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Allan George Gillingham

Posted by Beatrice Ina Poole on May 7, 2009, 22:23:57
68.151.231.17

My father Allan George Gillingham was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery in the 2nd until he died in Changi prison in April 1942. I do have his military number but not comfortable to put it in an email this time. He is buried in Kranji War Cemetery which I was lucky enough to visit a long while ago.

The last time I saw him was when I was 2 years old. At 72yrs old I still miss him as someone I never knew, & should have done.

When growing up as a child I was the one who cleaned his cap badge which was always on his cap over a clock. It was over a clock because my mother said it would count the time down to his return. My mother married again & later when I left home I found all of Dad’s things had gone. I could not ask my mother nor did she tell me what she did with them.

I have always wanted to know more about my Dad but a letter from the War Office to my mother, which I read years later, indicated that none of the men would want to talk because it was too painful for them. I have understood that despite my personal need. I didn’t want know what those men went through but to learn what my Dad was like.

Why do write now? Because I was dusting the case my father carried with him that I suddenly decided to look up on the Net for the Royal Artillery to see what I could find.

What do I want? I would still like to know more about my father but I am sure it will be too late now. If not too late then who could I contact? The minimum I desire is to ask if there is a way I could obtain a replica of his badge & the cap, & where would am I likely to get these items?

I don’t know if I can do it but I want to make a Scrapbook of Dad & his life, the little I know of it, & his family & give copies to my 3 children & the 4 grandchildren, especially as none have been able to know him at all of course.

I hope you can help & that help would be very much appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Beatrice Ina Poole. (nee Gillingham)

Dad was married to Beatrice Annie Dadswell, who is now deceased too.

Dad had a son Raymond Allan. My brother was 2yrs older than me but he died when only 19 years old.

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My father was listed as No 1757759 Gunner Allan George Gillingham & died whilst a prisoner of war in Roberts Hospital Changi on 5th April 1942.

His, and our, home address, which is probably not important, was Forge Cottage, Merle Common, Oxted, Surrey, England.