Paybook 1936-1941

[schum]

Hello.

I have just bought this paybook.
It belonged to Soukichi Tanaka 田中壯吉. Transport Support Troop 輜真兵, the 9th Division.
First, I can see some entries about mobilization and transfer.
Then it seems he left Osaka on september 24 1937, and landed in kure 呉私.

Besides that, it seems he took part in several battles in China. One of this could be next to Ganzhou.

Any extra information will be welcome.
Thanks in advance.

[Nick Komiya]

Received the Rising Sun 8th Class and the China Incident War Medal on 29th April 1940. Also, you are misreading the name. It is 伊庭壮吉 Soukichi Iba. Transport troops is 輜重兵, not 輜真兵

[schum]

Hello Nick.

Thank you for your correction.
"Transport troops is 輜重兵, not 輜真兵". So I'm lost. What is exactly?
On the other hand, I read the name from the top cover. I did not notice that they were different.

[Nick Komiya]

He was indeed in transport. I only pointed out that you misspelled the word in Japanese.

Change of family names was common even for men in those days, as it was regarded as paramount to carry on the family name even when you only had daughters. The family (Tanaka) would adopt a second or third son from another family (Iba) as husband for the eldest daughter. Iba would have married into the Tanaka family during his period as reserve, which is why the name on the cover was re-written.

[schum]

Thank you Nick.