Question of India & Far East WW2 early deaths

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
I had not given it a thought until now, but why are there no deaths recorded in the CWGC for India or Far East in the early years of WW2 .
Earliest I could find were a few in 1941.
So what of those from September 1939 , to 1941 assuming there were deaths over there during that time, so why aren't they included in the CWGC lists ?
Alex

[Terry]

Alex, Perhaps there was considered to be no armed conflict in India or the Far East until after 7 Dec 41?
Regards, Terry

[Jagan]

There were deaths but they were very few. Try looking up Pakistan..

eg http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...cntry=Pakistan

If you mean deaths from Indian Air Force were not recorded.. they were a handful as well

http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...C&qcntry=India

[Alex Smart]

Many thanks for the replies. I just thought there would have been more "none combat" deaths than in Europe, what with All the tropical deseas's and dangers and such that they must have had to deal with out there.

I accept Terry's point about it seemingly a non combat zone, however we were at war so I would have expected the death of a service man or woman to have been covered by the CWGC wherever they were .
Alex

[Terry]

A New Zealander, Hugh Bethune, took a Short service Commission in the RAF pre World War 2. He was killed in an air accident off the coast of Malaya in 1938 while serving with 100 Sqn. Some years ago I contacted MODUK to ask where such were remembered, to be told that there was no memorial for those killed in the inter-war period.
Regards, Terry

[paulmcmillan]

21st June 1938

Vildebeest II K6372, 100 Sqn, Seletar
Crashed into sea at night (presumed collision), 10m SW of Cape Rachado, Malaya
Fg Off (Act Flt Lt) Richard Clive Meares illed
Plt Off Hugh Angus Bethune killed (New Zealander)
LAC Hugh Thomas killed #518002


Vildebeest II K2918, 100 Sqn, Seletar
Crashed into sea at night (presumed collision), 10m SW of Cape Rachado, Malaya
Fg Off George Leslie Arthur Cooper killed
LAC William Stanley Lawrence killed #517804
AC1 George Leonard Walters killed #566353

[paulmcmillan]

Bethune had a collision a few months earlier in K2941 on 18th May 1938 but landed back ok at aerodrome of the other aircraft K2942, 1 parachuted and 2 were killed
Cpl Leonard Francis Stone (27) killed #565853
AC1 William John Ashton (21) killed #561216
Fg Off Frank Howard Roberts rescued - Parachute Descent according to ORB

[Andy Marden]

An almost trivial note, but Vildebeest K6372 was a mark III.