WW2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, India, 1945-7

[zak]

My father was a soldier in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from 14 February 1945 until 1 January 1947.I know he was sent to India, but know little more than that. Does anyone know where this battalion was stationed in India? Apologies if you have read this message elsewhere - I'm new and only just finding my way around.

[liverpool annie]

Hi Zak and welcome to RootsChat ! 

It sounds like he was with the 1st Inniskillings and maybe he missed the worst of the fighting there ... thank goodness ! but I'll keep looking for their movements ..... if you happen to think of any family stories ... let us know ... it may give some clues to find him ...

The foundation of the Irish Free State (as Eire was then called) in 1922 led inevitably to the disbandment of the five splendid regiments which had recruited in the Southern provinces. The Royal Irish Fusiliers, although based in Ulster, had also recruited throughout the country, and were listed for disbandment. They were saved by a truly magnificent gesture by the Inniskillings, who offered to forfeit their 2nd Battalion if the Royal Irish Fusiliers could remain at single battalion strength. This generous and neighbourly act was quite without precedent. The two regiments acted in most respects as one until 1937, when virtue was rewarded and both were authorised to raise 2nd Battalions again.

The 1st Inniskillings were then serving in Singapore, but shortly moved to the popular Hill Station of Wellington in Southern India, where they were located at the outbreak of World War H. When Japan entered the war, the Inniskillings formed part of the weak and ill-equipped force committed to defend Burma. Heavily involved in the dreadful retreat of 1942, they eventually reached Assam after months of fighting and marching, an exhausted remnant of a once fine battalion. It says much for their spirit that within months they had absorbed drafts of replacements, re-trained and re-equipped, and were ready and willing to play a leading part in the Arakan with 14th Indian Div. Months of hard fighting, in which the Inniskillings demonstrated their traditional offensive spirit, ended when a Japanese counter-attack left them completely isolated and with no recourse but to split up into small groups and to fight their way north through the jungle. For the second time, a much depleted battalion re-assembled in India. They took no further part in active operations in Burma, remaining in India on internal security duties until 1947, when they were one of the last British units to depart

Annie 

[grandarog]

Hi ,
       Answers on your other post
                                          Regards Rog

[zak]

Thanks Annie, yes, that is my understanding that he wasn't involved in active fighting.