4192316 Edward Edwards 2RWF/Madagascar

[Philip Edwards]

I have recently retired from the coal industry after 42 years and being a Wrexham lad born and bred have relations that have served with the Royal Welch 1st and 2nd battalions . My Dad was in the Madagascar campaign and his best man was killed in the Arakan Burma campaign in the 2nd battalion, my uncle was the youngest Sergeant major in the 1st battalion he told me about the battle that turned the Japanese at Imphal and Kohima, how they fought hand to hand, I would like to know more about my father's war as he was unable to talk about it ,I'm trying to find out his service number.

[ap1]

Hi Phil,

Welcome. What was your Dads name/DOB etc?

[Philip Edwards]

Dad's name Edward Edwards Nick name twilight first language Welsh, born in 7 Owens Street rhosllanerugog, I'll have to ask around about his DOB. But I think it's 1921 I think he ended up being discharged through mental health before the Batt went to Burma

[ap1]

Did he have a middle name Phil?

[Baconwallah]

Looking at the enlistment register I think he may have been Edward Edwards 4205016, enlisted 17/07/1940, discharged 02/12/1940. Others with the same name were either old soldiers from the previous war or were transferred to the Artillery or Engineers.

John

[Philip Edwards]

Update. I'm waiting for the registry office to send me a copy of my father's birth certificate know the month and the year September 1916, I have a photograph of him with my mother and eldest sister about 1940 before redeployment to Galashiels were my brother was born I remember my mother telling me there was no married quarters and they had to get digs and when they said they were Welsh they had no problems but made it quite clear they didn't want English, they then were deployed to Cromer, before being posted overseas.

[Philip Edwards]

Hi, thank you for your reply John I know he was in Madagascar in 1941 talking to my elder sister he was discharged after a time from the glasshouse from a local camp in Marford and my mother was told by the MO he would never be the same again and had mental issues for the rest of his life.

Looking at the enlistment register I think he may have been Edward Edwards 4205016, enlisted 17/07/1940, discharged 02/12/1940. Others with the same name were either old soldiers from the previous war or were transferred to the Artillery or Engineers.

John

[welchboy]

Invasion of Madagascar, initial operation to capture the port of Diego Suarez was named as " Operation Ironclad ", took place on 5th May 1942,. Subsequent operations to secure the entire island was named "Operation Stream Line Jane" and commenced on the 10th September, 1942.

Part of initial invasion force which landed via amphibious landing near Diego Suarez on the 5th May was the 29th Independant Infantry Brigade, which included 2nd Battalion, R.W.F.

The combined operations lasted from 5/5/1942 to 6/11/1942.

[Baconwallah]

I know he was in Madagascar in 1941

That rules out the man I suggested and leaves only one candidate.

Edward Edwards 4192316, enlisted07/02/1935, left the Regt 11/06/1944, reason not stated.

John

[ap1]

4192316 Edward Edward's born 20/9/1916. Discharged under:KR390 XV1

Note the Madagascar landings occurred in 1942, not 1941, the 2nd Bn sailed from the Clyde in April 1942.

Out of interest, who was your uncle at Kohima?

Thanks