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Killed in Action
148 Field Regiment
(The Bedfordshire Yeomanry)
Royal Artillery
History
Compiled by Ron Taylor
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
In September 1939, the 148th Field Regiment were formed in Luton, Bedfordshire, becoming part of the 18th Division.
After training the 148th Field Regiment were stationed on the Norfolk Coast, but without guns they had little use there. When they received their 25lb pounder field guns the regiment went to Larkhill for a firing camp on the range at Salisbury Plain. The guns performed well although their maximum range was only about 6000 yards.
The Regiment initially comprised of Regimental Headquarters and two Batteries 419 and 420. The Batteries consisted of two Troops, each with four guns. A detachment of six gunners manned each gun with a driver and gun tractor for mobility. Each Troop had a Gun Position Officer who would site the guns.
After Norfolk the 148 Field Reg. had orders to be moved to the Scottish borders late in 1940. In January, February and March 1941 the snow restricted outdoor manoeuvres. Some night exercises did take place like positioning the guns in darkness with land lines between the observation posts.
The next move was to the Rochdale area where training continued as before and with a firing camp at Trawsfynydd near the lake. A third Battery 512, was formed on the 1st June 1941 at Rochdale, making 148 Field Regiment up to the strength of 24 guns and became part of the 54 Infantry Brigade
148th Field Regiment Gun Crew 19th June 1941
Manhandle their 25-pdr field gun into position, during anti-tank training using armour-piercing shells, near Dolgellau in Wales. (IWM H10915)
By Taylor (Lt), War Office official photographer
SS Andes
The 148 Field Regiment entrained to Liverpool in October 1941, where they embarked on the SS Andes as part of the CT.5 Convoy. On the 30th October they sailed for Halifax, believing their destination was the Middle East,
USS Wakefield
After reaching Halifax on the 11th November, the 148 Field Regiment, being part of the 54 Infantry Brigade, boarded the American liner ‘USS Wakefield’ and sailed in Convoy William Sail 12X.
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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:-
USAT Leonard Wood - USS Vincennes (Heavy Cruiser) - USS Joseph T Dickman
The convoy passed through the Mona Passage between Puerto Rico and St Domingo.
Arrived at Trinidad 17th November in glorious sunshine so troops changed to tropical kit, but no shore-leave, left Trinidad after two days of taking on supplies. The equator was crossed soon after leaving Trinidad on the 24th, there was a crossing the line ceremony.
The convoy sailed to Trinidad, berthing on the 17th November in glorious sunshine so troops changed to tropical kit, but no shore-leave was given. The ships were replenished before leaving on the 19th for South Africa.
On the 24th the convoy passed the equator and each ship had a ‘Crossing the Line’ ceremony.
Crossing the Line Certificate
The day after they docked at Cape Town, South Africa, news reached them that on the 8th December, Japan had bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded Malaya. Nothing seemed to indicate the news as the streets were bright and cheerful to the troops who were given shore leave.
On the 13th December Convoy William Sail 12X continued with six American troopships, two cruisers, eight destroyers and the aircraft carrier Ranger,
Britain and America were now at war with Japan and the rumours were that the convoy was now heading for the Far East and not the Middle East as first thought.
Acknowledgements
Proofread by Tim Lloyds
This information was collated using:-
The ‘Roll of Honour’ FEPOW Family
The Royal Artillery 1939-1945
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
‘Tigers in the Park’ by Jon Cooper
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