Re: Edward James Preston 4th bn Norfolk Regiment POW Burma Railway Singapore WW2

[sacredspirit]

My grandad edward james preston was in the 4th btln norfolk regiment Col. Toosey was hes camp leader to im trying to still find the following information

Norfolk Regiment ........ have they got a museum ? Is he listed there?
Burma Railroad .......... Siam is the southern end of the Burma Railroad ?
Ban Pong ......  ?

How did the Norfolks get to Singapore ?
Did they stay in Singapore or go to Malaya ?

Grandfather Edward James preston in 4th Norfolks.
in a copy of a service book i found it had this wrote on it.
CHA is crossed through, meaning he had been in Changi (Singapore)
WP is crossed through, which means that between Feb and Oct he had been on Work Parties in Singapore (possibly working in the docks or repairing roads)
OVL means he travelled overland by train (OVS would be overseas by boat)

21.10.42 was the date of his train.
This date suggests he was part of what became known as Sime Road Party, and went initially to Ban Pong in Thailand (Siam)

There would be a strong possibility he was under the command of Col. Toosey, who was the leader responsible for the Prisoners at Tamarkan that built the two bridges over the Kwai he was most respected both by his men and the Japanese. Toosey tread a fine line between protecting his men and cooperating with the enemy

Has anyone got any information or any links or ideas anything that can help me please
many many thanks

Joanne

[old rowley]

Hi Joanne,

It would be best if you started another thread on this board with regards to your grandfather as some posters may not look in on this one as the original posters questions have been answered and yours may get lost within it. But for now here is a link about the 4th Royal Norfolks that you may find interesting and informative...

http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Regiments/Royal_Norfolk_Regiment/4th_Battalion/html/history.htm

hope it opens ok.

OR.

[macintosh]

FYI here is another good resource of the grim fight for survival after capture at Singapore Feb 1942


The Forgotten Highlander by Alistair Urquhart of the Gordon Highlanders
ISBN HB 978-1-4087-0211-6

I was speaking to a Scot in Turkey in November who told me Alistair was still well and still dancing.

James

[sacredspirit]

hi

thank you im new to all this i will look later and start a new topic/thread
many thanks for all the info
im getting there gradually
thanks
joanne

[millymcb]

MOD COMMENT:

I have split this from the other thread and give   Edward James Preston a topic of his own.

Milly

[sacredspirit]

milly
thank you thats helped a lot
joanne

[millymcb]

Hi
Have you seen this website
http://www.pows-of-japan.net/index.html

And there are book about Col Toosey  - for example...
The Colonel of Tamarkan: Philip Toosey and the Bridge on the River Kwai 
by Julie Summers 

Aslo there are lots of other book about POW generally and building of bridge and railroad etc

Milly