Changes

The unit remained at Makina until 16th July and then began to move via Baghdad to Hillah and had set up camp at the latter place, adjacent to 1023 Company, by 26th July, and then began convoy operations despite being depleted in numbers due to sickness. The main cargo seems to have been grain, inwards to Hillah. 2/Lts. Edmond Leslie BAYLEY and Horace William TEETON were attached to the unit from the Army Service Corps, and 2/Lt. Donald James ROSS arrived from Rangoon. One driver died from cholera.

The main work of 1024 Company in January and early February 1919 was to convey supplies to Huranabad with occasional convoys to Kasrabad and Aliabad. Several convoys went to Takigarreh to collect supplies for Kerend and forward destinations. Towards the middle of February 1024 Company began convoys to Huranabad carrying supplies, mails and personnel for the Persian Lines of Communication and for the North Persia Force. On 17th February orders were received to move down the line back to Baghdad, and after preparations were complete the move commenced on 26th February and the company arrived in Baghdad on 4th March passing through Quasi-Sharin, Khanakin and Baqubah en route. The unit remained in Baghdad from 4th March to 18th March 1919, cleaning and overhauling the vehicles, checking stores, receiving a summer kit issue, and general camp duties. All British ranks both from and attached to 1024 Company left on 14th March for demobilization. [Note: I think that the Diary should read “British other ranks.”]

The period of service was to be one year or less at the discretion of the Government. The formation of these two units was also reported by Major ENRIQUEZ in one of his books.<ref>''A Burmese Wonderland'', Major C.M. Enriquez, Thacker, Spink and Co., Calcutta and Simla, 1922, p. 188.</ref> However, the official Government of India publication detailing India’s contribution to the First World War lists only five Burma M.T. Companies.<ref>''India’s Contribution to the Great War'', Superintendent Government Printing, Calcutta, 1923, p. 285.</ref>

There was further redesignation of various Indian Army Mechanical Transport Companies on 6th May 1921, including the redesignation of No. 692 M.T. Coy R.A.S.C. as No. 16 (Indian) M.T. Coy.<ref>''Army Service Corps 1902-1918'', Michael Young, Leo Cooper/Pen and Sword Books, Barnsley, Sth. Yorkshire, 2000, p. 308.</ref>

<blockquote>A convoy of 37 vans was despatched from Kirkuk to Chemchamal at 6.30 a.m. About noon news was received that 8 vans had left Chemchamal early in the morning but had to put back as it was found that the road had been blocked by a 4-foot wall. The leading van came to grief and when the following vans got up it was found to have been stripped and the driver gone. The driver’s clothes were strewn about the ground near the van. This news caused a certain amount of anxiety to be felt as to what had become of the morning’s outward convoy under 2/Lt BAILLIE of 1023 Burma Coy. Major DRAPER, Lt. PANCHAUD and I went out to see if there were any signs of the returning convoy. About 8 miles out we met the artificers’ van returning with a number of drivers on board, who had had to abandon their vans. The drivers stated that at a very narrow part of the road they ran into the back of a cart convoy which completely blocked the road. The drivers and most of the animals had been killed [ambushed by the Kurds]. Major DRAPER and Lt. PANCHAUD went on while I returned with the Burman drivers to make their report to the 55th Brigade Headquarters. Major DRAPER eventually joined up with the 32nd Lancers who had picked up a certain number of wounded from the A.T. Convoy [“Animal Transport Convoy” – the cart convoy referred to above] and also some drivers from the M.T. Convoy who had had to abandon their vans. Upon return to H.Q. it was learned that a wireless from Chemchamal had been received to the effect that 17 vans of the Ford convoy had got through. No news has as yet been received as to the fates of the personnel or of the other vans of the convoy. </blockquote>

Lt. Claud Felix PYETT provides another example of difficulties with the records. According to the War Diary for No. 784 (Burma) M.T. Company R.A.S.C. PYETT joined that Company on 29th December 1919 at Kirkuk, and this is confirmed by the General Service Medal (1918) roll on www.ancestry.co.uk. ''Prima facie'' this qualified PYETT for the award of the Iraq Clasp, i.e. he was ''‘north of a line drawn east and west through Ramadi between 10th December 1919 and 13th June 1920, both dates inclusive’'', but there is no mention of the award taking place either on the medal roll or medal index card. Indeed, PYETT’s medals are extant and there is no Iraq Clasp.

*Lt. (A./Capt.) Edwin BRUCE<ref name=LG09091921>''London Gazette'', 32452, 9th September 1921, p. 7198.</ref>

*Lt. Patrick John O’SHEA<ref name=LG09091921/>

*2/Lt. George Robinson COCKMAN<ref>''London Gazette'', 30867, 3rd August 1918, p. 9996. <br>COCKMAN was in charge of a detachment from 1023 Coy. in March/April 1918 at Hit (on the Euphrates, north-west of Ramadi). On 28th March 1918 he was in charge of a convoy that was under fire from the Turks. His mention may relate to that episode.</ref>

====Indian Distinguished Service Medal====

*050188 Havildar Isaac Mg Chit, E, 1023 (Burma) M.T. Company <ref name=IMSM>These awards have not been verified. They are mentioned in the War Diary of 1023 Company with the reference ''‘Order of the Day, Mes. Ex. Force, No. 127, dated 20.12.18''). </ref>(not found in GSM medal roll)

*050182 Havildar Mg Tun Ya, 1023 (Burma) M.T. Company<ref name=IMSM/> (Havildar-Major Tun Ya in GSM medal roll)

===References===