Jim Last, Nobby Clark & Rob Dear

We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone involved in the Far East during the Second World War. They were the people who ensured that the World War was finally brought to an end. Peace in the Far East, which followed Victory in Europe, was essential to achieve a new stability in the world.

The Whitwell & District Branch were fortunate to have known three Burma Star Veterans - Jim Last, Nobby Clarke and Rob Dear - though sadly none of them are here today. Nobby and Rob left behind their service memories which highlight the lighter side of their military service and is a testimony to the great comradeship and camaraderie which existed in adversity. We would like to share Nobby’s memories; we believe they are a fitting tribute to all those involved in the Far East conflict during World War II and their indomitable spirit.

Memories from Nobby Clarke written for the North Herts Burma Star Veterans Association. "It was about the middle of August 1940 when Company Orders of the 70th Battalion of the Buffs decreed that Private 6293108 Clark R G to be a lance Corporal unpaid from 27 August 1940. Thus I had my foot on the lowest rung of the promotion ladder. However, prior to sewing on my solitary stripe, I had to suffer a long talk by a Company Major of the “old school”. His name was Chalky White. Not a bad bloke really and he had been given the military medal in France before he was promoted after Dunkirk. He went to great lengths to tell me that leadership was the great factor and that all times we were to regard the welfare and well-being of our men as paramount. 

"I remember thinking that the 11 blokes I was responsible for were either on the run from the local police or indeed, had already appeared before various judges and been given the option of 'go to borstal or join the Army'. So you will understand that I had serious doubts about becoming their Lance Corporal. However, the day came when the stripes went on and I had to march my motley mob through the streets shouting “left, right, left, right” ad nauseum knowing full well the remarks being made but which are unprintable here. We were on our way for a midday meal and our destination was the dining room of a commandeered girl’s school in Folkstone, Kent. How is it a soldier rarely forgets his first billet or his regimental number?

"I was now in the 152nd Indian Parachute Regiment and after the battles of Kohima and Imphal I was with the remnants of my brigade in “The Box” at Imphal. One day I was not feeling too well with severe chest pains so I saw Captain Rangaraj our Medical Officer. Incidentally I was the first man in the 152nd Indian Regiment to parachute. Take a deep breath Nobby he said  and again, then he said those are the best pleural rubs I have ever heard. I asked him what he meant and he said you have got pleurisy and possibly pneumonia and you will be on this afternoon’s medical evacuation flight - and I was too. 

"I was only allowed to take essentials but I did manage to smuggle a Japanese sword and a colt .45 automatic with me. Both were prized possessions and I did not want to lose sight of them. I don’t remember much of the journey but after landing at Chittagong I was transferred onto a hospital ship the Melchior Treub bound for Madras. Quite honestly I don’t think I have ever been so scared in my life as I was on that journey because throughout the days and nights the ship had all its lights on as well as a very large illuminated Red Cross on the funnel.

"Thoughts of Japanese submarines and torpedoes were constantly on my mind. On arrival at Madras I was admitted to the British general hospital. I still had my sword and my pistol but there was a bit of an argument as to whether I should be able to hold onto them. They started quoting the Geneva Convention about Arms in Hospital and I remember arguing that it was unlikely the enemy would attack Madras. I then said that the sword was not mine, I was just in charge of delivering it to the Viceroy. I think it was Goebbels who said that the bigger the lie the more likely it is to be believed. I woke next day to find my Colt had been removed from under my pillow but the sword was still by my bed. When asking about the pistol, I was given blank stares. 

"After a week or so I was discharged and was called to the Adjutants Office and told I had been selected to have dinner that evening with the Viceroy, Lord Wavell. Lord Wavell was a soldier’s soldier and although he was now the Viceroy of India he always wanted to keep in touch with those men who had been in Burma. When we arrived we all lined up and as you were announced you had to step forward to be greeted by Lord Wavell and Vicerine Lady Wavell. Lord Wavell was very kind and said some nice things about my Brigade. Then it was my turn to be greeted by Lady Wavell. I said 'Good evening my lady how old are you?' Without pausing she replied 'mind your own business' - what I had meant to say of course was 'How are you?' However, the ground didn’t open up and I did not enjoy the meal either. You have to understand that I had not many days before been rather ill in hospital and I was still not fully recovered from the trauma of Kohima and Imphal. 

"As to the Japanese sword, well it was never intended for the Viceroy but at least I had still retained it and brought it home. What happened to the sword? Over the years I had often thought that I was never intended to keep that sword and I confess that on my visit to Japan in 1993 I would have liked to return it to the relatives of the dead Japanese Warrant Officer from who it had been taken. On my return home I did return the sword and that sword is now in an honoured place in the National Army Museum at the Yakasuni Shrine in Tokyo."