Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Second World War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Second World War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
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248329
Pte. Ralph Mercer
British Army 13th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment
from:Clock Face, St Helens, Merseyide
(d.6th March 1943)
Ralph Mercer was my grandad's brother. He lived in St Helens, Merseyside. He was a milker/farm labourer.
In December 1941 he was on a ship with the Kings Regiment Liverpool going to India. On 6th of March 1943 at the age of 31 he was killed in action with other Chindits in Burma at Kyaik-In they died carrying out a bayonet charge. I can ony presume they did this after having no ammunition left and did not want to be captured by the Japanese.
I believe the bodies were not recovered. He is remembered in the Rangoon Cemetary and on a Roll of Honour in St Helens. He left behind a wife, Ethel Arline Mercer, not known if any children. Sadly his name was never spoken about by my family.