The MALAYAN EMERGENCY & BORNEO CONFRONTATION
Forum thread for campaign The MALAYAN EMERGENCY & BORNEO CONFRONTATION
“ The fight to found Malaysia ”
Is there anyone out there that was in malaya from 1949 to 19252 with the Suffolk regeiment
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Served on HMS Albion 1964 - 1965, 18 month deployment too and from Singapore to Borneo with troops and helo's etc. Lost a few good guys over the period. The Malaysian Government recognised the service given. Why cant the government that sent us there?
Originally Posted by Jp
Hi JP, I was in 10inf wksps same time as you pal, same compound, I have a few piccs also, do u remember chips Rafferty? He is at Chelsea barracks now a Chelsea pensioner there now, did you stay at the shop houses or at tanaputi camp?gissa shout John, cheers Chris Ackers.
22446347 Pte. Chandler, Barry, assigned to 'I'Sect. HQ Coy. 1st Suffolks, on detatchment in Kajang. Member of Draft DAGWN that arrived in Malaya June 1951. At a a guess there are not many of left, me beiing currently 87. Due to a shooting incident whilst on an NCO cadre at Wardiburn Camp which was HQ, I was boarded back to the UK in '52 and served the remainder of my NS at Blenheim Camp, Bury St. Eds as MT Cpl. Going on the revert to my original regiment, 5th Bn. Northamptonshires TA. and ending up as Provost Sgt before emigrating to Sweden in 1960 to join a motor manufacturer in the engine design dept.
The attatched photos include Kajang Police Stn, which was also the Ops Centre for the Suffolks. The photo of the SEP (Surrendered Enemy Person) Tet Min, and the haul of food was taken by the John Bull journalist - Harry Hopkins - who was 'attached' to the Bn. for the purposes of articles on the Malayan Emergency. Egoistically I kept the magazines since I featured in just this first photo - bare buff - beside Sgt. Mike Walker, the 'I'Sgt. In the next photo the I.O. Capt. Ernie Morgan is arriving by jeep. As an aside, the battallion magazine 'Castle & Key' was produced by us in the Ops Room in our spare time. I still have the original John Bull magazines, but they have been photographed and are available to view at the Regimental Museum in Bury St. Eds. The originals are pretty tattered, being from 1951, and much travelled since then. But they provide another view on the situation in Malaya at that time. I enjoyed my time out in Malaya and the comradeship that existed within the regiment. But I was like a bear with a sore head after my return to the UK. due to my losing out on the experience of life in a complely foreign land. At a guess, being 87, I figure that there are not so many from that period of time still around, so there will doubtless not be anyone who even remembers me from that era.
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The attatched photos include Kajang Police Stn, which was also the Ops Centre for the Suffolks. The photo of the SEP (Surrendered Enemy Person) Tet Min, and the haul of food was taken by the John Bull journalist - Harry Hopkins - who was 'attached' to the Bn. for the purposes of articles on the Malayan Emergency. Egoistically I kept the magazines since I featured in just this first photo - bare buff - beside Sgt. Mike Walker, the 'I'Sgt. In the next photo the I.O. Capt. Ernie Morgan is arriving by jeep. As an aside, the battallion magazine 'Castle & Key' was produced by us in the Ops Room in our spare time. I still have the original John Bull magazines, but they have been photographed and are available to view at the Regimental Museum in Bury St. Eds. The originals are pretty tattered, being from 1951, and much travelled since then. But they provide another view on the situation in Malaya at that time. I enjoyed my time out in Malaya and the comradeship that existed within the regiment. But I was like a bear with a sore head after my return to the UK. due to my losing out on the experience of life in a complely foreign land. At a guess, being 87, I figure that there are not so many from that period of time still around, so there will doubtless not be anyone who even remembers me from that era.
Originally Posted by Chips
Hi Chips you still in Chelsea?
Is mick and Carol Smith still living in Puerto pollensa mick was I selerang bus changi with 22nd cheshire Carol was in w r a c at tanglin bks Smith was not her maiden name mick was from Fenton Carol from Sunderland time 58 to 60 John gilbert a coy
Originally Posted by Janice Fowles
Hello Janice - I was also on 48 sqn Changi in 56 as an Air Signaller but cannot recall the name Fowles. Supply dropping was more scary than thrilling and we had some fatalities. Supply dropping excepted, we enjoyed the Singapore tour.
Originally Posted by Patrick R. L. Dunbar
Hello Patrick. I was only 9 when we were ther and my father's name was Ron 'Robbie' Robertson, my married name is Fowles. I went back to Changi a couple of years ago and found our old house in Upavon Road. The black and white houses there have been preserved as part of Changi's history, though there are people living in them. A lot of the road from Changi into the city is unrecognisable as we knew it being swallowed up by development, areas such as Siglap were indiscernible. But had to have a Singapore Sling in Raffles as I was far too young the first time!
Hello Janice - wonderful to hear from you! We lived at 55/6 Upavon Road, the end overlooking the first golf green and Changi village. 'Our' quarter had been part of the POW-run university, and re-painting failed to hide completely a notice on a lounge giving directions to a classroom. Did you see the POW wall paintings in a hut near what was then the Sergeants Mess? The local authorities tried to paint over them, but like our notice they showed through, so the council relented and I think they were then preserved as a local attraction.
My elder son was born in Changi hospital in 1956. He is now retired - how time flies! My wife taught herself to swim in the Malcolm Club pool. Some years ago working as a civvie in Brunei we stayed at Raffles (Singapore) for a couple of days. The Singapore Slings we ordered came in chilled cans - what a let-down! I understand that Raffles was to be modernised soon after our stay. I liked the atmosphere, my wife, no doubt remembering war-time tales, found it chilling. Changi village was no longer a collection of attap huts, but the old police station was still there.
Kind regards, Pat
My elder son was born in Changi hospital in 1956. He is now retired - how time flies! My wife taught herself to swim in the Malcolm Club pool. Some years ago working as a civvie in Brunei we stayed at Raffles (Singapore) for a couple of days. The Singapore Slings we ordered came in chilled cans - what a let-down! I understand that Raffles was to be modernised soon after our stay. I liked the atmosphere, my wife, no doubt remembering war-time tales, found it chilling. Changi village was no longer a collection of attap huts, but the old police station was still there.
Kind regards, Pat
Hello Again Janice - just looked at the house on Google maps the paintwork looks the same, they have added windows to enclose the upstairs balcony and a similar rear downstairs area. The amah's rooms are still there - if they are still amahs quarters I hope they have updated them. Didn't notice if the papaya trees are still there, but of course there is much more greenery!
John gilbert 81 today would like to share it with mates from the cheshire rest based at selerang changi mainly a copy e.g. Roberts Norwood hall Poole Todd Tec also mates from tanglin e.g. Fraser Simpson Smith holt Stanton Carol Ruth robin from the wrac camp j g 23586759
Originally Posted by Patrick R. L. Dunbar
Hi Patrick. We must have been neighbours then, we lived at No 57 opposite the golf tee, did they used to tee off over the road? That's how I found the house at the tee of was one of my memories. I used to go to the school over the road which is now part of the SAF base buildings. I had a black cat which was killed, I found her on the playing field on my way to school. Our Amah's name was Eng. All the shops in Changi village are now restaurants, no tailors, cold storage. Dad went back to the Far East, Butterworth to be exact, in '64-'66, I met my first husband there and we went back to Changi in 1970 with my youngest son and my second son was born in Changi as wel. We were there when Changi was handed back and saw it being flattened, so sad, all those memories and ended up in Holland Village. My current husband took me back a couple of years ago as a birthday treat and we spend a wk on Bintan Island. Sadly I'm unlikely to go back again as I'm now retired too. I have Dad's logbook, he died three years ago, do you remember a Robbie Robertson, he was a Signaller too? Best wishes Kan.
Originally Posted by Patrick R. L. Dunbar
Hello Patrick. Yes the Amah's quarters are still there and the whole area is like a jungle surrounding the houses, huge trees face the road.
Originally Posted by Janice Fowles
Hello Janice - great memories! From your description I guess coming in to Upavon road, your quarter was on the right, ours on the left further up the hill. Our upstairs balcony looked down on the first green so your upstairs must have been just above the level of the green.I wonder if you remember this. Early one Sunday morning we thought a war had broken out - we awoke to deafening rifle shots. I got out of bed, and with care went out on the balcony. Opposite on 'your' block, a nightie-clad lady rushed out on her balcony and gave the noise-makers a real earful. I/C the noise-makers was God himself - the SWO (possibly Johnny Clapp) and he was overseeing a small party of local erks (not Brits) involved in a stray dog cull - using .303 rifles. Non-plussed, the SWO, ramrod straight, chest out hollered back "Get back indoors madam or you'll get your bl...dy head shot off!" The lady couldn't possibly have been your Mum ... or could it!
My dear wife was shopping in Changi village with Rita Rockall (a signallers wife) and as usual the pair got railroaded into a shop, were seated and cold cokes thrust at them. The sales chat started; the turbanned Indian in the hope of embarrassing the ladies waving frilly knickers at them. "To you, missie, very cheap.." - the usual bull. Rita, non-plussed, shot back with, "Can't afford them, got thirteen kids to feed!" The response - "Madam, you haven't time to wear them!"
Your dad's name sounds familiar, but I cannot recall a face. I was on 48 Squadron; do you know his?
Janice, I'm enjoying writing of old times, but such chat must be boring to others on the forum. If you want to chat at length, would you like to contact me directly? You'll find me at dunbar(at)one-name.org. If that address gets stripped out by the forum software you can find my address at Dunbar Family Worldwide. It should pop up if you google it.
I trust you and the family are coping under the present situation. I'm in wild and woolly west Wales - wet as well, but not just at the moment! We feel quite safe - I just hope we are! My younger son, daughter-in-law and grandson live with me. My elder son and his wife live near Aberdeen -he was born in Changi hospital, and is now retired. Where did the time go? Best wishes, Pat.
P.S. As I guessed, I have been told that email addresses aren't allowed - so have I fooled it
I was in the Manchester Regiment in north Malaya from 1952 to 1953 as National Service.
My platoon seemed to be on constant patrol , with some good results.
I returned in 1954 to 1956 with the Royal Hampshire Regiment.This tour included 'para training on Singapore and my 'stick' included three ex members of the German army !
A good time was had by all.
If any out there is old enough to have been there at the same time it would be good to hear from them.
Brian Street (aka 'Nioka ,king of the jungle)
My platoon seemed to be on constant patrol , with some good results.
I returned in 1954 to 1956 with the Royal Hampshire Regiment.This tour included 'para training on Singapore and my 'stick' included three ex members of the German army !
A good time was had by all.
If any out there is old enough to have been there at the same time it would be good to hear from them.
Brian Street (aka 'Nioka ,king of the jungle)
Hi my brother was out there doing is national service in 1952 he was in the Staffordshire Reg but never made it home he was 18 years old Buried in penang is name was Robert Dunn
Originally Posted by Barry W J Chandler
Hi Barry. 22435563 Cfn Reg Butler REME. I was attached to the Suffolk Reg at K.L. 1951-1952 as a Vehicle Mechanic. I've got quite a few photos . Find attached Lieu Kon Kim. Send some more if you like.
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Originally Posted by Scouse
Hi Albert I was there same time, you remember chips Rafferty? John Pennell? Dave Bronco lane just a few names, gissa shout pal,
Originally Posted by Magdelene De Rozario
Hello Magdelene.My name is Stuart Davidson. My Father was John Davidson possibly known as Jock. My late father served in the SAS in Malaya between 1951 and 1952 and told me stories of the brave trackers who were with him, the head hunters he called them. I can only tell you the things he told me. For 6 months service to the British army they got paid by the way of a pair of old army issue boots along with a shot gun and 6 cartridges. I have been searching for anything relating to my father. He died 14 years ago at the age of 77 and I have probably left it too late to find surviving service men that new him.
He had three tattoos. One was the SAS dagger on his forearm and he had two Malaysian type Dragons on each shoulder blade. He told me as a kid that a head hunter done them for him with a piece of sharpened bamboo.
He also told me a story where he was being driven somewhere by one of your countryman and stopped at a tea house for refreshment. When my father asked for refreshment for the both of them a member of the Newzealand SAS shouted he is not allowed to be in here. My father told his company (no name) to drink his drink, after which my father through his cup of Tea at the table where the shout came from accompanied by the booming south west Scottish accent i had heard so many times. Your hole table of men arnt worthy to lace this mans boots and left the T house. Who knows maybe it was the same man that gave him his tattoos.
Kind regards Stuart Davidson
Originally Posted by Barry W J Chandler
Hello Barry.My late father served in the SAS in 51 to 52 and I am looking for any information about my late father John Davidson possibly known as Jock. He was in B section. Told me a story once of when he nearly got shot by the man behind him due to having the safety off. He said that person got felt with severely. Is this the same story? Did you know or meet him? Get in touch please if you did or need any more info about him.
We’re they known as the Malayan Scouts? as apposed to SAS. This is my Uncle, William McDonald “Billy Mac” he didn’t really talk about his experiences. I do remember him talking about Kon Kim, I’m sure that’s why they were out there, to help capture him. He used to get visits by “Tanky Smith” from the association.
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Looking for anyone that was at 22 REME w/s KLUANG, 1952-1955.
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hi mate dad Chris parkes served at this time with the 11th hussars the cherry pickers I believe was their nickname I was v young when he was demobbed but rem some horror stories cjparkes jnr