Ruff-Thomas-Henry

To honour those who served their country

“In this their finest hour”

1684066

Gunner

Thomas Henry Ruff

1920/06/10 - Born Southwick, Sussex

Son of Walter and Mary Eleanor Ruff

Occupation Farmer

Royal Artillery

48 Light Anti-Aircraft

95th Battery

Service

The Territorial Chester area 21st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment together with the 48th L.A.A Regiment, 77 H.A.A. and 18 L.A.A. Regiments of the Royal Artillery left the Clyde for the Middle East in Convoy William Sail 14X.

1941/12/08 - Japan attacked Malaya entering the war against Britain.

1942/01/13 - By the time WS 14X had reached Durban, South Africa their destination had changed to the Singapore and they sailed in Convoy DM-2 (Durban Malaya -2).

1942/01/19 - Off Mombassa at 01.05 N, 91.28 E they merged with Convoy Bm-12 (Bombay Malaya -12) and were re-routed to Batavia, Java with their supplies.

1942/02/03 - Arrived Batavia in Empress of Australia.

The 48 L.A.A Regiment was formed in 1940 and comprised of 49, 95 and 242 Batteries.

48 LAA Regiment, Royal Artillery, on arrival in Batavia, deployed the 49 Battery around Kalidjati airfield, North of Bandoeng. The 95 Battery were deployed at Andir airfield, Bandoeng and HQ together with 242 Battery were in Batavia.

The 77 H.A.A Regiment less 239 Battery, were transported by train to Surabaya setting up their guns to defend Eastern Java against enemy aircraft. The 239 battery stayed in defence of Batavia.

1942/02/06 - At 0300 hrs a troop train carrying part of 77 HAA Regiment crashed into an ammunition train on a single track bridge just outside Surabaya, 30 were killed and 100 were injured.

1942/02/28 - A strong Japanese force landed on the North Coast of Java at Eretenwetan. Using tanks they soon reached Kalidjati airfield, destroying the 49th Battalion of the 48 L.A.A. Regiment.

1942/03/04 - By this time the Dutch forces in Java were being severely hit by the Japanese advance. The 239 Battery, 77 H.A.A and the 242 Battery, 48 L.A.A were ordered to move and defend the Bandoeng area.

1942/03/08 - Java surrendered to the Japanese.

1943/04/01 - WO 417/59, Casualty List No 1098. Reported ‘Missing’.

1943/05/13 - WO417/60, Casualty List No. 1133. Previously posted Missing, 01/02/1943, Casualty List No. 1098. Now reported a ‘Prisoner of War’.

Japanese PoW

1943/03/20 - Captured

PoW No. 5605

Japanese Index Card - Side One

Japanese Index Caed - Side Two

1942/10/16 - Left Java with Java Party 5A in the Singapore Maru

1500 PoWs (418 British, 378 Australians, 150 Dutch, 554 Americans)

1942/10/17 - Arrived Changi, Singapore

1942/10/27 - Departed Singapore in the Tofuku Maru

The Singapore Maru (1100 PoWs), Dainichi Maru (1200 PoWs) and Tofuku Maru (1200 PoWs) set sail to Japan in a convoy. Some of Java Party 5a, 5b and 5c who had sailed earlier from Java and taken to Changi, joined the PoWs in this Japan daft.

1942/11/03 - Arrived Saigon, French Indo-China

Lt-Col. Scott asked for the sick to be taken off the Singapore Maru but his request was refused.

1942/11/13 - Arrived Takao, Taiwan

8 bodies sent ashore for cremation from the Singapore Maru.

600 Japanese Soldiers embarked on the Singapore Maru.

Departing Taiwan was delayed as there was a bad storm.

1942/11/25 - Arrived Moji, Japan

1942/12/01 - PoWs from the Tofuku Mar arrived at Hakodat-Bibai Main Camp, these included Thomas Henry Ruff.

1945/08/15 - On Hakodate - Bibai Camp roll

1945/09/11 - Liberated Hakodate, Japan

(Photos at Liberation below)

1945/11/01 - WO417/98, Casualty List No. 1899. Previously reported on Casualty List No. 1133 as Prisoner of War now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Netherlands East Indies.