HQ DOBOPS (Director of Borneo Operations). Initially based in Brunei, later moved to Labuan.
   HQ DOBOPS Intelligence Section

Central Brigade HQ. Based on HQ 51 Gurkha Infantry Brigade, located in Brunei. Its tactical area of responsibility (TAOR) was the Interior Residency of Sabah, and 4th and 5th Divisions of Sarawak.

Armoured Recce Units:
The Life Guards, From UK Spring 1965. Deployed to Singapore, Seremban and Sarawak. Equipped with Ferret scout cars.
1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, Deployed from UK 1965-1966. B and C Squadrons served in Engllie.
The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, arrived from Aden in 1962. Based in Malaya. Returned to UK. They were then sent to the island of Borneo where the Indonesians had decided that it was time for an attack before Malaysia was formed. To Counter this various deployments were made to firstly Brunei,and then to Kuching, from Kuching troops were deployed to outposts at Serian, Sunghi Tenghan, Simmangang and Bau. At first the Squadron Headquarters was based at the Police Flats in Kuching, this was in fact a Squadron of armoured cars under the Command of Maj. J T Paley MC, Saladin, Saracen and Ferret, troops were deployed to Kuching Airport and while there Semengo Camp was constructed and was occupied by the Squadron on St Patrick's Day 1963. For a time CoMBrit For Borneo was Major John Paley MC, he was succeeded by Lt Col John Strawson the CO of the QRIH. altogether the regiment had Squadrons in Borneo and Malaysia until being returned to Germany in late 1964.
This was a great time for the various Troops who got the chance to fire the Saladin Main Armament in support of the Units chasing the Indonesian Insurgents back over the Border between Sarawak and Indonesia. There were also patrols on foot through the Jungles to seek out CCO Terrorists who may have infiltrated and also to carry out Heart and Mind exercises to the local population in divisions 2 and 3, these being mainly Dayak Headhunters many of whom lived in Longhouses and had not seen a soldier since the end of the Second World War, however they always seemed to know when we were on the way(Jungle Telegraph) much better than our Radios. These visits were a wonderful eye opener for the soldiers and proved to be very successful.
There is an awful lot more that could be told but suffice to say that the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars acquitted themselves as they have always done and upheld the finest traditions of the British Army and the United Kingdom. Thanks to George Moores for this entry.
4th Royal Tank Regiment, From Aden 1964. Squadrons based Sarawak, Brunei, Singapore and Seremban. For a short while in late September/early October 1965, after an incident involving a "lost its way over Malaysia" Indonesian C-130 Hercules carrying Indonesian RPKAD, the company base at Ba Kelalan (5th Division) was supported by two Royal Tank Regiment (RTR)(4 RTR?) personnel, who installed and manned a 0.50in calibre Browning HMG in the air defence role. This was later taken over by suitably trained personnel from the Gurkha company, after the recall of the RTR. Equipped with Saladin armoured cars and Ferret scout cars, Returned to BAOR 1966.
5th Royal Tank Regiment (H Sqn), From UK. H Squadron deployed in North Borneo February-September 1966. Equipped with Saladin armoured cars and Ferret scout cars. Returned to UK.

Infantry Units:
1st Bn Scots Guards (with 9 Company, Irish Guards under command - 9 Company also included a platoon made up of Coldstream Guards). From UK. Based Terendak, Malaya. Borneo tours Jan-April 65, Sep-Dec 65. Returned to UK 1966.
1st Bn King's Own Scottish Borderers, from UK 1965.
1st Bn Queen's Own Highlanders, Arrived Singapore April 1961. Deployed to Seria, Brunei on 8 December 1962 by air and HMS Cavalier to quell revolt. Deployed to Borneo May 1963.
1st Bn Gordon Highlanders, From UK January 1965. Returned to UK February 1966.
1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. From Edinburgh,UK 1964. Based in Selarang Barracks, Singapore. Deployed on first tour to Borneo early 64 - September 64 in 4th Division (Belait and Tutong areas), second tour February-May 65 Balai Ringin, Gunong Gajah and Plaman Mapu, third tour November 65- April 66 Serian, Pang Amo and Plaman Mapu. Returned to Seaton Barracks, Plymouth UK in November 1966.
1st Bn Queen's Own Buffs (Royal Kent Regiment), Deployed July 1966 from Hong Kong. Borneo tour July 1966 (Sebakang).
1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
1st Bn Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers, Deployed at end of campaign 1966.
1st Bn Royal Leicestershire Regiment, Deployed 1963.
1st Bn Royal Hampshire Regiment, Deployed from June 1966.
1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, From UK 1964. Returned to UK.
1st Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Based Terendak, Malaya. Borneo tours January 1963 to April 1963 and December 1963 to April 1964.
1st Bn Durham Light Infantry, From Hong Kong June 1963. Returned to UK June 66.
1st Bn Green Jackets (43/52), Based Penang, Malaysia from Spring 1962.Deployed from Singapore aboard HMS Tiger to Brunei. Action at Miri. Returned to Penang April 1963.
2nd Bn Green Jackets (KRRC), Borneo 1965.
3rd Bn Green Jackets (RB), Borneo 1965.
2nd Bn Parachute Regiment, From UK. Borneo tour Dec 64- June 65. Action at Plaman Mapu. Returned to UK August 1965.
3rd Bn Parachute Regiment, D Company Borneo tour Jan - June 1966.
1st Bn South Wales Borderers (3 Platoons deployed at intervals during 1965/66 attached to other battalions while the SWB were based in Hong Kong).
10 Platoon, 'D' Company, 1st Bn South Wales Borderers (24t Regt) A platoon from Hong Kong based 1SWB - attached to 1DLI for the duration of their Borneo tour in 1965/6... Training in Sabah - company base at Bunan Gega but we also served at Plaman Mapu. I was platoon commander. Our platoon was the only unit (as far as I understand) during Confrontation, to be shelled by the Indonesians. This happened on a Claret operation on 11 March 1966. Thanks to Bryan Tichborne for this entry.
No 1 Guards Independent Company, Major JGH Head MBE, Major Sir NKL Nuttal. Deployed Borneo 1964. Two tours under SAS command. Later redesignated as G Squadron SAS.
22 Special Air Service Regiment
A Sqn deployed to Borneo. Tours Jan 63, August 63, July 64, May 65, Sep 65.
B Sqn deployed to Borneo December 64-Feb 65, July 1966
D Sqn deployed to Borneo Apr 63, Feb 65, May 65

51 Gurkha Infantry Brigade
99 Gurkha Infantry Brigade (West Brigade) stationed in Sarawak, CO Brigadier A.G. Patterson O.B.E. M.C. 1962-4, Brigadier W W (Bill) Cheyne DSO OBE 1964-1966.
1st Bn 2nd Gurkha Rifles, Was stationed in 5th Division Sarawak (including Ba Kelalan) in late 1965, handing over to 1st Bn 6th Gurkha Rifles in January 1966. Company Commander was Major J. Chapple (now Field Marshal Sir John Chapple).
2nd Bn 2nd Gurkha Rifles, Based Malaya. Borneo tours 1962, 1964.
1st Bn 6th Gurkha Rifles, Was stationed in 5th Division Sarawak (including Ba Kelalan) from January 1966, handing over to 1st Bn 7th Gurkha Rifles in June 1966. Company Commander was Major A. (Tony) Streather (on attachment from GLOSTERS) (Well-known Army mountaineer).
2nd Bn 6th Gurkha Rifles, Borneo tours 1962, 1964.
1st Bn 7th Gurkha Rifles, Was stationed in 5th Division Sarawak (including Ba Kelalan) in from June 1966 until end of Confrontation. Instrumental in the capture of Lt Sumbi and his band of Sukarelawan (Volunteers) - the unit that carried out the last incursion into Malaysian Borneo. Company Commander was a Major Jenkins.
2nd Bn 7th Gurkha Rifles, Borneo 1965 -66.
1st Bn 10th Gurkha Rifles, Borneo tours 1964, 1965.
2nd Bn 10th Gurkha Rifles, Borneo tours 1964, 1965.
In September 1965, L/Cpl Rambahadur Limbu was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during operations in the "Bau district of Sarawak". The action actually occurred in Indonesian Kalimantan during the secret "Claret" operations.
Gurkha Independent Parachute Company, Raised 1 April 1963. Converted to SAS type company June 1964.
The Royal Malay Regiment
3rd Royal Malay Regiment, Deployed to Tawau.
5th Royal Malay Regiment, Deployed to First Division.

Royal Artillery:
2 Troop attached to 4th Regt RA. The original 2 Troop served in Malaysia from August 1963 to January 1966. Terendak Camp - attached to 45 Field Regt RA. Approximately half the troop went to Borneo from May to December 1965 - Troop HQ was with 4 Regt HQ in Bau with a Green Archer section at Stass and Serekin fortified positions on the border - elements served under fire as radio relay stations with Gurkha patrols on forays against Indonesian CCO's (Clandestine Communist Organisations). Troop Commander - Lt H.H. Mews RA later to become OC Kings Troop RHA and eventually Prince Charles' equerry. The remainder of the Troop remained at Terendak - involved in preventative measures against Indonesian infiltrators.
2 Locating Troop, RA. Formed from 22 Locating Battery, 1st May 1963 based in the UK initially at Perham Down then at Larkhill. The Troop on it's second FARELF attachment was part of 6 Light Regt RA based at Terendak Camp Malacca. The troop comprised of 3 sections - met, radar and artillery intelligence. The tour of duty for the attachment to 6 Lt Regt was December 1965 - March 1968.
The Troop Commander was Capt K R Harding and the radar section officer was Lt. A.A. Windam. Shortly after arrival in FARELF the troop was attached for operations to 137 Java Lt Battery in Kuching and deployed it's 'green archer' radar at Tebedu alongside a section of 5.5" guns of 132 Battery (The Bengal Rocket Troop) of 6 Regt RA.
At the end of 'confrontation' the troop returned to Malcacca and the radar section prepared for an attachment to 18 Lt Regt RA in Hong Kong. The section sailed from Singapore with it's radars and other equipment on 27 December 1967 on the LSL Sir Bedevere.
Purpose of the operation was border watch with green archer radars. In February 1968 the troop returned to Malacca to prepare for end of tour. Many Thanks to Brian Harrison for the detailed entry.
3 Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (Locating Troop) 3 Locating Troop equipped with Green Archer mortar locating radar. Deployed to Borneo 1965-66.
4 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. In 1963 a platoon (All volunteers) was raised from 4 Field Regiment, RA to strengthen the deployment of the Royal Leicester Regiment which was badly under strength. The platoon operated indepedently of the Royal Leicester's, and were based at SEPULOT airstrip. The Platoon carried out airstrip defence and jungle patrols, usually 10 man, 14 days. The Platoon deployed from Hong Kong for a tour of nine months, before returning to Hong Kong. Commanded by Lt/Col. Bob Lyons; Regiment took over from Australian Artillery Regt. 4th consisted of HQ. Bty, 88 (Arracan), 97 (Lawsons Company), 29 (Corunna)Btys. 29 and HQ. Bty. served in Kuching, 97 Bty. served with the Gordon Highlands at Kalabakan Sarwak. a sub-section fo 97 battery deployed to 5th Division, Sarawak, supporting 1/2 GR at Ba Kelalan and later 1/6 GR. Equipped with Italian 105mm Pack Howitzer M56. The GPO was WO2 (BSM) Ron Baynes and the Gun No.1 was a Sgt Chris Beck. 88 Bty was split up all over Borneo. Initial training and acclimatisation took place in Tarandak camp Malaca Malaya.
Air Troop, 4 Light Regiment, Royal Artillery. The Air Troop 4 Light Regt. R.A. formed under Capt. L.C. Bond in June 1965 at Kluang, Malaya with 3 Sioux helicopters and sailed to Kuching on the LST Reginald Kerr. Transferred from mid-river upstream to Kuching by LCV because of capsized vessel at the Kuching dock. Initially based at the Batu Kitang waterworks along with the REME LAD. Later in the year moved into the more secure Semengo Camp. The pilots and technicians exchanged posts with those from 49 Regt. R.A. (Hong Kong)in late December. Thanks to Dickie Dawes for this entry.
6th Light Regiment, Royal Artillery based in Terendak camp, Malacca. 6 x 105 Howitzers to cover border areas. Tour of Malaysia was from January 1966 to April 1968. H(Ramsay's Troop)Bty, V Bty equipped with 105mm howitzers. 132 (Bengal Rocket Troop)Bty equipped with 5.5" guns. V Bty deployed in Bau and Lundu areas 1966.
12 Light Air Defence Regt: 9 (Plassey)Bty and T(Shah Sujah's Troop)Bty rotated between Tampin (Malay Peninsula) and Borneo. Deployed to Borneo. Equipped with L40/70 Bofors and FCE7 radars. Returned to UK 1966.
16 Light Air Defence Regt: Commanded by Lt Col HD Way. Deployed from BAOR in March 1965 for 30 month tour of Singapore and Borneo. 30 (Rogers's Company) Bty, commanded by Major Bell, 32(Minden) Bty, commanded by Major Arend, each carried out two operational tours at RAF Changi, Singapore and RAF Kuching, Borneo. Equipped with L40/70 Bofors and FCE7 radars. 4.2" Mortar crews who were deployed on the border in Sarawak firstly at Padawen and later at Nibong. Returned to the UK in November 1966.
   16th Light Air Defence Regiment RA LAD REME: REME LAD in Cyangi, Kuching Borneo & Singapore.
20 Medium Regiment RA, 12 (Minden)Bty, 43 (Lloyd's Company) Bty. Based in Tampin, Malaysia. Equipped with 5.5" guns. Returned to UK 1963.
12 (Minden) Battery fled out to Kuching about 12th December 1962 and were based in the school at Bau some 8 miles south of Kuching. The Bty Commander was Major Walker RA. and the BSM was BSM Tony Wilcox. The abattery received both the old GSM (Brunei)and the 62 GSM (Borneo)because the GSM 62 replaced the old one two days after the battery arrived in Kuching. The battery's guns were left back in Tampin and the battery acted as infantry patrolling the Border. The battery left Kuching in (I believe) March 63. Thansk to David Williams for the 12 (Minden) Battery information.
22 Light Air Defence Regt: From BAOR . Based at Tampin, Malay Peninsula on short emergency tour to provide additional Short Range Air Support and Defence at RAF airfields, reinforcing RAF Regiment LAA squadrons. 42(Alem Hamza) Bty and 53 (Louisburg) Bty deployed to RAF Kuching. Equipped with L40/70 Bofors and FCE7 radars.
29 Commando Light Regiment RA 20 Bty, 79 (Kirkee)Bty and 145 (Maiwand) Bty.
Based in Singapore, Deployed to Borneo to provide artillery support to units in border areas.
Equipped with 105mm pack howitzers.
22 Locating Battery, RA. A Sound Ranging Troop (22 Locating Bty) left Larkhill December 65 and returned July 66. Deployed at Biarwak?,Stass. 7 Mile Bassar. Located with units from Royal Marines and Coy of the 2 or 7th Bn Royal Australian Regiment.
40 Field Regiment, RA. 38 (Seringapatam) Bty, 129(Dragon) Bty and 137 (Java) Battery.
   38 (Seringapatam) Lt Battery, Replaced 97 Bty (4 Field Regiment) supporting 1/6 GR and later 1/7 GR. Equipped with Italian 105mm Pack Howitzer M56. The GPO was WO2 (BSM) Curtiss and the Gun No.1 was a Sgt Deeves.
40th Light Regiment, Royal Artillery HQ battery, 3 miles outside Kuching June 65-June 66. Supporting 38 Bty, 129 Bty, 137 Bty & HQ Bty of 40 Fd Regt. in Pegiru and other forward locations. Based in 7 Mile Bazaar, Bau for short period. OC LAD Captain Shotton. AQMS Burford. AQMS Hancock.
45 Field Regiment RA
70 Bty CO Major J.B. Keenan, based at Kuching with A Troops att Lintang.
116 Bty and 176 Bty equipped with 105mm Pack Howitzers.
170(Imjin)Bty equipped with 5.5" guns, stationed in Sarawk.
49 Field Regiment RA (Air Operations Troop)
94 Locating Regiment RA, (73(Sphinx) Bty)
95 Commando Light Regiment RA 7 (Sphinx) Bty, 8 (Alma) Bty , 148 (Meiktila) Bty. Based in Singapore.
Deployed to Borneo to provide artillery support to forward units in border areas. Equipped with 105mm pack howitzers. Both 8 (Alma) and 7 (Sphinx) batteries completed a tour in 1965-66. battery HQ was colocated at Bty HQ was colocated at Balai Ringin with the HQ of the Inf Bn being supported. Single gun detachments were forward with the infantry companies at Gunan Gajak, Plaman Mapu and Pang Amo. Due to roulement and boundary changes the batteries supported 1 RGJ, 1 DLI, I A&SH, 40 Cdo RM and 1 RNZIR. The Cdo Lt Btys were (for RA purposes) under command of the RA Regt in First division with HQ in Kuching, but for all practical purposes we worked with and for "our" infantry. 140 (Meiktila) Cdo AO Bty was represented in Borneo by a Naval Gunfire Support Forward Observation Team deployed with the Tawau Assault Group. Thasnk to Mike Jackson for this entry.

Royal Engineers
11 Independent Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. Terendak Malacca Malaysia.1963-1965.
3 Troop, 19 Topographic Squadron, RE(42 Survey Engineer Regt RE) served in 2nd Division, based at Simangang, fm 8.2.64-8.8.64. The squadron was responsible for mapping 2nd Division. 2/10 Gurkhas were also based there at the time. OC Captain Davies(dai), S/sgt Wally Osborne was 2/ic. The RNZAF provided fixed wing air support alongside RAF helicopters. During this period the Gurkha Padre was shot down whilst returning from Kuching.
32 Field Sqn. Borneo tour 1965-1966. Stationed in Kuching, Sibu, I Division and Sibu, 3 Division.
54 Corps Field Park Sqn. Members of Plant Increment, attached to 54 Corps Fld Prk Sqn RE worked throughout Sabah, Brunei and Sarawak from 1965 to 1966. Provided plant fitters to maintain and repair plant being used by British, Australian, Gurkha, and Malay Engineer units.
59 Independent Field Regiment, based in Singapore and served on operation Crown and also patrolled in Malaya. 
84 Survey Squadron, 1 Topo Troop based at Sibu & Nanga Gaat.Parent Unit in Singapore.Mapping Sarawak.
OC Lt R.Wood (later Major General D.Mil Svy). 1 & 2 Troops were in Borneo continuously from 1956 to 1967. Parent Unit OC Major R.Busk.
2 Troop was based in Sabah from September 1963 to July 1969 and then moved to Sarawak until September 1970 and then to Pontianak (Indonesia) for six months.
Many Thanks to Albert Ernest Field for the detailed information.
Brunei Works Section, Royal Engineers
I was posted to the unit from Nov 63 to Nov 64 (and subsequently to 11 Indep Fd Sqn RE, Terendak). We were a small works unit responsible for medium and minor works and Repairs & Maintenance under the command of the DCRE, Major J. D. Townsend-Rose, MC, RE assisted by three WO2 Clerks of Works, a WO2 storeman supervisor, a CPL Draughtsman CPL Tony Stock Architecural, a CPL and LCPL Clerk (self)and Driver. One of the WO2 and the driver were detached to Seria. We were located in the Customs Building on the Brunei River and worked in co-operation with the Public Works Department (PWD) next door to 10 Port Sqn RE. CPL Frank Reid was in the Stmn position for part of that time and we both subsequently (and independently) emigrated to Australia and enlisted in the Royal Australian Engineers. Frank saw service in Vietnam and I served in Papua New Guinea for three years. Thanks to Adrian Rogers for this entry.
50 Gurkha Field Regt
69 Gurkha Independent Field Squadron