1945. Wilcox wrote a short book. Which details the time he spent with 76th Column.He being R.A.F. He tells the story of the ranks relentless struggle through jungle,sweltering heat,monsoon, and all manner of disease.No mention being made of General's etc. Only the steadfast Yorkshire man, together, with at times his humorous wit, makes this little book a must read. I live in the North East of England. Wilcox makes reference in his book to Saltburn, Yorkshire Coast,also Stokesley Show.Both these places are only a few miles from where I live. I would really like to know if he was indeed a local man?Regards, Veronica.
Hi Veronica What other info do you have on him, first name?, middle name?, age or date of birth? etc anything that might help TD
Hi TD, and thank you for your reply. Book was printed in India 1945. Making all he encounters so vivid.Not written decades later gives it that edge. No information whatsoever to his name,age etc. He spent three months with the column 1944 then left them to their fighting. My very young Grandson loved the hand drawn map with route from Naga village to village. If I knew they were perhaps a local family, I would have liked to contact them.I have a couple of photo's that may interest them. Also a few tales to tell of several of the men he mentions. Regards, Veronica.
Hi Veronica, I am hoping that one of the Chindit specialists will pick up this thread and provide more details on him, then hopefully I can find the right man and see where we go to from there. If you edit your first post it will allow you to add 'tags', so words like Chindit, 76th Column etc would be useful TD
Hi Both, I do not have a copy of this book, nor have I read it myself. However, it was discussed last year on the forum as part of this thread: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/53412-1st-battalion-essex-regiment-burma-44th-56th-columns/?hl=%2Bw.a.+%2Bwilcox#entry625583 I have never seen his name identified as anything other than W.A. Wilcox, but there is another avenue of investigation found in the above link. Good luck moving forward. Steve
Hi TD Chindit Column 76 Hardcover – 1945 by W. A. Wilcox (Author) You can find this on Amazon, and a review of the book. I am unable to find out what the W A stands for yet, although what I'm finding Is ,,,,, William Arthur seems to fit. David
This could indeed be him, birth registered in Middlesborough, and Saltburn is very close by, Name: William A Wilcox Mother's Maiden Surname: Graham Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1919 Registration district: Middlesbrough Inferred County: Yorkshire North Riding Volume Number: 9d Page Number: 896 TD His book info: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chindit-Column-76-W-Wilcox/dp/B000NX2K5M It may be worth a call to the publishers if they still exist
Hi Veronica, hope the info helps. It looks like he was a local man you might find his family and show them the pictures you have. Good luck David
Hi David, many thanks.You must have spent quite a time looking for him. Within his story he tells of thinking back to being at Saltburn with his future wife.I don't recall that he named her. I can't re- read at the moment, as book was nicked by my Grandson. I looked through marriages.I came up with a Walter A. married Middlesbrough 1941 spouse, Marjorie Mitchell. I won't give up. Answers are there, somewhere! Have a good day. Veronica.
No problem Veronica, I enjoy a challenge (when there is a lead), hope you find the answer to your quest. David
He may well have had a sister: Name: Doris M Wilcox Mother's Maiden Surname: Graham Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1923 Registration district: Middlesbrough Inferred County: Yorkshire North Riding Volume Number: 9d Page Number: 972 and his parents marriage: Name: Arnold Wilcox Spouse Surname: Graham Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1918 Registration district: Middlesbrough Inferred County: Yorkshire North Riding Volume Number: 9d Page Number: 1241 Name: Mildred M Graham Spouse Surname: Wilcox Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1918 Registration district: Middlesbrough Inferred County: Yorkshire North Riding Volume Number: 9d Page Number: 1241 TD
Veronica The marriage you found was for a Walter - not William, although this could be a transcription error somewhere along the line Name: Walter A Wilcox Spouse Surname: Mitchell Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1941 Registration district: Middlesbrough Inferred County: Yorkshire North Riding Volume Number: 9d Page Number: 1465 Name: Marjorie J Mitchell Spouse Surname: Wilcox Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1941 Registration district: Middlesbrough Inferred County: Yorkshire North Riding Volume Number: 9d Page Number: 1465 TD
Hi David Williams birth details are in post 9 (born 1919) and then possibly his sister Doris in 1924 (post 13). I can find no family trees for them as yet. The fly in the ointment is the marriage details Veronica posted and I have found (post 14) for a Walter Wilcox and not William. But I would guess a copy or at least sight of that marriage certificate would show any transcription errors, if there are any. As you know this type of research is never 100% TD