239615 Pte. John Johns British Army 9th Battalion Border Regiment from:Walsall My father, Jack Johns, was called up to join the 9th Battalion, Border Regiment at Carlisle, Cumberland. He mentioned being trained at Furness Abbey and Cromer Norfolk before leaving for Burma via Egypt and India.
He did not mention too much about what happened out there, but did mention he saw Wingate and Slim out there, he joined up with the 17th Indian Division out there and had nothing but praise for the Indian people. He loved his curry which he always made himself, he loved his Border and black cat Badges. And, after his return home after the war, he kept his bush hat and kukri in the coalhouse, he used it to chop the wood for the fire.
He told my mother he was ordered to look after a young lad of 18 who had arrived, but the boy was sadly killed standing next to my father, which left him a bad memory for the rest of his life. My father died in 1968 aged just 53, I just wish I had talked to him more. RIP Dad miss you lots..
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