Talk about coincidence these men where in the same battery they would certainly have known each other. that is quite a connection after all this time.
Hi gpo's son, did you have a relative in the same battery, if so definately a coincidence. My uncle Tom was in the 240 bty 77HAA regiment. We knew he was killed at sea and I have found out he was on the Tamahoko Maru
Pamela No; sorry, I was just commenting the other chap Hoppo1 who mentioned a relative in the same Battery. My dad was in RCA in Italy. My point was a battery is pretty small 'place' and they would certianly have known each other .
Thanks gpo's son, sorry I thought you were related to hoppo1. I often wonder if anyone from the same battery or regiment is still alive. Probably not I guess they would be in their nineties by now. I wish I had started my research years ago. pamela
Pamela we all seem to go through this. In my case it was quite clear most tof the time that dad didn't really want to talk about it. I learned most of his stories while hiding on the strairs evesdropping at times when the older Nieghbours boys/men came by to try to get him drunk and talking; they did get him talking; but, I never saw him drunk...they on the other hand didn't fair as well. Matt
Hi Matt, I know what you mean. I have been researching my dads brother Tom after I found a letter to my dad after he passed away from Tom. The letter was dated a couple of months before Tom was captured. Another brother of dads was captured at the same time and he survived as a prisoner for three and a half years and he would never talk about it either. He never knew that Tom didn't survive till after the war as he never saw him again after capture. He would never speak of his experiences but we knew he suffered terribly. We never really knew what happened to Tom and although it was many years before I was born after I found the letter I wanted to try to piece together as many details as I could. Pam
Hi I am still searching for information on my uncle and was wondering if anyone has access to forces war records uk. I have found him doing a search but I am not a member so I am unable to see the record. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. His name is thomas henry bartlett. If you search thomas bartlett ww2 six entries appear, there is only one thomas henry (gunner). I did search their pow lists which is free but couldn't find anything there. Still waiting on his records from glasgow but got about another five months to wait. pam
Pamela, hopefully this is what you were looking for. Initials: T H First Name: THOMAS HENRY Surname: BARTLETT Rank: Gunner Service Number: 867420 Regiment: Royal Artillery Additional Regiment Info: 240 Battery, 77 H.A.A. Regiment Commemorated: British Age: 25 Date of Death: 24/06/1944 Family: Parents: Frederick James Bartlett and Ellen Bartlett, of Cathays, Glamorgan. Record Year: 1944 Campaign Medals: 1939-45 War Medal 1939-45 Star Wayne
Pamela, something else I found, not sure if I posted this before. From the listing of British POW's held by Japan. The camp indicated is JA, thus JAVA. Wayne
Hi Wayne, thanks very much, thats him, was it from the forces website? First I knew of any medals, can you tell me what they were for? did everyone get them? regards pam
Hi Wayne, thanks very much, thats him, was it from the forces website? First I knew of any medals, can you tell me what they were for? did everyone get them? regards pam Hi Pam, yes it is the information from the Forces Website. War Medal 1939-45 The War Medal was awarded to those who served in the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy, full time for at least 28 days between the 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. In the case of Merchant Seamen the 28 days must have been served at sea. Clasps: None, but see note. Note: For those who were “Mentioned in Despatches” a single bronze ‘Oak Leaf’ was worn in place of a clasp. And for those awarded a “King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct”, a silver ‘Oak Leaf’’ was worn in place of a clasp. 1939-45 star The 1939-45 star was awarded for service in World War 2. The medal was awarded for operational service between the 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. Naval personnel qualified if they completed six months service, and at least one voyage was made through an operational area. Clasps: None to Naval personnel. Note: The 1939-45 star was immediately awarded in the event of death on active service, disability or wounding. Anyone who was awarded a “Mention in Despatches”, also received an immediate award. Wayne
Hi Wayne, thanks very much for that. Do you know of any sites where I might find where tom was after capture march 42 until he appears on the tamahoko maru deceased list june 44 I have tried red cross but they didn't have any more information than I already knew. I know he was in java main camp but can't find any camp movements for him. I did find his brother william (roly) bartlett mentioned being moved from one camp to another but can't find a thing on tom during the two years and three months he was a pow. Still waiting on his records from glasgow. regards pam