Current Research
Can you help please?
I am looking for any information about my late father WALLY MALTPRESS. No.6025329. He belonged to the Cambridgeshire regiment TA.(Ely) before the war, but joined the 1st ESSEX Regt. in 1940, moving to the 1st BEDS & HERTS in Nov. 1941 while at TOBRUK. From 1942 to 1944 he was in INDIA and was batman to Cpt.TONY NORFOLK. In April 1944 dad was flown into BURMA as part of Special Forces (CHINDIT) Operation Thursday. He was in the14th British Infantry Brigade, 16 column, H.Q Coy. His best friend through all this was TOM CHALLIS. Dad was sent home from India in 1945 and spent the rest of his time until being demobed at the barracks in BURY ST. EDMUNDS. I would like to contact any friends or relatives of Tom Challis or any ex Beds & Herts / Chindit. I am also trying to trace the war diary of Lieutenant-Colonel T.J.BARROW.
India 1943
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Tom Challis |
Wally Maltpress |
India 1943
Dad on right. Who are the other two?
Sunday 29th March 1942, India
Dad is left seated. Who are the others?
This photograph was taken the 30th December 1943 as the shooting party were setting off for Shikar in Chakhari State, India.
(Back) Wal Maltpress
(Left to right) Cpt. Tony Norfolk. Pte.Thoroughgood.
Pte. Porter. Lt. Hornby Reinold.
The photograph was taken by Cpt.(Later Maj) A.A.H.Hopkinson.
Pte. Thoroghgood and Pte Porter were the batmen of Cpt Hopkinson & Lt. Reinold.
From page 563 of The Story of The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment.-"Training continued throughout the winter of 1943-1944 but we managed some breaks in the rather monotonous life in the jungle. First, thanks to the good offices of Trevelyan (later Lord Trevelyan) Political Officer in Bundelkhand. I, with Tony Norfolk and Hornby Reinold and our batmen, had a wonderful shooting holiday in Chakhari State where we stayed in the Government Rest House and were splendidly entertained."
Found in Tony Norfolk's papers.
Do you know any of the people mentioned?
In March of 1943 Cpt. A.C. NORFOLK(Later Maj.) was attached to:
SPECIAL FORCES H.Q
A.G.BRANCH (ORG.I)
G.H.Q.I
NEW DELHI
INDIA
The people he worked with were:
Lt.Col. D.P.BRYCE.
Col. D.G.G.MACDONALD.
Lt.Col. P.K.HILL.
Lt.Col. J.S.POPE.
Maj. R.A.STICKLAND.
Maj. C.M.McMANAMON.
Lt.Col. C.T.R.C.PEROWNE.
Lt.Col. R.A.W.STEVENSON. DSO.
Maj. A.D.STODDART.
I think this photo shows members of Special Forces HQ.
Tony Norfolk seated left. Second right standing is Col.D.G.G.Macdonald.
Found in Tony Norfolk's papers.
Members of Special Forces HQ?
Can you name any of the people on these photos please?
I am also researching the CATER family from the Soham area of Cambridgeshire.
If you can help with any of the above, please contact me: