WJ Daniel - 2n Bn - Burma

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Once again welcome to the forum

Thanks grahamd, from the staff at Royal Welch Forum

Seasons greetings to you all. Thank you very much for the welcome message.

My reason for joining is to try and trace some information on a relative (my fathers older brother who served in Burma with 2 RWF and was Killed in Action. Place: Burma (Fusilier William James Daniel was originally buried in the Mandalay Military Cemetery before reburial at Taukkyan War Cemetery.) He is also commemorated on the Aberystwyth War Memorial. I have his army record from APC Glasgow but cannot find out where he died. I assume it was the push for either Meiktila or Mandalay, but cant find which operations/battles 2 RWF took part in.

Do you think the Unit War Diaries for the period immediately before and after his date of death might be a useful point?
Do any of your members have any information about the Regiment in India/Burma from 1943 to early 1945.

Hope someone is able to help.

Once again many thanks

Welcome GrahamD,

On the 2nd Jan 1945, the 2nd Bn crossed the huge Irrawaddy River near to Tigayaing. By the 4th Jan they had reached Tagaung. Over the next month, they as part of 29th Ind Brigade followed the east bank of the Irrawaddy heading towards Twingge. Completely cut-off, they could only be re-supplied by air. As they advanced they dealt with strong Japanese opposition bunkered along the route. By the 1st Feb Twingee had been captured by the Royal Scots Fusiliers. The War Diary may give a clue and although he is unlikely to be mentioned by name, there are only about 11 deaths from the 2nd Bn from the 2 Jan - 2 Feb. I can discount two of those men as I know their back-story. One of the issues would be if he "Died of Wounds", so perhaps in hospital.

Tomorrow I'm having lunch with a veteran from that battalion, also a Mid-Wales man. Hopefully he may be aware of the incident, although I should point out, he was injured on the 11 Jan, so may have been in hospital. Lets see what he knows.

Hello,
I have found a Fusilier named as William James Daniel number 14320767 2nd Battalion R W F age 20 years old he died on the 3rd of February 1945. He was the son of David James Daniel and Mary Alice Daniel of Aberystwyth Cardiganshire Grave 2 C 1-13. In Taukkyan war Cemetery
Regards R B D aka jungle1810

Very many thanks for your help. Have a very merry Christmas.

Very many thanks, that is really useful and interesting. Have a merry Christmas and best wishes for 2015.

Here's a list of the battalions war diaries covering WW2 held at The National Archives in London. Regarding him getting a mention in the diary. It does happen but not that often. The worst case is you will know what the battalion was doing on the day of his death and where they were doing it, anything else treat as a bonus.

WO 166/4625 2 Royal Welch Fusiliers 1940 Aug-1941 Dec
WO 166/8928 2 Royal Welch Fusiliers 1942 Jan-May
WO 174/36 2 Royal Welch Fusiliers 1942 Apr-Dec
WO 172/2553 2 Royal Welch Fusiliers 1943 Jan-Feb
WO 172/4926 2 Royal Welch Fusiliers 1944 Jan-Dec
WO 172/7673 2 Royal Welch Fusiliers 1945 Jan-Dec

Another option but nothing is 100% he may get a mention in the Missing Men File:

WO 361/446 Burma: The Royal Welch Fusiliers, 2nd campaign; missing personnel
WO 361/447 Burma: The Royal Welch Fusiliers, 3rd campaign; missing personnel

Cheers
Andy

Very many thanks Andy. I hope you have a good Christmas.
Graham

Hello Grahamd,
May I wish you and yours a merry Xmas and a happy new year.
Regards R B D