SSgt. Alfred James "Tom" Hennah
British Army 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
My father, Alfred Hennah was born in Walthamstow on 20th of January 1914. At the age of sixteen he enlisted, joining the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Inniskilling. His brother Walter was already serving in the Battalion.
They were stationed in Wellington Barracks in India when the Japanese attacked Burma. Military dependents including his wife (my mother) and baby son were sent to England by convoy ship. The Battalion was sent into Burma taking part in the first and second Burma campaign.
My father was reluctant to talk about these times but frequently spoke about the loss of mates. His best friends, brothers George and Albert Young who died within a day of each other.
My father completed twenty eight years in the Army, the last nine years with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He passed away in 1994.
