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Rangoon 1942 |
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In March
1942 the retreat of Rangoon took place. Even though Bill
fought hard he was captured by the Japanese and
imprisoned in Rangoon Goal. Bill, not being the most
patient of men, made good his escape by killing his
guards and swimming several miles up a river. It was only
his superb physical fitness and training which enabled
him to survive. He was found some days later in the
jungle by British troops and was flown to the Calcutta
area in order to recover from his ordeal. He was later to
join Wingate's Chindits in the first campaign
"Operation Longcloth." In 1944 he once again
went with Major Calvert on the second Chindit offensive,
"Operation Thursday" were he was to win the
Military Medal for his part in the battle of Pagoda
(Henu) Hill.Bill was the sargeant of 3 platoon,South
Staffordshire Regiment when he was awarded his medal.
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