Dean-James

To honour those who served their country

“In this their finest hour”

11973

Lieutenant Colonel

James Dean

D.S.O., M.B.E., D.C.M.

1890/03/31 - Born Strood, Kent

Son of John and Sarah Elizabeth Dean

Brother to Kate and Thomas

Occupation Welfare Supervisor

Next of Kin Wife, J, Dean, Powburn Gardens, Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Royal Artillery

125 Anti-Tank Regiment (Commanding Officer)

18th Division

Service

Enlisted October 1909 at 19 years old.

James Dean Served in the ranks as 59078 Gunner, 134th Bty, Royal Field Artillery

Served WW1 in France and Flanders

14th January 1916 - Awarded D.C.M. serving as 59078 Serjeant, 32nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

‘For gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Indian Army Corps in France and Flanders’

11th March 1916 - The Citation in the London Gazette

‘For conspicuous gallantry. Serjeant Dean worked up and down a telephone line, and continued to do so after being slightly wounded. Throughout the campaign he has displayed great bravery and energy on all occasions.’'

Brief History of James Dean

M.I.D. LG: 17 Feb. 1915 and French Medaille Militaire LG:-

25th Oct 1916; Commissioned 2nd Lt.

1st May 1917); Staff Captain (temp. Capt.),

17th March 1919; temp. Captain,

1st May 1928; Adjt., 74th (Northumbrian) Field. Brigade, R.A. (T.A.),

1st May 1928-2nd November 1932, Captain,

Retirement date from 26th August 192; to 1st September 1934.

1st September 1934; Captain

1st September 1934; Placed on Reserve of Officers,

1st September 1934 (Sen. 23 Nov. 1927), Major,

5th February 1936; Major,

27th May 1939; Lieutenant Colonel

8th June 1939; Awarded MBE.

Served Far East in World War 2

Lt-Col. James Dean was Commanding Officer of the 125 Anti-Tank Regiment

Officer Commanding Troops on the ‘Empress of Asia to Singapore’

Report by Lieutenant General Percival

On the 5th Feb 1942 approaching Singapore Island Lt-Col. Dean was Officer commanding troops on board ‘Empress of Asia’ when the ship was attacked and set on fire almost immediately by low flying enemy aircraft.

Despite the fact that fire hydrants were put out of action communications within the ship were severed and lifeboats holed or burnt, there was no panic among the troops, who remained at their stations until ordered over the side. The splendid steadiness and discipline of all ranks, which resulted in the loss of less than twenty twenty lives, was due to the excellent orders and magnificent example of this officer, who throughout the attack, which lasted nearly an hour, remained at his post on the bridge issuing orders as if on parade.

At last, when the bridge was almost burnt out, he moved down to the well deck whence he continued calmly to fire his guns and issue orders untill the order to abandon ship was given. Then he was the last officer to leave.

British Companions of the DSO Awards, 1923-2010

1942/04/03 - WO417/2, Casualty List No.788. Reported ‘Missing’.

1942/12/19- WO417/004, Casualty List No. 1011. Previously shown on Casualty List No. 788 as reported Missing, 15/02/1942. Now reported a ‘Prisoner of War’.

Japanese PoW

1942/02/15 - Captured Singapore

PoW No. M-2711

1942/04/07 - River Valley

1942/07/08 - Changi

Japanese Index Card - Side One

Japanese Index Card - Side Two

1942/10/29 - Transported overland to Thailand with Letter Party ‘T’, train 5

Commander Lt-Col. J. Dean, 125 Anti-Tank Regiment, RA

Work Group 2

New PoW No. 6620

Thailand Camps:-

1942/October - Wang Lan

1942/October - Tha Khanun

1943/March - Chungkai

1943/10/25 - Rail Lines from Thailand and Burma joined near Konkoita, Thailand

1943/November - Tha Makham

1943/December - Chungkai

1945/February - Kanchanaburi Officers Camp

New POW No. 412

1945/08/30 - Liberated Thailand

Liberation Questionnaire filled in by James after being liberated

1945/09/26 - WO417/9, Casualty List No. 1868. Previously reported on Casualty List No. 1011 as Prisoner of War now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Malaya.