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Research in Other Countries => Other Countries => Topic started by: Pete Keane on Wednesday 17 November 10 12:56 GMT (UK)

Title: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Pete Keane on Wednesday 17 November 10 12:56 GMT (UK)
Hi all,

Can anyone help with a query.

I am working on a RAF Officer, Douglas Pegrum, in relation to a recovered war memorial.

He was from Maymyo, Burma, which was I understand, the Hill-station for Mandalay.

I believe his sister married there in 1943, from this doc (3rd name down):

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/28612251/Marriages-by-date

Odd time to be married there, am pretty sure it was under Jap. control, and can find no trace of the names post war.

Any help appreciated.

Pete
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: *Sandra* on Wednesday 17 November 10 18:03 GMT (UK)
Hi Pete,

Sergeant DOUGLAS FRANK PEGRUM listed here.


http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=1804145

http://www.airmen.dk/e777058.htm

Regards
Sandra
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Pete Keane on Thursday 18 November 10 09:54 GMT (UK)
Hi Sandra

Thanks for the links, we have a lot of info on Douglas but not his family.

Seems he came over from Burma in late 1930's in order to study at University, but left early in order to enlist.

We are in contact with a fellow officer that he trained with in his initial course, who is keen to talk to Douglas's family, but its not proving easy!

Seems Maymyo was under Jap control from 1942, with many people interned, but his sister married at All Saints Church in 1943, suggesting they werent interned at that time.

Regards

Pete
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Pete Keane on Thursday 18 November 10 09:56 GMT (UK)
As an afterthought -  could someone check something for me - there are two Douglas Pegrums arriving in the UK in the 1930's - any chance of looking to see if ones our Douglas, maybe with a home address in Burma or a destination address in UK?

Pete
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: *Sandra* on Thursday 18 November 10 11:37 GMT (UK)
Hi Pete,

Don't think this is yours - UK Incoming for 7 March 1927 shows Douglas Pegrum aged 6, travelling from Vancover to London - parents are Dudley and Marion.

also slightly different spelling and initial for it to be the father - UK Incoming -  a Mr D Pegram born 1889 travelling 21 Feb 1937 from Durban (Cape Town) to Dover. Kent. Aged 43 years. Ship-Owner. going to The Grange. Holylake. Cheshire. Travelling with a student son aged 19 years going to the same address. ( 2 entries are one for father - one for son)

Regards
Sandra
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Pete Keane on Thursday 18 November 10 11:58 GMT (UK)
Thanks Sandra,

Not having much luck with him!

I thought about getting his service history, but as a 3rd party they would edit out the bits I need!!

Burma's a hard nut to crack for civilians, particularily as most Europeans left around/following independence.

Thanks for your help though, much appreciated.

Pete
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: *Sandra* on Thursday 18 November 10 13:21 GMT (UK)
Hi Pete,

Do you know anything about the parents James Arthur Pegrum and Jessie Pegrum ?

What age was Douglas Frank Pegrum when he died in 1944 ? (Roughly)

Regards
Sandra
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: mshrmh on Thursday 18 November 10 13:41 GMT (UK)
I found this thread elsewhere, which I suspect is the memorial you're referring to:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-research/24476-mystery-plaque-dumped-hornchurch-essex.html
There are references to Douglas Pegrum and some work others have done trying to identify the family, to save RootsChatters treading the same ground.

Great work on that thread!
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Pete Keane on Thursday 18 November 10 15:32 GMT (UK)
Yep, I didnt mention the thread 'cos its so long, and the questions here are more genealogical than ww2talks normal fare!

I know nothing of James Arthur or Jessie - I can tell you they were comfortably off but not rich, and thats about all.

I'm hoping that his fathers occupation may give a clue as to why an RAF aircrewman from Burma, studying at Oxford, is recorded on a memorial plaque at a Gas Co. sports club in Tottenham, North London.!   

And it involves Burma during the Jap. occupation, where records ceased to exist.....

Cheers

Pete
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: English House on Wednesday 16 February 11 15:20 GMT (UK)
A bit late for you perhaps.  I created the database of marriages by copying directly from the original register of marriages (also births and Christenings) here in Maymyo.  I don't think I have anything more on your Pegrum, but you may be interested in looking further through my website www.pyinoolwin.info.  Pity docstoc.com doesn't acknowledge where it steals its stuff from, isn't it? 
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Pete Keane on Wednesday 16 February 11 17:14 GMT (UK)
Never too late...this memorial quest is going to last forever i think !

If possible, maybe you could pm me an email address - I have a few questions about maymyo generally.

I have already bookmarked your website and had a good read through, but couldnt find a contact page for you.

Cheers

Pete
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: English House on Thursday 17 February 11 02:07 GMT (UK)
Peter: Please use the address at the bottom of www.pyinoolwin.info/eh.htm.  I can't see how to contact you directly through rootschat, and please be aware that some writing might be sensitive from here!
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Pete Keane on Thursday 17 February 11 14:36 GMT (UK)
Understood.

Pete.
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Veronica Pegrum on Monday 20 January 20 00:01 GMT (UK)
Hi I am the niece of Douglas Pegrum RAF 103 squadron
Elsham  Wolds Lincolnshire
I have only found your questions about my uncle.
Can you give me any further information on him.
The only thing I have is his squadron, and his death in
Denmark 15/16 May 1944
I have been trying to find more information about what and where he was before he died.
Would appreciate your help
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: barryd on Monday 20 January 20 00:57 GMT (UK)
You may Have this but here it is for all Rootschatters

https://www.airmen.dk/e777058.htm
Title: Re: Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.
Post by: Pete Keane on Monday 20 January 20 10:06 GMT (UK)
Hi Veronica

It is a pleasure to hear from you.

I am familiar with your uncle Douglas, some years ago he was central to some enquiries relating to a found war memorial.

I was in contact with one of his brothers, and I was fortunate to speak to a chap that Doug trained with in WW2 !

I will find the link to the information (which includes a photo of Doug whilst training) and let you have it - it’s a long thread as it involves other men, but you should find it helpful.

Edit##

Here is the thread, I see you have found it already :)

For simplicity I will comment on that thread to keep info in one place.

http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/mystery-plaque-dumped-in-hornchurch-essex.19992/page-27

Regards

Pete Keane