New member ancestor of Private Edwin Reynolds 1st Battalion- POW

[Cillera]

Hi everyone. I came across this website whilst researching my great uncle Private Edwin Reynolds of the 1st Battalion who was taken POW when Singapore fell and assigned work on the “Railway of Death”. He died of Cholera in 1943 in Sonkurai camp. Edwin was from Glamorgan, South Wales where mining was common and many young men signed up to escape the pits as did my uncle Edwin. I am quite new to this kind of research so happy to have any kind of advice. Rafboy has given me lots of useful information on Edwin’s time as a POW. I am keen to know more of his service before Singapore, he joined the Manchesters in 1931 and Rafboy informs me he would have been in West Indies then Egypt/Palestine. 

[charlie]

Hello Cillera, welcome to the forum.
Your Great Uncle, as well as his ww2 medals, qualified for the General Service Medal 1918-62 with clasp Palestine.

If you have not already done so, you can apply for his service record
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-records-of-deceased-service-personnel

Charlie

[Cillera]

I did not know that or really anything aside from his time as a POW so this is really great info! Thanks Charlie, considering getting the record but having a good search through my father’s old documents first to see what I can come up with. Thank you!

[rafboy]

Very pleased to see you on the Forum Charlotte.
I knew someone else would come along to add to what I have been able to let you have.
They are a great bunch of guys and a gall on here.
Cliff

[Cillera]

Yes, thank you! Am also learning so much just reading through different threads here.

[charlie]

The Regiment archives in Tameside local studies centre https://www.tameside.gov.uk/archives/manchesterregiment holds some enlistment registers for the inter-war period. It is possible he is recorded. The staff are very helpfull.
Charlie

[Cillera]

Thanks again Charlie, will check this out.

[themonsstar]

Hi

Here two pics from a sailing document from the middle East to Singapore

[themonsstar]

Few more bits

[Cillera]

These are amazing to have, thanks so much for posting them here. I am very grateful. Thanks so much! Really good to see the date he transferred and be able to put together a timeline.

[Bob.NB]

Cillera,
The original list of Singapore PoWs of the 1st Manchester Regiment lists him as:
3526769 Pte Reynolds E.M. - 89 Tryfelin St, Penrhiwceiber (?), Wales.
He went overland from Changi on 26 April 1943 to work on the railway.

He appears to have died just six weeks later, on 12 June 1943.
He is buried at THANBYUZAYAT WAR CEMETERY.
Bob B

[Cillera]

Hi Bob,

Sorry for the late reply but this information is very gratefully received. Thanks so much.

Charlotte

[Cillera]

Hi everyone,

Thanks everyone for their input here, I have learnt so much more than I knew before.

I Have attached an image of my great Uncle Edwin Stephen Reynolds (Ted). The photo is taken in Cyprus and my uncle is on the right. I do not know who the chap on the left is but looking at group photos of POWs sent to me by Cliff it does look like someone in the group photos who is labelled as Joe Bloxham. If anyone can confirm that I would love to hear from you.
Also there is a dog in the picture, anyone have any idea where this may have come from?

Charlotte