L/Cpl Frank Buttifant, Royal Corps of Signals
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Frank
joined the Territorial Army, 4th Bn. Royal Norfolk Regt. HQ Signals
Section in January 1933. In April 1940, he was called up. After training at
Catterick, he joined 155 Field Regt. (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) RA in late 1940, in
Hardington, Scotland.
The
convoy left the Clyde in March 1941, via CapeTown, for Bombay, India where his
unit trained intensively with Indian Infantry. In September 1941, they left
Bombay for Port Swettenham, Malaya
Ω before proceeding to Sungei Patani, approximately 10 miles
from the Siam border.
In late
1941, he was sent to join the Leicesters and East Surreys at Jitra as part of
the III Indian Corps, becoming part of the fighting retreat south through Malaya
to Singapore
Ω.
After
capture by the Japanese,
and
transfer by sea,
he arrived at Keelung
Ω in Formosa in transit to the copper mine at Kinkaseki.
Conditions at the mine were very bad
Ω
particularly in the hot areas
Ω.
Medical
facilities were practically non existent
Ω
and living
conditions in camp led to extensive illness and malnutrition
Ω.
He recalls
the worst aspects of his 3½
years
Ω,
still clear today.
The
first indication of the end of the war was from Chinese workers
Ω
followed by liberation by US Forces
Ω
and initial transfer to Manila
Ω.
Despite
his ordeal, a necessary step to return to the UK was his signing the Official
Secrets Act
Ω.
He got
back to England in November 1945.
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