Reg. Sgt Major B. Baldry
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| In the course of making this web site I
have come across historical accounts not connected with Brandon, some appeared during my research and some
have been given from people visiting the web site. I have included these accounts under the menu
headline of 'Non Brandon'. They are not connected with Brandon in anyway at all but still deserve a
page as their history is still worthy of being recorded.
This account of Bert Baldry has been given from
Bert's grand-daughter, Jo Ditcham and with the very kind permission of Bert's son, Brian Baldry.
Bert served with the 5th Suffolk Battalion and was a POW at the hands of the Japanese after the fall of
Singapore.
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Bert Baldry was born in Ipswich on New Year's Eve 1912, his mother and
father, Eliza Naomi and John William Baldry, living in Parliament Road, Ipswich.
He joined the Suffolk Regiment and served in India before the war.
His was en route home after competing his service in India when the Second World War broke out and for a while he
had to stay in India. Upon finally returning home, his Army experience was put to good use when he was
tasked with training Commandos in Plymouth. His experience was then put to use when he joined the 5th
Suffolk Battalion, 'B' Company, which were recruited locally from the Eye region. it was with the 5th
Suffolks that he was thrust into the mayhem in Singapore in January/February 1942.
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It was during February 1942 that the
5th Suffolks came under Japanese fire and on 7th February Bert was promoted to Colour Sergeant Major (C.S.M.).
Soon after this the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese and Bert, along with thousands of Allied men,
became a Prisoner of War. Coincidentally Bert was placed in the same POW camp as his brother-in-law,
Reginald Savage. Unfortunately Reginald did not survive
Here are the service records of Bert and Reginald ...
| C.S.M. Bert William Baldry |
5825605 |
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5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment - 'B'
Company;
Born: 31-12-1912;
Joined: 21-1-1932;
"W.C. Class II and then appointed to C.S.M. with effect from 7-2-1942."
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Next of kin, wife, Edith May.
3 Parliament Road, Ipswich.
Occupation, Seaman. |
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| Private R. Savage |
5830601 |
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4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment - 'A'
Company; |
Died in a Japanese POW camp 25-7-1943. |
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