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Killed in Action
18th Reconnaissance Corps
(5th Bn. The Loyal Regiment)
History
Compiled by Ron Taylor
With help from Tim Lloyds
The 18th Division
by Mary Michael
"For their country they did serve and recognition do so deserve"
On the William Sail they came
Proud and longing to fight with hearts aflame
To the Far Eastern Shores of Singapore
Where many a man would be the same no more
Oh how hard they fought
But victory was not to be bought
The Battle of Bukit Road raged
Til it was realized it just couldn't be saved
Young and brave the fear crept in
Why were we sent too late to win
For the men of the 18th this was their fame
Did they deserve to take history's blame
For they were trained for the desert not over here
Why they were there they sure weren't clear
The men of the 18th try as they might
There was no way they could win this fight
The fight over there sure wasn't fair
What's a Jap, what does he wear
How could they know about jungle warfare
This was their first battle but who did care
Alas no victory for the 18th would there be
Instead part of the Singapore surrender history
With all of the rest of the brave heroes over there
With no chance or hope to escape the Jap's brutal care
Why were our men left over there
With not a thought or a care
Where were the planes and rest of the supplies
Nothing appeared from out of the skies
In these words the truth can be seen
How unfair and unjust it all has been
Time now to honour and acclaim
And give these brave men finally their fame
August 1939 - 8th December 1941
Formed from 5th Loyals at Madeley Heath, Staffordshire on 30th April 1941 the battalion's personnel officially transferred from The Loyal Regiment to The Reconnaissance Corps on 9th May 1941.
Training continued through that summer and the issue of tropical kit indicated a move to North Africa. With no Reconnaissance Corps cap badges the battalion made do with Corps flashes, issued in early June, and with painting Reconnaissance Corps markings in a diamond shape on their helmets.
Following inspection by the King on 22th October the battalion embarked in Convoy CT.5, destination unknown. The CT.5 convoy included several troopships and a naval escort which had set sail on the 30th October 1941 from Liverpool setting a zigzag course across the Atlantic. At the time the destination was thought to be the Middle East. During the route the British escort was replaced by an American Escort and the British escort ships returned to the Britain.
USS Leonard Wood
The convoy arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia where the 18th Reconnaissance Corps was transferred to the US Army transport ‘USS Leonard Wood’ and sailed from Halifax in Convoy William Sail 12X protected by the aircraft carrier, USS Ranger.
Convoy William Sail 12X continued with six American troopships, two cruisers, eight destroyers and the aircraft carrier USS Ranger, the Convoy was under way, but the destination still remained unknown.
Convoy William Sail 12X
Above Photo supplied by the late Maurice Rooney
Detailed Account by Thomas M. Allison
A reproduction of an account by Thomas M. Allison who is understood to be serving as an American Naval officer in the convoy.
Aircraft
Vought SB 2U Vindicator Scout Bomber - USS Ranger which was flying an Anti Submarine patrol over the convoy.
Ships Front Line, Top to Bottom:-
USS West Point - USS Mount Vernon - USS Wakefield - USS Quincy (Heavy Cruiser)
Ships Back Line Top to Bottom:-
USS Leonard Wood - USS Vincennes (Heavy Cruiser) - USS Joseph T Dickman
The convoy passed through the Mona Passage between Puerto Rico and St Domingo. On 18th November Leonard Wood was accidentally rammed by Joseph Dickenson and its fuelling tanker. Next day the convoy left Port of Spain in Trinidad but Leonard Wood soon fell behind, although a destroyer escort was still provided. The equator was crossed soon after leaving Trinidad on the 24th, there was a crossing the line ceremony.
Cape Town was reached after the main body of the convoy, on 9th December and were told that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbour and Malaya.
Thirteen days later, the Battalion learned that its destination was now Bombay.
Acknowledgements
This information was collated using:-
The ‘Roll of Honour’ FEPOW Family
‘Only the Enemy in Front’ by Richard Doherty
‘Tigers in the Park’ by Jon Cooper
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