Into Burma

After two years in India we were on our way to Burma, to reinforce the regiments already fighting there. We sailed on a troopship and came in to Rangoon docks in the middle of an air-raid — a fitting introduction to the war we were about to join. There were no casualties, and before long we set off for Pegu.

In those last weeks before the fighting closed around us, I wrote home. I did not know it would be the last letter to reach my family for more than three years.

The first page of a handwritten letter from Bill, headed Rangoon and dated 4 February 1942, beginning Dear Folks. — Bill's last letter home, written from Rangoon on 4 February 1942 — weeks before his capture (side one).

The second page of Bill's handwritten letter, ending with best love to all at home, your loving son, Bill. — “Best love to all at home. Your loving son, Bill.” (side two)

We marched from Rangoon to Pegu. There was no action on the ground, but we were treated to a fine spectacle in the air, where the American Volunteer Group — the AVG — went up against the Japanese Zeros. The AVG men were mercenaries, with no backing at all from the British air force at that time, and they enjoyed great success, bringing down several Japanese planes without loss to themselves. We watched the dog-fights with real enjoyment. It was the last enjoyment of that kind we would have for a long while.