James Leonard Langley

A Gunner with 239 Battery, 77 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, James died on 26th of July 1943 aged 22. 

James was born at Lowestoft on 15 February 1921, a son of Albert Henry and Lucy Emma Langley. In 1921 his family lived at 10 Fir Lane.

In 1941 James married Audrey Elsie Irene Soanes, this was registered in Lothingland district. Their home was at 97 Seago Street. 

James enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1941. He served with 115 Battery 89 Regiment before being posted to 239 Battery 77 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. On 6 December 1942 his regiment sailed from the U.K. destined for the Middle East, but with the Japanese entry into the war they were diverted to the Far East, arriving at Singapore on 13 January 1942. They were then sent to Java, arriving on 3-4 February and 238 Battery were given the task of providing air defence for Batavia. 

James was taken prisoner at Java on 8 March 1942. He was among a group of men taken overland, on 5 May 1943, to work on the Burma Railway. In July 1943 he was at the Hintock River Camp where he died, from cholera, on 26 July. He was buried at Hintok River Camp Cemetery and in 1946 he was reburied at Chungkai War Cemetery.