Thomas Henry Castell

After the fall of Singapore the 2nd Battalion was hastily mobilised as part of the force sent to reinforce Burma.

Within a week of landing at Rangoon the Battalion was defending a bridge across the Sittang River. From this point the campaign became one long retreat back to India. The 2nd Battalion was assigned to the Chindits who were involved in the relief of Imphal from March to July 1944.

Thomas died on 13 July 1944 and is buried in Imphal War Cemetery, India (grave ref. 8. H. 3).

CWGC. Imphal War Cemetery (extract): Imphal is the capital of Manipur State. 'The easiest route from Burma (now Myanmar) to India is through Imphal into Assam and after the invasion of Burma, Imphal became a focal point in the defence of India against the Japanese. Early in 1942, as the Japanese approached Rangoon, a very large proportion of its Indian population fled from the city to India, many of them to Upper Burma and so by Chindwin tracks to Assam. In May of that year, Commonwealth forces followed the same route on their retreat to India ... The defence of India and the retention of a position from which Burma could be re-entered now became of primary importance. The 23rd Indian Division was formed in Manipur State, new airfields were constructed there, and army and air force reinforcements arrived. Eventually there was a considerable concentration of Commonwealth fighting forces in the Imphal area and from November 1944 onwards, No. 38 General Hospital was posted there. Strategically well placed for attacks on the lines of communication by railway, road and river which were vital for the maintenance of all Allied operations in Burma, Imphal with its airfields was a main objective when the Japanese made their thrust towards India in the spring of 1944. There was severe fighting in the surrounding hills and on the outskirts of the plain and the Japanese succeeded in cutting a long section of the Imphal-Kohima road and holding it for over three months. The Fourteenth Army held on grimly, inflicting heavy punishment on the Japanese. Of all the battles on this frontier of India the siege of Imphal and its relief in the summer of 1944 rank next in importance to the Battle of Kohima. There were originally some 950 burials in Imphal War Cemetery, but after hostilities had ceased, the Army Graves Service brought in graves from two smaller cemeteries in Imphal and from isolated positions in the surrounding region.' (www.cwgc.org)

Church Warsop Memorial: Thomas's name is listed on a plaque, added by the Royal British Legion, which is situated below the original memorial plaque.

CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Harry and Elizabeth Anne Castell; husband of Lily Castell, of Model Village, Derbyshire.'

Derbyshire Times, ‘In Memoriam’, 20 July 1945: ‘Castell. Treasured memories of Harry, dear husband and daddy, died India, July 13th, 1944. Loving Wife Lily, ‘Dear Lord, shine out thy brightest ray, upon my daddy’s grave each day.’ Norma.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Derbyshire Times, ‘In Memoriam’, 20 July 1945: ‘Castell. Cherished memories of Harry, who died July 13th, 1944, while serving in India. ‘Worthy of everlasting remembrance.’ From Mam, Brothers, and Sisters-in-law (Shirebrook).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)