Genealogy Chat

Sorry to go on. But I must just add - a lot of you members are about my age (uh hum) and it may be that you have the dreadful burial of your dads to come. When we were arranging dads funeral, we were talking about his life and career and the undertaker said 'Do you realise he is therefore entitled to a draped Union Jack over his coffin'. I know this may sound silly, but that flag meant so much to me and sis when we went to the funeral and seeing people stop to look as we followed dads hearse with the Union flag on his coffin did make us feel some sense of doing his will.

I'll keep you updated with the progress. Thank you all once again. You are the all the nicest people in the world and I love you! Love Viv

Do let us know how it all pans out, wont you! Linda, thats so true. My darling dad risked his life like all the other men and yet to the majority of people today, they just saw an old man, with no idea of what horrors he went through in those war years to keep our country free. Its a damn shame there isnt National Service today - Id certainly be sending youngest boy off to it, lip ring and all.

as I said in message to Viv, we should all know what sacrifices our brave ancestors made so that we can live in freedom today. Makes me soooo sad that alot of these people are forgotten. While doing my tree I found a rellie killed in each world war and I knew nothing about it!! I'm planning a trip to london to see one memorial and a trip to France to see the other Linda x

Heather , I couldn't agree more.Thank you for all your help, I know Kate will appreciate it. Love Viv

Linda, how kind is that? Ive said it before (ad nauseum) but wouldnt it be great to live in a nice little place just peopled by our GR mates on here?

I would just like to thank everybody on behalf of Kate, especially Linda for her kind offer.Thelovely people on this site never fail to amaze me. Thank you all. Viv

What a great story, to be able to find all this info, and Linda what a generous person. Well done all who answered Viv's message. Carolx

Heather, thank you. Linda, am pm'ing you. Viv

I've followed this thread and I'm so pleased people have found him. so young to die :( Viv if your friend is on a really tight budget and wants to order the records I am willing to pay for them. Linda

Viv, this is the address - it may be worth her ringing them and getting the forms she needs as my RAF ones took a month to come (just the application forms!): The RAF charges £30 to looke them up and send them (hopefully - still waiting) I think the Army is a bit less. Anyway, do tell her to ring them and perhaps she could get her dads aswell? Army Personnel Centre, Disclosure 2, Mail Point 515, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX Tel: 0845 600 9663

Heather, I don't think she does know about getting his records. How does she go about doing that? I certainly have no idea!!! LOL She has just given me a name so far (Donald's) and I have said I'll give her any help I can. She is not on the internet and not near any records offices (she's in the back and beyond in Wales) and is on a very tight budget. Viv

Viv, your friend does know if she is next of kin she can apply for his records doesnt she? Im just waiting for my Dads (Bomber Command) records - its taking a while but I think it will be interesting as he was seconded to a hush hush team of blokes in the War to get behind Japanese lines.

Morning Viv, glad to be able to help, what a lovely site that CWGC is, and quite a bit of info. on there as well. And as Heather quite rightly says, he was just a kid... so very sad. The Times has mention of an engagement announcement for Robert, Jan 9th 1947. Chris :)

Chris, Thank you, thank you! His niece will be so pleased. I am very grateful to you. Heather, His brother Robert, was one of the original 'guinea pig club' members (was one of the first to have plastic surgery) with a distinguished flying career during WW2 and he died last year. Gwyneth, Thanks for your help. Viv

Thanks John, that figures as dad was in some sort of strange set up in Burma where they went behind the enemy lines. Doesnt bear thinking about does it. Those chaps were so brave. Chris, that is brilliant, well done. I hope this bumps up so that she sees it. So he was an officer - thought he would have to be. My God, he was only a kid wasnt he - 21 years old and having that sort of responsibility! He couldnt have been out there that long,. How sad. When I look at my youngest who is 20 next week, its as much as he can do to organise what Rave he has to attend next.

Hello Viv, take a look at overseas, GRO War Deaths Indian Services 1939-1948 Lieutenant Plenderleith, Donald Mackay, 3/1 Gurkha Rifles, age 21. Chris :) also found a couple of mentions in The Times, Jun. 14th 1944 Aug 26th 1944 and CWGC Second World War, Plenderleith, Donald Mackay.

Heather The chindits were highly trained solders who went in gliders or undercover behind the front line and cut landing sites for food and supplys, when thay had done there job the front line broke though and advanced to these clearings graduly forcing the front line back as they now attacked from the sides as well and so on. untill they secured a vital position. john

This is the website: http://www.burmastar.org.uk/

When did the sword come back? If he were born 1922, hed only be a youngster in WW2 wouldnt he. 17 when it started and 23 when it ended. So perhaps he was on regular service after the war? It may be he wasnt actually in the Regiment, but like my father was fighting alongside the Gurkhas. Which doesnt much help really, does it. Now Im trying to remember about the 'chindits' that dad mentioned too! Oh dear, getting a bit maudlin - think I will go and eat something. You could try the Burma Star Association. All men who fought in Burmas were awarded the Burma Star medal. Does his bro have any medals for him? Have another google for the Burma Star Association - they may be able to advise - there should be a list somewhere of men awarded that medal.