Name
Ronald Leonard Whyberd
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
08/03/1945
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
14384020
Royal Artillery
8 Field Regt.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Taukkyan War Cemetery
12. J. 10.
Myanmar
Headstone Inscription
WE SHALL ALWAYS CHERISH MEMORIES OF THE ONE WE LOVED SO MUCH
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Biography
He was born in east London but was resident in Hertfordshire at the time he enlisted. His Service Number was 14384020 and he served with the 81 h (Jungle) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. The unit was part of the 25°' Indian Division and was equipped with 16 x 25 pounder field guns and 16 x 3" mortars.
The unit arrived at Arrakan in Burma on the 21st March 1944. They landed on the Myebon Peninsula on the 18th January 1945 mid were in action supporting an attack on Kangaw on the 22nd January. This is on the coast approximately 300 miles northwest of Rangoon. Then the 25th Indian Division landed at Ruwya and struck north for 8 miles to seize Tamandu. By the 28th February things were progressing well. Snowden just east of Tamandu became the objective of the 3rd/2nd Gurkhas and the 25 pounder guns gave support to a successful operation though the F.O.O. (Forward Observation Officer) of the gunners lost his nerve and proved a disaster to the infantry. Ron's death was in the vicinity of Tamandu which is about 50 miles southeast of Kangaw.
He is buried in Plot 12, Row J, Grave 10 in the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Myanmar. A private inscription on the stone reads "We shall always cherish memories of the one we loved so much". The Cemetery was started in 1951 to consolidate graves from four surrounding battlefields and is approximately 21 miles north of Rangoon. The area was the scene of a violent and successful battle against the Japanese.
He was the son of John Daniel and Ada Louise Whyberd of Walsworth near Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia – Burma, ‘History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery - Far East Theatre - 1941-1946’ by M. Farndale, ‘The War in Burma 1942-45’ by .T. Thompson
