AIRBOURNE FORCES - Indian Army

Discussion in 'British Indian Army' started by Scrumfive, Aug 11, 2011.

  1. Scrumfive

    Scrumfive Junior Member

    It is strange how someone's passing makes you more eager to find things out and you wish you had asked them when alive.

    BASIL JON Caldecourt born 24th August 1924, died 23rd July 2011. Served in Parachute Regiment (India), commissioned in Sept 1944 and returned to UK in 1947. I understand that he was attached to one of the Gurkha Airbourne Brigades, took the surrender of many Japanese and was on Mountbatten's Staff for a while.

    That is all I know at the moment until I start digging through photos in boxes and head off to the British Library!

    The story I wish to follow is relatively simple - Jon, as he was always called, was born in Burma, and sent back to UK at 5. He never saw his Father until he returned as a soldier and they passed briefly somewhere in either Burma/India. He father then walked over 500 miles to safety with his mother leaving on the last flight from Rangoon. However the time frame is unclear. I believe he never saw his father again as he died before he got back.

    I would like to find out what JON did in this, re tell the story and highlight some more the reality of that went on in that region up until 1947. He was MID but the dress medals I have seem not to be the ones on his uniform in a picture I have of him.

    If anyone can add some background and direction to this, I would be very grateful.
     
  2. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Welcome Scrumfive, here is a link that may be if intrest, and in the meantime I will see what I can dig up...... the MID you mention is not shown on the link but there are a few on here that can help in that area......all the best Jason. INDIAN PARA - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour EDIT. It sounds like he may have been with at first 153 or 154 Gurkha Parachute Battalion, and could you post the picture you mention.
     
  3. Jedburgh22

    Jedburgh22 Very Senior Member

    There is much in the TNA Kew Files - WO & HS series on the retreat from Burma - there is nothing on him on Kew on a surname search - though he may be listed in the unit files.

    Should you go to the British Library and want help with the Indian Army files drop me a private mail and I'll meet up to guide you through the paper based catalogues there

    Welcome to the Forum


    Steven
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    There's over 5,000 Mention in Despatches searchable online with the National Archives and unfortunately he's not listed. The database is not complete though.

    I would suggest obtaining a copy of his service records as a starting point and from there look at viewing his units war diaries at the National Archives.

    Good luck
    Andy
     
  5. Scrumfive

    Scrumfive Junior Member

    Many thanks for the reply - I will update with more information soon as I can extract from a gradual sorting of his belongings and his wife's "ring round" of old friends, one of two of whom I believe Jon knew at the time in question.
     
  6. Scrumfive

    Scrumfive Junior Member

    Will do my best on the photo, plus one of two others I have.......
     
  7. Scrumfive

    Scrumfive Junior Member

    Here is the picture.....

    Pity, I have just learnt that he sold the sword he took at the surrender I mentioned about 20 years ago - I know there were a few available given the number of Japanese officers involved at the time, but I think his best mate got one at the same time. Although he is still alive, he has dementia and on being told of Jon's passing, no reaction what so ever. However, his wife thinks it is in their loft!!!!!

    Please bear with me, one and all, need to plot a path through all this...
     

    Attached Files:

  8. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum. He wear badge of 3rd Madras Regiment on the beret. But he also have collar badge of the Lincolnshire Regiment.
     
  9. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Unless he has wings on that right shoulder I would lean toward hime being Airborne the 'Pegasus India' sure gives that fact, but as you mention Gurkhas my earlier mention of 153&154 might ring true if he does have wings, funnily enough in the book With Pegasus In India, it mentions 153 meeting a company of the 3rd Madras Regiment on June 22 1944 just outside the village of Tumoukhong.
     
  10. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Picture is taken after the war, probably during 1947, after the Lincolnshire Regiment became "Royal". At that time in the 44th Airborne Division there was 2nd (Para) Bn, The Madras Regiment. So he could be attached to this unit after the war while he probably served with some of Indian Airborne battalions during the war.
     
  11. Tab

    Tab Senior Member

    Col Munro set up the first Indian Army Parachute Regiment back in the early 1940's. He was an honoured guest to India during there 50th Anniversary parades in 1997. He is now in his late 90's and living in Spain
     
  12. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    After the war Indian Parachute Regiment was disbanded and seems that the personnel of two Indian battalions were distributed among new parachute battalions from Indian regiments while those from Gurkha battalions were returned to Gurkha Rifles regiments. I don't know what happened with their officers.
     
  13. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Picture is taken after the war, probably during 1947, after the Lincolnshire Regiment became "Royal". At that time in the 44th Airborne Division there was 2nd (Para) Bn, The Madras Regiment. So he could be attached to this unit after the war while he probably served with some of Indian Airborne battalions during the war.
    Good call Sol, until Scrumfive, can give us more details im not sure we can go much further:unsure: A link of intrest. Training the 44th Indian Airborne Division 1945 at War relics forum This next link shows the way regiments etc, changed during the war and after hopefully there may be a direct link to what Sol has mentioned back to a wartime unit. Indian Army AirborneSF
     
  14. Scrumfive

    Scrumfive Junior Member

    Many thanks to you all for the support - will keep you up to date as I uncover more - his widow having a sort out and there are more photos to come.

    Once again, my thanks
     
  15. Scrumfive

    Scrumfive Junior Member

    Attached another photo - Jon 3rd from left back row. No markings on back of picture or frame - please excuse quality. Not sure if this helps at moment but may do in the future.
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Scrumfive

    Scrumfive Junior Member

    And have found entry in London Gazette 1 Dec 1944 No 5523 - refers to Basil Jon Caldecourt (second column just after half way). Not sure what the number is or RAC.....
     
  17. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    And have found entry in London Gazette 1 Dec 1944 No 5523 - refers to Basil Jon Caldecourt (second column just after half way). Not sure what the number is or RAC.....

    This mean that he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Indian Army on 1st December 1944 from the Royal Armoured Corps (R.A.C.). Number EC.14655 is his service number after commission.

    Viewing Page 5523 of Issue 36821
     
  18. Scrumfive

    Scrumfive Junior Member

    That makes sense - his wife mentioned that Jon started out with Tanks and that a piece of Durham Cathedral is missing due to some sort of accident. He told her he asked for a transfer from them as the thought of the inside of a tank as your final resting place was horrible.

    I am following up a link with Sandhurst, reportedly where he met his best mate......

    Thanks again
     
  19. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

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