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2979488
Sergeant
William James Bicker
1916 - Born
Son of James and Jane Bicker, of Ayr
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
2nd Battalion
Service
Basic Training at Stirling in Scotland.
In March 1937 the Argylls were posted to India.
1938 to Waziriston, North West India frontier post where they stayed till September 1939.
The Battalion were then transported to the Far East where Lt-Col Ian Stewart prepared them for jungle warfare in Malaya. Preparing them in the harshest terrain in tactics which gave them the nickname of ‘The Jungle Beasts’. They became part of the 12th Infantry Brigade.
On the 8th December 1941 the Japanese invaded the North of Malaya after landing troops at Singora and Patani in Thailand and Kota Bharu in Malaya. They soon gained a foothold after ‘Operation Matador’ was not put into action. The Japanese took control of the Kota Bharu airfield, which severely limited air cover for the defending troops.
The already battle primed Japanese Troops infiltrated behind the defending troops forcing them to fall back. The 12th Infantry Brigade gave rearguard action to the retreating 11th Indian Division, until eventually a stand was made at the Slim River on January 7th. The troops held until Japanese tanks arrived and turned the battle of the Slim River to their advantage. The Argylls were hit badly and it was left to every man to find his own way back to the safety of Singapore, later named the ‘Long Retreat’. Many Argylls found themselves trying to evade the Japanese and survive in the jungle of Malaya.
William lost his life at Slim River on the 7th January 1942.
1942/02/15 - Casualty List No.769. Reported ‘Missing’.
1945/12/27 - WO417/100, Casualty List No. 1944. Previously posted on Casualty List No. 769 as Missing 15/02/1942. Now reported ‘Killed in Action’ 7th January 1942.
Died
Age: 26
7th January 1942
Killed in Action
Loved Ones
Son of James and Jane Bicker, of Ayr
Memorial
1. C. 17.
Taiping War Cemetery
At the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya, Taiping was on the British line of retreat down the west coast.
Malaysia
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Pacific Star
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War Medal
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1939-1945 Star
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Far East Medals
‘HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE’
Information
Brenda Bicker - Niece
Jonathan Moffatt - Supplied two photos of William
Taiping Cemetery
Commonwealth War Grave Commission
KEW Files:- WO 361/2058
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