Bill Dalton's Pilgrimage to Burma

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Bill Dalton

Bill served in the LF 10th Bn

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Between Sunday 27th November, 2005 and Wednesday 7th December, 2005 William (Bill) Dalton, accompanied by his son John, made an emotional return visit to the Arakan Region of Burma.

Bill had served with the 10th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers during the First Arakan Campaign and was near fatally wounded on 9th January, 1943.

Bill's trip was arranged through the Royal British Legion and Remembrance Travel under the Heroes Return Programme and was made possible through a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Bill Dalton's Burma Programme
Heroes Return Programme

The following was the Itinerary

Day One: Sunday 27th November, 2005
0800 hrs Depart Union Jack Club, Waterloo, London. Transfer to London Heathrow Terminal 3, Check in 0900 hrs 1230 hrs Flight TG911 to Bangkok

Day Two: Monday 28th November, 2005
0605 hrs Arrive Bangkok 0815 hrs Transit Flight TG303 to Rangoon 0900 hrs Arrive Rangoon. Transfer to the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel

Day Three: Tuesday 29th November, 2005
Fly to Sittwe. Transfer to Sittwe Hotel Tour around Akyab

Day Four: Wednesday 30th November, 2005
Private boat to Buthedaung up the Mayu River. Overnight on board.

Day Five: Thursday 1st December, 2005
Drive to Maungdaw. Return to Buthedaung and overnight on board. Day Six: Friday 2nd December, 2005 Sail back to Akyab via Rathedaung. Transfer to Sittwe Hotel

Day Seven: Saturday 3rd December, 2005
Fly back to Rangoon. Transfer to Dusit Inya Lake Hotel

Day Eight: Sunday 4th December, 2005
Tour of old Rangoon and Group Dinner

Day Nine: Monday 5th December, 2005
Early visit to Htaukkyan Cemetery for Service of Remembrance and Wreath Laying Cathedral Service Reception at the Residence of the British Ambassador

Day Ten: Tuesday 6th December, 2005
Morning at leisure Transfer to airport 1945 hrs Flight TG306 to Bangkok 2125 Arrive Bangkok

Day Eleven: Wednesday 7th December, 2005
0110 hrs Flight TG910 to UK 0715 hrs Arrive London Heathrow 0930 hrs Arrive back at the Union Jack Club, Waterloo, London

The other members of Bill's party were:

The Pilgrimage was accompanied throughout by Mr David Knowles CBE Representing The Royal British Legion Dr. Tania John Medical Escort Mr. Jon Wort Remembrance Travel

Throughout the trip Bill's son John kept both a photographic and video record of the trip and he has most kindly allowed these to be used in this update to Bill's story.

The itinerary organised by Remembrance Travel was thorough, well planned and executed, and gave Bill the opportunity to visit virtually all the scenes of his war time experience.

He was able to visit the town of Akyab (Sittwe), the Port town that was the focus of the early assaults and fierce fighting during the First Arakan Campaign.

From Akyab he was able to travel by steamer up the Mayu River to the village of Buthedaung, and from there, by road to the "Tunnels" near Maungdaw. See Photo's;

Bill Dalton at the tunnels near Maungdaw Bill Dalton at the tunnels near Maungdaw Girder bridge near Maungdaw. Scene of aerial attacks by Blenheims of the RAF Girder bridge near Maungdaw. Scene of aerial attacks by Blenheims of the RAF

In December, 1942 Bill and his Guerrilla Platoon led by Sgt. Cyril Robinson attacked the very tunnel shown in Photo 13D. (See features page for the Cyril Robinson Story). Also see the comparison Photo 10A in the Gallery attached to Bill's Story in Features.

On his return down the Mayu River to Akyab, his party stopped off at the town/village of Rathedaung, the one place in Burma holding some off the saddest memories for Bill. The photo at 19B shows the pier at Rathedaung as it is now, which in December, 1942 was the scene of an ambush by the Japanese.

Major A.A. McKay was fatally wounded along side Bill whilst they were both in the water trying to affect a landing onshore. (see the Bill Dalton Story).

This photo shows the actual ditch where Bill last saw his great friend Cliff Spearing alive, and his grave.

A very sad place. The ditch where Bill Dalton's last saw Cliff Spearing alive Cliff Spearing's grave

Just prior to his visit to Rathedaung, Bill from pure memory, sketched the map shown below on a scrap of paper.

Bill Dalton's hand drawn map of Rathedaung
Bill Dalton's hand drawn map of Rathedaung

Upon their arrival at Rathedaung the map was compared to the present day village, and found to be stunningly accurate!

It left the rest of the party dumbfounded as one has to take account that it was drawn from memories over 60 years old.

Mr David Knowles CBE the representative of The Royal British Legion was so impressed that he has asked to be allowed to take the sketch to the RBL HQ's for general viewing.

It should be pointed out that Bill has remarked that throughout the whole of Burma very little 'modernisation' has taken place.

Many places, certainly the more remote areas and villages, have remain virtually unchanged since the 1940's.

Following the parties 'walkabouts' in Rathedaung and Buthedaung they returned to the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon.

Whilst at the hotel Bill and John were visited by 'Khine' a Burmese born lady who lives in Arizona, U.S.A. Khine has been a contact of the Web Site team for some time and has proved an invaluable source of information. In the past few years she has made frequent trips to Burma with veterans of many nationalities who have returned to Burma on personal pilgrimages. It was by lucky chance that she was again in Burma at the time of Bill's visit and therefore took the chance to meet him.

At the time of writing (February, 2006) Khine is still in Burma and has recently visited the Ledo Road with Burma Veterans. In March 2006 she is to lead a further party to 'Broadway', a name that will be well known to Burma Veterans.

Perhaps the most poignant part of the trip for Bill was his visits to the Htaukkyan and Rangoon Cemeteries. There he and the rest of his party laid wreaths and Bill was able to locate either the names of past friends on the War Memorial or their individual Remembrance stones/tablets. Please see the photo gallery. A picture speaks a thousand words.

On the 5th December, 2005 the Pilgrimage Party attended a Special Service of Remembrance at Rangoon Cathedral. A Copy of the Order of Service is shown in the additional gallery below. Again, see the Burma Gallery for numerous photos taken during the Service of Remembrance.

At the request of the Web Site Team and with the assistance of the Fusiliers' Museum, Lancashire Bill took with him the Regimental Plaques shown below;

The Regimental Plaques
The Regimental Plaques

They were handed into the custody of the Bishop of Rangoon during the course of the Service of Remembrance and now have pride of place along side the Book of Remembrance.

On the evening prior to their return to the UK the Pilgrimage Party attended a Reception held at the Ambassador's Residence in Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman.

Bill Dalton with British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman Bill Dalton invite

Bill says of his trip that it was a lifelong ambition fulfilled. It brought back many painful memories but he would say this:

When You Go Home, Tell them of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave our Today

Lest We Forget

Photo Archive compiled by G Pycroft

Field Marshal The Viscount Slim KG. GCB. GCMG. GCVO. GBE. DSO. MC. Japanese surrender delegates arrive at Rangoon, 26th August 1945 The instrument of surrender of all Japanese Forces in South East Asia

Bill's Photo Archive

Burma Bound on Flight TG 911 London Heathrow to Bangkok View of the front of the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon View of the front of the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon Bill in the foyer of the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon Bill in the foyer of the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon Bill and John with Khine, the Burmese born lady from Arizona, USA Bill with Khine Bill with John Davies from Lytham Ex Royal Artillery Grounds of the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon Front entrance Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon Grounds of the Hotel, Rangoon Dusit Inya Lake Pool, Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon Main entrance foyer Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Rangoon Waiting for the flight to Sittwe (Akyab) Waiting for the flight to Sittwe (Akyab) Enroute to Sittwe Enroute to Sittwe Enroute to Sittwe Enroute to Sittwe Enroute to Sittwe Entrance Sittwe Airport Coach to Sittwe Hotel Petrol Bowser Sittwe Airport View from Monkey Point Akyab View from Monkey Point Akyab Restaurant at Sittwe (Akyab) Restaurant at Sittwe (Akyab) Restaurant at Sittwe (Akyab) Restaurant at Sittwe (Akyab) Bill at Monkey Point, Akyab Bill and John at Monkey Point, Akyab Tour of Sittwe (Akyab) Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma John with his human engine! Bill checking out the local defences at Monkey Point! ....Just in case! John making doubly sure! View from Monkey Point. Sittwe Hotel in view across the water Bill Dalton in Burma Bill just before sunset at Monkey Point Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Sunset Tuesday 29th November, 2005 Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Jetty Area Akyab Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill and John Davies enroute to the Tunnels at Maungdaw Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma The actual tunnel attacked by Bill and the Guerilla Platoon in December, 1942 Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Views enroute back down the Mayu River to Rathedaung Arrival at Rathedaung Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma The Pagoda Hill used by the Japanese as a mortar position to attack Rathedaung The Pagoda Hill used by the Japanese as a mortar position to attack Rathedaung Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma The oldest man in Rathedaung. Bill pulled a wounded Japanese soldier from underneath this very mans house in December, 1942! The house still stands to this day The very house!! Time for a breather! A hero is greeted! Local heroes! The jetty at Rathedaung. Scene of the Japanese ambush in December, 1942. Maj. McKay was killed whilst trying to lead his troops ashore. Bill Dalton was in the water alongside him at the time. Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma enroute down the Mayu River back to Akyab (Sittwe) Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Inside Rangoon Cathedral Regimental Plaques in Rangoon Cathedral Bill Dalton in Burma from the Book of Remembrance Rangoon Cathedral from the Book of Remembrance Rangoon Cathedral from the Book of Remembrance Rangoon Cathedral from the Book of Remembrance Rangoon Cathedral from the Book of Remembrance Rangoon Cathedral from the Book of Remembrance Rangoon Cathedral Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon Htaukkyan Cemnetery, Rangoon The Church Service at Rangoon Cathedral The Church Service at Rangoon Cathedral The Church Service at Rangoon Cathedral The Church Service at Rangoon Cathedral The Church Service at Rangoon Cathedral The Church Service at Rangoon Cathedral The Church Service at Rangoon Cathedral the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman the reception held at the British Ambassador's Residence, Rangoon, hosted by the British Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma Bill Dalton in Burma John and the Ambassador Ms. Vicky Bowman. One big Buddha!! Bill Dalton in Burma Two revered Buddhist Monks Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Inside Rangoon Cathedral Bill Dalton enroute home Bill Dalton enroute home Bill Dalton enroute home

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Read about Bills life

Bill Dalton

Bill served in the LF 10th Bn

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