John (Jack Brailsford) WW2 - Burma, India, Japan.

[ianbford]

My Dad Jack Brailsford (christened John but known as jack) passed away 8th Feb 2014 aged 91. He never spoke much about the war and I never really asked too much. Wish I had now, but it was not a good memory so did not want to upset him.

What I do know is;

Born 25.10.1922
From Loughborough in Leicestershire.

Fought in Burma
Was also in India
Got Malaria
Taken POW
Refused the top brass of the US Fleet access to land as they did not have a pass.
Guarded a Japanese Officer to stop him committing suicide
Went into Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb
Rejected his medals at the end of the war


Not much to go on I know but I think he was with Royal Welch Fuseliers and hoped someone could point me in the right direction to verify some of this information

[Jerry B]

Hello Ian,

You should be able to find your dads records from the mod, try following the instructions from this link, I was able to get my dads records, it takes about 6 months. Good luck.

http://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/showthread.php?18666-FAQs-HOW-DO-I-OBTAIN-SERVICE-RECORDS-FOR-WW2-PERSONNEL

[Jerry B]

Here is the link direct to the mod for service records. It explains everything you need.

https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

[ap1]

Welcome Ian.

We're not sure he was RWF. Firstly he doesn't appear on a database of WW2 veterans from the regiment. The database is not 100% so that may be why. However in WW2, we had 2 x battalions fighting in India and Burma(1st & 2nd Battalions). To my best knowledge neither battalion had men taken into captivity and registered as POW's. (Those captured were either rescued by their comrades, whilst the engagement was still going on or reported "Missing" and assumed to have been executed later by the Japanese. Certainly they were never seen again). The 2nd Battalion did deploy into Japan at the end of the war. They were stationed in Tokyo.

Why do you think he was RWF? Is there any other detail?

Do you have Jacks Army Service No? You will need that to apply for his service records?

Is it possible Jack was a member of "The Welch Regiment"? Their museum AT Brecon offers a fixed £25 fee for an initial search. If they have access to The Welch Regiment Enlistment Register, they may be able to tell you more. http://royalwelsh.org.uk/research/soldier-search.htm

[ianbford]

Thanks for all the help with where I can find Dad's records. I have the attached photograph which looks like it is at a port somewhere as there is a large ship behind.
3243

[dcdl12976]

Looking at that picture enlarged 200% it appears to me they are all RAF. And I would say the background is one of the Airship hangers at RAF Cardington.
If im correct then you may like try sending the picture to the lady who runs this site, she is very helpful and will assist if she can.

www.rafcardingtoncamp.co.uk

[Jerry B]

Looking at that picture enlarged 200% it appears to me they are all RAF. And I would say the background is one of the Airship hangers at RAF Cardington.
If im correct then you may like try sending the picture to the lady who runs this site, she is very helpful and will assist if she can.

The same to my eyes, all RAF in the picture.

[dcdl12976]

And im almost certain it is one of the Airship hangers at Cardington in the background (I have done a fair bit of research on Number two recruitment centre) since my dad says he did his parachute training there prior to him being used to go into occupied northern France on several occasions

[dcdl12976]

www.rafcardingtoncamp.co.uk (http://www.rafcardingtoncamp.co.uk) go to RAF Cardington 1936 1939 then to No 2 School of Recruits

If you look a the map for 1938 there is only 2 possible locations for where the picture was taken so if I am correct and I am sure I am then we can pinpoint exactly (to within a few yards) where the photo was taken.

Cheers

Dave

[Sylfan]

My late father in law was initially at 2RC, when he was enlisted into the RAF on the 26/08/1942 which I believe stands for Recruits Centre according to RAF records abbreviation sheet which accompanied his military record and 2RC I believe was RAF Cardington. From there he went to 16RC which was Great Yarmouth I believe to do his square bashing. On completion of that he then went on to train for his allotted specialization at Plotter School. He was 41 years of age by the time he joined the RAF. He had been trying to join up earlier but was unsuccessful and so had joined the Observer Corp hoping one day he would be accepted into the RAF.
Sylfan

[Sylfan]

I have just looked at a photograph of my father in law in a group titled on it (just below the feet of the men in the front row) 418 and Aug 30 1942. It is in the same identical position between the huts as your photograph and the arranging of the group is identical with 23 members present. The photograph is not too clear however I think at least one of the trainers in the front centre may be the same in both photographs. I would post the photograph on the forum but my scanner has failed at the present.

Sylfan

[ianbford]

All seems a little confusing. I have his cap badge and a blazer that clearly states Royal Welch Fusiliers, but the blazer was bought in the past 20 years so no evidence there. He was definitely in Burma and went into India. The bit I am less sure on is the POW aspect. He did talk of training in Brecon Becons and two anecdotes I do recall were 1. Where he refused the top brass of the American Fleet permission to come ashore as they di not have a pass, which made him very unpopular with those Yanks, but got a pat on the back off his Sargent 2 He talked of being stoned by the locals when they were in India. He was certainly infantry in Burma as he also talked of being first in the line, but that was a good thing as the Japs would normally hide till you had passed and start shooting at the back. He also had a Japanese bayonet and sheath which he was given by a Japanese Officer who he was detailed to guard after the surrender to keep him alive. I was also told that he was tested and selected for the SAS, but chose to de-mob as he had not long been married.

All seems a bit vague, but like I said he did not talk about it much and my Mum always warned me off asking questions about the subject. Thanks for your help though.

[Sylfan]

Could it be that he may have been in the RAF Regiment, they served in Burma. see link -

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline1945.cfm

[ianbford]

Could it be that he may have been in the RAF Regiment, they served in Burma. see link -

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline1945.cfm

Thanks for the lead. Anything is possible but he always told me Royal Welch. The only link to RAF was the selection for the SAS, but as I said I have no information to confirm any of it. He definitely served as i have seen some documentation showing where he had a payment from MOD for injury or illness caused from his service. I will have to find it to get the correct wording.

In the meantime I think I will try and get his records, although I do not have his service number.

[ianbford]

Today, I have been to my Dad's funeral, which was outstanding thanks to the brilliant Royal British Legion.

I was talking with one of his friends and have now been told that yes he was Royal Welch, but he did join the SAS. Do any of you know if there was an SAS attachment to Royal Welch in Burma during World War 2 or if any of this makes sense to you?

Thanks
Ian

[dcdl12976]

If im honest very little makes sense Ian, not sure about SAS involvement in Burma though Mike Calvert who later commanded the SAS Brigade was with the Chindits there.

So far as I m aware the SAS only served in North Africa, Italy and North West Europe in WW2 though given the nature of the beast thy may well have had a presence in the 14th Amy area of operations.Not sure if the Regiment was involved with the Chindits maybe others can tell you that.

The only thing I can suggest is that he enlisted in the RAF and was later transferred to the Army or the photo you have does not have your father on it. Is there perhaps anything written on the back of the picture to help us.
Another possibility is V force an intelligence gathering unit in Burma.

[Drew5233]

Definitely worth getting a copy of his service records-These are the foundation that all individual soldiers research are built on.

Assuming you have applied for them I would also consider checking if he completed a PoW liberation questionnaire and see if there is a Japanese PoW Index Card on him at the National Archives. If you find out the unit(s) he served with I can list the units war diaries for you on here. They will tell you what his unit was doing on a day to day basis and where they were doing it at the very least.

[ianbford]

Drew5233, thank you so much, but I have not applied for his records yet, but fully intend to.

All hearsay at the moment but family and friends are saying he was NOT a POW, but joined the Royal Welch and then joined SAS.