Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1918 in the Runcorn R.D. - ref: 8a/290, the
son of Oswald & Muriel Ball (nee Wilkinson).

The following has been taken from the KORLR Museum website -
http://www.kingsownmuseum.com/ww2-2ko.htm

2nd Battalion

At the outbreak of the war the 2nd Battalion was based in Palestine. In
June 1940 they were moved to Egypt and from August to December 1940 it was
based in defensive positions around Mersa Matruh in the Western Desert. In
1941 the battalion was in Syria where it fought in two actions against the
Vichy French forces. In September 1941 the battalion arrived, by sea, to
Tobruk where they remained until just before Christmas. The battalion was
involved in the operation on 21st November 1941 which is known as the
'Tobruk Sortie'. The battalion left Tobruk for Egypt and in March 1942
moved to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and later India, where jungle warfare training
took place. From March until July 1944 the battalion operated as Number 41
and 46 Chindit Columns operating behind the lines in Burma. In May 1944
both Columns were involved in fierce action inside 'Blackpool Block' a
defensive perimeter south-west of Myitkyina. In July the battalion was
withdrawn from Burma to India having marched over 1100 miles during the
campaign.

September 1939 2nd Battalion in Palestine

At the outbreak of the war the 2nd Battalion were based in Palestine
attempting to keep the peace between Jew and Arab. On 16th September 1939
the battalion was re-organised onto a war establishment. On 10th March 1940
all members of the battalion were issued with the medal ribbon for the
General Service Medal, with the Bar 'Palestine'.

10th June 1940 - July 1940 Move to Egypt

On 10th June 1940 the 2nd Battalion moved from Palestine to Helwan in
Egypt. Indian troops took over their duties in Palestine. The first duty of
the battalion in Egypt was to defend the aerodrome at Helwan.

August 1940 – 15th December 1940 Mersa Matruh

2nd King's Own move to Abbassia on 6th August 1940, and arrive at Mersa
Matruh on the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt within a fortnight. Mersa Matruh
is located between Sidi Barrani and El Alamein. At the end of August the
battalion sustain their first casualties to Italian fighter aircraft. On
9th September 2nd King's Own begin mobile column duties in the desert. On
14th September the Italians crossed into Egypt and Sollum is evacuated.
When Sidi Barrani is evacuated on the 17th September 1940 by the British
forces (at the time of the Italian advance) the 2nd Battalion cover the
withdrawal of troops. The Italians stop at Sidi Barrani. The battalion
begin patrols along the coast. The British counter attack is launched on
9th December 1940 and the 2nd Battalion take part in the defence of Mersa
Matruh. With an increasing number of Prisoners of War the battalion is
responsible for providing guards. Over 3000 Prisoners are taken by 11th
December when Sidi Barrani falls to the British. 2nd King's Own receive
orders to fall back to Cairo on 15th December. By 23rd December there are
over ten thousand prisoners. All of 2nd King's Own are based in Cairo by
31st December 1940.

15th December 1940 – 31st January 1941 Cairo

The 2nd Battalion are moved to Cairo to by the end of the year - being
allowed to celebrate Christmas a few days late. They are responsible for
general guard duties and the guarding of Italian prisoners of war in Egypt.
More than ten thousand prisoners had been taken by the British.

3rd February 1941 - May 1941 Escorting Prisoners of War

On 3rd February 1941 the 2nd Battalion, still in Cairo, are relieved of all
guard duties in order to provide escorts for Italian Prisoners of War. With
the situation becoming uncertain in Iraq the battalion are put on standby
to move to protect RAF airbases. As it happens 1st Battalion, King's Own
Royal Regiment, based in Karachi, India, were to undertake this role
instead.

12th June 1941 – 9th July 1941 Syria

On 11th June 1941 the 2nd Battalion moved from Citadel Barracks, Cairo,
Egypt to Palestine to join 16 Brigade.  The following day they moved to
Samakh, a village at the south of Lake Tiberias, Syria.  The battalion was
then to take part in two major actions against the pro-German Vichy French
with the main aim to prevent their collaboration with the Germans who were
in both Syria and Lebanon. The successful operations prevented the Germans
from occupying Syria and gaining access to Palestine and Egypt. On the 23rd
June the battalion successfully took part in an action at Merjayun - a
position which controlled the central approach to Damascus. The position
was successfully taken as the enemy withdrew during the night.

Private H Livesey - of B Company, 2nd Battalion - provided an eyewitness
account of the battle leading up to the fall of Merjayoun on 23rd June,
1941.

9th July 1941 – 30th September 1941 Syria - Jebel Mazar.

The action in the mountains at Jebel-Mazar, north west of Damascus between
9th and 12th July which was one of the last actions before the cease-fire
on 18th July. After the cease-fire the battalion remained in Syria until
the end of September 1941.