|
P/12888
Lieutenant Colonel
James Richard Glencoe Andre
Known at ‘Toby’
D.S.O
Mentioned in Despatches
1899/10/20 - Born Sussex
Son of James Edward Felix and Dorthea Hate Andre
Educated Marlborough
Occupation Regular Soldier
Lincolnshire Regiment
Attached to Malay Regiment
1st Battalion
Service
The Malay Regiment fought throughout the Malayan Peninsula with Lt-Col. Andre as commander of the 1st Battalion.
Knowing Singapore was about to fall Major Andre gave a very prescient order to the Malay officers in the 1st Battalion, telling them to put on non-regimental mufti and vanish into the civilian population; he saved their lives.
Major J.R.G. Andre later was awarded Companionship of The Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
During the fighting at Singapore Island between the 11th and 15th February 1942, this officer commanded his Battalion with great gallantry combined with extreme calmness and judgement. The Battalion, which had not previously been under fire and which was largely officered by inexperienced personnel, took a prominent part in the successful defence of the western outskirts of Singapore. The casualties, both in officers and men were numerous, but throughout Major Andre maintained a high standard of efficiency and morale. It was due to his own personal courage and personality that the Battalion under his Command played its part well. He was invariably cheerful and cool in emergency, and at all times inspired those under him by his example.
His Battalion 2nd in Command, Major G.T. Denaro also received a DSO:
Japanese PoW
1942/02/15 - Captured Singapore
PoW No. I 7
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
Liberated Changi
Post War
Director of the Malayan Federation Military Forces.
1952/11 Retired
Member of BAM till 1973
Died
1981
Information
Jonathan Moffatt
KEW Files:- WO 361/2044, WO 361/2017, WO 345/1, WO 361/1946,
|
