Hello everyone, I was recently given all of these documents from a family member relating to my grandfather, speaking to my mum and family friends I understand my grandad was stationed in Hong Kong, Pakistan and India but they all specifically mention his time in Burma where he was stabbed in the leg with a bayonet. Looking at the service records I cannot see any mention of Burma but then I am really struggling to understand a lot of the handwriting and abbreviations on the documents I have uploaded. I can see that he was transferred around units a fair bit and reached the rank of WO2 according to his discharge paperwork. Understandably, my grandad never spoke about the war and now my mum is really interested to learn more about his time overseas, if anyone could help us understand the documents more I would be so grateful.
It’s tough to try and make sense of the records, it doesn’t help that my grandad refused all medals up until his death in the 90s so it is harder for us to know where he was or what he was entitled to.
Hi Michaele, have you made any progress ? I am willing to assist you if you haven't. There seems to be some similarities between your grandad and mine. Neither claimed their medals. Both were in the Royal Engineers. Both in transportation (docks,water transport) Both in TnTc (I am quite knowledgeable about this now after 2 years !) Both flew out to Manipur. Ignore the fact that Burma is not mentioned in his military records, for a huge amount of these men the records do not show they were in Burma. My grandad was there from Mar/April 1945 to August 1945 but nothing on military records as it did not show this for any of the men that entered via India. This is in fact evidenced in MANY cases in the company/unit war diary of the men NOT on the military records. If you want a chat or help (for free) just let me know. Rob
Entry to Burma when done via India was regularly not on the military records (as I found for my own grandfather)
Here we go for starters there is a war diary placing the 907 Port Operating Coy in Burma from May 1945 Burma: Royal Engineers: Companies: 907 Port Operating Company (RE Coy) | The National Archives
Reply to this thread if you need help (for free) or direct message me on here I think you'll have similar questions to me 2 years ago. I have many of the answers it look some time ! I even had to produce a copy of the war diary to the Medal Office to obtain my grandad's Burma Star because as I say the military records did not show evidence of any of the men entering Burma from India. This will be similar for you and the 907 Port Operating Coy (most probably) Cheers
There is no mention of Burma in these records. 907 Port Operating Company was in India and then Hong Kong, which tallies exactly with the above records. Reference to 'flying to Manipur' is an error. It actually says 'Deplaned Mauripur' which is near Karachi and was the main Air Trooping location in India.
If 907 Coy was not in Burma what is this war diary at the National Archives Burma: Royal Engineers: Companies: 907 Port Operating Company (RE Coy) | The National Archives
Well, I haven't read it, but neither have you, I would guess. It is probably just inaccurate organization of records by the PRO/TNA. For example; 7 S Lan R never entered Burma during WW2. It was a training battalion for most of the war and never left India, but here we have a whole series of WD in the subseries BURMA and BRITISH INFANTRY. Burma 1942: Infantry: 7 South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) | The National Archives Burma 1943: British Infantry: 7 South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) | The National Archives Burma: British Infantry: 7 South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) | The National Archives Burma: British Infantry: 7 South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) | The National Archives
As the person is doing family research the existence of the war diary is significant. It will at least clarify the Burma question, one way or other and give them some detail of movements, tasks and location of the company. The absence of Burma in the individual's military records is I think insignificant given what I have seen. However, it is of course possible, as you state the Burma tag or classification on the war diary is inaccurate. What I find interesting is that if you search 907 Coy or 907 POC in the Burma Memorial Site it doesn't list members of that company with the Burma Star. Which you would expect to see. In any case hopefully the thread author can get a copy of the diary and fill in some blanks about their grandfather's service.
