2nd Bttn East Surreys

[RMR]

James Nall joined the East Surrey Regiment in February 1938 in december of that year they shipped out to China where they were until August 1940 when they then moved to Malaya.On the 7th December 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour,Manila,Shanghai,Hong Kong,Southern Thailand and Badang on the north east coast of Malaya.11th 12th of December the battle of Jitra began,the Japanese made further landings south east of Badang and also attacked across the northern border of Malaya.During the ensuing 5 days of fighting the Indian 11th division was over run suffering heavy losses .The remainder were forced to withdraw the 2nd Surrey's were sent back to hold some bridges on the line of retreat constantly skirmishing with the advancing Japanese army until they reached Gurun where a ferocious battle took place on the 14th 15th December where the Surrey's received a severe Mauling and the Battalion fragmented .This was the last battle of the East Surrey's as such out of a regular battn only ten officers of the rank of captain or below and 260 other ranks remained.James Nall trying to join up with his retreating comrades was taken prisoner on 25th december.He was a POW until August 1945 suffering starvation beatings and forced labour on the Burma Railway and the bridge on the River Kwai.

[RMR]

His medals,the missing medal is an Imperial Service Medal which came with a letter from the Queen the family kept this.

[lnijherald]

This is a great blouse with a fantastic story to it! Well done Roger.

Luc

[ROBB]

A fine piece of history . He was lucky to survive the Japanese cruelty . Rob