Comments for A Story of War

Comment on Photos by James Dunford Wood

James Dunford Wood — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:09:05 +0000

Thanks for your comment. My father also came back to India – he was demobbed from the RAF and sent back to the Indian Army in 1946! – and was there for Partition. Do send me some links to photos you scan – did your grandfather keep a diary? Yes, would love to link up to other similar resources, but have not come across many in the same genre, nor have I had time to really focus on that, but I should do.
best wishes
james

Comment on February 17th 1940 – Madras by James Dunford Wood

James Dunford Wood — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:06:05 +0000

Thanks for those images – amazing. Odd they just listed him as ‘Dunford Wood’ – no rank, or initials. Obviously they did not have much paperwork on him.

Comment on February 17th 1940 – Madras by Jagan

Jagan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:59:23 +0000

Today, while trawling the net for other stuff, stumbled upon the Madras Flying Club website – and they had a list of Alumni on their site – with Dunford-Wood’s name in the list http://madrasflyingclub.net/media/alu.pdf .. pretty sure his name is also in the lists put up in their class rooms ( https://picasaweb.google.com/Frankjollypaul/Latest2?authkey=Gv1sRgCKG9po-f9OqnxQE#5679273733990846530 ) . Funny thing was I didnt realise he learnt flying at the Madras FC till I read it in the list on their website.. then I came here to look up the corresponding entries… I love how everything is connected ..

Comment on Photos by Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:59:32 +0000

This is a fantastic site / resource. Is there a plan to link up with other resources?
My grandfather first served, I think, as a navigator on RAF bombers, then Royal Core of Signals in Burma before ending up in at the North West Frontier in the Waziristan Rifles – only leaving India around the time of partition. He was a keen photographer and I recognise many of the places in your pictures especially around Banu.
I’m in the process of scanning his old photographs and negatives – and will upload and link them in due course.

Comment on February 4th 1942 – Rangoon by james dunford wood

james dunford wood — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:32:36 +0000

Well, Bill and Adams are rather common names! However, my father refers to this man as in the 7/13 regiment – that I think was the 7th Battalion of the 13th Frontier Force Rifles of the Indian Army (my father had been in the 2nd Battalion). Was your Bill Adams in the Indian Army? Alternatively it could refer to the 7th Battalion of the 13th Somerset Light Infantry. Could you find out if he served in India or Burma?

Comment on February 4th 1942 – Rangoon by emma

emma — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:15:50 +0000

You must have met him, Jamie! Gaby’s husband…Brancaster Hall etc

Comment on February 4th 1942 – Rangoon by emma

emma — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:13:57 +0000

Bill Adams? Who is he? The only Bill Adams I know was a brave and brilliant man who owned Brancaster Hall and did lot to defend his country…could it be the same, the one and only?

Comment on January 30th 1942 by James DunfordWood

James DunfordWood — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:32:05 +0000

Nope! Ours has two t’s…

Comment on January 30th 1942 by emma

emma — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:44:16 +0000

Is Neil Elliot any relation to your mamma?

Comment on About A Story of War by James DunfordWood

James DunfordWood — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:19:17 +0000

Hi Michael
Great to hear from you, it’s nice to hear from people whose fathers knew mine, and that’s one of the unanticipated rewards of putting these diaries online. Anyway, come 2015 we will get around to the entries that mention your father (I have alot to transcribe!) – but in the meantime here is the extract from 24th March 1945 that mentions your dad:

“Today the Allies attack cross the Rhine. Nick Bowen and I do an anti-flak patrol between Wessel and Bocholt to try and spot the gun flashes and get the “cab rank” typhoons onto them. There are masses of 88 and 40mm about but narry a flash do I see, and we reckon they are using flashless ammunition. We are expecting to see paratroops and at 10.00hrs I see them just as Nick calls up “Aldershot Tattoo”, our agreed call. We go and watch and take some photographs, but due to the haze they are not up to much. The first drop seems unopposed but the second comes through a hail of 40mm flak. The leading Dakota catches fire but continues his run, turns, and then the crew bail out. I see about six Dakotas burning, some crash, one puts out its fire in an engine, and one I see crash our side of the Rhine, with one of the crew about to come down in the river.

I see a Typhoon smoking from a hit, and get caught up in the flak myself whilst trying to get photographs. On the way home we pass a stream of tugs and gliders going out – the Dakotas of the previous drop passing underneath them on their way home. Later we do a TAC/R together and I make a pass at a truck, unsuccessfully. My shooting is bad these days and I have missed an M/C, jeep and today’s truck.”

The next entry (April 1st) starts: “I go up and try to loot Wessel, but all I get is a bedside lamp.” !!

Anyway, would love to see that photo, also a copy of the article – yes, I have one similar here showing the ‘Maharaja of Rumblebellypore.’ Your Godfather was obviously a good artist. Interesting your father says ‘attacked and damaged 2 MET’ – my father suggests he missed!

Is your father still alive? I will send an email.
best wishes
james