WW2 photograph album east surrey rgt British army in Shanghai,China POW photo.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

WW2 photograph album east surrey rgt British army in Shanghai,China POW photo.:
$2242.58

An important photograph album which belonged to Lieutenant (later major,captain) A C A Cater,2nd btn east surrey rgt and aide-de-camp to major general F K Simmons-Hamilton

(commander in chief of British land forces,Shanghai).Contains 231 photos,1 printed paper photo,3 printed postcards and 8 real photo postcards.It tells the story of the battalions role

and involvement before,during and after the Japanese invasion of Singapore.Mr Cater starts this album on deployment before the start of war then completes it after the war ends.There

is a couple of pages where datesare notin event orderas there was a 3.5 year periodwhen he was a pow.The story starts with the btn deployed to Hong Kong,Oct 1938 on HMS Medway.

From mount Nicholson camp they travel to Shanghai in Nov 38,at Jessfield park camp they see the arrival of general K Simmons.International settlement perimeter duties.There is photo\'s

of mr Cater\'s fellow officer and friend Alastair Hills on his wedding day.Later after being cut off by the Japanese in Dec 1941,Hills and a group of menescaped from the battle of Gurun.

Hisgroup trecked through thick jungle for 6 weeks and in late Jan 42 he ordered his men to go on without him as he was exhausted.He was then left in a woodcutters hut in the village of

Kamponglasah, never to be seen again.Btngoes to Indo-China in June 1940 where Cater goes on a shooting trip.There is a photo of him which he carried for 3 and a half yearswhen apow.

Singapore Sept 1940 to Kedah state,Malaya Feb 1941.When the Japanese landed in Kedah state he fought in the battle of Jitra 12-13th Dec 41,the battalion retreated to Alor Star and fought

the battle ofGurun 14-15th Dec 41.The indian army company Cater was attached to was by-passed by the advancing forces during the battle soalong withthe Adjudant \"Effie Howard\",both

headed for Penang island.On arrival they dressed in civilian clothes and stole a Chinese junk,as they sailed away from the island they were passed by Japanese advanced naval landing force

troops and stood up with their faces hiding behind the sails.They sailed for 5 days to escape the Japanese forces.The battle of Gurun was the last battle for the 2nd east surrey\'s as such,after

four days it had been reduced to 270 men and could no longer be regarded as a fighting unit.The btn amalgamated with the remnants of 1st Leicester rgt to form the British btn on 20th Dec 41.

Malaya capitulated in Feb 42 and the btn was caught up in the long withdrawal to Singapore.After surrendering, a few months later the btn was made to go to lower Burma,Thailand tohelp build

the railwaywhile they were atChung Kai pow camp.The work was completed in Oct 43 and they were transported to Japan until Aug 1945.Some consider the battle of Gurun to be the British

armies worst ever defeat.There is photo\'s of Capt Clive Wallis before war who later fought bravely alongside his C.O.in the battle of Kampor 30 Dec 41-2nd Jan 42.Album has 6 larger photo\'s

issued by Yomiuris newspaper in 1942 to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the Japanese land force invasion Dec 1941.They are Malay Jap troop movement,Singapore bridge cut off,Singapore;

Japanese bicycle troops crossing river,Jahor to Singapore jungle creek crossing,Lt Gen Percival and brigadier Torrance surrender at Singapore and Lt General Percival at the famous meeting in

the old ford factory in Bulit Timah when Yamashita shouts \"Do you unconditionally surrender,yes or no\"? There is newspaper cuttings noting the heroics of the famous Cpt Alfred Roy R.A.M.C.

Typed letter to Col Swinton after war telling the fates of their Japanese captors.A letter from king and queen issued to returning pow\'s and a modern 3 part printed account totalling 41 pages telling the whole

story corresponding to the album with war correspondence statements made from people in the album,detailed diagrams of maps showing positions at each battle,troop positions and explanations of

tactical decisions being made,battalion movements as shown in album etc etc.A very interesting package from this time in historical warfare.Free secure,insured delivery within the U.K.