Lt J.H. Bradshaw 2RWF

My late father, LT. J. H. Bradshaw was commissioned from the ranks of the Royal Engineers (2072120) 27-04-1944, into the K.S.L.I. His war records tell me he was posted to 8 Worcs Regiment 05-05-1944 as a 2nd Lieutenant and embarked for India 26-09-1944. This is where the acronyms become a problem. Reported to GHQ (1) B.B.R.C. 26-10-1944 and posted as a W/S Lieutenant to 2/Royal Welch Fusiliers from 26 (M) Reinf Camp & TOS from X(IV) List wef 04-12-1944. There is then a gap with the last entry on his particulars of service 18-07-1945, stating,ceased to be admin by O2E A.L.F.S.E.A. and is now admin by O2E India Command & SOS A.L.F.S.E.A. In a separate notice not recorded on the main particulars was a promotion to Camp Commandant, Wadholi from 31-10-1945. He was released from the Army 01-06-1946.

I have a letter from A.G.4. Medals, The War Office enclosing a bronze Oak Leaf Emblem having being Mentioned-in- Despatches for brave conduct. London Gazette of the 10-01-1946 refers, but under K.S.L.I. not RWF. I have visited The Regimental Museum in Shrewsbury, K.S.L.I. were not in Burma, and have no records. The RWF is my last hope in trying to understand where and what he did in Burma between Dec 1944 and July 1945. Why was he Mentioned - Despatches?

Obliged if information can be obtained ... to continue the detective work!

Regards,

Mike Bradshaw.
mjeb@hotmail.com

Hi Mike,

A very warm welcome. The 2nd Bn, a very tough unit led by pre-war regulars. This was achieved because it never suffered the same battle intensity as the 1st Bn in WW2, which was decimated at Dunkirk, it's established pre-war regulars leadership chain all but destroyed. Only to be then brutally hammered at Donbaik and Kohima in 43/44.

By the time your father joined them on Dec 4th 1944, they'd been jungle-fighting since 1942, firstly at Madagascar, then into Burma, in the Mayu mountains, and latterly between August and Dec 1944, fighting the Japs along Railway Corridor from Myitkynia in the north, to Katha, located on the Irrawaddy River in the south of Burma. 2RWF were part of 29th Independent Brigade. A very robust, well trained, experienced group of fighting men. The battalion was well led, firstly by Hughie Stockwell(later D/Saceur), then by the legendary Gwydyr-Jones DSO, who was CO during your fathers period of service.

This newsletter written in Feb 1945, shows your father with 2RWF, on the seniority roll. A new platoon commander during the xmas period, well down the pecking order at that stage of his service.


http://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/att...tid=4199&stc=1



By the time your father joined them, they were just short of Naba Junction, north of Katha. Indeed the battalion entered the location on the 10th Dec 1944. A photo is attached of Officers collecting Xmas Dinner for the men.

http://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/att...tid=4200&stc=1

On the 2nd Jan, they crossed the Irrawaddy River, by the 4th they had reached Tagaung. Through Jan-March they followed the east bank of the river towrads Twingee. During this period they were in almost constant contact with the retreating Japanese and more than a match for them. I'm not surprised your father earned an MID, the actions were mainly at platoon and section level. At the moment i'm not sure where he was within the battalion, but I might get that detail in the next month or so. I'm also in contact with a Cpl from the same unit, he won an MM in Jan 1945 at Twingee, there might be a slim chance that he remembers him.

You might like to buy a copy of "The Red Dragon" by PK Kemp & John Graves. This book covers the RWF WW2 service, by battalions. It gives a good account of the 2nd Bn's movements through Dec 44 - the end of the war and will be useful to follow their skirmishes, especially if we manage to pin him to a company(difficult). Expect to pay about £30, as it was only published once in 1960. Try "Abe Books"