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/sho...-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-pers...ervice-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.
Dad during the war(5th left middle row).jpg

[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 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