LETTERS AND EMAILS
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From: Ray Blackham. “I read quite frequently these days about the inferior equipment of our Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is nothing new about that. Some fifty plus years ago we were involved with the Malayan Emergency. Take transport. As an RMP company we were equipped with motor cycles, light and medium heavy vehicles. The motor cycles were 1930s vintage, 500cc BSA Side Valves, with girder forks. We rarely used them as it was unusual for them to complete a journey without breakdown. We once had to provide a motor cycle escort for Field Marshal Templar as he went to the airport. Six bikes started but only three completed the course. The MT Sgt had a 200cc Triumph with telescopic forks which we used to admire. Our light vehicles consisted of Landrovers of unknown vintage. I once had to drive one, which had been overhauled and tarted up by the local REME, to Malacca to drive the aforementioned Field Marshal around a farewell parade. The radiator sprung a leak on the way there and it would not start after we got there. Fortunately they decided not to use the Landrover. We also had one Jeep, acquired from the Philippines, Ex US Army and WW2 vintage. We once saw a new replacement vehicle, the Austin Champ which had a Rolls Royce engine being tried out but that was our total involvement. Finally we had a Dodge six wheeler ex – US Army which was rarely used plus a small fleet of 15cwt Fordson trucks. The one I used to drive was classed BER (Beyond Economic Repair) by a TA unit in Leeds in 1937 and there I was driving it around Malaya sixteen years later. It was our mission in life to keep well in with the local REME as they were the ones that kept us mobile. Our personal weapons consisted of .38 Revolvers and Sten Guns. We never fired the revolvers as it was said that replacement ammunition was hard to come by. The Sten Guns were a gamble whether they fired or not. Two of us went by road from Seremban to Ipoh in an open Landrover equipped with a revolver each and one Sten Gun. When we arrived at Ipoh the Armourer said that it was a good job that we had not been attacked as one revolver and the Sten were not working. We were not the only ones with problems. The infantry used to patrol the roads using a light armoured car called a Dingo which had a small turret mounted gun. Talking to one lad he said that they thought of filling the turret with stones to throw at the bandits as the gun never worked. One weekend the OC decided that all HQ Staff should go down to Malacca beach and do some target practice. We were not allowed pistols and found the Stens did not fire. We filled the day by using the OC’s .22 rifle and got five shots each. So you can see from all this that times have not changed that much in fifty plus years.” The photograph shows one of the Fordson 15 cwt vehicles mentioned by Ray. These were later reclassified as a 1 Ton vehicle. One of the little quirks with these vehicles was that the heavy duty battery was sited between the two seats so you could always tell who was a driver and who was a passenger from the acid burns in their shorts. I am assured that the chap under the vehicle is not a victim of a RTA but was there trying to sort out a problem. Regards, Fred Steele. |
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I thought that I would send this excellent photo taken at Vimy Bks Catterick Garrison on Saturday 27 Septenber 2008. My good friend John Philpott ex RAF, Canal Zone Veteran, was attending the opening of the new Infantry Heritage Centre as an invited guest.it happened that a company of Gurkha Recruits were passing out that day. A guest of honour was also present, namely LCpl later Capt Rambahadur Limbu VC, ex 2/10 Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles. This gallant Gurkha won his Cross during the Confrontation with Indonesia in November 1965 in Sarawak Borneo, when he, single handed, rescued two wounded comrades after coming under fire from numerically superior Indonesian forces. He then acting alone, charged the enemy positions killing several and putting the rest to flight. He is the last Gurkha to date to have won the Victoria Cross. My special interest is that I later had the privilege to serve for a short time with this unit which was part of 99 Gurkha Infantry Brigade, before returning to Hong Kong to complete my Far East tour of duty. Once again I have missed by a hairs breadth, meeting this gallant Gurkha. Maybe in another 50 years?!! Norman Horton. Darlington.ps. John is pictured with Capt Rambahadur Limbu VC. |
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Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) Please read my comments, you may disagree with them, that’s democracy and I will defend your right to have a different opinion to mine but please read them first. There seems to be some misunderstanding amongst our membership over the PJM. So let’s see if I can clear some of them up with a few proven facts. The PJM is awarded from the date of Malay’s independence & the formation of Malaysia & not from the start of the Emergency which was earlier. There is something like 35,000 British Veterans entitled to the PJM so many in fact that the MoD cannot cope with this amount of extra work. So the MoD have done everything in their power to block this award , having failed in that they wanted it kept as a trinket otherwise all requests would have to go through RAF Innsworth and it would take them years to process the applications unless they took on extra staff and that would take them way over budget. The MoD has admitted that the phrase accept but formal permission to wear will not be granted” did not exist before the 7th December 2005 and blame the FCO for this ruling. So far the FCO have not commented on this and are not answering any emails or letters on this subject. When I phone the FCO all I get is and I quote “I could not possible comment on that” it’s like listening to a parrot. The ruling is not only unworkable it has no basis in law and cannot be enforced. It is just a matter of protocol. All holders of the PJM have a right to wear this medal & it’s just a handful of unelected civil servants who are trying to stop you wearing it. Ministers receive so much mail that they rely on their civil servants for information and not all information are getting to our Ministers. Please visit our web site www.fight4thepjm.org and read the open forum. We have nothing to hide and you can look at anything you like as a guest. If you want you can register and place a comment, for or against. It will not be removed unless it is obscene. I thank you for your time and look forward to reading your comments on Paul Alders |
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Dear sir,
Re. The PJM medal and the present governments attitude towards the
Malaysian Government's offer to honour those British servicemen, many of
them conscripts who fought to ensure Malaysia's freedom from communism,
because the British government of the day ordered them to do so.
The Prime Minister Tony Blair can accept a medal from the US for
sending British troops into Iraq against the wishes of the people of
Britain but his government has a problem when considering this deserving
award of the P.J.M. to ex soldiers who did what they were ordered to do,
are now well into their senior years and out of the services.
The rules say that foreign medals are not allowed, other than from
official organizations such as the UN or NATO. Well, isn't Malaysia a
member of the Commonwealth?......and isn't Britain considered to be the
"mother" of that commonwealth? and wasn't it part of that commonwealth
that we were defending?.
And regarding the wearing of that medal should the award be approved.
As I have said all those who would receive the medal are now well into
their 70s and out of uniform so what is the problem?. Why can't this
government make a sensible decision as did the governments of Australia
and New Zealand. This stupidity is just an example of how inflexible
politicians are and how they feel they must have the last word at any cost
even when they are so obviously wrong, as they are in this case.
Having read the following passages, as far as I am concerned, the
only message here is once you have served out your usefulness in the
services this present government has no further use for you and they have
no consideration for your feelings. I sincerely hope the present members
of the armed forces are aware of this.
Keep up the protest NMBVA. don't let this dreadful government get
away with this injustice.
Ken Nichols
NMBVA Member
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Dear Mr Scharnhorst Thank you for your interesting notes (via Webmaster) dated 9/12 - Are you related to Grand Admiral Scharnhorst ? I hope I have the name correct regarding Princess Mary Barracks. As a result of the 'Emergency' I arrived on Singapore Island around August/September 1951 with thousands of others - I can recall disembarking at the harbour - close to a railway line - where we were taken by army lorry to an entented camp entitled Calcutta Camp. at Pasir Panjang. My memories of its location are vague but recall that when walking back from Singapore city (a very long walk) I would pass abeam Holland Village which would be about three quarters of the journey - passing H Village to my right side as I headed West. I presume I would be either on Ayer rajah Rd - or Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim road if it then existed. Arriving at Pasir Panjang the camp was located via a lonely lane also to the right arriving at the camp guardroom after about half a mile or so. There was an open air Chinese laundry located near the junction of this lane. The camp was made up of Royal Signals - comprising separate tented camps for Malay troops and British although we all worked together. Some of us were driven out to Fort Canning each day to operate communications with units up country in Malaya (as it was then called) Regarding the new barracks - these were completed sometime around October 1951 - and we were the very first to be billeted there. They were luxurious compared to tents - the large ceiling fans allowed us to discard mosquito nets. I cannot recall much more as we were only thinking of returning but to the UK. On leaving our camp and proceeding down the country lane when we arrived at the main road for the bus I can recall a another large military depot at that point - with a very high wire fence all around - It may have been a BOD (Base Ordnance Depot). Within marching distance was the Alexandra Military Hospital. Not far from the area were many military married quarters comprising rather pleasant detached villas each in their own grounds. I recall a very large pipeline traversed the area - possibly for water - quite dominant. On returning to Pasir Panjang some 50 years on - other than Alexandra Hospital I could not recognise any place or location - almost every inch of green had been built upon with high rise flats and housing. Our unit was named - Singapore District Signal Regt. We wore the yellow and green shoulder patch of the Lion and Palm Tree. In your letter you mention your grandfather RAMC killed in action July 1944 - do you know in what action or event in Malaya this was - I know there were a few brave men dropped behind jap lines via submarine and others such as Freddie Spencer Chapman who were in 'stay behind' parties after the surrender. I apologise if you find the above rather wandering and vague but in those days we did not take a lot of notice of our surroundings much to our regrets in these later years. My wife and I hope to make our third visit to Singapore sometime later in the new year. With all best wishes Brian D Phillips |
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Dear Webmaster
While doing a research on the Princess Mary Barracks in Singapore, I
came across your webpages and was very impressed at what you have
achieved.
May I introduce myself. I am Preston S Scharnhorst from Singapore. My
grandfather, George Scharnhorst, was with the Royal Army Medical Corps
and was killed in action in July 1944 in Malaya. My father was with the
REME 40 Bases in Singapore. My youth is thus full of memories of life in
the then British areas of Pasir Panjang, Alexandra, Nepal Circus, Dover
Road, Rowcroft Lines, GHQ FARELF etc. in Singapore.
I also spent the last 33 years with the Singapore Polytechnic which is
situated in this same area at Dover Road which was once the Princess Mary
Barracks where the 18 Signal Regiment was based. During my years at the
Singapore Polytechnic, it was my to privilege to have met a number
of ex-servicemen and their wives who came around while on a trip down
memory lane. They were usually ushered into my office as I had the
historical background to assist them in their quest. I remember the glow
in their eyes when they saw two buildings that are still standing today at
the Singapore Polytechnic; the Moberly Block and the building that was
once their Sgts Mess. One gentleman even gave us an aerial photograph of
the Princess Mary Barracks on which he indicated the buildings as they
were used then. Sadly, I do not have their contact information.
I am doing a research on what was life like at Princess Mary Barracks
in those years. I would appreciate any photographs taken at the Princess
Mary Barracks which would also show the facilities and life in the
Barracks at that time, any anecdotes etc with some indication of the year.
I would welcome any emails from anyone.
If anyone would also any like information on Singapore, I will also be
pleased to assist.
Thank you Preston S Scharnhorst
preston.s.scharnhorst@gmail.com
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Please accept my apologies for this unsolicited email, but I would like
to express support for your efforts to obtain permission from HM Government
to wear this commemorative medal. I was born in "emergency" Malaya and have
been interested in this period of Malayan history for as long as I can
remember. I am often dismayed how little ordinary Malaysians know of their
past, & how little they value the enormous sacrifices British & Commonwealth
troops made on our behalf- a debt that can never be repaid. With best wishes David Chong |
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I recently heard that there was a
web site in the UK for past members of The Suffolk Regiment. As I am a
resident in the United States, information this side of the pond is
non-existent. Not knowing where to start, at least by sending this
e-mail I wish to inform all and sundry that I am alive and well. My
greatest regret was having my medal and ribbon stolen from me many
years ago.
Am I tapping into the correct web
site to get information from others who served in Malaya at my time.
As I said, this is my very first
attempt, so any information would be greatly appreciated.
After graduating from the Essex
Regiment. Meannee Barracks, Essex, I was drafted to Malaya in December
1949 to join the Suffolk Regiment. At that time I was very active in
soccer and cricket and was picked to play for the Battalion team.
After training and jungle duties , I was transferred to the HQ group
in the motor pool.
I thank you for any assistance you
can give me.
PHILIP J. REDGRAVE
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| Dear Sir, I am Karl Hack, a Singapore-based academic who writes on, amongst other things, the Malayan Emergency. I came across your site, and its list of books, while searching on 'Chin Peng'. I thought you might like to note that: 1) Alias Chin Peng is now freely available in Malaysia and Singapore, and was in the top 10 list of non-fiction in the latter for some weeks. 2) A book I helped edit, namely: C.C. Chin and Karl Hack (eds.), Dialogues with Chin Peng: New Light on the Malayan Emergency (Singapore: Singapore University Press, May 2004) Price: Singapore $34 (I think that is about US $20, and by my reckoning about UK 12 pounds). Also available via Hawaai University Press. Dialogues with Chin Peng is based on two days of intense discussions involving Chin Peng, General Coates (Australian Army), Leon Comber, (ex-Malayan Special Branch), John Leary (ex-Malayan Scouts and author of works on the Orang Asli), Tony Short (ex-National Serviceman in the Emergency and author of a major book on the subject), and many academics. Whereas Alias Chin Peng is a journalist and writer's fascnating rendering of Chin Peng's own, story, Dialogues captures Chin Peng's actual words, and shows him being questioned on motives, strategy, and events such as the Bukit Kepong attack. The book has introductions to the Emergency, to Chin Peng's life, documents, maps, previously unpublished photographs and propaganda material, and more. Above all, it shows the gaps, inconsistencies, and contestations: the process of history in the making. 3) Karl Hack and Kevin Blackburn - both based at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, are also currently writing a book on memories of the war and occupation in Malaya and Singapore, and how these have been shaped and commemorated. We are also planning a September 2005 conference, in Singapore, to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the official end of the war. Our emails are kpblack@nie.edu.sg, and kahack@nie.edu.sg . Anyone wanting a taste, and taste only, of our work in this field, might see the last chapter of Karl Hack and Kevin Blackburn, Did Singapore Have to Fall? Churchill and the Impregnable Fortress (Routledge Curzon, January 2004). This is available from Amazon, but I am afraid currently priced at library rates. Anyway, ch. 6 tells a story of British, Australian, Japanese and Singaporean commemoration unfolding over the years, in abbreviated form. I apologise for the self-evident and forthright marketing above, but do trust and hope some of this may be of use to you, or as background for your website. I am always open to inquiries, opinions, and information from you, your website viewers, and anyone who wishes to make a contribution to the record, or to putting any error they may spot to right. I myself am Singapore-born, to British parents while my father was serving in the RAF in the Confrontation period. I was UK-raised, Oxford-educated, and have taught here in Singapore since 1995. Best wishes in your endeavours, Karl Hack. |
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have only just found this site., and just sat here Chuckling and
laughing to myself, did we really do all those things, experience them!
I was in that area as a young Private Soldier frightened shitless! Only we can look back on it now, with some affection. I lost a very good mate there, and still remember him to this day. We Were on a patrol in a very sensitive area and were told to try and get a live prisoner! We had a young Lt who lead from the back, because we were so short of men, I was then the ranking NCO, can you imagine it! I am sure you guys can! Anyway, suffice to say we had a contact, where we lost one good man, (My Buddy) so we decided to pursue the insurgents. We finally cornered them and suffice to say were not very merciful. It isn't at all correct in this day and age to say that is it, but I saw what they did to one or two of our lads. I and my comrades finally managed to get back to base camp without further lose, Thank God, where I Was immediately reduced to the Giddy Rank of Private and the Lt sent home to Blighty for weak Leadership and Cowardice in the face of the enemy! Next Day I was promoted Cpl!!!! Nice talking you guys, be Proud, we did that and prevailed, Terry Wilkes. (Ex QO Buffs, Airborne and Medic). |
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wonder if you could supply me with any websites or list of old comrades or
information for an old soldier who served in the 86 Medium Regiment Royal
Artillery. His name is Doug Irving (Cpl.) and he was part of
operation Zipper in 1943. He believes that there is likely to be a
reunion of old comrades on the anniversary of the operation some time this
year. He would be very grateful to you for any information which you may
be able to supply.
With thanks Ken Martin
This email was received from Bert Emery. I am sure he would love to hear from anyone who served in the same regiment or was in Singapore at the same time. email
If you have information that you can pass on to Martin please email him
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Looking Back "firefight at Kroh"
Hello Mates
For
years I have been trying to find some one who remembers an
incident that occurred in I think 1961 when two of our
twin pioneer aircraft from 209 Squadron took a small detachment
of 1RNZR to a place called Kroh on the Malay/Thai border (
see NMBVA website "members stories) They (the troops )
departed leaving us RAF to a "teabreak" . The "Sally
Ann" turned up and dispensed char and wads........Then all hell
seemed to break loose with sub m/c guns, grenades and rifles popping
off. We never got to the bottom of what actually happened
because we had to depart...... and I have been puzzled
ever since . WELL I have recently been in
contact with an ex CO of 209 squadron ( Sqdn Leader Cess Crooks)
who wrote :- I did know of the "fire-fight" at Kroh.
It was before my time, but I understand the Police Field Force
were chasing Chin Peng, the CT. He eventually reached
safety in Bentong, across the Malay?Thai border.
The RAF was not allowed to cross the border so Chin Peng and other CT
commanders with him managed to get away .
I feel quite
relieved ! At last! some one confirms
the incident actually
happened Crikey I had started to think
that I had imagined it !
Martin Shelvey |
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