The Wartime Memories Project - 9th Battalion The Border Regiment

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The 9th Battalion, the Border Regiment was formed in June 1940 in West Cumberland as a holding Battalion providing reinforcements for existing regular territorial battalions. It consisted of a few regular, reserve and territorial officers and senior ranks, and drafts from Carlisle of newly enlisted men aged 25 and 27 years. By February 1941 the Battalion was sufficiently trained to man beach defences on the Northumberland coast, also taking part in exercises up to Brigade level. By April 1942 it was officially recognised as an efficient Service Battalion and was one of the few newly-formed wartime units to be selected for Service Overseas. It went to Calcutta in August 1942, becoming a garrison battalion on internal security duties, gaining useful grounding in jungle warfare. It joined the 17th Indian Light Division (the Black Cats) composed mostly of Gurkha Regiments that had been fighting in Burma for the previous eighteen months. The role of the Light Division was to fight in difficult mountainous terrain. It became part of the 14th Army in the Chin Hills, patrolling mountainous Burma jungle tracks. Early 1944 the Japanese began their offensive to capture the main railway line in northeast India crossing the Imphal Plain. By July they withdrew to Burma after several months of heavy fighting. The 9th Battalion took full part in these operations with heavy losses, requiring a period of rest in Ranchi for the training of reinforcements. January 1945 the 9th Battalion was full strength and working as motorised infantry with Probyn's Horse of 255 Tank Brigade. With the objective of Meiktila across the Irrawaddy, severe fighting ensued ultimately cutting off Japan's communications with Mandalay. The 9th Battalion The Border Regiment took part in actions at Wetlet, Yindaw, Kinde and Pywabwe. In August 1945 when Japan surrendered, the 9th was stationed at Waw, west of Sittang River. The Battalion began the task of disarming some 2,000 Japanese and controlling the activity of dacoits on the Mokpalin and Bilin areas. On the 1st December 1945 the Battalion amalgamated with the 4th Battalion, taking on the name of the latter. On our 12th Anniversary we would like to thank all those who have contributed to this project. Research your own Family History. June 2011 - Please note we currently have a large backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site.        We are aware of the issue with missing images, this is due to the redesign of the website, images will reappear as soon as the new version of the page is completed, thank you for your patience. We are now on Facebook. Like this page to receive our updates. If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great List of those who served with 9th Battalion The Border Regiment during The Second World War Select a story link or scroll down to browse those stories hosted on this site. Captain Thomas Taylor 9th Battalion Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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