Sad news. My condolences to you and your family. About your other project, you may consider to contact Paul Reed (one of forum admins). His father also served in 24th Field Regiment RA and I believe that he will be able to give you some details about regiment. Anzio: My Father's War, 24th Field Regiment RA
Thank you gentlemen, and also Sol for the tip on Paul Reed. I am aware of him and had read his Father's diary back in '04. I think I also exchanged a few mails with him at the time as I was researching the campaign prior to taking the old boy out there to "say farewell" to his best chum 'Ginger', (Lt. J. Newton) killed on 8th Feb 1944. Even back in '04 he was stooped yet in this brief moment he straightened his back and delivered the appropriate gesture before emptying my hip flask (containing a very fine malt) upon the soil. I now have a Diary he wrote of an unusual 'mission' in late '45 taking a train full of Polish troops back to Poland, the 'scheme' was abandoned after the forth such train as the realisation was dawning upon 'high Command' what was happening to the poor chaps once handed over. I'll make it available if anyone is interested.
Some nice maps on eBay for anyone with a few quid going spare: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Arakan-Campaign-of-the-twenty-fifth-indian-division-march-Burma-WWII-Maps-/191188605474?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item2c83ba9a22
Beautiful maps Steve but its little expensive for me. Shame that publications like this are so rare, it would be nice if somebody (some museum maybe) republish them. Recently on ebay was sold a booklet about 3/2nd Gurkhas at Snowden East, 32 page long written by Dominic Neill, for little over £100. Wonder why Gurkha Museum don't republish this and others (if there are any) and sell in their shop.
Hi Enes, I'm sorry I missed the booklet from Dominic Neill. That would have been very useful to me. I agree with you in regard to the Gurkha Museum and perhaps republishing these kind of items. I think their fear is if all the diaries, photos and books can be bought or accessed in this way, then people will not visit the museum at all. It is understandable. If the eBay maps were Chindit 1, I wouldn't hesitate to buy them. Best wishes Steve
I understand that, but for those who don't have a chance to visit Winchester (like me) it would be nice if they offer a little more publication than they do now. Of course if those map are about the Retreat from Burma, especially Sittang and before, I would do same
I have finally written the story of Major Joseph Eric Stephenson for my website. His brave actions during the Arakan campaign are mentioned on the pages of this thread, so I thought I would place the link to his story here too. Thanks to forum members sol and Binro for their invaluable input. http://www.chinditslongcloth1943.com/major-joseph-eric-stephenson.html
A cracking piece of work, really pulls all the patchwork of info together and presents it beautifully. My hat off to you sir!