L/Sgt, Howard Thomas "Roy" Adkins
British Army 251st Battery, 63rd Anti Tank Regiment Royal Artillery
from:Banbury
Howard Adkins, know as Roy was the son of Harold and Elsie with siblings Lillian, Irene and Harold. He was born in May 1920 in Wardington near Banbury. On the 25th of April 1937 he enlisted at Banbury at the age of 16 years, 11 months, he gave his birth date as 10th of May 1919.
On the 1st of September 1939 he was called up for Military Service with 251st Battery, 63rd Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery and served in Northern Ireland, some photos are taken by C.V. Shorthouse of Ravenhill Road, Belfast. On the 11th of July 1940 he completed the Form of Will witnesses J Fletcher & Gary Grant 251st Bty, 63rd A/T RA.
On 22nd of September 1941 251st Battery detached from 63rd Anti-Tank Regiment and merged (along with 45th, 270th & 281st A/T batteries) into the 85th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery I have a Telegram from Roy to 289 Chevral Ave, Coventry "Best wishes for Xmas and New Year" dated 12th of January 1942, The following day 85th A/T Regiment arrives in Malaya. On the 22nd he sent a letter which included "stink hanging around everywhere you go". On 15th of February 1942 he was captured by the Japanese in Malaya when the Singapore Garrison capitulated. 17th March 1942 a letter was sent from Colonel in RA record office to inform Harold Adkins that Roy was missing or a Prisoner of War A Coventry Newspaper Article reads "Reported missing in Singapore, following the battle of Malaya, Bombardier Roy Adkins (21), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Adkins, 289 Chevral Ave., Coventry, was formerly employed by Messrs. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd. Coventry. He was an enthusiastic Rugby football player. He came to Coventry from Durham a few years before the war." It was not until 20th of July 1943 that a letter from the Red Cross confirmed that that Roy is a Prisoner Of War On the 28th of July 1943 a letter from Army Record Office Foots Cray, Sidcur, Kent confirmed that Roy is a POW, there is also an additional letter regarding a post card from (869104) Sgt. Adkins "Safe and well hoping you are same", A Coventry Newspaper Article stated "Previously reported missing in Singapore, Bombardier Roy Adkins, aged 21, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Adkins, 289 Chevral Avenue, Coventry, is now known to be a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. Bdr. Adkins was formerly employed by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd. Coventry."
In 1943 he sent an Imperial Japanese Army Post Card from No. 2 Camp Thailand "I am interned in Thailand. Please see that Harold is taken care." and another Imperial Japanese Army Post Card from No. 2 Camp Thailand "I am interned in No 2 Camp Thailand. Please see that All at Home is taken care" On the 25th of August 1943 he wrote a letter tohis parents that looks as if it's written on toilet paper. 29th of November 1943 they received a Letter from Red Cross "Letters and Post Cards must be limited to 25 words" Communication with Prisoners of War instruction Sheet 17th of January 1944 he sent an Imperial Japanese Army Post Card "My best regards to Dad, Mum, Harold, Lilian, Irene and all" and on 3rd of June 1944 an Imperial Japanese Army Post Card "My best regards to Father, Lilian, Irene, Harold, Grandmother, Grandfather" 29th of August 1945 in a Letter he wrote "given this piece of paper for the purpose of writing home & asked not to use it for smoking" "thousands of them are lying all along the Thai-Burma railway which we built"
on the 4th of September 1945 he sent a Post Card "Dear, I am now free and in safe hand. I hope to be with you soon. My address is 49 I.G.H.C. c/o South East Asia Command." and a second Letter from Bangkok Airfield stating he was waiting for Airplane. In September 1945 a Letter arrived "Rangoon from Bangkok." and on 10th of September 1945 a Telegram from Roy to his parents from Rangoon "Arrived safely at India be home soon writing address letters and telegrams to C/O Recovered PW Mail Centre, Bombay, India Command" The next day they received Official Confirmation that Roy has been recovered by Allied Forces. On the 23rd Roy sends a Telegram to his Parents that he has arrived in Columbo (Sri Lanka) on the 26th Roy's parents receive Telegram and letter that Roy has been liberated from the Japanese.
His Soldier's Release Book records that on 30th of November 1945 he was at the Military Dispersal Unit and on 31st of December 1945 it was stamped at the Recruiting centre, Sibbel Hall Coventry.
