I recently found out my wife's uncle was in this Regiment & perished as a Japanese POW. He is buried at Thanbyuzayat having died aged 23, twelve years before my wife (his niece) was born. I would be grateful of any information regarding this Regiments movements from leaving the U.K. to the surrender of Singapore and the building of the railway.
Thanks in advance
MED

Hope this helps, click this link.

COFEPOW - The Armed Forces - The 5th Battalion - Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

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Many thanks. I have already enrolled with COFEPOW & read this but it was kind of you to supply the link. I am trying to fine out what happened to the 5th Bn. after they left the U.K.
Kindest regards
MED

It was part of the 55th Infantry Brigade, which in turn was part of 18th Infantry Division. The 55th was mainly held in reserve for most of the Malayan campaign, getting thrown into battle only when the Japanese had started the fight for Singapore city.

You are so kind, replying so quickly & so late at night. My Mother-in-Law was only 11 when my wife's uncle went off to war and very little is known of what happened to him. Thank you for the information, but again, I have managed to get as far as that. I am trying to be fairly specific, I expect I need to find an ex-POW who was in the 5th Bn. or relative there-of. I want to try to write a diary for Ma-in-Law detailling her brother's movements (his Regiment, to be realistic) so she can replace the abstract thoughts she has with fairly firm facts. She is in very poor health and it would be comforting for her to know a little bit of her late brother's fate before she goes to join him! Any information will be gratefully received, even if it duplicates that, that I have already managed to find out.
Many thanks
MED

Your best best is to get in touch with the Wardown Park Museum who house the Regiment's gallery. They may hold the Regimental diaries, and/or have details of the local association or veterans.

Wardown Park Museum - 24 Hour Museum - official guide to UK museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage

Thanks again. I have visited this site twice but find navigating a bit challenging. I'm 50 next week and missed the boat as far as computers are concerned! I get lost & out of my depth very quickly - I will write to the address in the link - pen & paper always worked better!
Turning in now, take care
MED

If you use email this is their address:

museum.gallery@luton.gov.uk

The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Description
Come and meet former serving members of the regiment who would be delighted to answer questions about the regimental history and help with family history enquiries

Wardown Park Museum
Old Bedford Road
Luton
LU2 7HA
Bedfordshire

Contact details
Reception/Front of House (Tel) : 01582 546722
Admin Office (Tel) : 01582 546723
Marketing Department (Tel) : 01582 546739
Schools/Education Department (Tel) : 01582 546745
Curatorial Department (Tel) : 01582 546726
Admin Office (Fax) : 01582 546763
E-mail : museum.gallery@luton.gov.uk
Website : Luton BC - Museums and galleries

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