Bdr Thomas Jones - 3450638
We have had the pleasure of speaking with Bdr Tom Jones on two occasions and have recorded his stories and service history for publication on the web site. This will be transcribed over time to reflect Tom's service in Burma and added to his page in the near future.
The Road to Mandalay L.H.G shall forever be grateful to Tom for inviting us to visit him at his home and share in his stories of his service history.
Below are a few details of Tom's service until the full transcript is uploaded.
The Road to Mandalay L.H.G shall forever be grateful to Tom for inviting us to visit him at his home and share in his stories of his service history.
Below are a few details of Tom's service until the full transcript is uploaded.
Tom joined the Army as a volunteer on 11th May 1939 upon hearing of the imminent threat of war in Europe. Along with a group of 7+ friends he made his way to the local recruiting office and was accepted with the 2\8 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (TA) Regiment.
He was called up on the 1st of September at the outbreak of war and transferred to the 33rd Light Anti Aircraft Regiment (Royal Artillery). He was stationed amongst the garrissons of Liverpool at the Princess Dock gun site; Tom played his part in the defence of the Liverpool Docklands during the Blitz attacks until 1942, stationed not too far from his Manchester home.
March 1942 saw a change in circumstances for Tom; he was ordered to draw tropical kit and informed of an imminent deployment to lands unknown. At the realisation of this news he decided to set in motion arrangements to marry his childhood sweetheart Eileen, and the bands were presented with a view to marrying before his departure. Unfortunately Tom's leave was cancelled and he embarked from Liverpool on the 16th March without the chance to wed; Eileen, his betrothed would have to wait and pray for his safe return.
Tom sailed from Liverpool on the SS Samaria and headed for Bombay via Freetown in Sierra Leonne, Capetown, where he spent around 5 days onshore on R&R before sailing off to Mombassa, Diego Suarez (Madagascar), back to Mombassa
finally embarking at Bombay in May 1942.
The 2\8th were to amalgamate with a heavy artillery battalion and form the 33rd Jungle Field Regiment (Royal Artillery) they were to be attached to the 19th Indian Division for the remainder of the war.
Whilst serving in the Burma theatre of opperations, Tom served in the relief of Kohima, Shwebo, Kawlin, Irrawaddy crossing and Bridgehead, Mandalay, Maymyo, and Fort Dufferin before working his way southward to Rangoon at the end of the war for the dream of embarking back to Blighty and his waiting Eileen.
Tom played his part in the road to Mandalay and as such is a patron of the group.
Thank you for taking the time to educate the group, so that we may better represent those who served and pass on your stories to future generations.
He was called up on the 1st of September at the outbreak of war and transferred to the 33rd Light Anti Aircraft Regiment (Royal Artillery). He was stationed amongst the garrissons of Liverpool at the Princess Dock gun site; Tom played his part in the defence of the Liverpool Docklands during the Blitz attacks until 1942, stationed not too far from his Manchester home.
March 1942 saw a change in circumstances for Tom; he was ordered to draw tropical kit and informed of an imminent deployment to lands unknown. At the realisation of this news he decided to set in motion arrangements to marry his childhood sweetheart Eileen, and the bands were presented with a view to marrying before his departure. Unfortunately Tom's leave was cancelled and he embarked from Liverpool on the 16th March without the chance to wed; Eileen, his betrothed would have to wait and pray for his safe return.
Tom sailed from Liverpool on the SS Samaria and headed for Bombay via Freetown in Sierra Leonne, Capetown, where he spent around 5 days onshore on R&R before sailing off to Mombassa, Diego Suarez (Madagascar), back to Mombassa
finally embarking at Bombay in May 1942.
The 2\8th were to amalgamate with a heavy artillery battalion and form the 33rd Jungle Field Regiment (Royal Artillery) they were to be attached to the 19th Indian Division for the remainder of the war.
Whilst serving in the Burma theatre of opperations, Tom served in the relief of Kohima, Shwebo, Kawlin, Irrawaddy crossing and Bridgehead, Mandalay, Maymyo, and Fort Dufferin before working his way southward to Rangoon at the end of the war for the dream of embarking back to Blighty and his waiting Eileen.
Tom played his part in the road to Mandalay and as such is a patron of the group.
Thank you for taking the time to educate the group, so that we may better represent those who served and pass on your stories to future generations.