I AM writing a history of British Searchlight Regiments of the Second World War, and wonder if any of your readers might be able to provide me with any information about the 5th Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery, which drew many of its men from Manchester and from Lancashire.

5th Searchlight Regiment was formed in Singapore in May 1941, most of the regiment becoming Prisoners of War when Singapore fell to the Japanese in February, 1942.

Of all Second World War British Searchlight Regiments, 5th Searchlight Regiment suffered the most casualties, more than 300 deaths being listed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

In "Prisoner on the Kwai", his memoir of his time as a POW, Basil Peacock, one of the regiment's Battery Commanders, praised men of the regiment for their guts and fortitude. There may well be some some survivors from the regiment, or others who have memories of it, and, if so, I would be very pleased to hear from them.

I would also be interested in borrowing any photographs for possible inclusion in the book. I will return the originals after taking copies.

Geoffrey Berriman

Garden Cottage

Lambton Park Chester-le-Street,

County Durham. DH3 4PN

Tel: 0191 415 9855

e.mail:

berriman@talk21.com