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3244745
Sergeant
William John McKenna
(Jnr)
1915/04/07 - Born Glasgow, Scotland
Son of William John (Snr) and Mary (nee McGarthland) Mckenna
(William John McKenna Snr died 1920 and was buried 1920/04/29 at St Peter's Dalbeth Cemetery)
Mary remarried Patrick Brady after William (Snr) died, and became Mary Brady
1934/01/15 - William John Jnr. Enlisted Regular Army
Cameronians - Scots Rifles
1st Battalion
Service
The Cameronians arrived in Burma early 1942 with the object of holding the Japanese advance so civilians and troops could be evacuated. It was a tough assignment as there was a lack of weapons available and hardly any transport. Many of the Cameronians were killed or captured.
1942/06/08 - WO 417/44, Casualty List No. 853. Reported ‘Missing’.
Japanese PoW
1942/03/12 - Captured Burma
Rangoon Jail
PoW No. VI 64
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
New PoW No. IV 7255
1945/04/25 - PoWs marched out of Rangoon Jail by the guards, leaving 150 sick in the jail who were considered unfit to undertake the march. New ex-civilian guards were brought into the jail.
1945/04/29 - In the evening the PoWs left at the jail heard the guards leave by vehicles. This was confirmed by the C.O. of 2 Block who had found a note:-
Thinking this could be a trick the C.O. and an Indian doctor went to the main gate of Rangoon Jail and found a note left by the guards:-
The PoWs then locked the gates and armed themselves with whatever they could find and mounted a guard till dawn.
1945/04/30 - These 150 were released by the I.A.N., the jail was fortified and guarded by them till Allied troops arrived.
The 150 PoWs were then flown to India to recuperate.
This included William who was suffering from Avitaminosis, a condition resulting from a deficiency of vitamins.
Rangoon Jail Report
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Pacific Star
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War Medal
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1939-1945 Star
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Burma Star
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Post War
Believed William worked at the Post Office in Glasgow.
Died
Salvation Army Hostel for men, in London Street, Glasgow, between 1955 and 1957.
Information
Karen McKenna - Niece
Matt Stanyard
Glenda Godfrey
Janice Skilton
KEW Files:- WO 392/25, WO 345/33, WO 361/1947, AIR 40/1855,
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