Edward Procter WW2

Edward Procter, 67126, Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Drowned 2nd September 1943, age 23.

Edward Procter was a very bright and able child and young man. He was a farmer's son, brought up at Seatle Farm with his younger sister, Nancy. "Teddy" was born in 1920, being educated at Cartmel and Ulverston Grammar School. He was a successful student and went on to take a Civil Engineering degree at Liverpool University, graduating with First Class Honours at the head of his year group.

He was exempt from service as a student, but entered the RAF as soon as he graduated.

He was then sent to India, where he volunteered for Special Operations with Orde Wingate's famous Chindits.

The Japanese invaded Burma in January 1942 and the British War Office thought that the guerrilla commander, Lieut.-Colonel Orde Wingate DSO and Bar, would be useful to the Commander-in-Chief, India, General Wavell. Wingate had experience of successful guerrilla operations in Palestine and Abyssinia, but after a thorough reconnaissance of North Burma, it was decided a different approach was necessary.

Orde Wingate

Wingate formed and trained a special force of brigade strength which was to penetrate behind Japanese lines and destroy communication and supply resources, perhaps even clearing enemy forces out of some areas. This force comprised of normal army recruits with a very few jungle specialists. This experimental force became 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, comprising of various army units, signals and RAF personnel as it was to be supplied by air, those supplies being carried forward with the roving columns of troops by mule.

On 14th February 1942 three British, four ghurka and the HQ columns crossed the Chindwin. The troops, named "Chindits" by Wingate after the mythical Chinthe, guardian of Burmese temples, advanced and cut the North-South Burma railway line by blowing bridges and causing an avalanche, in early March. The Chindits crossed the Irawaddy and became stranded on the far bank, at the extreme range of air supply, with Japanese forces trying to destroy them. The force broke up into smaller units and attempted to escape. Out of 3,000 men 2,182 returned, with only 2 mules of the original 800. They had travelled 1,000 to 1,500 miles and had shaken the myth of Japanese invincibility in the darkest days of the Burmese campaign. Their morale effect, on both sides, was greater than their military effectiveness, but at this time was of undeniable importance.

Churchill's imagination had been captured by the exploits of these brave men and a second, much larger, operation was planned.

Teddy volunteered for this force and was reported missing during the rigorous training, swept away while fording a river on 2nd September 1943. He was not found and after several months, no news having been received, the Air Ministry informed his family in March 1944 that he must be presumed dead. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, Column 424.

The second Chindit assault began in March 1944, with mixed results. One of Slim's IV Corps veterans gave me a very dusty answer when I questioned him on the efficacy of their operations!

Wingate himself was killed when the American aircraft in which he was flying crashed in Assam, India, on March 24th. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC.