Tom Davies 1RWF Burma/India 1942-45

[Thom15]

Glad you could find us Roy58!

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[Roy58]

Hello

My father served in the RWF from 1941 to 1945 In Burma. I have recently come across photos of his time in Burma. These are mainly of the comrades he served with and sadly at which battle some lost there lives. If appropriate I would like to add them to the gallery. Could someone let me know how to do this.

[ap1]

Welcome Roy, we would love to post them. Are you on Facebook? or would you like to email them to me. Include the detail and i will post them for you.

Incidentally, what was the details of your fathers service, his name, bn, number etc?

I am in contact with two veterans from that period, in fact I'm meeting up with them next monday. One served with the 1st Bn, the other with the 2nd Bn, both in Burma/India.

[Roy58]

Hello AP1

Tom Davies was father name not sure of his details will speak to my mum to be accurate. He was very active in the Burma star Mid Wales Branch and Shropshire Branch.

How do I attach photos and will be scanning some more over the next few weeks. What is your e mail

Roy

[ap1]

I'v event you a private message Roy, you will see my email address on that. I suspect that will be the easiest way for you to get the pictures onto here. I will do the donkey work. I'm a Shropshire Lad myself, where was your father from. He will certainly have known Harold Jones & Ted Jones MM, both of the Welshpool Comrades Branch. The attached picture was taken at the Burma Star AGM held at the Arboretum two weeks ago. Harold and Ted MM, with Viscount & Lady Slim.

IMG_1614.jpg

[Roy58]

Allan

I believe my dad was vice president of the Mid Wales and Shropshire. My Mum Beryl knows Harold and ted very well.

[ap1]

Roy has sent me a great set of pictures. The first one below was taken pre-Donbaik. The NCO in the front rank Cpl Stan Carter was killed at Donbaik on the 16 March 1943. So your father Roy was a member of the 1st Battalion, Harold Jones shown in my picture would have known him.

screenshot147.jpg

Rear: Smith, Howells, Tom Davies, Williams, Love, Evans, Jones, Max Jones 19


Front: Wheeler(KIA), Calvert, Cpl Carter(KIA), Marks??(KIA), LCpl Evans




Walter Davies - of Mold KIA Paliak Mandalay.jpg

Fusilier Walter Davies from Mold. Who was killed with the 1st Bn near Mandalay on 1st March 1945.

RWF Football Team - Burma 1944.jpg

1RWF: Football team 1944/Location unknown, possibly Burma.




Jones 79.jpg

Fusilier Jones 79 - 1RWF Burma 1944




The images have been loaded onto the Picture Gallery and posted on Facebook/Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/royalwelchf...8?notif_t=like

[Roy58]

Thanks Allan I hope other families get as much out of these pictures as we have. Is it possible to find out about my dad's service record as I would love to be able to give it to my mum as present.

[ap1]

You certainly can Roy. You will need to click on the links below, download then print out the required forms. Fill them out, include your Dads service number and then send the documents, along with a copy of his death certificate and a cheque for £35 to the address on the forms. It will take a month or so, to receive the medals back:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html

[ap1]

screenshot147.jpg

Regarding the Group picture:
Rear: Smith, Howells, Tom Davies, Williams, Love, Evans, Jones, Max Jones 19


Front: Wheeler(KIA), Calvert, Cpl Carter(KIA), Marks(KIA), LCpl Evans

Some background detail:

Fusilier Emrys Marks from Llanelli shown in the named group shot - Front Rank, 2nd from right. Was missing presumed killed on the 18 March 1943 at Donbaik. A terrible days fighting, with the men desperately trying to get inside the Japanese Bunkers, whilst the enemy brought in arty/mortar fire on themselves in order to stop the fusiliers taking their positions. Two days previous, the guy sitting to the immediate left of Emrys, Cpl Stan Carter was killed.

Bill Slim later said: about the action on the 18th March 1943. “It was a battle which should never have been fought, It is a hard thing to say but it is so .... The last and final assault.... were led by the Royal Welch Fusiliers and on that day they showed valour which I think has rarely been surpassed. They stormed the position, they took it and were on top of those bunkers but they could not get inside them. They stood there until, I am afraid, most of them had been knocked out by the machine guns and artillery. As a place of sheer courage, I do not think it has ever been surpassed...”