Names of the Tokyo Boys (INA Cadets)

Who Were The Tokyo Boys (INA Cadets)?

The Tokyo Boys or the INA Cadets were a group of 45 young men selected by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to join the Indian National Army and go for advanced training to Japan. 35 cadets joined the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and 10 were selected for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Academy; they lived and trained in Japan between 1944 and 1945.

After the Japanese surrender in August 1945, these men were stranded in Tokyo. Several of them were housed in the Sahay home in Ogikubo, and looked after by Asha-san’s family, including her mother Sati and sisters Tulu and Baby.

When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s ashes were brought to the Sahay home in Tokyo by Col Habibur Rahman, the Tokyo Boys took turns in keeping vigil over the urn. One of the Tokyo Boys carried the urn to its final resting spot in Renkoji temple. Details of this are mentioned in The War Diary of Asha-san.

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Do we know the names of the Tokyo Boys?

I found a list of the Tokyo Boys in the National Archives of India. This list was created by the British Intelligence upon their return to India on 30.12.1945. They (accidentally) landed in Madras on board the ship IMS Glenearn, causing some dismay in the Home Department as they were originally supposed to land in Singapore.

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Where were the Tokyo Boys from originally?

Most of the Tokyo Boys were from Burma, Singapore and Malaya, hence the British government didn’t quite know what to do with them when they returned to India. There was also the fear that the Tokyo Boys would share stories of the bravery of the members of the INA, and cause further foment in India.

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List of Names of the 45 Tokyo Boys / INA Cadets

Here is the list of the 45 Tokyo Boys, along with their intentions upon returning to India. I have tried to update their whereabouts with the latest information available.

1. B. Ramesh Rao (Ramesh Sakharam Benegal) (Rangoon)
   S/o B. Shankara Rao
   C/o ( l ) T.S.Rao, M.B.K. Stationary Articles Firm Rangoon and (2) Swami Ram Dass Ashram, Kanbangod, Mangalore.
   Address: C/o M. V. Nadgar F/1 Anand Ashram, Proctor Road, Bombay
   Remarks: On 16.4.46, it was reported that Ramesh had been asked by the INA Relief Committee to be ready to proceed to Calcutta for an interview in connection with a course in Electrical engineering.
   Update 1992: Residing in Bangalore, Karnataka, India; Air Force Colonel.
   Update 2023: Deceased in 2003; Air Commodore; Author of Burma to Japan with Azad Hind: A War Memoir
2. S. V. Sharma (Malaya)
   S/o C.V.S. Sharma
   General Hospital Alorstar Kedah, Malaya.
   Address: C/o K. R. Sriniwasan 114 St Leo’s Road Bombay
   Remarks: Selected by the INA Relief Committee for training at Jadav College of Engineering and Technology, Bengal.
   Update 1992: Residing in London, United Kingdom
3. S. Bala Krishna Sharma (Malaya)
   C/o No. 2
   Address: No. 2
   Remarks: Present intentions unknown
   Update 1992: Residing in Singapore
4. Attar Mohd Khan (Malaya)
   S/o Abdul Rehman Khan of Village Mehta Nangal, PS Beas District Amritsar
   Living at 122 York Road, Penang, Malaya
   C/o Mammonhan Kapur Egerton Road Lahore, Punjab
   Remarks: Has no intention of returning to Penang. Is privately preparing for the Matriculation Examination of the Punjab University to be held in 1947
   Update 1992: Brigadier, deceased in Pakistan.
5. Sat Parkash (Satya Prakash Sharma) (Malaya)
   S/o Daulat Ram of Village Daula Nangal PS Beas District Amritsar Punjab
   At present living at 8, China Street, Penang, Malaya
   C/o Ram Rattan 18 McClagan Road, Lahore Punjab
   Remarks: He has volunteered for training at the Jadav Institute of Engineering and Technology, Bengal, arranged by the Central INA Committee Delhi and has received instructions to report to Delhi.
   Update 1992: Residing in Harrow, Middlesex, United Kingdom
   Update 2023: Passed away in 2015 according to his grandson Rajan Sharma.
6. Harbans Singh
7. and Anup Singh (Malaya)
   Sons of Ajit Singh of Lahore
   At present living at 14C Annexe Road, Penang Malaya.
   C/o Piara Lal Kumar Advocate, 4 Mozang Road, Lahore
   Remarks: Not inclined to go back to Penang. Reported to have taken the Matriculation Exam. of Punjab University held in March last.
   Update 1992 (Harbans): Residing in New Delhi, India.
   Update 1992 (Anup): Deceased in the early 1950s.
8. Shiv Charan Singh
9. and Harcharan Singh Virick (Malaya)
   Sons of Gurcharan Singh
   Jat of Ophulweran Dist Shiekhpura, Punjab, at present a lawyer in Penang, Malaya.
   C/o C.S. Deva 8 College Road Lahore
   Remarks: Joined the Senior Cambridge Class of St Anthony School Lahore with effect from 1.3.1946.
   Update 1992 (Harcharan Singh): Residing in Sydney, Australia.
   Update 1992 (Shiv Charan Singh): Residing in Melbourne, Australia.
10. Sukhbir Singh Nindra (Malaya)
    S/o D.S. Nindra of 346 Dato Karmat Road, Penang, Malaya.
    (C/o L. Kathyab, Srinagar, Kashmir.)
    Update 1992: Residing in Punjab, India; PSEB General Manager.
    
    C/o Naranjon Singh Bhandari, o Eminabad, Dist. Gujranwala, Punjab.
    Remarks: Selected by the Central I.N.A. Relief Committee for training at the Jadvar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Bengal.
    Update 1992: Residing in Punjab, India; PSEB General Manager.
11. Guruswamy Gandhi Dass (Burma)
    S/o M. Guruswamy of 126 Dalhousie Street, Rangoon, Burma
    Remarks: Died of Malaria on I8.2.46
12. ST. Rajan (Malaya)
    S/o P.M. Sami Chettiar 28th Brickfield’s Rd., Kuala Lumpur, Malaya
    C/o.F.M. Samy Chettiar Kulloorsanda Aruppukottai Raluk Police Station, Ramnad, Dist* Madras.
    Remarks: Present intentions not known.
    Update 1992: Deceased in Africa.
13. R.M. Annamalai (Singapore)
    S/o Ramaswami 47 Market Street Singapore, Malaya
    Shanmuganathapuram, Devakoyyai Taluk Police Station, Ramnad Dist Madras.
    Remarks: Present intentions unknown
    Update 1992: Resident of Karaikudei, Tamil Nadu
14. G. Ganapathy (Malaya)
    S/o P. Govindasamy 50-L, Postal Barracks, Cannolly Road, Ipoh, Malaya
    *C/o S. Marudu Esq., Puduppathy, Tirupattur Post Ramnad, Dist. Madras
    Remarks: Has been asked by the Central INA Relief Committee to take up either Aero Ground Engineering course or Textile course whichever he chooses
    Update 1992: Deceased in Kuala Lumpur in 1988.
15. V. Natarajan (Singapore)
    S/o Vellasami 49 Market St., Singapore, Malaya
    Pattamangalam Tirupathur Police Station Ramnad, Dist. Madras.
    Remarks: Present Intentions not known.
    Update 1992: Residing in Singapore.
16. R. Meyyappan
    S/o Ranganathan Chettiar.
    L.P. Ranganathan, C/o Kandanur, Sakkottai Police Station, Ramnad Dist., Madras.
    Remarks: Selected by the Central INA Relief Committee for training at Jadav College of Engineering and Technology, Jadavpur, Bengal.
    Update 1992: Residing in Bombay, India.
17. M. Gandhi Nathan (Singapore)
    S/o Mukhayya Pillai 9 Morris Road, Singapore.
    Kallal Kallal Police Station, Ramnad Dlst. Madras
    Remarks: Selected by the Central INA Relief Committee for training at Jadav College of Engineering and Technology, Jadavpur, Bengal.
    Update 1992: Residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
18. N. Karuppiah (Singapore)
    S/o Narayana
    9 Morris Road, Singapore
    Silator, Aranthangi Police Station, Ramnad Dist. Madras.
    Remarks: Selected by the Central INA Relief Committee for training at Jadav College of Engineering and Technology, Jadavpur, Bengal.
    Update 1992: Deceased in India in 1988.
19. D. Ganarajan (Burma)
    S/o M.D. Rajan 31, Mahamyang Road, Rangoon, Burma.
    No. 4 Diwan Rama lyengar Road, Kilpauk, Madras.
    Remarks: Selected by the Central INA Relief Committee for training at Jadav College of Engineering and Technology, Jadavpur, Bengal.
    Update 1992: Residing in Kerala, India.
20. K.M.V. Nachiappan (Singapore) – Mentioned in The War Diary
    S/o M. Vallippan 45 Market Street, Singapore.
    Nachiapuram, Tirupathur Police Station Ramnad Dist Madras.
    Remarks: Present intentions not known.
    Update 1992: Residing in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.
21. M. Meyyappan (Singapore)
    S/o Malayandi 36 Market Street, Singapore.
    Muthupatnam, Karaikudy Police Station, Ramnad Dist. Madras.
    Remarks: Present intentions not known.
    Update 1992: Residing in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.
22. K. Thuraisamy or K. Doraiswamy @ K.T. Swamy
    C/o S .K .Karuppusamy Chettiar Chinnayya Goundenvalasu, Moolanpur Police Station Coimbatore Dist. Madras.
    Remarks: Has been asked by the Central INA Relief Committee to be ready to leave for Bombay, to Join the Aeronautical Engineering Course.
    Update 1992: Deceased in 1992
23. K .R.Sekharam (Malaya)
    S/o Dr. Krishna R Tolokdatoh Malaya.
    Kollathur, Thirayaur Taluk Trichinopoly Dist. Madras.
    Remarks: Present intentions not known
    Update 1992: Deceased in Madras in 1992.
24. Devasagayam, Dasan (Malaya)
    S/o Devashayam, 881 Bukit Chagar, Johore Baru, Malaya.
    Irangalur, Dist. Madras
    Remarks: Present Intentions not known
    Update 1992: Residing in Madras, India; Indian Airlines pilot
25. Nani Gopal Chaudhuri (Malaya)
    S/o Dr. D.C.Chaudhuri of 91 Birch Rd. Seremban Malaya and of V Bolachaung Dist. Tippera, Bengal.
    Remarks: Reported to have been traced in Tippera; visited INA Rest Camp in Calcutta in March last; not known whether he returned home.
    Update 1992: Residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
26. Ajit Kumar Ghosh (Malaya)
    S/o N.N. Ghosh f 238, Wood Rd., Port Dickson, Negri, Slmbillan Malaya.
    Remarks: On arrival in India gave his address as that of N.G. Chaudhuri. Has not yet been traced.
    Update 1992: Residing in Selangor, Malaysia.
27. Bimel Kishore Dev (Burma)
    S/o Bindhu Bhushan Dev, 9 Chelmsford Street, Rangoon and of Mukherji Lane, Serampur, near Calcutta, Bengal.
    Remarks: Not yet traced.
    Update 1992: Deceased; in the Burmese Navy.
28. Somerandra Karmakar (Singapore) – Mentioned in The War Diary
    s/o T. Karmakar 10 Bunna Road, Singapore and of Mukherjl Lane, Serampur, Bengal.
    Remarks: Not yet traced. Has relatives in Howrah and Hoogly
    Update 1992: Residing in Jamshedpur, Bihar, India.
29. Anil Ranjan Dutta
    Son of A.B. Dutta, from Katha, Burma, and Bhangagar, Faridpur District.
    Remarks: Was at the INA Relief Committee Office, 131 Bow Bazar Street, Calcutta in March last. Present whereabouts unknown.
    Update 1992: Residing in New York, President of Lama Shipping; deceased in the United States in the 1990s.
30. Ajit Sen Gupta
    Son of Anil Sen Gupta, from 7 Bukit Chagar, Butterworth, Malaya, and Hoogly, Bengal,
    Guru Prasad Hay Lane, Calcutta.
    Update 1992: Deceased in Ranchi in the 1950s.
31. Sushil Chatterjee (Malaya)
    Son of Taran Chatterjee, from Bilmol Street, Kuala Selangor, Malaya, and Brahmapur, Dist, Halsa, Bengal.
    Remarks: Not yet traced.
    Update 1992: Deceased in Calcutta in 1982.
32. Ranjit Das (Singapore)
    Son of H.C. Das, from 254 Rangoon Rd, Singapore, and Naya Bazar, Dacca, Bengal (Mukherji Lane, Serampur, Bengal?).
    Remarks: Not yet traced.
    Update 1992: Residing in Bombay, India; airline captain.
33. B. Karmakar (Singapore)
    Son of T. Karmakar, from 10 Burma Rd, Singapore, and Mukhrji Lane, Serampur, Bengal. Remarks: Not yet traced.
    Update 1992: Residing in New Delhi, airline captain.
34. N.C. Mukherjee (Malaya)
    Son of S.K. Mukerjee, from 349 Govt. Quarters, Kuala Pilah, Malaya, and 26 Thalpukar Rd, Calcutta.
    Remarks: Reported to have proceeded to Barisal and thence to Dacca. Not yet traced.
    Update 1992: Residing in Selangor, Malaysia.
35. P.K. Mitra (Malaya)
    Son of Dr. S.K. Mitra, from Johor Baru, Malaya, and Calcutta.
    Remarks: Living at INA Rest Camp, 6 Dwaraka Nath Tagore Lane, Calcutta.
    Update 1992: Brigadier, deceased in 1975.
36. K. Navaratnam (Malaya)
    Son of Kandavanam, Kota Babharu, Malaya.
    Remarks: Upon arrival in India, he expressed his desire to go to his grandfather, Sabapathi, in Jaffna, Ceylon.
    Update 1992: Deceased in Patna in 1949.
37. R. Balaraju Naidu (Malaya)
    Son of Ratnaswamy Naidu, 910 Jalan Padang, Green Town, Ipoh, Malaya.
    C/o INA Relief Committee 13 Bow Bazaar St. Calcutta
    Update 1992: Residing in Bombay, India.
38. Mancadu Kumaran Ramkumar (Malaya)
    Son of M.R.K. Nair, from Kulathoor, Travancore State (address in Malaya not known).
    Update 1992: Residing in Trivandrum, India; Army Major.
39. C.P. Krishna (Malaya)
40. and C.P. Narayanan
    Sns of T.P. Kerunakaran Nair, from 7 Garden City, Malacca, and Chittor village, Trichur, Cochin State.
    Remarks: Left their home for Calcutta in the first week of March last to contact INA Relief Committee and to see if they could get back to their parents in Malaya.
    Update 1992 (CP Narayanan): Residing in Kingston, United Kingdom; Air India pilot.
    Update 1992 (CP Krishna): Residing in Bombay, India; Air India pilot.
41. V. Ganapathy (Singapore)
    Son of Venkitachalam (deceased), from 49 Market St, Singapore, and Kadiapatty, P.O. Ramachandrapuram, Pudukotah State.
    Update 1992: Residing in Tamil Nadu, India.
42. N. Damodara Menon (Malaya)
    Son of Dr. N.K. Menon, 73 Perak Rd, Penang, Malaya, and c/o Ramu Menon (brother), Student Presidency College, Madras.
    Update 1992: Residing in Madras, India; Indian Airlines pilot.
43. Robert S. Prosper (Malaya)
    Son of J. Prosper, and S. Prosper, c/o S.V. Permandeese, Water Works Inspector Johore Baru. c/o S. Prosper, Teacher, St. Joseph’s School, Nagercoil, Travancore State.
    Update 1992: Residing in Miri, Sarawak, East Malaysia.
44. Cecil Lakshman Thevar (Malaya)
    Son of K.K. Thevar, Victoria Avenue, Penang, and c/o Mrs. C.P.M. Menon, Chorupal Pathipara House, Trichur.
    Remarks: Present whereabouts not known.
    Update 1992: Residing in Stormont County, Canada
45. J. Rabindra Nath, (Malaya)
    Son of Janardhanan Pillai, from Battupahat Town, Johore State, Malaya. c/o Janardhanan, Mavelikkara, Travancore State.
    Update 1992: Deceased in Malaysia.
46. Bishan Singh
    Deceased on the way to Japan in 1944. Air Commodore Ramesh Benegal’s memoir gives details have his untimely death.
    
    

Source: The National Archives of India.