259339 Pte. Peter Seddon MM.British Army 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment from:Leigh Initially, my dad, Peter Seddon, was in the 6th Manchester Regimen in England before being sent to India and being transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons Regiment in late 1942.
While in India, he was put in the 23rd Chindit (Reserve) Brigade and received intense training to prepare for the Second Chindit Expedition. However, when the Japs invaded Kohima and Imphal, the 33rd & 76th Columns of the 23rd Brigade were sent to Kohima in April 1944.
Based in the Naga Hills, they operated behind enemy lines in order to stop food, communication and medication reaching the Japs. They contributed to the starvation of the enemy which was the decisive factor in that battle. Although not engaged in major battles they accounted for large numbers of Japenese stragglers and foragers and suffered 158 battle casualties themselves.
The defeat of the Japanese at Kohima and Imphal was a turning point. Previously the Japs had won the Battles of Rangoon and Arakan. They had seemed unbeatable as they were harded soldiers who had been fighting the Chinese since 1931. They had suicide squads and were brainwashed to die for their Emperor. They were also very vicious and inhumane towards their enemies. In addition, the British Army's job was made harder as it suffered from lack of resources. The majority of money went to the fight in Europe.
In January 1945, my Dad was then transferred to 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Reg, 17th Indian Division, where he was involved in Operation Extended Capital. The Burma Campaign intended to take back Rangoon from the Japs.
My Dad was temporary made Lance Corporal in 1945. While taking part in the fierce Battle in Meiktila, he earned the Military Medal for rescuing his fellow soldiers wounded in battle.
In 1945, the Japs were defeated again.
My Dad had Malaria 12 times while in India and Burma.
It wasn't until late 1945 that my Dad returned to England. He was nearly 26 years by then.
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