What was happening in March 1942?

[Robin]

I have a certificate for a John Henry ATHEY (Sergeant RASC)crossing the Equator (North to South) on 9th March 1942.
It is signed by C.M.Lochs (Master).
Ships name not known.
I assume a troop ship?
Have looked at various "timelines" I cannot see a reason for troops to be moving south?
This is after the Japanese captured Singapore/Burma.
Were the 8th? Army still fighting in Africa?
Any expert advice?
robin

[coenmfam]

Here is a website that gives a pretty good ( almost day by day ) account of World war II.

I dont know how it rates for accuracy though.

http://www.euronet.nl/users/wilfried/ww2/ww2.htm

Neville

edit
Here is the BBC history site

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/

although its timelines are not as detailed

[Peter Goodey]

"Have looked at various "timelines" I cannot see a reason for troops to be moving south?"


Perhaps simply to reinforce India?

[keith9351]

I believe all troops for North Africa would have travelled the long way round via the Cape, it was to dangerous to put Troop Ships in the Med. Also we had to push the Japs out of India and back through Burma which took till the end of the War so he could have been on route to one of these conflicts.
If you can get his Service Record it will show were he was.
Keith

[coenmfam]

Here is another link with plenty of naval history

http://www.naval-history.net/index.htm

if you scroll down this index page you will come to a page link to 1942 with monthly summaries

Neville

[Robin]

Thanks for all the info.
Looks like India or possibly Africa
Locally I have found he was born 26th July 1906.
Died Uckfield 1996.(34E-82)
He is belived to have trained as a Motor mechanic in a local garage and to have married a Miss Inglefield?.
A Dorethy ATHEY died in Tunbridge Wells in 1997.(C11-266)
(born 29th Aug 1906)
neither show on FreeBMd etc so may have to get certs
Cant find any trace of children
Thanks again
robin