Help please - Maymyo, Burma 1943.

[Pete Keane]

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

[*Sandra*]

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

[Pete Keane]

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

[Pete Keane]

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

[*Sandra*]

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

[Pete Keane]

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

[*Sandra*]

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

[mshrmh]

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!

[Pete Keane]

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