a further ten years. He went onto to work as a Charge Nurse at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Psychiatric Hospital in Omagh until his retirement. Unfortunately he continued to experience recurrent bouts of malaria which took a severe toll on his heart and he passed away suddenly just after his retirement in September 1980 aged just 66years old.

He never spoke of his experiences or time in Burma....until the late 70s. My Dad and Granda Emerson were at the Royal British Legion in Omagh. A group of WW2 veterans from Belfast and another from Portadown had called in. My Dad got talking to this man from Belfast andhe'd asked what my Dad's name was. Findingout his surname was McCarron he said he had served with a "Wiper" McCarron in Burma. My Dad confirmed that this was his father as he recognised his nickname as Granda Emerson had been a regimental boxer with the Skins. My Dad brought the men down to the lower bar were my Granda Emerson was. It turned out to be the 8th Belfast HAA men which my Granda Emerson had helped to rescue....something my Dad knew nothing about. He said it was the first time he had ever witnessed his father cry along with other Burma Veterans. Unfortunately my Dad can't remember the names of the men, although he does recall that one was a boxer with the 8th Belfast HAA and his nickname was "Rocky".

We often wonder what happened to this group of men....however I'm sure many of them are no longer with us after all these years.

 

This is a fantastic and very comprehensive book....I purchased a first edition copy a number of months back to help with family research. Also like yourself obtained copies of the war diaries for the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Burma and 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Dunkirk.



I've been researching my family tree for a while now and have been concentrating on the family service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line.

My Great Grandfather John James McCarron Pte 23768 was in 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 109th Brigade of the renowned 36th Ulster Division during WW1 . He was killed in action on 10th March 1916 at the frontline in Autheille and he is buried in Autheille Military Cemetery in France.

He had two sons who went on to join up with the regiment.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt joined in the late 1920s. At the start of WW2 he was in the 2nd Battalion RoyalInniskilling Fusiliers and was part of the BEF in France. He was at Dunkirk where he sustained a head injury which caused temporary blindness. He was captured and taken POW by the Germans although he was repatriated home to Northern Ireland and spent time at Campbell College Military Hospital in Belfast.

My Grandfather Emerson Carson McCarron Cpl initially joined the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons Cavalry of the Line in 1933 aged 19yrs. He later transferred a year later into the 1st BattalionRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He spent time serving in Shanghai and Tienstin in China, thenSingapore Malaya, before being sent to Indiaserving in Waziristan, Dehra Dun, Madras and Wellington to name a few. Having looked at my copy of the war diaries for the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers they initially thought they would remain in India despite the start of WW2, although that changed after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded most of the Far East. Like you grandfather he was prepared for being flown into Rangoon along with his Battalion.

Alongside him was his half brother Edward Laird Pte 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. My Granda Emerson and Edward's mother, my Great Grandmother Matilda McCarron Laird passed away suddenly in 1936. Granda Emerson was in China at thetime...Edward was only 16 and he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers shortly after his mother's death. Granda Emerson was sent home on leave prior to being sent into Burma and his half brother Edward accompanied him back to India for jungle training.

The 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were one of the only regiments to be flown into Rangoon, Burma. They were able to effectively carry out their orders to destroy the oil fields at Yenangyaung in April 1942, however the aftermath was a bit of a disaster. Edward was a Signaller who was sent out with two other Signallers to scout out, however all 3 were captured by the Japanese on 19th April 1942. Having read through the file detailing those who were injured, captured and taken POW, or killed in action within the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers I have read first hand witness accounts which give details of Edward's capture and that of his comrades. His two other Signallers were later shot....Edward had mouthed off at their treatment and he had his hands and feet bound and told to kneel. On 19th June 1942 the Japanese officer raised his Katana sword above his head and brought it down on the top of Edward's scalp splicing his head open. All three bodies were left lying on the river bank to be scavenged by vultures and whatever other wild animals that were about. Some time later other Inniskillings POWs came across the remains and obtained permission from their Japanese captors to bury all three at the side of river, although they were not allowed to remove their personal effects such as dogtags etc. Unfortunately after the war ended Edward's body was never recovered probably due to the monsoons having washed their remains away. His name is foreverremembered at Taukkyan Cemetery in Yangon present day Myanmar.

My Great Uncle James Alexander McCarron Sgt later joined my Grandfather Emerson and the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in India as they prepared to return to Burma.

Both were involved at the Battle of Sittang River where the Battalion were surrounded by the Japanese and had to fight hand to hand to fight their way out. James McCarron was captured as were many other Inniskillings.

My Grandfather Emerson and other Inniskillings regrouped and planned to carry out a counterattack and rescue mission. The fighting was fierce and the Bren Gun my Grandfather was carrying became so hot that the metal actually burnt his hand. James, other Inniskillings POWs and 8th Belfast HAA POWs were found alive in small bamboo cages with no room to sit or lay down and the ground wascovered in excrement as many of them had dysentery and malaria. Other injured POWs had been used for target practice and bayonet practice by their Japanese captors. James told my Grandfather Emerson that they had received no medical treatment, and little food or water. Japanese soldiers would often drink water in front of them and then pour the remainder of it on to the ground whilst they walked off laughing at them. Both were later involved at the first Arakan campaign and experienced difficulties being able to cross the Sinoh pass.

My Grandfather Emerson was later returned home to St Lucia's Barracks in Omagh Co Tyrone after spending time at the hospital in Ranchi India due to Malaria and foot rot. After arriving back home he was billeted at 25th ATS at Lisanelly Barracks. James McCarron Sgt remained in India and was latered repatriated home to Omagh after the 1st Battalion left Wellington Barracks in the lead up to partition in India.

My Grandfather Emerson went onto to serve a total of 21years full time with the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and joined the 5th Royal Inniskilling TA for a further ten years. He went onto to work as a Charge Nurse at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Psychiatric Hospital in Omagh until his retirement. Unfortunately he continued to experience recurrent bouts of malaria which took a severe toll on his heart and he passed away suddenly just after his retirement in September 1980 aged just 66years old.

He never spoke of his experiences or time in Burma....until the late 70s. My Dad and Granda Emerson were at the Royal British Legion in Omagh. A group of WW2 veterans from Belfast and another from Portadown had called in. My Dad got talking to this man from Belfast andhe'd asked what my Dad's name was. Findingout his surname was McCarron he said he had served with a "Wiper" McCarron in Burma. My Dad confirmed that this was his father as he recognised his nickname as Granda Emerson had been a regimental boxer with the Skins. My Dad brought the men down to the lower bar were my Granda Emerson was. It turned out to be the 8th Belfast HAA men which my Granda Emerson had helped to rescue....something my Dad knew nothing about. He said it was the first time he had ever witnessed his father cry along with other Burma Veterans. Unfortunately my Dad can't remember the names of the men, although he does recall that one was a boxer with the 8th Belfast HAA and his nickname was "Rocky".

We often wonder what happened to this group of men....however I'm sure many of them are no longer with us after all these years.