[Family History] The result of requesting my grandfather's military service record from the prefectural office: Mixed feelings and facts I wish I hadn't known. My grandfather, who died in battle at 27 during the Second Sino-Japanese War without ever seeing his firstborn son
Hello.
I am Yoshinari Mori, a trilingual Sanuki PR officer.
This time, I am writing about the results of the request I made to the Kagawa Prefectural Office in May for my grandfather's military service records.
My grandfather died at the young age of 27 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, while my father was still in my grandmother's womb. It happened just as he was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first son.
The response from the Kagawa Prefectural Office arrived in May, but the military records provided revealed facts I had never known, and it took me some time to process my complex emotions.
While there is a desire to know, there are also many things that are better left unknown.
My grandfather died on October 20, 1937 (Showa 12) at the young age of 27.
There are only two photos of my grandfather in existence.
My grandfather (left), who died without seeing the face of his firstborn son.
My grandfather (left) holding a military bugle.
List of the war dead
The location of my grandfather's death from war wounds and illness is listed as the Zentsuji Army Hospital, Marugame Branch.
・The Marugame Branch of the Zentsuji Army Hospital, which was located in front of Marugame Castle
・List of the War Dead (Ouchi Town History)
Those who appear to have belonged to the same 12th Infantry Regiment died in Luodian Town, Shanghai, in September 1937. My grandfather died on October 20th.
Luodian Town in Shanghai is located less than an hour's drive from the Jing'an District where I lived, and it is a place I have visited many times.
・Information recorded in the list of the war dead:
Shizuo Mori
Born July 27, 1910 (Meiji 43)
Died October 20, 1937 (Showa 12) at the Zentsuji Army Hospital Marugame Branch. Age 27
🔸What was the 11th Division?
11th Division (Imperial Japanese Army) - Wikipedia
🔸What were the movements of the 11th Division (Zentsuji) during the Second Sino-Japanese War?
In January 1932 (Showa 7), they were mobilized for the First Shanghai Incident and returned. The following year, in 1933 (Showa 8), they participated as the Southern Army in special grand maneuvers held in Fukui and Ishikawa Prefectures.
They were deployed to Shanghai again during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945).
In September 1938 (Showa 13), they were dispatched to Manchuria and were stationed there thereafter.
In October 1939 (Showa 14), the subordinate 22nd Infantry Regiment (Matsuyama) was incorporated into the newly established 24th Division, becoming a triangular division.
🔸What is the 12th Infantry Regiment (formed in: Marugame)?
The 12th Infantry Regiment to which my grandfather belonged - Wikipedia
1937 (Showa 12) - The Second Sino-Japanese War broke out. In the Battle of Shanghai, they participated in the Battle of Baoshan City, as well as the battles of Pu Town and Luodian Town. During the Battle of Luodian Town, a mortar shell hit directly while the 2nd Battalion Commander was gathering company commanders for a strategy meeting. The battalion commander, Major Kaji, and others were killed in action.
The 11th Division, 12th Infantry Regiment, to which my grandfather belonged, participated in the Battle of Shanghai in 1937.
The respective battles of the 12th Infantry Regiment in the Battle of Shanghai occurred generally in the following months.
Outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War: The Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937, is considered the trigger for the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Battle of Shanghai (Second Shanghai Incident): Began on August 13, 1937.
Battle of Baoshan City: Took place during the early stages of the Second Shanghai Incident, from late August to early September 1937.
Battles of Pu Town and Luodian Town: These battles were also part of the Battle of Shanghai, and the Battle of Luodian Town, in particular, became a fierce battle in September 1937.
🔸What were the movements of the 12th Infantry Regiment after the Battle of Shanghai?
After the Battle of Shanghai, the 12th Infantry Regiment followed the path described below.
From September 1938 onwards: Assigned to garrison duty in Manchuria.
March 1944: The 3rd Battalion was dispatched to Guam, where it was annihilated.
April 1945: Relocated to their home region of Shikoku (Kochi Prefecture) in preparation for the decisive battle on the Japanese mainland.
August 1945: Reached the end of the war.
In this way, the 12th Infantry Regiment fought in various theaters from the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War until the end of the war, ultimately reaching the end of the war on the Japanese mainland.
[Procedures] Regarding the issuance of copies of former Imperial Japanese Army military service records in Kagawa Prefecture
🔸Application form
Regarding the process of requesting my grandfather's military service records
🔸Morning of May 15, 2025, inquiry to Marugame City Hall
Contact:
Marugame City Hall, Cultural Property Museum (inside Marugame Castle)
Tel: 0877-22-5366
Inquiry details:
1. The current location of the Marugame branch of the Zentsuji Army Hospital, where my grandfather, who died in his 20s during the Second Sino-Japanese War, passed away on October 20, 1937.
2. My grandfather's war death record (unit affiliation, did he go to China after the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War? Circumstances of his death)
🔸Morning of May 16, 2025, result of inquiry to the Nogi Museum (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Zentsuji Garrison Museum)
🔸After inquiring with the Kagawa Prefectural Office and being told there were no military service records for the Second Sino-Japanese War, I called the Nogi Museum located within the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in Zentsuji City to inquire.
The Nogi Museum's response was that while they have large-scale information such as military operations since the Meiji era and how the 11th Division moved, they do not have individual military service records.
I then asked if the Gokoku Shrine museum might have them, but they said they were unsure.
🔸Morning of May 16, 2025
Inquired with the Kagawa Prefectural Office by phone. The response was that there are no records from the Second Sino-Japanese War.
🔸Afternoon of May 16, 2025
Unable to give up, I inquired again via the email below.
🔸May 21, 2025
Received an email stating that the documents were found.
🔸2025/5/22
Visited the Kagawa Prefectural Office and submitted the necessary documents for the military service record request.
🔸2025/5/23
Received the military service records at the Kagawa Prefectural Office. I felt complex emotions upon discovering facts I had been completely unaware of.
🔸Content of the inquiry email to the Kagawa Prefectural Health and Welfare Department, Longevity Society Measures Division (Afternoon of 2025/5/16)
==========================
To whom it may concern,
My name is Mori.
I apologize for bothering you during your busy schedule.
I am writing this email in the hope that you might have military service records for my grandfather, who was a war casualty.
I made an inquiry by phone on the morning of 2025/5/16, and was told that the records are centered on the Pacific War and that there are no records for casualties of the Second Sino-Japanese War. However, the Second Sino-Japanese War was 1937-1945 and the Pacific War was 1941-1945, so chronologically there is no difference. Unlike other prefectures, does Kagawa Prefecture really have no military service records for casualties of the Second Sino-Japanese War?
My grandfather's information is as follows. This is information on war casualties published in the "Ouchi Town History."
—————————————
Name: Shizuo Mori
Registered domicile at time of death: Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture
Date of death: October 20, 1937 (Showa 12)
Place of death: Zentsuji Army Hospital, Marugame Branch
—————————————
Since he died at the Marugame Branch of the Zentsuji Army Hospital, I presume he belonged to the 12th Infantry Regiment of the 11th Division. This unit suffered many casualties in September 1937 during the Battle of Baoshan and the Battle of Luodian in Shanghai.
I am writing this email because I desperately want to know how my grandfather died, whether it was from illness, what his unit was, whether he participated in the Battle of Luodian in Shanghai, and when he was in the military, as I have no way of knowing these things.
My grandfather died at the Marugame Branch before my father was born, without ever seeing his face. My father also always said during his lifetime that he wanted to look into his father's history, but he passed away without fulfilling that wish. I strongly desire to know my grandfather's military history, if only to honor my father's memory.
I have already inquired with the Marugame City Hall, where the branch was located, and the Nogi Museum in Zentsuji City, but they said that individual military service records are managed by the prefecture. This is the same in other prefectures.
I am very sorry to trouble you during your busy time, but I would appreciate it if you could check again.
Keisei Mori
===========================
What was the result of receiving the military service records?
Visited the Kagawa Prefectural Office on the afternoon of 2025/5/23 to receive the military service records.
They mentioned that there have been many applicants for military service certificates recently, with about 10 in May alone.
They said another applicant was coming after 14:35 on 2025/5/23.
They found my grandfather's military service records by searching through microfilm at the archives next to the Kagawa Prefectural Library. Thank you very much.
They mentioned that if the military service records are not available at the prefectural Welfare Department or the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, they might be at the Ministry of Defense, Military Archives Division.
What was the content of the documents provided by the Kagawa Prefectural Office?
On May 23, 2025, I received the following military service documents at the Kagawa Prefectural Office.
○ War Dead Investigation Form... A document recording the status, cause of death, etc., of the war dead, investigated after the end of the war.
○ Hospital Bed Journal... Records of an individual's injuries or illnesses kept at an Army hospital during wartime.
○ Statement of Claim... Documents sent to this prefecture by those in charge of the home front regarding an individual's death after the end of the war.
○ Death Certificate... A document diagnosing an individual's death, issued by a doctor at an Imperial University hospital during wartime.
・Hospital Bed Journal
・Death Certificate
・War Dead Investigation Form
The tragedy of my young grandfather: Sudden death in the military and its impact
My grandfather passed away on October 20, 1937 (Showa 12) at the young age of 27 due to acute pneumonia at the Zentsuji Army Hospital Marugame Branch.
The fact that my grandfather, who was in good health, lost his life just a few weeks after being called up on a certain day in October 1937, while holding the rank of superior private, was a sudden event for the family, accompanied by deep sorrow and suspicion.
The "Statement from the Family" attached to the military service record handed to me by the Kagawa Prefectural Office on May 23, 2025, speaks to the family's sense of helpless anger and doubt at the time.
On the sudden call-up and the rank of superior private
Why was my healthy 27-year-old grandfather suddenly called up and why did he lose his life within just a few weeks? Furthermore, I will examine why he held the rank of "superior private," incorporating the military system of that time.
On the mandatory age for military enlistment and call-ups
Under Japan's Military Service Law in 1937, men who reached the age of 20 had a military service obligation. This was called the "conscription age," and healthy men, excluding heads of households, were in principle required to undergo a physical examination and, if they passed, enlist in the military.
However, passing the conscription exam did not mean everyone immediately enlisted as an active-duty soldier. At the time, the Army's active-duty service period was usually two years, and in peacetime, there were cases where even those who passed the conscription exam had their enlistment deferred through a lottery system.
If my grandfather was called up at 27, it means he took the military service exam at 20, did not enlist as an active-duty soldier at that time, and was subsequently registered as a reservist or second reservist.
October 1937 coincides with the period when the Second Sino-Japanese War entered an expansion phase. During this time, it was common for the prime-age population who had been placed in the reserves or second reserves to be called up in large numbers to bolster military strength. It is believed that my grandfather was also re-called due to this mobilization order.
・The medical logbook records him as a reserve infantry superior private in the 8th Company of the 12th Infantry Regiment Replacement Unit.
Promotion to superior private and maintenance of rank
In the Imperial Japanese Army at the time, the period until a general soldier was promoted to superior private was usually about one year after enlistment. Upon enlistment, one would first become a second-class private, then generally be promoted to first-class private after about six months, and to superior private after another six months to a year.
The reason my grandfather was a superior private when he was called up at 27 is that he had previously enlisted in the military as an active-duty soldier, was promoted to superior private during that period, and then, after finishing his active-duty term, was discharged while holding the rank of superior private and placed into the reserves or second reserves.
Once a rank was obtained, it was maintained while registered as a reservist or second reservist, and the principle was to return with that same rank if re-called.
For example, the most logical sequence is that my grandfather took the conscription exam at 20, enlisted as an active-duty soldier a few years later (e.g., in his early 20s), was promoted to superior private during his two-year service, was discharged into the reserves, and was then re-called at 27 due to the expansion of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Promotion from superior private to corporal at the time was a step up from enlisted soldier to non-commissioned officer and was more selective. Therefore, to be promoted from superior private to corporal, it usually required about two years, and was influenced by ability, service record, selection exams (or recommendations), and the situation of the unit.
Death from acute pneumonia during intensive training: The situation at the time and the family's feelings
The family's claim that 'my grandfather, who was in good health, was drafted on a certain day in October 1937, developed acute pneumonia during intensive training, and suddenly died on 10/20' is taken very seriously, even considering the circumstances of that time.
According to the hospital bed log, despite being seriously ill, my grandfather was only able to receive a doctor's diagnosis on 10/20 and was only able to be hospitalized for one day, 10/20, dying on that same day. I truly feel
intense indignation at this treatment. If this were today, it would be a clear case of damages for breach of the duty of care. I cannot hold back tears when I think of the suffering my grandfather endured and the regret of dying without being able to see his child grow up.
In the 1930s, especially in the unique environment of the military, was it not uncommon for soldiers to die of acute pneumonia?
Unlike today, Japan at that time had underdeveloped medical technology and sanitary conditions.
Limits of infectious disease control: Antibiotics were not put into practical use until after World War II, and at the time, there were almost no effective treatments for pneumonia. Infectious diseases spread easily in places like barracks where people lived in groups, and vaccinations were not as widespread as they are today.
Harsh training and fatigue: Military training at the time was extremely rigorous, making it easy for physical and mental fatigue to accumulate. Fatigue leads to a weakened immune system, creating a state where one is more susceptible to infectious diseases and more likely to develop severe symptoms. In particular, the sudden draft and 'intensive training' likely placed a heavy burden on my grandfather's body and significantly lowered his immunity.
Nutritional status and physical strength: The nutritional status of the general public was not as good as it is today, and it is thought that if soldiers were not receiving sufficient nutrition, their resistance would have been easily lowered.
Delays in diagnosis and treatment: It is also possible that even when symptoms appeared, diagnosis was delayed, or that doctors and medical supplies were limited in military hospitals, preventing patients from receiving adequate treatment.
Considering this background, the fact that my grandfather died of acute pneumonia in a short period despite being in good health is an event that makes me painfully aware of the harsh environment of the military at the time and the limitations of medicine in an era without antibiotics. It is only natural that the family felt suspicious and found it unreasonable. Even now, when I look at this hospital bed log, I feel indignant.
The hardships of the bereaved family and the 'unforgivable' feelings
When my grandfather died, my father was still in my grandmother's womb. The regret I feel over my father growing up without knowing his own father, and my grandmother dying after the war following a life of hardship, is beyond words.
The death of a 27-year-old who was drafted and lost his life in just a few weeks is so unreasonable that it drastically changed the lives of the remaining family, forcing deep sorrow and hardship upon them. The process by which a young man's life was treated like a consumable item within the military organization is an event that evokes great indignation, even from our perspective living in the modern day.
What I can do now
The impact of my grandfather's death on the subsequent lives of our family is immeasurable. And I myself feel deep sorrow and anger.
While I cannot directly 'undo' past events, it is possible to find meaning in my grandfather's death and the family's hardships and take some form of action in the present day.
As for what can be done now, the following paths can be considered.
🔸 Inheriting historical records and memories:
Digging deeper into the facts: The military service records and family petitions obtained are valuable materials. It may be possible to further investigate documents related to the Zentsuji Army Hospital and its Marugame branch at the time, as well as official records and research papers concerning the military conscription system and the circumstances of deaths from illness or injury in war. Historical archives, public document centers, and university research institutions may hold information.
Leaving a record: This means recording the family story, including what I have investigated and my own feelings. This can be a personal record, or in the form of written or digital data. It serves as an important foundation for passing things on to the next generation.
Activities as a storyteller: It is also worth considering participating in public forums to share my grandfather's story. By telling it as a personal narrative in contexts such as activities to pass on war experiences or peace education, it can influence many people and serve as a lesson to prevent the repetition of similar tragedies.
🔸Forms of mourning and healing:
Visiting memorial sites: Visiting places associated with him, such as the site where the Marugame branch of the Zentsuji Army Hospital once stood or visiting my grandfather's grave, may lead to emotional closure and mourning.
My grandfather's death can be seen as a result of the national system at the time, particularly the military's disregard for individual lives. That anger is not merely a personal emotion; it is a shared pain held by many bereaved families and a lesson from history.
The feeling that it is "unforgivable" is proof that I, living in the modern age, have inherited the regret of my grandfather and my family. How I sublimate this emotion and apply it to my future life and society is up to me.
My father, who overcame adversity
My father had no father before he was born, and his mother also passed away when he was a child. It is easy to imagine the unspeakable hardships he experienced, losing both parents during the war and the post-war period when Japan was exhausted and it was difficult just to survive each day.
In his teens, my father left his rural home in Kagawa alone for Kobe and began washing dishes at a hotel. While enduring daily physical abuse, he honed his skills in Western cuisine, eventually reaching the point where he served meals to Emperor Showa, the Crown Prince (the current Emperor Emeritus), members of the Imperial family, and key figures in politics and business. Later, he became independent and ran his own restaurant until he passed away.
Despite the handicap of losing his parents in childhood, my father used that adversity as a springboard to carve out his own life. Perhaps if he had not suffered the tragedy of losing his parents as a child, he would have led a completely different life, and I might never have been born. During his lifetime, my father never spoke about his own father. I believe he held strong feelings deep within himself.
[Family History] The spectacular life of my father, who served meals to Emperor Showa, his unknown bond with Jakucho Setouchi, and the story of the magnificent bloodline woven by the Awa Navy of the Warring States period.
My grandfather Shizuo Mori's grandmother was the eldest daughter of the Hatta family, who were officials at the Goura Guard Station in Kitanada-cho, Naruto City, and she married into the Mori family of the Takamatsu Domain during the end of the Edo period.
Records of Ino Tadataka's landing in Naruto and his visit to the Goura Guard Station, which remain in the Goura Guard Station Hatta family documents. Records of Matsuura Takeshiro, the man who named Hokkaido, visiting the Goura Guard Station.