Sentry Page Protection
Please Wait...
Steels News Letters 1942
Brief extracts including Rolls of Honour and Evacuation Memoirs
Roll of Service - Burma and India - January 1942
|
Steels News Letters 1942 1/
Roll of Honour
Capt. R.E. Hall, A.B.R.O. Killed in action about 20th January 1942, in the neighbourhood of Kawkareik.
Of Raymond Hall, we feel we cannot do better than quote from a letter written to his mother by an Indian Civil Servant recently retired from Burma and now a Major with our Middle East Forces:-
"Raymond is quite irreplaceable to all his friends, the kindliest and most likeable soul in Burma and it is always the very best that go first in war. This is a poor letter, but you would be very proud if you knew what all his friends through of him."
To his mother, his brothers and sisters we offer our deepest sympathy.
No. 23 May – July 1942
Recent advices from Calcutta, where our Eastern Head Office is temporarily established, although bereft of detail, indicate the efficient way in which our large indigenous civilian staff, with their families, were piloted out of Burma over devious sea, air and overland routes to safety. When the whole story is available it will be found that our Europeans thought of their staff before themselves. At every Headquarters our European Assistants remained to assist the Government until instructed to dismantle or demolish our properties and to leave. Their individual experiences would fill a book with accounts of duty well and truly done and it will be a tale which will not detract in any measure from Steels' record of loyalty to the Government, as well as of the close intimacy and friendly comradeship with all their many peoples.
So far as we can gather all those who were in Civil capacities have now arrived in India while we have now news of some sort of nearly all who were on active service with the army in Burma. We hope soon to get good news of the remainder.
To one and all, wherever they may be, we send or sincere wishes of good fortune after their heavy trials and our outstanding sympathy with them, who have seen and, in some cases have actually helped in, the wholesale destruction of that organisation they, themselves, had spent their best years in building and maintaining. They are of good heart and preparing for their return to reconstruct all that has gone for the time being.
Capt. R.E. Hall, A.B.R.O. Killed in action about 20th January 1942, in the neighbourhood of Kawkareik.
Of Raymond Hall, we feel we cannot do better than quote from a letter written to his mother by an Indian Civil Servant recently retired from Burma and now a Major with our Middle East Forces:-
"Raymond is quite irreplaceable to all his friends, the kindliest and most likeable soul in Burma and it is always the very best that go first in war. This is a poor letter, but you would be very proud if you knew what all his friends through of him."
To his mother, his brothers and sisters we offer our deepest sympathy.
No. 23 May – July 1942
Recent advices from Calcutta, where our Eastern Head Office is temporarily established, although bereft of detail, indicate the efficient way in which our large indigenous civilian staff, with their families, were piloted out of Burma over devious sea, air and overland routes to safety. When the whole story is available it will be found that our Europeans thought of their staff before themselves. At every Headquarters our European Assistants remained to assist the Government until instructed to dismantle or demolish our properties and to leave. Their individual experiences would fill a book with accounts of duty well and truly done and it will be a tale which will not detract in any measure from Steels' record of loyalty to the Government, as well as of the close intimacy and friendly comradeship with all their many peoples.
So far as we can gather all those who were in Civil capacities have now arrived in India while we have now news of some sort of nearly all who were on active service with the army in Burma. We hope soon to get good news of the remainder.
To one and all, wherever they may be, we send or sincere wishes of good fortune after their heavy trials and our outstanding sympathy with them, who have seen and, in some cases have actually helped in, the wholesale destruction of that organisation they, themselves, had spent their best years in building and maintaining. They are of good heart and preparing for their return to reconstruct all that has gone for the time being.
Steels News Letters 1942 1/
G.N. Richmond (Forests) now Major and Liaison Officer to H.E. the Governor of Burma, has arrived home by air. He has given us first hand good news of our Burma men now in India and a short note which is included in this number.
Since our last News Letter we have received visits here from many of our service members; but the list of those gone overseas lengthens month by month. GOOD LUCK TO THEM ALL.
By cable we learnt of the sad death Capt. F.G. Soden, B.A.F. He had recently been posted as A.D.C. to the General attached to the British Military Mission to China and following the retreat from Burma made his way across country into Assam. Our sincere sympathy is offered to his mother and his relations.
We much regret also to have to record the deaths of J. Edmond and A.R.M. Watmore of the I.B.P. Fields Staff. Both succumbed on the way out up the Chindwin after helping to carry out the necessary but sad demolition at Lanywa and Yenangyaung.
Among the first arrivals from Burma since the evacuation was F.W. Lunt whose account of the happenings up to the date of his departure was most interesting. We have also had a very welcome visit from Mrs Waters who had just arrived safely home.
Mrs Salkeld, who was able to give us news of the great “William.” She told us that when her husband reached Calcutta, he cabled her in a style of wit which is well remembered here – “Have at last stopped running.” We ourselves, in all our life, never saw William run or even break into a gentle trot.
We were very pleased to learn in a recent telegram from Calcutta that J.C Fraser, a former member of the [finance] department managed to escape after two days’ captivity in the hands of the Japs at Myitkyina. He has now reached Dibrugarh safely after 50 days’ marching!
Since our last News Letter we have received visits here from many of our service members; but the list of those gone overseas lengthens month by month. GOOD LUCK TO THEM ALL.
By cable we learnt of the sad death Capt. F.G. Soden, B.A.F. He had recently been posted as A.D.C. to the General attached to the British Military Mission to China and following the retreat from Burma made his way across country into Assam. Our sincere sympathy is offered to his mother and his relations.
We much regret also to have to record the deaths of J. Edmond and A.R.M. Watmore of the I.B.P. Fields Staff. Both succumbed on the way out up the Chindwin after helping to carry out the necessary but sad demolition at Lanywa and Yenangyaung.
Among the first arrivals from Burma since the evacuation was F.W. Lunt whose account of the happenings up to the date of his departure was most interesting. We have also had a very welcome visit from Mrs Waters who had just arrived safely home.
Mrs Salkeld, who was able to give us news of the great “William.” She told us that when her husband reached Calcutta, he cabled her in a style of wit which is well remembered here – “Have at last stopped running.” We ourselves, in all our life, never saw William run or even break into a gentle trot.
We were very pleased to learn in a recent telegram from Calcutta that J.C Fraser, a former member of the [finance] department managed to escape after two days’ captivity in the hands of the Japs at Myitkyina. He has now reached Dibrugarh safely after 50 days’ marching!
Steels News Letters 1942 1/
9th June 194
Lieut. M. Scott
I’m afraid an awful lot of water has flowed under a few thousand bridges since I last wrote, for which I sincerely apologise. [Why, for the lot of water! No beer? – Ed.] I must say the Firm have all my sympathies in the difficult circumstances under which you are now working. Burma has suffered a sad fate, but not without a good fight, as I learnt from an account of Leslie Thom’s experience in the battle out there. I sincerely trust that the casualties from Steel's are not too high.
F.W. Lunt - We asked him to let us have his experiences after orders to evacuate Rangoon were received and here is his letter dated 16th June 1942.
Leslie Thom
We are indebted to Mr Thom, now living in South Devon, for the latest news of his son, Leslie, who after training with the K.O.Y.L.I’s in Rangoon, was posted to a Burma Frontier Force Battalion going straight into active service which commenced on the Siamese frontier, east of Moulmein. He fought through the Moulmein, Belin and Sittang engagements and in subsequent rearguard actions he was cut off from his battalion but, with his wounded and sick, brought his Company 200 miles in 18 days to Toungoo, guided along forest tracks by the local Karens. He wrote highly of his Sikhs and Punjabis. A cable dated 29th March, from Mandalay, advised he was then fit and well.
Mr Painton-Cowan of the Mawchi Mines, Karenni, wrote our General Manager, Calcutta, a letter about a brilliant exploit of a Company of Burma Rifles under command of Thompson (Rice) and Boyt (Forests) in March last. Here is an excerpt:-
“The main enemy attack east was conducted via the Mawchi-Toungoo road. The only troops for its defence was a company of Burma Rifles in command of Lieut. Thompson. Capt. Boyt was at Mawchi and took charge of operations. I was the only European in Mawchi so became ultimately connected with the operations of these two officers, acting as a liaison.
Thompson had already undergone severe trails in the fight for the aerodrome north of Toungoo. He got away with his
Lieut. M. Scott
I’m afraid an awful lot of water has flowed under a few thousand bridges since I last wrote, for which I sincerely apologise. [Why, for the lot of water! No beer? – Ed.] I must say the Firm have all my sympathies in the difficult circumstances under which you are now working. Burma has suffered a sad fate, but not without a good fight, as I learnt from an account of Leslie Thom’s experience in the battle out there. I sincerely trust that the casualties from Steel's are not too high.
F.W. Lunt - We asked him to let us have his experiences after orders to evacuate Rangoon were received and here is his letter dated 16th June 1942.
Leslie Thom
We are indebted to Mr Thom, now living in South Devon, for the latest news of his son, Leslie, who after training with the K.O.Y.L.I’s in Rangoon, was posted to a Burma Frontier Force Battalion going straight into active service which commenced on the Siamese frontier, east of Moulmein. He fought through the Moulmein, Belin and Sittang engagements and in subsequent rearguard actions he was cut off from his battalion but, with his wounded and sick, brought his Company 200 miles in 18 days to Toungoo, guided along forest tracks by the local Karens. He wrote highly of his Sikhs and Punjabis. A cable dated 29th March, from Mandalay, advised he was then fit and well.
Mr Painton-Cowan of the Mawchi Mines, Karenni, wrote our General Manager, Calcutta, a letter about a brilliant exploit of a Company of Burma Rifles under command of Thompson (Rice) and Boyt (Forests) in March last. Here is an excerpt:-
“The main enemy attack east was conducted via the Mawchi-Toungoo road. The only troops for its defence was a company of Burma Rifles in command of Lieut. Thompson. Capt. Boyt was at Mawchi and took charge of operations. I was the only European in Mawchi so became ultimately connected with the operations of these two officers, acting as a liaison.
Thompson had already undergone severe trails in the fight for the aerodrome north of Toungoo. He got away with his
Steels News Letters 1942 1/
company of 135 men and eventually reached Paletwa, 25 miles east of Toungoo.
Demolitions covering the 25 miles of road to Mawchi had been previously prepared and he “blew” two of these and took up a position behind them. At 3 a.m. on the 1st April he was heavily attacked by a force estimated at 700 men. In this attack which he successfully repulsed for some time he lost 25 men. When opportunity occurred he commenced his rearguard action, blowing each demolition as he passed. This continued for four days and nights, during which period he was heavily pressed and had o opportunity for rest and very little for food.
Boyt joined him half way. Needless to say the presence of this splendid officer eased things a little for Thompson but I understand from Boyt that he never relaxed. His first thoughts were always for his men and his duties. I was able to send them motor conveyances on the 4th and eventually they arrived at Mawchi on the morning of the 5th having completed demolishing the road.
In all they lost 77 men and it was only through their personal determination and courage that the whole company was not lost.”
Mrs W.G.F. Salkeld - Has very kindly written the following for our News Letter.
Major Richmond - The following letter is from Major Richmond, recently arrived home:- Herewith a few lines for the News Letter, describing the last days in Burma and the subsequent walk out to Assam.
Roll of Honour
Capt. F.G. Soden, B.A.F.
Died on active service at Dimapur on 24th May 1942.
Demolitions covering the 25 miles of road to Mawchi had been previously prepared and he “blew” two of these and took up a position behind them. At 3 a.m. on the 1st April he was heavily attacked by a force estimated at 700 men. In this attack which he successfully repulsed for some time he lost 25 men. When opportunity occurred he commenced his rearguard action, blowing each demolition as he passed. This continued for four days and nights, during which period he was heavily pressed and had o opportunity for rest and very little for food.
Boyt joined him half way. Needless to say the presence of this splendid officer eased things a little for Thompson but I understand from Boyt that he never relaxed. His first thoughts were always for his men and his duties. I was able to send them motor conveyances on the 4th and eventually they arrived at Mawchi on the morning of the 5th having completed demolishing the road.
In all they lost 77 men and it was only through their personal determination and courage that the whole company was not lost.”
Mrs W.G.F. Salkeld - Has very kindly written the following for our News Letter.
Major Richmond - The following letter is from Major Richmond, recently arrived home:- Herewith a few lines for the News Letter, describing the last days in Burma and the subsequent walk out to Assam.
Roll of Honour
Capt. F.G. Soden, B.A.F.
Died on active service at Dimapur on 24th May 1942.
Steels News Letters 1942 1/
No. 24 - Aug.- Oct. 1942
There are many things for which we shall not forgive the Japs - for some time, at any rate – and one of them is that our Parent, Steel’s House Magazine, suffered temporary eclipse just as the January 1942 number was due for publication. We can await reading the good things which that number will contain until times are better, but, meantime, her loss has been our gain and our recent letters, written by members of our Eastern Staff and their friends which we have been privileged to reproduce in our London News Letter, but which truly belong to the Magazine.
We have received many proofs of the interest these letters from Burma have given, so we make no apology for producing more, although the invasion and evacuation of Burma is now of the past.
To those of us who have had some little experience of the relentlessness of Mother Nature, who at times have suffered from her apparent heartlessness, it is almost beyond comprehension that human frames could stand up to so much and come through with such cheeriness and in such good heart. No letter we have seen, no word we have heard has been a grouse or even a suggestion of one, in spite of grievous losses and sufferings.
Think of it! Wedding presents and the little comfortable collections of things which made their bungalows “Home” ; children’s toys and pets; the people who surrounded them, their Nannies, “Boys” and Staffs; their books, records and their files; their intimate knick-knacks; in fact, their “everything” except what they stood up in.
Have we yet realised it?
But, as the Eastern general Manager wrote: “Steel’s men were amongst the last out of Burma; Steel’s men will be amongst the first back into Burma!”
There are many things for which we shall not forgive the Japs - for some time, at any rate – and one of them is that our Parent, Steel’s House Magazine, suffered temporary eclipse just as the January 1942 number was due for publication. We can await reading the good things which that number will contain until times are better, but, meantime, her loss has been our gain and our recent letters, written by members of our Eastern Staff and their friends which we have been privileged to reproduce in our London News Letter, but which truly belong to the Magazine.
We have received many proofs of the interest these letters from Burma have given, so we make no apology for producing more, although the invasion and evacuation of Burma is now of the past.
To those of us who have had some little experience of the relentlessness of Mother Nature, who at times have suffered from her apparent heartlessness, it is almost beyond comprehension that human frames could stand up to so much and come through with such cheeriness and in such good heart. No letter we have seen, no word we have heard has been a grouse or even a suggestion of one, in spite of grievous losses and sufferings.
Think of it! Wedding presents and the little comfortable collections of things which made their bungalows “Home” ; children’s toys and pets; the people who surrounded them, their Nannies, “Boys” and Staffs; their books, records and their files; their intimate knick-knacks; in fact, their “everything” except what they stood up in.
Have we yet realised it?
But, as the Eastern general Manager wrote: “Steel’s men were amongst the last out of Burma; Steel’s men will be amongst the first back into Burma!”
Steels News Letters 1942 1/
Thompson, (Rice Dept.) of whom the last reliable information received was from Mawchi in March, has now arrived safely in Assam, where he is in hospital with malaria. We hope to obtain some record of his adventurers, for few can have equalled his experiences.
We have heard indirectly that J. Slator (Rice Dept.) has been in Shillong hospital, Assam, for xxx xxx at Shwebo and carried a broken arm through xxx xxx
to be continued
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have heard indirectly that J. Slator (Rice Dept.) has been in Shillong hospital, Assam, for xxx xxx at Shwebo and carried a broken arm through xxx xxx
to be continued
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|