Rescued by his brother-in-law in Burma

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by a volunteer from BBC London/CSV on behalf of Christina Doyle with her permission. Christine Doyle fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.

My parents got married as soon as war was declared by special license. My mother’s name was Bridget McTieran. My father was sent to India. From there he was sent into Burma to get the 14th Army out of Rangoon. After the battle to bring out the troops they all fell back to a safe place. As night fell the weary soldiers gathered in groups around a number of fires to talk and tell stories. Being an Irishman, my father’s ears pricked up at the Irish songs being sung from one group of soldiers. He went over, sat down and was asked by one man “Where are you from? What is your family name?” He told them his name and that he was from Avoca County in Wicklow Ireland. The man next to him said he was from Leitrim. My dad told him his wife was from Leitrim, a place called Dromhair. The man then said to him, “You were married on the 9 September 1939. He said, extending his hand, “Put it there,” I am your brother-in-law! Charlie McTieran was in the 14th Army and had just been rescued by Jack.

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