 |
Rangoon 1942 |
|
 |
In March 1942 the retreat
of Rangoon took place. Even though Bill fought hard he was captured
by the Japanese and imprisoned in Rangoon Gaol. 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 Sergeant of 3 platoon,South
Staffordshire Regiment when he was awarded his medal.
|