destination malaya 2nd australian field troop

MalayaDavid Wicks and Simon Wilson

A History of 2 Field Troop Royal Australian Engineers 1963–1965

Destination:Destination:

"It is a splendid job most professionally done... " Brigadier Terrence McMeekin, Commander 28 Commonwealth Brigade

Destinaton:Malaya

A History of 2 Field Troop Royal Australian Engineers 1963–1965David W

icks and Simon W

ilson

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L/Cpl John Barnett and Spr Bill Whitfield and an unlucky Brit Spr Ian Tibbles Sprs Bob Rawson and Tony Farrell

Spr Arthur Sinclair

L/Cpl Tony Farrell

Sprs Dave Wicks, Ray Logan, Harry Atkinson,

Mick Sutton and George Greenslade

Spr Darryl Hess

Spr Ken Jolley

Spr Doug Canning

Spr Dion Hands

Front cover photo top: Loading a Commer tipper with laterite under the chinaman at theFree Thai airstrip. Cpl John Bending oversees proceedings while Spr Ian Tibbles advis-es Spr Alan Morris driving the dozer. Operation Crown, March 1964.

Front cover photo bottom: L to R: Sappers Les McNamara, Darryl Hess, Peter Matthews,Gary Plumb, Trevor Reece and Bob Rawson. Exercise Raven, July 1964, AsahanTraining Area, Malacca State.

Rear cover photo: Spr Darryl Hess leading the bucket brigade of concrete carriers duringthe construction of a stairway from Commonwealth House, the home of theCommander of 28 Commonwealth Brigade, to the beach 1964.

Sapper Harry Atkinson drilling rocks in a quarry formed from a gold mine at Bau, Sarawak, 1964. Drawing by Dennis Adams (1914-2001), commissioned by Alan Hodges in 1979 from a photograph he took in Bau. Dennis Adams was a prolific WW2 war artist. The Australian War Memorial has over 350 of his drawings, paintings, illustrations and sculptures. Other works include the bronze Royal Australian Regiment Memorial in Regimental Square, Sydney and the bronze memorial to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals at Watsonia in Victoria.

MalayaDestination:Destination:

David Wicks and Simon Wilson


Destination: MalayaA History of 2 Field Troop Royal Australian Engineers 1963-1965


Published by the 2 Field Troop RAE (1963-1965) Association.

October 2003 Revised

First published in Australia – September 2003

Published by the 2 Field Troop RAE (1963-1965) Association. ©This book is copyright. Apart fromany fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under theCopyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission.

Printed in Australia by Trendsetting – Canberra ACT.

Design by Spectrum Graphics – Canberra ACT.

Images used in this book have been provided freely for reproduction by the owners except for:Certain photos associated with opening of the Bau airstrip where the photographer and theorganisation commissioning the photographs are unknown.Formal photos taken by Wong Photographer in 11 Indep Field Sqn lines. This firm is believed tobe no longer trading.

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication.Wicks, David, 1939- Destination : Malaya : a history of 2 Field Troop Royal Australian Engineers 1963-1965.

Bibliography.

ISBN 0 646 42626 5.

1. Australia. Army. Royal Australian Engineers - History.

2. Military engineers - Australia - History. I. Wilson, Simon, 1941-. II. 2 Field Troop RAE (1963-1965) Association. III. Title.

358.2099

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.

Luke 3:5

A History of 2 Field Troop RAE 1963 to 1965 PAGE V

CONTENTS

Preface vi

Foreword vii

Acknowledgements ix

Abbreviations and Glossary x

Map of Southeast Asia xii

Chapter 1 The Raising of 2 Field Troop RAE 1

Chapter 2 Malay Peninsula 5

Chapter 3 Thailand and Operation Crown 13

Chapter 4 Terendak Again 31

Chapter 5 Bound for Borneo – Sarawak 47

Chapter 6 Terendak, then Homeward Bound 67

Chapter 7 Views from the Top 73

Chapter 8 Reminiscences 87

Chapter 9 Records of Service Achievement 113

Chapter 10 The Reunions 119

2 Troop Nominal Roll 130

Accompanied Family Details 132

2 Field Troop RAE Roll of Honour 133

In Memoriam 134

Service Medals 135

Bibliography 138

PAGE VI DESTINATION: MALAYA

Preface

This book covers a two-year period in the service of 2 FieldTroop Royal Australian Engineers as a sub-unit of 11 IndepField Sqn Royal Engineers. From 1963 to 1965 the Troopserved on the Malay Peninsula, Thailand and Sarawak.

This was an active period of training and operations, whichprepared many of the troop members in a very practicalmanner for subsequent service in South Vietnam and othercountries.

Not only are details of the practical aspects of militaryengineering described, but there are also descriptions of thesocial aspects of living in Southeast Asia and anecdotes ofevents that have become akin to folk law. Accompaniedfamilies were an important part of life in Malaya and so thereare stories about their experiences in Malacca.

Although this book is primarily directed towards the formermembers of the Troop, the professional and social aspectsnarrated provide a unique perspective on the life of a soldierduring a period of Indonesian Confrontation and on thetensions associated with countering the potential spread ofCommunism in Southeast Asia.

Cpl John Bending, Sprs Alan Morris, Bill Jones and Tom Abberfield

A History of 2 Field Troop RAE 1963 to 1965 PAGE VII

This book is going to invoke many happy memories for the Sappers who served in theRoyal Australian Engineers throughout the 1960s and early 1970s – particularly thosewho were fortunate enough to join the Australian contingent based at Terendak as partof the British Far East Land Forces (FARELF).

I can recall a sense of envy when the 2nd Field Troop of 1 Field Squadron was raised toFARELF establishment to head off on what most of us thought was the only foreseeablemilitary adventure for young Australian servicemen at that time. Little did most of usrealise that we would also find ourselves on British rations with the meat allowancebefore much time had elapsed.

Before 2 Troop’s tour of duty in South East Asia was completed in 1965 the AustralianArmy had become engaged in conflicts in both Malaysia and South Vietnam and wewere all confronted with opportunities for adventure. During Confrontation mostSappers serving at the time were going to have some experience of service in Asia. 2 Troop itself was to be a part of this expanded effort, with operational deployments toThailand and Sarawak.

When 2 Troop journeyed back to Australia it returned to a vastly expanded andchanging Army. It would never really be the same again. Members of the Troop were toserve with many other units in equally exciting places, and to make their professionalcontribution to the expanded Army. But what should be of great interest to all studentsof the military ethos is the fact that, despite its members having many different andstimulating experiences, the two years from 1963 to 1965 has bound them together ina spirit of camaraderie that has endured now for four decades.

A part of the reason for this must be due to the fact that it was an accompanied tour,ensuring that it was a total family experience as well as a professional military journey.Being part of a larger allied unit and formation would also have something to do withthe esprit of the time and the strong memories it has left. 2 Troop was always on itsmettle to prove that it was better than the Brits (which it was), making eachachievement a triumph in some way.

Produced by the 2 Field Troop RAE (1963-1965) Association, this book does justice tothat memory. It is also timely in that it captures the precious memories before they growdim, or virtual! It is both interesting and stimulating and will, I am sure, be a majorcontribution to the many reunions to come. I congratulate the authors for their successin capturing the spirit of an experience shared by a select group of the RAE family anda job well done.

Governor

The members of 2 Field Troop RAE (1963-1965) Association

greatly appreciate the financial support for this

publication from the Corps Committee of the

Royal Australian Engineers.

A History of 2 Field Troop RAE 1963 to 1965 PAGE IX

Acknowledgements

When 2 Field Troop RAE deployed to Malaya in 1963 many of the members wereaccompanied by their families. An attempt has been made throughout this book torecognise the contribution made by these ‘associate’ members. For the wives andchildren it must have been a difficult and, at times, lonely posting in a foreign country,far from the support of family and friends, yet they have done their families and theTroop proud.

Also, throughout the book there is mention made of events unrelated to 2 Troop. Theseevents have been introduced in an effort to fix the history of the Troop in relation tothe world events of that period. Imperial units of measurement were used in 1963-65and so they have been retained in the text.

Although the Federated States of Malaysia came into existence shortly before 2 Troop’sdeployment to the region, the posting was generally known as Malaya, rather thanMalaysia, and both the title and text throughout the book reflect this terminology.

This book could not have been written without the help of a great many people. Weexpress our appreciation to the friendly and helpful staff at the Mitchell Library inSydney and the National Library in Canberra, David Sibley, editor of Army TheSoldier’s Newspaper, and all the troop members for their contributions and input. Inaddition, special mention needs to be made of a number of people: Barry Lennon, forhis clear and concise advice at the very beginning of the project, and continuedvaluable input throughout its development; Dave Wood and Bill Jones for theircountless hours spent in consultation on all topics, and their assistance with endlessresearch – the book would not have been finished without your selfless contributions;Alan Hodges, not only for considerable material content, continous support andencouragement, but also for his editing skills, taking a fairly ordinary document andturning it into a manuscript fit for publication; proof reader extraordinaire, BerylHodges, thanks Beryl; and Alan’s friend Bill Laing of Spectrum Graphics in Canberra,who donated his valuable time and considerable expertise, and that of his staff, toproduce the finished product. Just saying thanks hardly seems adequate, Bill – perhapswe could make you an honorary 2 Troop Sapper.

Finally, every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of all material containedwithin the book and if there are errors or omissions they are entirely the fault of theauthors.


August 2003

PAGE X DESTINATION: MALAYA

Abbreviations and Glossary

ADF Australian Defence Force

ANZUK Combined Australian, New Zealand and UK Force

APC Armoured Personnel Carrier

ASCO Australian Services Canteen Organisation

CB Confined to Barracks (a form of punishment)

Const Construction

CRE Commander Royal Engineers

FAMTO First Aid Mechanical Transport Outfit

FARELF Far East Land Forces

FE Field Engineer

GPMG General Purpose Machine Gun

MO Medical Officer

NAAFI Navy Army and Air Force Institution

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

NCO Non-Commissioned Officer

OC Officer Commanding

OR Other Rank (Sapper etc.)

PT Physical Training

QM Quarter Master

RAE Royal Australian Engineer

RAOC Royal Army Ordnance Corps (British)

RAR Royal Australian Regiment

RASC Royal Army Service Corps (British)

RE Royal Engineer

RSM Regimental Sergeant Major

SEATO Southeast Asian Treaty Organisation

SLR Self-Loading Rifle

SMG Sub-Machine Gun

SQMS Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant

SPR Sapper

SSM Squadron Sergeant Major

Amah Female domestic servant

A History of 2 Field Troop RAE 1963 to 1965 PAGE XI

Dhobi Wallah Laundry boy (or girl)

Dyak Dyak is the name applied to aboriginal inhabitants of the island ofBorneo, particularly to the peoples of the interior of the state ofSarawak. The Dyak are divided into six groups including Ibans.

Garter Flash Elastic garter used to keep hose tops in position with small attachedflag in Engineer red and blue Corps colours.

Gollock British Army issue machete.

Hose Tops Long sock without a foot. Used in conjunction with puttees andgarter flashes.

Hutchie Lightweight one- or two-man shelter. Sometimes called a ‘Donga’.

Iban The Ibans, also known as Sea Dyaks, are the only Dyak group thatinhabits coastal areas.

Kampong Native village.

Laterite A high-iron clay and gravel deposit suitable for use in road andairfield construction.

Padang Open space, village common, sports oval.

Panji Stakes set in holes or under water as anti-personnel traps.

Parang Malay machete of variable design and shape.

Puttees A strip of woollen cloth wound around the top of the boot andankle for protection and support.

Bau

Malacca

Operation Crown

A History of 2 Field Troop RAE 1963 to 1965 PAGE 1

C h a p t e r O n e

The Raising of 2 Field Troop RAE

The Beginning

In the early 1950s there was international concern about the possibility of Communismspreading in Southeast Asia. As a result, Australia, France, Great Britain, New Zealand,Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States established the SoutheastAsia Treaty Organization (SEATO) alliance in 1954 under the Southeast AsiaCollective Defence Treaty.

The formation of SEATO was followed in 1955 by an agreement between UK, NZ andAustralia to establish a Far East Strategic Reserve in Penang on the west coast ofMalaysia. Its function was to counter Communist aggression in Southeast Asia and alsoto operate against the Communist Terrorists in Malaya. Australia provided, in additionto an engineer troop, an infantry battalion, a battery of artillery, a contingent of signalsand other support elements as part of 28 Commonwealth Brigade. A squadron of Sabrejet fighters was based at Butterworth, and there were sundry other military personnel inSingapore.

Troop photo taken on the 11 Indep Field Sqn parade ground shortly before the deployment to Sarawak inApril 1965. (Wong Photographer)

DESTINATION: MALAYA

The Australian Government had strongly supported the formation of the FederatedStates of Malaysia and, with a contribution to the Far East Strategic Reserve, it was alsoproviding a tangible means of supporting the fledgling state against the open hostilitydisplayed by Indonesia. It was felt that by guaranteeing Malaysia’s sovereignty, Australiawas also guaranteeing its own strategic interests in the region.

The inaugural Australian engineer contribution to the Far East Strategic Reserve, 4 Troop RAE, was raised at Casula in 1955 and came under command of 11 Independent Field Squadron, RE (11 Indep Field Sqn) in Penang as part of 28 Commonwealth Brigade. The squadron had a proud history of significant militaryinvolvement dating back to the late 18th Century including deployments to the WestIndies, Crimean War, Indian Mutiny, Egypt and Sudan, including the relief ofMafeking, and the first and second world wars.

The advance party to Malaya of 4 Troop was led by Lieutenant Peter Gration, whosubsequently rose to Chief of the General Staff and then Chief of Defence Force. In1957, 2 Troop from 7 Indep Field Sqn replaced 4 Troop, and in 1959 it was in turnreplaced by 1 Troop of the squadron. Another 4 Troop was raised, in 1961, by 1 Field Sqnand, after a brief time at Butterworth and a deployment to Borneo, it moved to newfacilities at Terendak, 12 miles north of Malacca. 1 Field Sqn was also subsequently

Sprs Trevor Reece, Bob McDonald, Cpl Snow Wilson and unknown. Drilling before blasting, Rylstone area mid-1963.


responsible for raising 2 Troop, the subject of this book. Surprisingly, the replacementtroop in 1965 was also called 2 Troop and subsequent replacements kept that title. Withthe withdrawal of British troops from Malaysia in 1970, 11 Indep Field Sqn departed andleft 2 Troop in support of the Australian battalion. In September 2 Troop was disbandedand some members were absorbed by the recently-created 9 Field Sqn. So ended 15 yearsof continuous service by an Australian field engineer troop within 11 Indep Field Sqn,RE. Subsequently, the British left a battalion group at Terendak and 9 Field Sqn gaineda British field troop under command. The Squadron later became 28 ANZUK Field Sqnand, later again, 28 Commonwealth Brigade became 28 ANZUK Brigade.

The beginning for 2 Field Troop RAE (1963-1965) occurred in early 1963 when orderswere raised for 1 Field Sqn to form an engineer troop to deploy to Malaya for a two-yearperiod, replacing 4 Troop, which was nearing the end of its tour of duty. It was to be an‘accompanied’ posting, married personnel could take their wives and children, socompetition for a position, in what was considered to be a prize posting, was fierce.

The troop was formed under the leadership of Lieutenant Barry Lennon, and marchedinto 1 Field Sqn at Casula on the 29 May. 1 Field Sqn provided the administration,stores, transport, plant and other support that 2 Troop would require until its departure.At the time the Officer Commanding (OC) 1 Field Sqn was Major D J Binney. He wasreplaced by Major I R Way shortly after 2 Troop’s arrival.The bulk of 2 Troop’s members came from 1 Field Sqn andfrom 7 Field Sqn in Enoggera, Queensland, with fourmembers from 20 Field Park Sqn (Plant) at Casula. It wasBarry Lennon’s job to mould sappers from these various unitsinto a cohesive troop and, to this end, much time was spentin the Rylstone-Gospers area of the Blue Mountains carryingout typical engineer tasks including road and fire trailconstruction, improvised bridging, and drilling and blasting.A week-long exercise in the rugged Kangaroo Valley nearMoss Vale covered some basic weapons training and ambushdrills although, given the wet and near-freezing conditions,the troop members could have been forgiven for thinkingthey were preparing for a posting to anywhere but thetropics.

In hindsight, it seems that, apart from honing engineeringskills, preparation for deployment into a region like Malayawas not as thorough as it could have been: there wasinsufficient weapons training and no period of training at the Jungle Warfare Centre atCanungra in Queensland. During this period, Australian troops were generally deployedwith little specialist training for the area in which they were to operate.

In early September, Sapper Sam Scales and another sapper were withdrawn from thetroop and were replaced by Sappers Lindsay ‘Nipper’ Simpson and Dave Wicks from 1Field Sqn. By late October 1963 2 Troop was fit and rearing to go. Inoculations werebrought up to date and the last of the paperwork completed. The troop members weregiven pre-embarkation leave to say farewell to family and friends, then assembled oncemore at 1 Field Sqn several days before departure. One of the last tasks before departurefor those who were interested and were over 21 years of age was to cast an absentee votein the forthcoming Federal election. On departure, the troop was 46 strong, and wasaccompanied by 14 wives and 22 children.

Studebaker 6x6 fitted with tipping body and canopy. Belongingto 1 Field Sqn, it was on loan to 2 Troop.

“There were some early difficulties like learningto wrap ankle puttees so they would stay on,

and finding out what hose tops and garterflashes were for...”


C h a p t e r Tw o

Malay Peninsula - The First Weeks

Departure day from Australia for 2 Troop was Sunday 17 November 1963, a date stillwell-remembered by Sapper Bob 'Macca' McDonald as it was his mother’s birthday. Thejourney began with an early morning bus ride to the international terminal at Mascotwhere the troop, including wives and children, boarded a chartered Qantas 707. Arefuelling stop at Darwin allowed all to stretch their legs; then the 707 continued on toSingapore, landing at Paya Lebar International Airport in the late afternoon. There, aFokker Friendship and a DC3 waited to fly the troop on to Malacca: marrieds and theirfamilies on the Friendship, the remainder on the DC3. The troop was welcomed atMalacca by Captain Malcolm van Gelder, who would be the Troop Commander for thenext 12 months, as he had already served 12 months as commander of the nowhomeward-bound 4 Troop. Buses transported the troop members to their respectivedestinations: families, with some very tired children, to their married quarters, andsinglies to the barracks of 11 Indep Field Sqn at Terendak, their home for the next twoyears. As well as the Australian troop, 11 Sqn had two British field troops, and a parktroop with more construction equipment than a normal field squadron, as the squadronwas designed to operate independently without support from other engineer units. Thesquadron included a section-strength team (up to 10 people) who were parachute-

11 Indep Field Sqn lines looking out to the straits of Malacca. 2 Troop barracks in the foreground andNAAFI on the right. Beyond the tennis courts is the ORs mess.

trained so as to provide sapper assistance in capturing an airfield for insertion of brigadeunits. It also maintained a diving team of about the same strength.

The first few days were mostly taken up with kit issue and meeting the eight membersof 4 Troop who had remained in Malaya and still had 12 months of their tour tocomplete. Unlike the infantry battalion, 3 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), which had arrived as a complete unit and brought a lot of its Australian issuekit, 2 Troop was to be fully integrated with 11 Sqn, and kitted out with British-issuefield kit and troop stores. There were some early difficulties like learning to wrap ankleputtees so they would stay on, and finding out what hose tops and garter flashes werefor; but generally the kit was well received with the exception of the footwear andwebbing. The British did have an excellent machete, called a gollock, which was farsuperior to the Australian issue. The British Pattern 44 webbing looked like it was aleftover from WW2 and was uncomfortable, particularly when heavily loaded. TheAustralian Army by this time had the lightweight American issue webbing, and therewas little to compare between the two. Footwear issue consisted of plimsolls, a sort ofsandshoe, for PT, leather ammunition boots similar to Australian issue but made froma much coarser grade leather, and green jungle boots with a black moulded rubber sole,similar to gym boots but with tall canvas uppers that laced up to the calf.

Weapons were issued – the 7.62 mm FN 30 was almost identical to its Australiancounterpart and the SLR (self-loading rifle) was already familiar to all the sappers.NCOs, drivers and plant operators were issued with the Sterling 9 mm SMG (sub-machine-gun), a superior weapon and lighter than the Owen, but this meant somefamiliarisation training was required. The section machine-gun was a Bren GPMG,

which had been modified to accept theNATO 7.62 mm rimless cartridge, andhad also been improved so it did notrequire barrel changes after each 200-300 rounds fired. Australia had onlyrecently phased out the older .303version of the Bren Gun, so thoseselected in the machine-gun teamsquickly became proficient.

The food served in the ORs (OtherRanks) mess came as a bit of a cultureshock. Not many Australians ate kippersfor breakfast (most could not even standthe smell), the portions of meat weremicroscopic and underground mutton(rabbit) was frequently on the menu.Potatoes seemed a staple part of the diet,with spuds being served in as many asfive or six different guises (or disguises)at the one meal. To compensate in part,the Australians were paid a ‘meatallowance’ of 2 shillings and 6 pence perday, and this was a cause of some frictionwith the Brits. The Australians werealready better paid and the Brits could

Rear Spr Alan Pullen, Spr Michael Holloway; Front SprJohn Tomczak, Spr Gary Plumb in ceremonial uniform

PAGE 6 DESTINATION: MALAYA

not see why the Aussies should be paid extra to eat in theirmess. It was doubtful that the allowance was always spent inobtaining additional protein however, unless it came out of aTiger beer can. The married members were not paid the meatallowance but received 9 shillings and 2 pence per day as ageneral family allowance, plus a domestic servants allowancethat varied with the size of the family.

The troops were confined to barracks for the first week,marrieds excluded, to allow them to ‘settle down’ to theirnew environment. During this time, lectures were given onhealth issues in the tropics, including an entertaining lectureby Dr. Nurse (aptly named) on the dangers of fraternisingwith the local ladies. A Paludrine antimalarial tablet wasissued to everyone on a daily basis, usually on morningparade. There was also some instruction on riot control, Britarmy style. Riots were not uncommon throughout Malaysiaat the time, and if the Police could not contain the unrest,troops could be called in to assist under provisions of MilitaryAid to the Civil Power.

On the first weekend leave most sampled the sights and smells of downtown Malaccaand the many sites of historical interest. The ancient city of Malacca (now known asMelaka) is on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula about 120 miles northwest ofSingapore. Malacca was founded in the 14th Century by Raja Iskandar Shah whenSingapore was abandoned due to Javanese attacks. In its early days, the town cameunder Chinese protection of the Ming Emperor Yung Ho. During the 1400s, the townwas the most important port in Southeast Asia and the State of Malacca was a majortrading power with exports of gold, ivory and spices. In the late 1400s the Portugueseexplorers discovered a sea route from Europe to India, and in 1511 the PortugueseAlfonse de Albuquerque captured Malacca and established a fort there.

Towards the end of the 1500s, the Dutch and English, who each formed an East IndiaCompany, challenged the Portuguese traders. These companies eventually brokePortuguese control of trade, but it was the wealthier Dutchcompany that dominated the region. The Dutch capturedMalacca in 1641, with the assistance of a Malay force fromJohore, after an eight-month siege. The Dutch remained fornearly 200 years and added their own style of architecturethat still stands. In 1824, the British East India Companyoccupied the area, following a treaty arrangement by whichthe Dutch exchanged Malacca for the British settlement ofBencoolen in Sumatra, and formed the Straits Settlements,which initially included Singapore, Penang-Wellesley andMalacca. During the Second World War, the Japaneseoccupied these areas. In 1946 the Straits Settlements Colonywas dissolved and in 1957 the British ceded Malacca andPenang to Malaya. The Federation of Malaysia wasproclaimed in 1963, with the merging of the former StraitsSettlements of Malaya, Singapore and the Borneo territoriesof Sarawak and Sabah.

Chief of the General Staff, Australia,Lt Gen J Wilton, accompanied byMaj Tony Stacey-Marks inspectingL/Cpl John Barnett’s gollock. SprMurray Aitken in the background.

Downtown Malacca 1963


DESTINATION: MALAYA

Many historical buildings and ruins fromthe various occupations of Malacca canstill be seen. The ancient CatholicChurch of St Paul overlooking Malaccawas the temporary burial place of SaintFrancis Xavier between 22 March and11 December 1553. One particularattraction of Malacca was Tai Chong, a store better know by its English nameof Cold Storage. Here, on hot humiddays, strange-tasting but neverthelesssatisfying milkshakes could be bought inair-conditioned comfort. The historicalfeatures of the city were probably lost onthe sappers, at least on this first visit.

An article in the Bukit Bulletin (a fortnightly Brigade magazine of Terendak news) by‘Harry Reyer’ captures the atmosphere of a first venture to Malacca:

My hands were perspiring freely. I knew this was to be a dangerous mission. Thehazards I was to encounter on this journey I knew would be many and varied. But,if I was to prove myself, this was the ultimate test. I glanced nervously at the manin whose hands I had placed my future. He showed no concern. His face wasimpassive; his sinewy hands gripped the controls of his machine. He looked roundcautiously and then sprang into action – the great adventure was on.

It was worse than I had imagined. The Angel of Death was brooding over my headas the hazards loomed up. Destruction against one of the many obstacles, or a directhit by the missiles that ripped past us seemed inevitable. We moved relentlessly on,not at a smooth pace but progressing in fits and starts, taking every opportunity thatpresented itself, squeezing past the dust-covered monsters only to have them bear

down on us again, blaring theirindignation at being passed. Somehow weevaded them all.

I glanced up at the man. He still lookedimpassive but I noticed he was sweatingnow and the veins on his face werebulging slightly – the trip was obviouslytaking its toll. My knuckles gleamedwhite as my fingernails dug into mysweating palms and then we slipped outof the stream and stopped. In thecomparative quiet I felt weak buttriumphant. At last it was over. With a shaking hand I passed the coin to

the man and moved to the shade. Yes. I had done it – the length of NewcombeRoad in a trishaw.

While the troops were enjoying this first weekend of freedom, the families still settlinginto their new surrounds, and the Jones family making arrangements for Lorraine’s 21st

Sprs Lindsay Simpson and Les McNamara taking a conducted tourof Malacca in a trishaw with local guide.

Cane shops in Malacca were popular shopping destinations.


birthday party, the world was stunned bythe assassination of John FitzgeraldKennedy, the 36th President of TheUnited States of America. ThePresident was struck in the head by two rounds fired from a sniper's riflewhile travelling in an open car inDallas, Texas around 1.30 pm Friday 22 November (4.30 am Saturday easternAustralian time, 2.30 am Malaccatime).

Terendak Garrison

Terendak was a large modern militarybase, complete with all amenities and on a much wider scale than provided inAustralia. The garrison took its name from the highest hill in the area, Bukit Terendak,which means the hill of the rice planter's hat. The camp area was 1 500 acres with an associated training area of 3 500 acres. The camp housed probably in excess of 10 000 people, including married members and their families. It was the home of 28 Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, of which the Australian units were a part.

The NAAFI (Navy Army and Air Force Institutes) was centrally located in thegarrison and was somewhat similar to ASCO (Australian Services CanteenOrganisation) in Australia, but with considerably expanded services. It included asupermarket with its own butchery and bakery, hairdresser, electrical, watch and shoerepairers, photographic shop, tailor and a florist. The camp had three churches and atemple, a cinema (the Loewen, showing films twice nightly with additional afternoonmatinees on Wednesday and Saturday), a large four-storey hospital, four swimmingpools and other sporting facilities, and various clubs with bar and restaurant service.There were also the St. Andrew'sCommonwealth Club (a sort of drop-incentre where you could have a quietcuppa or write a letter home), the Rose& Crown pub, several beach clubs forvarious rank levels, and a sailing clubwith a squadron boat.

Although the camp had 900 marriedquarters, it was not large enough toaccommodate all the married personneland so many lived outside the garrisonboundaries in comfortable bungalows inpurpose-built ‘villages’ (Bukit Bahru,Tay Boon Seng). The residents usuallyreferred to these villages by Englishnames: Somerset Green, Eden Park, Suffolk Gardens. The married quarters were fullyfurnished and included linen and crockery. Each item was worth a certain number ofpoints and a monthly points breakage allowance enabled replacement items to beissued. Each married family had an amah, (and sometimes two if the family was large)

St John’s C of E church and the Rose and Crown Inn.

Terendak Garrison swimming pool.

to help with the housework and lookafter the children. Some amahs cookedalthough there might also be a separatecook.

Neither were the single members left tofend for themselves. The troop had a‘boot boy’, Babu, an Indian fromAllahabad. Babu not only polishedeveryone’s boots and brass (includingspit polishing the parade boots), but alsomade the beds and swept the floor aswell. Laundry and ironing were done bythe ‘dhobi wallah’. Silver, anothergentleman of Indian decent, was thedhobi contractor (although heemployed local labour to do the work)and also the Squadron tailor. The costto troop members was minimal,amounting to only a few shillings a weekeach. There were no latrine duties, asthe ablution block and barracksurrounds were kept spotless by the ever-smiling Malay maintenance man, Baba.Small wonder Malaya was a popularposting.

The climate was probably a bit trying atfirst due to the high humidity, but in factwas quite equable. The sun rose and setat around the same time all year round.There was lots of torrential rain carriedaway by large open monsoon drains, but there were no distinct wet and dry seasons. The temperature rarelyexceeded 850F, dropping to around 700Fat night. The barracks and marriedquarters were open and airy with ceilingfans and shutters rather than windows,designed to take advantage of the seabreezes. Each of the barrack roomshoused eight people with NCOs inindividual rooms at the end of eachblock.

The Troop’s first ‘acclimatisation’ taskwas to construct a volleyball courtbetween the barracks. This was followedby a ‘gentle’ march in section strengthinto Jungle East, a training area adjacentto the garrison. Phase three of the

Sprs Harry Atkinson, John Tomczak, Lindsay Simpson, IanTibbles and Cpl Simon Wilson lending their support to an

Australian food promotion at the garrison NAAFI supermarket.

Babu, 2 Troop’s ever-smiling boot boy, at work polishing belt-brass and boots.

Typical married quarters in the purpose-built villages outside the garrison boundaries.


acclimatisation period was to be athree-day exercise in full kit, includinghard rations, into the jungle proper. Day 1 passed without incident until,preparing to ‘hutchie-up’ for the night,the deficiencies of the Brit issue kit,particularly the bedding, became evenmore apparent. Then, while choppingdown some bamboo for his hutchie,Sapper Nipper Simpson disturbed a nestof wasps. Not wishing to seem a selfishfellow, Nipper ran toward a group of hisfellow sappers, sharing his largesse.Nipper was always well liked in thetroop, but he would not have won manyvotes in a popularity contest that night.

Day 2 also left a bit to be desired. Afterthe troop had marched well into theafternoon, it was decided the troop hadbecome ‘temporarily misplaced’ andthey had to backtrack, arriving at anisolated police outpost, a remnant fromthe days of the Malayan Emergency, juston dusk. It had been a long, hot, tryingday for little or no gain, but the troopswere too bushed to whinge too much,rolling their groundsheets out on theconcrete floor and sleeping like thedead. (In Chapter 7, S/Sgt DavidCrosby bravely acknowledges that hemanaged to read the map on to thewrong ridgeline!)

Day 3 saw a return to camp, most of theway by truck, after a morning roadreconnaissance exercise. Nearly all of the troop returned to camp footsore, and fromthen on seldom wore the jungle boots, preferring instead to use the ammo boots withtheir Australian issue gaiters.

About this time, several members of the troop were issued with a new Australian designboot for user trials in the field. It was an all-leather boot with welted rubber soles, andlaced up to the calf. This was the prototype of what was to become known as GPs(General Purpose), complete with steel innersole for protection against anti-personnelmines and panji stakes.

Meanwhile the plant operators, Cpl John Bending, L/Cpl Noel Butler and SappersDave Wood and Alan Morris were working with Park Troop constructing a grenade androcket range adjacent to the garrison. It was their first experience on a Vickers Vigordozer, with its unusual track design (similar to a tank), and the all–hydraulic AvelingAustin grader. Being experienced plant operators, they did not take long to master theunfamiliar equipment.

2 Troop members enjoy a friendly game of volleyball on thenewly-completed court.

Pouring concrete for the volleyball court, the Troop’s first taskafter arrival. The assault course and 25-yard range are in thebackground.


DESTINATION: MALAYA

2 Troop’s first Christmas in Malaya was afairly low-key affair with the singlemembers, in particular, having thoughtsof home. Christmas dinner (lunch) wasserved on Christmas Eve by the officersand senior NCOs as tradition dictated,and after a few beers everybody’s spiritsimproved.

Peter and Margaret Stokes held an openhouse to usher in the New Year. It wasthe first time many had seen a bath tubfilled with cans of beer and ice, and itwas just as well most of the troopattended otherwise Margaret would nothave been able to bathe for several days.(See Margaret’s perspective in herreminiscence in Chapter 8.)

An extract from Cpl Simon ‘Snow’Wilson’s diary dated 1 January 1964reports:

Saw the New Year in at Peter andMargaret Stokes’. A terrific party.Mounted guard at 0900 and wasnot feeling very fit. We werenotified that the move to Thailandhad been brought forward, leavinghere for Singapore on 3rd Jan.

Sprs Trevor Reece, Bob Rawson, Cpl Bruce Parsons, Sprs Les McNamara and Peter Glasson, relaxing after

a one-day acclimatisation exercise in the Jungle East training area adjacent to the garrison.

Typical Malay kampong (village) similar to many the Troopencountered on their first acclimatisation march

Lt Barry Lennon doing his once-a-year table service duty,Christmas lunch in the ORs mess 1963. L/Cpl Brian Cribbs

gracefully accepts a beer.

C h a p t e r T h r e e

Thailand and Operation Crown

The Construction of Leong Nok Tha Airfield

Since the Troop's arrival in Malaya there had been talk that it may be deployed toThailand for an airfield construction project. The rest of 11 Sqn was to go, but it wasthought that 2 Troop, due to political considerations, might have to remain atTerendak. Major H A Stacey-Marks, the OC of 11 Indep Field Sqn, had a high regardfor the Australian sappers and was adamant that 2 Troop should accompany thesquadron. The green light was eventually given and, at fairly short notice, the troopprepared for departure. Part of the conditions of entry to Thailand was that everyonehad to have a current passport. The staff at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok and theAustralian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur must have worked overtime as thepassports were duly issued, with the appropriate entry visas, in early March. In theinterim period, the Australian Military Forces Identity Card (AAF-A129) provedadequate. The only person who seemed to have a problem was Cpl Snow Wilson. Snowwas as Australian as anybody; however he had been born at Quetta in India (now partof Pakistan) where his father was serving with the British-Indian Army at the time. Thefamily migrated to Australia when he was only seven years old, and it never occurred tohim that he needed to become an Australian citizen. After all, he was in the AustralianArmy, wasn’t he? He wrote to his mother requesting she contact the ImmigrationDepartment in Perth to have him registered as an Australian citizen, but was advisedthat, as he came from India, he wouldhave to sit a test to ensure his grasp ofthe English language was adequate.Eventually, the problem was solved bythe High Commissioner in KualaLumpur.

In the late evening of 26 December1963 the advance party, including ninemembers from 2 Troop, left Terendakwith vehicles and plant for Singapore,where they embarked on the MaxwellBrander for Bangkok. The MaxwellBrander was a 4 255-ton (gross) LST(Landing Ship Tank), which was builtby Smith’s Dock Co. Ltd. at South

The Maxwell Brander ready to leave Singapore Harbour with the 11 IndepField Sqn plant and vehicles, New Year’s Eve 1963.


DESTINATION: MALAYA

Bank-on-Tees, England, and was launched in October 1944 as LST 3024. It is notknown if she took part in the Normandy landings, but she was transferred on charter tothe War Office in 1946 when she was named the Maxwell Brander. By the time 2 Troopsailed on her, she was managed by the British India Steam Navigation Company andcontracted to the British Army. The troop felt that the LST was well past her use-bydate, having already been to the bottom several times. After many years of sailingSoutheast Asian waters, albeit slowly, she was bought by Panama in 1968 and then soldfor scrap in Hong Kong in 1969.

With no radar onboard the Brander, her Captain navigated by following the coastlineand, with a top speed of six knots, this made for a long and tiresome voyage. If it was aquiet Christmas and New Year at Terendak, it was positively subdued for the membersof the advance party en route to Thailand, some of whom had left wives and childrento welcome in the New Year in a strange country alone. From Bangkok, the convoytravelled northeast, spending the first night at the American base at Korat. Next day itwas on to Ubon, approximately 400 miles from Bangkok, where they were to meet upwith the plant and heavy equipment which had been brought up by rail.

Meanwhile, the main body of the squadron travelled to Singapore by rail, entraining atTampin station on the morning of 3 January 1964. Several days were spent cooling heelsat Gillman Barracks, the Royal Engineer base in Singapore, as RAF TransportCommand aircraft were being held in Europe for the possible movement of troops toCyprus. The break gave the 2 Troop members an opportunity to explore Singapore(even though Singapore had been declared out of bounds to the squadron). Then, aftera rather hurried departure from Gillman Barracks (only a half hour's notice) and a fasttrip by bus to Changi Air Force Base, the troop boarded an RAF Transport Commandturbo-prop Britannia for the flight direct to Ubon, Thailand. As well as being home toelements of the Royal Thai Air Force, Ubon became a major operational base forUnited States Air Force incursions and strike missions into Southeast Asia. Also atUbon was a flight of eight RAAF Sabre jet fighters detached from 79 Squadron at

Butterworth; their primary role was thedefence of the air base and Thailand’sborders with Laos and Cambodia. Inaddition to the 20 or so flight crew fromButterworth, there were around 100RAAF logistic and support personnel atUbon and these were rotated directly toAustralia after a six-month deployment.The facilities at the base had beenerected in 1962 by the UbonDetachment of RAAF’s 5 ACS (AirfieldConst Sqn).

L/Cpl John Barnett exiting the RAF Transport CommandBritannia via the emergency escape chute at Ubon Airport.There were no steps available for disembarking in the more

conventional manner.

Welcome to Thailand

When the aircraft arrived in Ubon, itwas discovered there were no stepsavailable large enough to service theBritannia, so the troop was required toexit via the emergency escape chutes. Itwas already late in the afternoon by thetime buses were boarded and the troopwas heading north for Ban Kok Talat,70 miles away over a rough and onlypartially-sealed road. The local buseswere a sight to behold with their fiercedragon emblems and large tail fins, andthey were obviously built for the smallstature of the local population as legroom was at a premium.

It was very late and very dark by thetime the troop reached the proposedcamp site and untangled themselvesfrom the buses. It was then a case ofcollecting a camp bed from a jumble ofstores, which should have been very simple except that a very zealous sergeant, incharge of the stores, decided that everyone should queue up and sign for each item.While he was being quite officious to Captain van Gelder and S/Sgt. David ‘Bing’Crosby and others, tired Sappers were removing camp beds under cover of darkness andgetting settled for the night. Common sense finally prevailed. Next morning over abreakfast of hard rations and a brew, the sappers surveyed their surroundings. They hadbeen dropped in a paddy field from which the season’s rice crop had been harvested andonly the stubble remained. There werevery few trees but there were a couple ofmounds of stores, which had obviouslybeen just thrown off the truckswherever they had pulled up. Upon theSquadron’s arrival at Ubon, MajorStacey-Marks briefed everyone andadvised that there would be very little atthe camp site. He certainly got thatright.

The first task was to get mess and latrinefacilities operational and some sheltererected. The piles of stores containedtents and marquees, so over the nextcouple of weeks the sappers became veryproficient at pitching tents, at one stageerecting 15 tents and two marquees in aday. In all, over 200 tents were erectedplus marquees for the mess, stores,

Typically-decorated Thai bus similar to that used by thesquadron to travel from Ubon to the Operation Crown site.

The first morning in the paddy fields of Ban Kok Talat.


canteen, and administration. Not onlydid they have to provide their ownshelter, but accommodation also had tobe provided for the influx of engineersfrom other units scheduled to arrive inthe near future. S/Sgt Bing Crosby waslargely instrumental in the rapidconstruction of an efficient latrinefacility. With a ‘borrowed’ RAF Pengo(large diameter posthole digger) and a couple of chippies he soon had aframework built over several bottomlesspits which served the camp well for theduration. So started OPERATIONCROWN.

Water was in short supply and bathing was usually done in a dish. Even shower bucketscould not be used due to the acute shortage of water. For the first week the squadron’ssix 100-gallon water trailers were towed into Ubon each day and refilled, the 140 mileround trip over atrocious roads taking a heavy toll on the squadron vehicles. Each tentof four people received a daily ration of one jerry can and this had to provide for bothdrinking and ablutions. Eventually a mobile bath unit did arrive and set up a communalshower, something similar to a sheep-spray race: dirty people in one end, clean ones outthe other.

Snow’s diary 15 January:

9 tents and 2 marquees today. Jack Brown had gone off sick with a bad cartilage.There is a pirate radio station broadcasting to us from across the Mekong in Laos.We have been listening to 6WF in Perth on shortwave, it's good to hear from home.We have 3 tents left to put up. There is mail tomorrow, well here’s hoping. We hadour second shower tonight thanks to the RAOC mobile bath unit.

It was the height of the dry season: hot and cloudless. The paddy fields, after countlessyears of flood irrigation, were just fine silt, and this quickly transformed into bulldust,particularly where there was vehicular traffic. This dust got into everything, clothes,

bedding, and especially food, althoughin this case it probably improved theflavour. It also made for difficult workingconditions and was to be a constantirritant, until the rains finally startedsome months later.

Despite the RAOC mobile bath unit,hygiene was to be a constant problem forthe troops throughout their time inThailand. The poor diet, coupled withlimited ablution facilities, ensuredalmost everyone suffered from someform of skin complaint at one time or another. After the first week or so, limited supplies of fresh vegetables

A ‘Pengo’ (large-diameter post-hole digger) on loan from theRAF, drilling holes for the latrines.

Spr Peter Glasson enjoys a bath in a makeshift tub fashionedfrom a poncho. Wonder where he got enough water?


became available through local purchase, but fresh meat was not seen until the end ofJanuary. The troop cook, Spr Tom Abberfield, did his very best but, with little to workwith, it was difficult to provide a balanced and varied diet.

Bing Crosby recalls:

Several members of 11 Sqn, including 2 Troop, paid a courtesy call on the USBase, Ubon. They were made very welcome and, as with servicemen everywhere,the fat (an appropriate term as the reader will see) was chewed over a convivialglass. When it was explained that the scale of rations at Crown was not good, itwas not being disloyal because the merit of the British individual and section rationpacks was praised by all, especially the inclusion of Cadbury’s chocolate.

The Crown visitors inspected the huge refrigerated stores for meat. It was obviousthat the American ‘cousins’ had sides of beef in abundance. The question of atrade-off was raised with the currency being beef for Cadburys chocolate.

Back in Crown, the SSM and the SQMS did the sums on available chocolate. TheSSM advanced the view that the CRE would not agree to being helped by thecousins. This would become a matter of national pride, he suggested. 2 Troopmembers didn’t think the venerable SSM was right on this occasion and Capt vanGelder was asked to inform the CRE of the plan. He was to say that even theofficers would benefit. Astoundingly, the SSM’s view was sustained and nationalpride kept the meat rations ridiculously low for the work being done in the field.

There was one plus. The Americans had a weekly milk run from Stateside. Afterall, this was an Air Force Base! Cardboard boxes with an insert containing about20 litres of pasteurized,homogenized milk were available atone per week for (of course)Cadbury’s chocolate.

Those concerned realized that toprevent animosity between theofficers, senior NCOs and ORs,the milk should remain with thesenior NCOs – and it did!

The kitchen facilities, like everythingelse in the beginning, were basic, justpressure field stoves and one Wilescooker (the small two-wheel version, atthat). A bush oven was constructed ofbeer and soft drink cans filled withdamp earth When steam developed, asthe oven heated, the cans exploded,some landing on the ORs mess tentroof. The Brit who had constructed theoven sustained some injuries and theRSM threatened to charge him.

Sapper Dave Cannon was quite atalented cartoonist and kept 2 Troop

Spr Tom Abberfield preparing to serve lunch in the gourmet kitchen, while Spr Bill Jones inspects the Wilescooker. The bush oven in the background exploded thefirst time it was used.


DESTINATION: MALAYA

entertained with his satirical comment on life at Op Crown, including the exploding-oven incident. During a tent inspection, several of his more irreverent cartoons wereconfiscated by the inspecting officer who considered them to be ‘anti-establishment’.Unfortunately, no examples of Dave’s creations appear to have survived to the present.

Snow’s diary 20 January:

Short of water all day again. The meals are shocking,found two pieces of tin in my dinner.

Because it was too hot to drink tea in the middle of the day, acold drink consisting of a lemon- or orange-flavoured powderdissolved in water was usually served with lunch. Thisconcoction was mixed in a large metal garbage can and was sopotent it dissolved the galvanized coating from the can.Hence it was called ‘battery acid’. When mixed in the correctproportions however, it was actually quite a refreshing drink.

By the end of January 1964 the 'tent city' was completed, andwork commenced at the main construction site a couple ofmiles down the road, and adjacent to the village. The villagepeople were friendly and industrious and soon after thesquadron's arrival they were satisfying the troop’s needs, be ita cold soft drink or dhobi facilities. The most popularvillagers by far were the watermelon vendors from whom a

cool delicious melon could be bought for just two Baht (10 pence). The SSM, TomThornton, decided to bring the watermelon sellers under ‘military control’. He hadTables Field Service set up at the entrance to the camp area and priced each watermelonwith a crayon. He became the camp expert judging ripeness and size, but had anoccasional argument with the sellers who thought that their fruit was larger and that hispricing structure did not reflect that in comparison to others. He would wave his cane,speak loudly and rapidly and, given his imposing height of 6 foot 4 inches, his will

prevailed. What the locals really thought of these visitorsfrom Australia and Britain is uncertain, but it cannot beimagined they were too impressed with losing a large tract oftheir traditional rice-growing land for an airfield they didn’tparticularly want or need.

Water, or the lack of it, was still a grave concern. After thefirst week all the camp needs were met from the village well,which had been equipped with a pump by the squadron. Itwas however only a limited supply and, in addition to thecamp, it still had to provide for the needs of the village andtheir livestock. Before the start of Op Crown, the ThaiDepartment of Mineral Resources had conducted ageological survey of the area, and drilling for water was stillgoing on apace, with absolutely no success. There was no waythe village well would be able to supply the quantities ofwater required for the compaction of the roads, helipad andrunway. In desperation, the CRE of Op Crown, LieutenantColonel Harry McIntyre, agreed to let a 2 Troop member,L/Cpl John Armitage, divine for water, amid much derision

Spr Ian Tibbles and ‘Guts’ a loveablelocal villager who became a constant

companion of 2 Troop.

Soft drink entrepreneurs fromthe local village under a

rudimentary shelter. Even more popular with the troops

were the watermelon vendors.


from the geologist and the drilling team. Nevertheless, waterwas found on the first try, and this bore, along with anotheralso divined by John, provided all the water required for thepermanent camp and the airfield construction. JohnArmitage’s divining skills were put to further use on hisreturn to Malaya where he found water on several oil palmplantations, considerably enhancing troop funds in theprocess.

On 11 February the Troop received the sad news, fromstation 6WF Perth via Snow’s shortwave radio, that HMASVoyager had been sunk in a collision with HMAS Melbournewhile conducting night exercises in the Jervis Bay trainingarea. A total of 82 crew members lost their lives.

Construction of the Main Camp

2 Troop's first task at the main construction site after theperimeter fence was the erection of the workshop buildings.These consisted of eight steel Romney huts. Not only werethese difficult to assemble due to being badly transit-damaged, but also, with daily temperatures hovering aroundthe 1040F mark, the galvanised sheeting and steel framesbecame almost too hot to handle. Add to this the glare andthe blowing dust, and the working conditions could best be described as difficult. In spite of the adverse conditions,all the buildings were finished by the end of February 1964,complete with concrete floors. Major Stacey-Marks wasimpressed enough to shout the Troop three cartons ofcoldies. Also during February, the troop poured the footingsfor the Braithwaite tank stand for the camp water supply.

Pouring concrete at Op Crown had it own special set ofproblems. Firstly, the aggregate was more a kind of shale thangravel and very difficult to work with. The parched soil, hightemperatures and low humidity meant the mix set almost assoon as it was poured and, to add further to the Troop's woes,it was suspected the cement supplied to them was a quick-setting type usually used forsoil stabilization.

In late February there was a dramatic change in the weather with strong cold windsblowing from the northwest, reputably from the Gobi desert in China. The temperatureplummeted and with no warm clothing everyone suffered, and the blowing dust waseven worse than usual. Fortunately, the change only lasted for about a week then it wasback to the daily 1000F plus. The nearly-completed helipad had its first tryout about thistime when a Royal Thai Air Force Westland Wessex landed to evacuate a Brit who hadinjured his back. The MO (Medical Officer) deemed he could not be safely transportedto Ubon by ambulance because of the very rough road.

After the initial requirements of setting up the base camp were met, the troop shiftedfrom a 7-day working week to 5 days. Overnight leave was approved and this wasusually taken in Ubon, although there were excursions to Mukdahan on the Mekong

L/Cpl John Armitage divining forwater. (Army The SoldiersNewspaper 14 May 1964)

River and other places of interest in the region. Capt Malcolm van Gelder’sextensive reconnoitring in theLaos/Cambodian border region waspopular with the sappers and he couldalways be guaranteed to have a full LandRover each time he went out. Malcolmand a party from 4 Troop had beeninvolved in a combined exercise andreconnaissance of the general areaduring May and June of the previousyear during Exercise Dhana Rajata.

On Sunday 1 March 1964 a team from 2Troop travelled to Ubon for a friendlygame of Aussie Rules against the RAAF.It was a bit one-sided, the RAAFwinning 7 goals 11 to the troop’s 1 goal5. Still, a great time was had by all.Members of the squadron had alsoconstructed a wooden volleyball court intheir own time and games were playedregularly, usually 2 Troop against allcomers.

Snow’s diary Sunday 8th March:

What a day; the boys from Uboncame back a bit under the weather,and broke…and Mukdahan…thatwas a different story. Five of theboys decided to go to Laos over theMekong, stole a boat and sank it,and all are now in the Mukdahangaol.

The Mekong River at Mukdahan wasthe border between Thailand and Laos.On one visit to the town, five 2 Troopsappers decided they would like to visitLaos, in spite of the fact it was verymuch out of bounds and would haverequired a passport and visa anyway.Changing their Thai currency forLaotian Kip, they ‘borrowed’ a local boatto transport them across the river. TheMekong at that point was about 1 000yards across and, in spite of it being thedry season, was still flowing quitestrongly. About halfway across, theoutboard motor stopped, and the

Sgt Jack Brown and Sprs Humphrey Dodd and Darryl Hesserecting the perimeter fence at the main camp site.

Sprs Harry Atkinson, Dennis Fitzhenry and Darryl Hesssheeting the first Romney hut with the aid of a ‘mobile

scaffold’ constructed on the tray of a 3 ton Bedford.

Spr Ian Tibbles delivering cladding for a Romney in a RoughRider motorised skip, complete with accompanying dust.


sappers, all experienced in boat-handling, moved to the end of the long,skinny craft to offer advice to thenominated driver. With all the weightin the stern, the boat stood on its endand disappeared below the water. Afterbeing rescued from the river, the groupwas thrown into the local lock-upwhere they were held until a none-too-happy Barry Lennon arrived late thatnight to bail them out and reimbursethe boat owner for his loss. Several dayslater all five faced the table and weregiven seven days CB (confined tobarracks with additional duties), noleave for a month, and deductions fromtheir pay until full restitution was madefor the lost boat and motor. (A ratherdifferent perspective on this event isrecorded in Chapter 8.)

Since the start of Op Crown the 11 Sqnplant operators had been busy preparingthe foundations for the constructionsite, building access roads, startingpreliminary work on the helipad andmain runway, and clearing overburdenfrom borrow pits. They had collectedthe construction plant from the WarinChamrap railhead near Ubon, drivingthe graders and other wheeledequipment the 70 miles to Op Crown.With the tented accommodation nowready, troops from 59 Field Sqn RE and54 Corps Field Park Sqn RE beganarriving direct from Singapore and theUK. With them came their heavy plant,Cat D8s, Gainsborough wheeled dozers,open-bowl scrapers and other specialistequipment, and now the earthworkscould begin in earnest. The fine soil anddust were first removed, then lateritefrom the borrow pits nearby was laidand compacted. Because the land waspreviously rice paddy and reasonablyflat, large amounts of fill were requiredin some areas to ensure adequatedrainage.

Capt Malcolm van Gelder assesses the capacity of a bridge tosupport the Land Rovers while on a reconnaissance nearCambodia.

2 Troop Aussie Rules team preparing to play the RAAF atUbon airfield.

Cat D8 and open bowl scraper of 54 Field Park Sqn takingmaterial from the borrow pit for placement on the constructionsite and helipad.


DESTINATION: MALAYA

With the influx of personnel, the messfacilities were being strained to the limitso a staggered shift system wasintroduced to ease the problem. Reveillefor the early shift was 0500, the late shiftstarting work at the normal time. Theshifts were alternated week about.

The Free Thai Airfield

With the influx of heavy plant andequipment of 54 and 59 Sqns, a smallcontingent of 11 Sqn plant under WO2Dixon RE was detailed to begin asecondary airfield project on a site some

15 miles northwest from Ban Kok Talat at Ban Sawat. Known as the Free Thai strip, itwas in fact only a DZ (drop zone) which had been built by Thais opposed to theJapanese occupation in WW2, so that arms and medical supplies could be parachutedto the resistance movement. Included in the nine-man contingent were 2 Troop’s CplJohn Bending, and Sprs Dave Wood and Alan Morris. Their total plant consisted of twoFowler light dozers, one Aveling Austin grader, a towed multi-wheel roller, a Fodenwater tanker, two Commer tippers and a Land Rover. With this limited equipment theteam managed to turn an ox cart track into an 15-mile access road and clear, form andsurface with laterite a 700-yard airstrip in less than three months. At one stage it tookthree days just to remove a very large tree from the road alignment with only the lightdozers at their disposal.

Dave Wood recalls:

The road was the width of two dozer blades with about a 20-foot carriageway andside drains to suit prevailing conditions. We camped on site each night just short ofwhatever village we were going through at the time. After reaching the airstrip sitewe established a more lasting campsite complete with a sleeping tent and cooking,shower and latrine facilities. As we were without a front-end loader we constructeda chinaman, using timber from an old bridge we demolished. The chinaman proved

very effective for loading the tippers butwas not so good when it rained as it couldonly be drained by pumping the waterout.

During this time I think most of the crewdeveloped a taste for the local Thai foodas we were frequent guests to the local'shomes for meals. Some of us were invitedto attend the local schools to talk andshow some pictures of the countries welived in. We also carried out some basicfirst-aid treatment to the locals along theway and also during our stay at the FreeThai strip. Another highlight was the

The nearly-completed camp from on top of the Braithwaitewater tank. Workshops in the foreground, NAAFI in the

distance and ORs mess in between.

RNZAF Bristol Freighter, the first aircraft to land at thenewly-completed Free Thai airfield, welcomed by crowds of

locals who just appeared from the surrounding bush.


water festival which was held about mid-April after the rains had started – not surewhat it was called but do know they throw water on everyone for good luck. Wedecided to take part in the festivities so we filled the water truck then used thepressure pump to spray everybody, including the local Buddhist monks who, I mightsay, were not that impressed.

In addition to the road and airstrip the team also constructed a 9-hole golf course(under instructions from CRE Crown). The first plane to land at the Free Thai Airstripwas a Kiwi Air Force Bristol Freighter with the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr KeithHolyoake, on board. They saw the strip and thought they would ‘just drop in.’ The‘official opening’ by the British Attaché to Thailand, who arrived in a DeHavillandDove, was several days later. The Attaché’s pilot treated the construction crew to a joyflight and an opportunity to see the fruits of their labour from the air. During late April,with the main tasks completed and insurgents becoming active in the area, thecontingent returned to the main camp.

Snow’s diary, 10 March:

Hold-ups on road to village by armed locals. If this keeps up someone could gethurt.

When the Squadron arrived at Ban Kok Talat there were no bars in the village but, withthe influx of thirsty troops, bars sprang up overnight, almost as if by magic. The maindrink served was Singha, a pleasant lager style beer brewed in Bangkok, but a spiritcalled ‘Mekong Whisky’ was also popular with some of the patrons. This fieryconcoction, made from grain, juniper berries and various other unknown ingredientswas a real ‘fighting’ drink and also caused temporary blindness if partaken of toogenerously. The often inebriated patrons walking back to camp for the 2230 curfewsometimes found themselves the victim of a hold-up by armed local bandits.Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt in these encounters and a police crackdown andsome summary Thai justice during late March all but ended these encounters.

During March, 2 Troop started on the MRS (Medical Reception Station) and hospitalbuilding. Timber frames were prefabricated on site, erected, and then clad withcorrugated galvanised iron. This building was fully-lined inside and fitted with ceilingfans and even boasted an air-conditioner in the treatment room. The troop also pouredthe foundations for the power stationand built several prefabricated site shedsaround the construction site.

Around this time, the Op Crown flagmysteriously disappeared from theflagpole to be replaced by a ladies bra.The CRE nearly had apoplexy and, toadd insult to injury, the bra becamestuck at the top of the flagpole and acrane had to be brought in to removethe offending undergarment. A littlelater on, the RASC flag from the FAMTO (First Aid MechanicalTransport Outfit, although usuallyknown as the Fuel and Motor Transport

Partially-completed MRS and hospital building with theBraithwaite tank and one of the Romney huts in thebackground.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Office) store also disappeared, butunfortunately it was lost to posteritymany years later when the Wicks familylost their house and all their possessionsin Darwin’s cyclone Tracy.

The monsoon season was approachingand this would signal the end of majorconstruction work for several months.The first downpours started at the end ofMarch and caused quite a sensation inthe tent city, as not only did the tentsleak, but also the rice paddies filled andinundated the tents as well. The floors ofthe tents had been laid with coir mattingin an attempt to reduce the dust. (The

coir matting had been 'salvaged' from the packaging in which the tents were originallyconsigned.) Breeding under the matting were all sorts of nasties including some verylarge scorpions. As the tents flooded, the nasties moved to higher 'ground', whichmeant climbing up onto the camp beds. This was particularly exciting when thedownpour occurred in the wee dark hours of the night, and it gave added incentive tomake sure the mosquito net was tucked in tightly. Thankfully, by this time, several ofthe accommodation blocks at the main camp were nearing completion and some of thesappers from 54 and 59 Sqns were moving house so the tents could be dismantled,although 11 Sqn, including 2 Troop, remained under canvas for the duration of thedeployment.

The sod-turning ceremony signalling the ‘official’ start of Op Crown was performed on3 April 1964 by the Thai Prime Minister, Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, whonamed the airfield after the late Prime Minister Sarit Thanarat. There were a 60-strongThai Army guard of honour and a brass band, and a combined Australian, New Zealandand British ceremonial guard also. Security was tight in and around the constructionsite with armed Thai Militia everywhere. The Prime Minister arrived by luxury twinrotor helicopter, landing on the recently-completed helipad. After the traditional inspection of the guard, the Prime Minister climbed aboard a Cat D8 (after it had been

A Buddhist Monk blesses the Cat D8 before the sod-turningceremony marking the official beginning of Operation Crown.

Combined Australian, British and NZ guard of honour for the official start of Operation Crown await the arrival of the Prime Minister of Thailand.


suitably blessed by a Buddhist Monk) and, with the help ofthe Kiwi plant operator, pushed over a tree left standingespecially for the occasion.

A near-tragedy occurred in the early hours of Good Fridaywhen one of the 2 Troop tents caught fire, probably startedby a cigarette carelessly discarded by a passer-by. The entiretent was engulfed in seconds, and the four occupants,Sappers Frank Sexton, Mick 'Moose' Sutton, Arthur'Geordie' Sinclair and Cpl Stan Limb were lucky to escapewith their lives. Little was saved, the heat being so intensethat even the aluminium trunks melted and the contentsburned. Next morning Moose Sutton displayed his meltedradio complete with his grinning denture inside the fusedcomponents. Bing Crosby recalls that he told Moose to keepit as a memento/sculpture as it was unique and wouldeventually be valuable. Unfortunately Moose did not acceptthat advice. Despite the dogged effort of Malcolm vanGelder to get compensation for loss of personal and civilianeffects, the answer was ‘they were told to insure propertyagainst loss’. On the other hand, the CRE Crown flagthankfully survived, buried safely in an ammo box deepunder the coir matting. (Several years later this flag waspresented to the Sportsman’s Club at 21 Const SqnPuckapunyal by Moose Sutton.) While watching all heowned go up in flames and wearing only a towel, GeordieSinclair was berated by the RSM for being incorrectlydressed.

April brought the news that 7 Field Sqn from Enoggera inBrisbane was to be sent to Sabah the following month. Partof Australia’s commitment to Malaysia was to providemilitary support, but it still wished to avoid direct contactwith Indonesian forces and, no doubt, saw the provision ofan Engineer unit as achieving both objectives.

Also in April, Op Crown had its first two serious accidents,one fatal. A cook from 59 Sqn RE was badly burned while filling a pressure stove. Therewas no helicopter available to evacuate him so a couple of plant operators, includingNoel Butler, worked throughout the night to prepare a section of the main runway toaccept a STOL (short takeoff and landing) type aircraft. The pilot was not too happywith the surface but he landed and lifted the injured cook out. On 21 April a Britelectrician, only newly arrived from UK, was electrocuted while working on powerlineswithin the construction site. In spite of the best efforts of the MO he could not beresuscitated.

A visit by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, and the Commander inChief, Far East Command, went largely unnoticed by the workers at the constructionsite, except maybe the Kiwis and those at the MRS and hospital building, which ratedan inspection.

Spr Frank Sexton looking ratherforlorn amid the ruins of his fire-ravished tent on Good Friday 1964.

Anzac Day 1964

Anzac day was approaching, and in spite of Malcolm van Gelder’s best efforts, theAustralians were not to be granted a full day of rest. However a contingent of Kiwi plantoperators and carpenters had arrived in March as New Zealand’s contribution to OpCrown, and the Anzac force, along with the recent visit by Mr Holyoake, convinced

the powers that be that the day shouldbe accorded the respect it deserved.After a 0400 reveille, a combined Anzacand British dawn service was held at theconstruction site. This was followed by agunfire breakfast with some excellentBritish Navy rum which had been flownin from Singapore as the result ofMalcolm's persistence and emphasis onthe ‘tradition’ that the British initiallyfailed to appreciate. The rum was servedin waxed sputum cups, compliments ofthe MRS.

Later, some of the troop repaired toUbon to celebrate further, and to play a

game of rugby union against the RAAF. The RAAF won 6 points to 3. Those whoremained at the camp continued on with a gunfire lunch.

The ORs mess was completed at the main camp by another unit and its first use was thegunfire breakfast after the dawn service. With the weight of the large crowd, the pierssupporting the floor sank into the rain-softened earth. It seems that no sole plates orconcrete pads had been used under the piers. From the 26th all meals were served at thenew mess, the first meal being bully beef. The change of venue and improved kitchenfacilities had obviously not improved the menu or its presentation.

The hospital was completed by 2 Troop by the end of April and the MO brought thetroop a couple of cartons. (Some wag suggested it was only a couple of cans and a cartonof straws.) It must have been very difficult for the MO to have maintained a reasonable

medical service for both the soldiers andthe locals amid the blowing dust, withjust tents and a marquee for an MRS andhospital, and so he was overjoyed withhis new facilities.

During the previous six weeks, inaddition to the hospital, the troop hadalso constructed the power station andthe FAMTO store, using the sameprefabrication techniques. Meanwhile,the Brits of 11 and 59 Sqns had erecteda Braithwaite tank and stand for thecamp water supply, installed threediesel-powered generating sets in thepower station and erected the

Erecting the prefabricated wall-section of the FAMTO storerequires a solid team effort.

Barrack hut based on a design by WW2 Australian ArmyEngineer in Chief, Major General Sir Clive Steele. It is

doubtful that Sir Clive would have been impressed with thefinished product.


distribution lines throughout the camp. They had also constructed a range of otherbuildings including the Sgts and ORs messes, accommodation barracks, and theNAAFI. The accommodation barracks were supposedly based on a 1940 WW2 designby Major General Sir Clive Steele, an Australian Army Engineer-in-Chief. Thefinished product bore little resemblance to Sir Clive Steele’s original design and theworkmanship left much to be desired.

By May all of 11 Sqn's designated tasks were completed. With able assistance from 2 Troop the Squadron had established a tent complex to house three squadrons ofEngineers, nearly 900 men in all, constructed a permanent camp with all facilities,begun preliminary work on the access roads, helipad and main runway, and completedthe Free Thai airstrip and access road. The completion of the Crown airfield would beleft to 54 and 59 Sqns who would be joined by the Royal Air Force 5001 Const Sqn,and other support units. After the earthworks were completed the 5 000 feet runwayand dispersal areas were covered with a 6-inch layer of cement-stabilised laterite,topped with two and a half inches of hot mix asphalt. The completed airfield washanded over to the Thai Government in June 1965.

Malcolm van Gelder provides an overview of the reasoning behind Operation Crownand some of the design parameters:

If only in a minor way, Australian sappers were involved in Operation Crown fromlate 1962 when Lt Norm Griffith (Troop Officer 4 Field Troop RAE) accompaniedwhat was believed to be first ground reconnaissance party of the area.

Operation Crown was designed to provide an MRT (medium range transport)airfield in northeast Thailand as part of the UK’s contribution to the SEATOprogram for improving logistical facilities in Thailand. More specifically thepurposes of the airfield were:

• To deliver troops, supplies and equipment for a Brigade Group (initially).

• The deployment of fixed and rotary wing short-range takeoff and landingaircraft.

• To provide a means of subsequent maintenance of the force.

Boiling the billy during the first weeks at the main camp site Op Crown. Sprs Ian Tibbles and Darryl Hess, Sgt JackBrown, Spr John White and L/Cpl John Armitage preparing the alignment for the perimeter fence.


The airfield location was strategically midway between the two US bases of Ubonand Nakom Phanom, but not too close to the Mekong River, the border with Laos.In fact, the Mekong was 33 miles to the east and 35 miles to the north.

The 5 000 foot design length of the airfield was to cater for Hastings, Argosy andBeverley aircraft. Parking areas were to provide for up to 10 MRT aircraft, sixhelicopters and a fuel area for two 10 000-gallon pillow tanks. The design glideangle was 1 in 50 with 15 degrees splay.

Following an example such as the Nakom Phanom airfield, the pavement was tohave been constructed to LCN (load classification number) 30 based on 10 inchesof compacted laterite, with the top 3 inches mixed with bitumen. Surfacing optionsconsidered were using PSP (pierced-steel plank), a conventional bitumen prime andseal or concrete.

On 4 May 1964 the main body of 11 Sqn, including most of 2 Troop, packed up andsaid farewell to Ban Kok Talat, travelling by local bus once more to Ubon. There, achartered British Eagle Britannia waited in the hot sun to fly them to Singapore. Thistime there were actually stairs to board the aircraft. Following the landing at Singapore,the troop was hustled on to a train for the overnight journey to Tampin, (with sleepingcompartments, would you believe?) and 24 hours after leaving Op Crown, the bulk of 2 Troop was once again 'home'.

Meanwhile, the transport party loaded their vehicles and plant on to the train at WarinChamrap, the railhead near Ubon, leaving Op Crown on the 8 May 1964 for the lasttime. An overnight train trip to Bangkok followed and then to the Maxwell Brander,which was waiting to be loaded before sailing for Singapore. By now the Brander hadbeen fitted with radar and other navigation devices and the return voyage only took

three days. The transport party finallystraggled into Terendak on the 14tharriving in dribs and drabs due tonumerous vehicle breakdowns. A rearparty of 11 Sqn personnel stayed atCamp Crown for several more weeks toprovide finishing touches to the MRSand to strike the remainder of the tentsand ready them for transport.

Operation Crown Postscript

The following is an extract from TheRoyal Australian Engineers, 1945 to 1972Volume 4, by Brigadier P J Greville, CBEabout the subsequent involvement of 11 Indep Field Sqn and 2 Field Troop inOperation Crown:

The Squadron (with the new 2 Troopunder Capt Alan Hodges) returned toOperation Crown in Thailand fromDecember 1965 to May 1966 … Crownairfield had been completed in late 1965

Lt Barry Lennon and S/Sgt David Crosby discuss the worksprogram outside the 2 Troop site office.



but water penetration during the wet had led to the failure of the pavement. Theredeployment of 11 Independent Field Squadron was part of a major operation tocorrect the problem. It involved stripping two inches of bituminous macadamsurface, repairing the laterite base and laying eight inches of quality concrete on the5,000-ft runway…The squadron was part of a larger British force of engineers,plus transport, workshops and stores, totalling 418 men. About 150 Thai nationalswere employed. The squadron was relieved in May by 59 Field Squadron RE andthe task was completed by December.

Twenty years after 11 Sqn’s involvement in Op Crown, John Stevens returned to LoengNok Tha and recorded his visit in The Royal Engineers Journal, Vol 104, No 4. Some ofJohn’s observations were:

Ubon airport turned out to be a shadow of its former self … One Thai Airwaysflight a day and a small RTAF presence is all that is left.

However, Ubon town has grown out of all recognition – wide streets, modernbuildings, a population trebled in size, a new bridge over the meandering MoonRiver.

Off on the road to Loeng Nok Tha– a wide straight metalled road, raised above thesurrounding paddy has replaced the laterite ruts, standing water and endless dust ofthe dry season. After a coffee stop at Amnat Charoen – remember the 16 foot tallBuddha image – the local village of Ban Kok Samnam and the entrance to CrownAirfield was reached in a little over an hour.

The approach track leads to two concrete plinths on which brass plates in Englishand Thai commemorate the opening of the airfield. The English version has beenused for target practice and now contains no less that fourteen bullet marks.

The pavement quality concrete of runway, taxiways and apron appears in excellentcondition, though one must remember it has received very little use by aircraft anda Thai water buffalo is hardly LCN30.

Crown Camp has returned to the bush. The only clearly recognisable features arethe swimming pool … and a concrete slab containing sixteen large holes. – Polarissilo or perhaps something more mundane?

A stroll down the main camp road and up the nearby village – no beer tins orMekong bottles now define the route – revealed a transformation. Ban Kok Samnanis now a model village – neatly laid out, tidy houses with a metalled road and mainselectricity…

Perhaps not a lot to show for all the Sapper, REME and RCT ‘blood, tears and sweat’ which went into Operation CROWN but the airfield is there, intact and with very little work could quickly be made operational once again. With the emphasis on tourism in Thailand it might even become MUKDAHANINTERNATIONAL!!

“...camp security was again upgraded with the guard being increased to five

NCOs and 18 ORs, all armed and

issued with live ammunition”


C h a p t e r F o u r

Terendak Again

Everyone was pleased to be ‘home’, especially the married members who had beenseparated from their families for over four months. A ‘welcome home’ party was held onthe 16 May 1964 and everyone had an enjoyable time.

Security had been increased around the garrison during the Troop’s absence, due to thethreat posed by Indonesian insurgents. The duty guard now consisted of two NCOs and12 other ranks, as well as a Duty Officer. Two Sterling SMGs with 40 rounds each wereissued to the duty patrol.

Near the end of May, Sapper Harry Atkinson flew home to Queensland, as his fatherwas very ill. The good news was that he recovered, and Harry returned to Terendak indue course.

An Increase in Troop Numbers

During July of 1963, while 2 Troop was still undergoingpre-deployment training in Australia, in Malaya, Sharon,the first child of Bill and Lorraine Jones was born. Bill, theTroop vehicle mechanic, arrived in January 1963 to join 4 Troop and stayed on with 2 Troop. When Sharon wasborn, Terendak Hospital was still under construction, soshe was delivered in the MRS, which was really only atreatment room and outpatient facility. Shortly after 2 Troop’s arrival, Bob and Marilyn Reed welcomed theirfirst baby, Donna, who was born a couple of weeks beforeChristmas. Bob had completed two years with 4 Troopand remained in Malaya with 2 Troop for Donna’s birth.He did not accompany the troop to Thailand andreturned to Australia in mid-1964.

When the new 140-bed hospital complex was officiallyopened in Terendak shortly after 2 Troop’s arrival, itboasted a 30-bed wing, exclusively for use by the familiesof the servicemen in the garrison, and this included an air-conditioned eight-bedmaternity ward and delivery suite. The first troop family members to trial the newfacilities were Trish Lennon and Val Plumb. Both Jenni-Lee Lennon and Kevin Plumbwere born in March 1964 while the Troop was in Thailand. In May, John and BettyBending welcomed baby Michael and, soon after, the Morris family increased with thearrival of Shane, a brother for Stephen.

The modern hospital complex at TerendakGarrison which was officially openedafter 2 Troop’s arrival in Malaya.

Another happy event during May wasthe marriage of Sapper Tony ‘Flash’Farrell. His bride-to-be, Trish, hadarrived in Malaya shortly after the Troopand stayed with her old school friend,Betty Bending. The wedding took placeon Saturday 23 May 1964. It was thefirst wedding in Terendak’s newly-consecrated Catholic Church and wasperformed by the Australian chaplain,Father James Boberg.

In January, while the Troop was on itsway to Thailand, Sapper AlanRichardson, another of the 4 Troop‘half-and-halfers’, returned to Perth towed his fiancée Yvonne, and she toojoined the Troop in May.

Tasks at Terendak

Although enjoying life at ‘home’, 2 Troop members were by no means idle. An olddisused building on the other side of the squadron oval was requisitioned as the troopclubhouse, and considerable time was spent on renovations. The first party was heldthere in June and was voted a huge success.

A large rainforest tree adjacent to the residence of the Brigade Commander, BrigadierRobert Dawson, had died as a result of a lightning strike, and was considered a dangerto the house. Civilian contractors would normally have been employed to remove it,but after the lightning strike the locals considered that a spirit resided there, andregularly lit candles, making it a kind of shrine. The Troop was entrusted with the taskof removing the tree, while still leaving the house intact. Under the direction of S/SgtBing Crosby this task was successfully accomplished.

Some months later, another job for the Brigade Commander consisted of building a setof concrete stairs from the house down to the beach. In all,over 80 steps were required, each one individually formed up,and the concrete carried up the hill in buckets from themixer situated on the beach. Sgt Bruce ‘Blair’ Parsons was incharge of this project and, on its successful completion, theBrigadier showed his appreciation with a round of beers forthe workers. Brigadier Terence McMeekin who had recentlyreplaced Brigadier Dawson, subsequently wrote to OC 11Sqn:

I have been meaning to write you a note to thank youand your boys for so ably constructing a new stairway toCommonwealth House. Succeeding generations ofdecrepit VIPs – not to mention occupants! – who visitCommonwealth House will have cause to praise 2 FieldTroop Royal Australian Engineers and those whodirected them.

The wedding of the year and the first in the newly-consecratedCatholic Church. Spr Tony Farrell and his bride Trish with

Matron of Honour, Barbara Saxelby (NZ), and Best Man,Spr Peter Matthews. Cpl Peter Stokes, Spr Doug Canning

and Mary Reece are on the left.

Spr Peter Glasson hard at workpainting the troop club house. Peter,

a painter before enlistment, was 2 Troop’s unofficial painter

and decorator.


It is a splendid job most professionally done and – as faras I could see – with great good heart. Please thank themvery much for me.

In June the Troop received the news that 7 Field Sqn hadarrived at Jesselton aboard HMAS Sydney, to begin itsdeployment in Sabah.

At this time Exercise ‘Wide-step’ was held near the garrisonin the Asahan training area, and consisted of building animprovised bridge over a 60-foot gap, capable of supportinga 3-ton vehicle. It turned into a competition between 2 Troop and 1 Troop, one of the Brit troops from 11 Sqn.The task was completed by 2 Troop late in the afternoon ofthe second day, several hours ahead of 1 Troop.

The next exercise was an overnighter in Jungle East. Becauseit was adjacent to the garrison no transport was involved, sothe troop marched to the area in full kit and set up adefensive perimeter for a series of ‘stand-to’ exercises. Theheavens opened and, even without stand-tos, no one hadmuch sleep. Many of the hutchies flooded, and it was a wetand weary troop that returned to barracks next day.

The troop travelled to Asahan once again, this time for anexplosives exercise and, after destroying a lot of trees,returned to base.

An ‘Air Portable’ inspection was held on the 26 June. Thetroop still had some serious deficiencies in its kit andessential stores due to shortages within the squadron.However, this was not considered a reasonable excuse and allthe section NCOs were given extra duties.

'NEVER ASSUME' as told by S/Sgt Bing Crosby

Background

The air portable inspection on the 26 June 1964 had adummy run, a day or two beforehand. Capt van Gelderasked Cpl Graeme Leach what he used as a containerfor centralised cooking or brewing up in his section.Graeme replied that there wasn't a suitable item in theQ Store.

Reaction

The Troop Commander was obviously determined thatthe troop should present very well. He told Cpl Leach tofind something, such as a pulp-apple tin, from the mess.

AP day

On the morning of the 26th, the inspection wasn't goingtoo well, when Capt van Gelder asked Cpl Leach wherehis newly-acquired container was. The reply: ‘I haven’tbeen able to get one.’

Commonwealth House, theBrigadier’s residence, was threatenedby a large tree.

Sprs John White and Les McNamarafloat-finish steps on the stairwayproject at the Brigadier’s residence.

Exercise Wide Step in the Asahantraining area. A smoke break as workon the improvised bridge is progressingahead of schedule.


Opposite and equal reaction

Capt van Gelder turned to me and toldme to parade Leach to his office after theinspection. We both stood to attention asCpl Leach was given a ‘right bollocking’,which I found rather embarrassingbecause I thought the ‘crime’ wasn't thatserious. I attempted a defence but I wascut off and Cpl Leach was dismissed withseveral extra duties. Later, there weresome fierce remarks outside the OC'sHearing as Graeme felt that he had beenthe victim of – if not a kangaroo court –certainly a wallaby one.

Inevitable flow on

After Graeme had left, I was asked why I had not followed up on the direction thatMalcolm had given. ‘I assumed that Cpl. Leach, in his usual efficient way, wouldhave obtained a suitable container’, I said. To this, Malcolm replied: ‘Neverassume. Just be thankful that you are not being formally disciplined.'

Lifetime lesson

I suppose I was thankful not to be disciplined, but my sense of professional prideand fairness had been dented. Looking back, it was a worthwhile lesson to carrythrough life from that day, but I certainly didn't think so at the time.

Exercise Raven

All this activity was only a lead-up to ‘Raven’, a Brigade-strength exercise alsoconducted in the Asahan training area. 2 Troop was to provide engineer support for theKOYLI Regiment (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) and after a 0230 start on dayone, the troop was kept on the move for the ensuing seven days. Its tasks included, aswell as the usual war games, a night-bridging exercise. While travelling in convoy on a

straight stretch of jungle track, the troopwas strafed at treetop level by an ‘enemy’Buccaneer jet fighter which seemed toappear from nowhere. Fortunately it wasonly an exercise, but it still scared thehell out of everyone. When ‘Raven’ wasfinally concluded, the sappers weretreated to their first shower in sevendays, and their old friends fromThailand, the RAOC mobile bath unit,provided it.

Exercise Raven was the last majoractivity for Malcolm van Gelder asTroop Commander. His replacement,Captain Alan Hodges, arrived shortlybefore the exercise and deployed with

Sprs Clem Finlay and Tony Farrell join others from 2 Troopboarding the truck for a 0230 start to Exercise Raven.

Sapper ingenuity. Spr John Tomczak, Cpl Graeme Leach, Sprs Tony Farrell, Ray Logan, Sgt Jack Brown,

Sprs Harry Atkinson, Dave Wood and Norm Looby with a ‘borrowed’ ox-art, minus ox, just the thing

for carrying all that kit on Ex Raven.


the troop. Malcolm and Helen, with their two boys returned to Australia, enjoying arelaxing and well-earned holiday. Other new Troop members arriving before the startof ‘Raven’ were Sapper John Tomczak, replacement for the homeward bound Bob Reed,and Private Ken Johnson, a cook from the Australian Army Catering Corps. Not longafter this, the Squadron 2IC, Captain Mike Arber, was replaced by Major GordonChave. During July, Bruce Parsons was promoted to Troop Sergeant.

Bereavement

Shortly after the return from Exercise Raven, Dave and Judy Wood lost their two-yearold daughter, Roslyn Heather. She had been in ill health since receiving a BCGinjection before leaving Australia. It was a very sad time for the Woods, made especiallyhard by being so far from family support. The funeral service was held in the recently-consecrated OPD (Other Presbyterian Denominations) Church on 25 July 1964, andthe troop members not on duty attended and offered what little comfort they could.Roslyn was buried near the hospital in the garrison military cemetery, which is nowbeautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Interestingly, the cemetery was used to bury 24 Australians killed in Vietnam, as wellas those from the Borneo conflict because, at that time, it was Australian policy not tobring bodies back to Australia for burial. A Vietnam VC winner, Major Peter Badcoe,is buried there, as is Cpl Bob Bowtell from 3 Field Troop RAE, the first engineer to diein Vietnam.

The Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands are in the central mountainous region of Malaya, and have anelevation of about 5 000 feet and above. The British had used the area as a hill stationto escape the hot, humid conditions of the lowlands, and many retired expatriates hadmade it their home. The British Army maintained a rest camp there, and units wererotated for several days of R and R, usually once during their deployment. A party from2 Troop, those not required for duty, joined other 11 Sqn personnel for a brief stay. Thegolf course, where Mick Sutton lost countless balls, was very picturesque but quitedifficult, and the troops generally enjoyed the novelty of the nights in front of a roaringopen fire.

The Cameron Highlands is also a majortea-growing area, and the troopmembers enjoyed a tour of one of theplantations and the processing facilities.There was also a march through virginrainforest, (with very, very steep hills) toa remote village to see an ancient tribeof indigenous ‘primitive’ Malays in theirnatural habitat, unchanged for hundredsof years. Just how primitive they werewas evidenced by the fact nearlyeveryone carried the latest modeltransistor radio. However, it was anenjoyable four or five-day break fromTerendak, in spite of the long trip to andfro in the back of a Bedford 3-ton truck.Well, not so enjoyable for Darryl ‘Fred’

Sprs Arthur Sinclair, Peter Matthews and Bob Rawson take abreather after walking up very steep hills in a tea plantation inthe Cameron Highlands area of central Malaya.


Hess perhaps. While on guard duty onenight, he was instructed by the DutyCorporal to take his evening meal break.When the Duty Sergeant found theguard room deserted Fred was chargedwith leaving his post – the Corporaldenying everything. Fred was returnedto Terendak next day to face the tablewhere he was relieved of 28 days pay.

If the punishment meted out to thesappers seemed harsh at times it wasbecause, as part of a British unit, theywere governed not by AustralianMilitary Law but by the much more draconian Queen’s Regulations,and sentences for even minormisdemeanours could be quite severe.While indiscriminate urinating at thetented campsite at Crown was not

heavily frowned upon, it took a charge of two British sappers by Malcolm van Gelder asDuty Officer to demonstrate the severity of punishments under these Regulations.When Malcolm expressed surprise at the punishments given, the sentencing officersaid: ‘Malcolm, if you don’t know the consequences of charging, or object to the severityof punishment, you should not have charged them.’

Near the end of July the camp security was again upgraded with the guard beingincreased to five NCOs and 18 ORs, all armed and issued with live ammunition. Thismeant that guard duty was a very frequent event for everyone and, with not enoughNCOs in the Sqn to maintain a reasonable roster, several senior sappers like Bill Jonesand Tony Farrell were seconded to the role of Guard Corporal.

The Park Troop, with attached 2 Troop plant operators, was deployed to the Asahantraining area to construct a heavy-weapons firing range. The project consisted of access

roads, stop butts and abutments, firingmounds, and bund walls around themunitions magazines. While it wasessentially a plant operation, some FEswere required for culvert and headwallconstruction, and 2 Troop made itscontribution.

Sport played a major role in thesquadron, helping keep everyone fit, aswell as providing entertainment. Rugby,basketball, hockey and volleyball wereplayed regularly, with 2 Troop providingits share of participants to the squadronteams. An inter-troop sports day,consisting of track and field events, waswon by the troop, as was a swimmingcarnival held in August, although 2 Troop lost the water polo competition

The nearly-victorious water polo team, standing, Sprs Trevor Reece, Tony Farrell, Ken Jolley, John Tomczak,Cpl Graeme Leach and Team Manager‚ Cpl Bruce Parsons.

Seated, Sprs Dave Wood, Peter Matthews, Norm Looby and Lindsay Simpson.

11 Sqn basketball team with a strong 2 Troop element.Standing: Spr John Tomczak, S/Sgt David Crosby, Cpl BruceParsons, Cpl Graeme Leach and Spr Dennis Fitzhenry. Front

row 2nd from right, Spr Peter Matthews.



by a narrow margin to 3 Troop in the second extension of extra time. The squadronrugby team defeated 3 RAR in the final of the Brigade competition and seven of the 15 players were from 2 Troop. Malcolm van Gelder’s prowess as a rugby player (1958Wallaby selection) was not put to the test because of a broken arm at the critical time.Dennis Fitzhenry and Snow Wilson were part of the squadron hockey team that finishedas runners-up in the 17 Gurkha Division championship of 1964. The ladies of the troopwere also prominent in the squadron teams, particularly in basketball and tennis, and JanLeach won the 1964 small-bore championship at the ladies rifle club.

A cholera outbreak in Singapore during August reinforced the need to be always awareof the danger of drinking untreated water and that even the ice served in drinks outsidethe garrison was to be considered suspect.

During 1964 television began broadcasts in Malaya and the troop rented a TV set for thecommon room. Most of the programs were of an ethnicnature, Malay, Chinese or Indian, but the news bulletins werewelcome viewing as were the highlights of the TokyoOlympics, where Australia did so well in the swimming withDawn Fraser playing a starring role.

Rubber production was important to the economy ofMalaya, with extensive areas under plantation. Many of theexercises were conducted, at least in part, in ‘the rubber’, sothe troop was familiar with the sight of the tappers at work,and the pungent smell of sheets of rubber latex hanging outto dry. An excursion to Dunlop’s Regent Rubber Plantationfor a conducted tour was found to be particularly interestingby all who went. The tapping of the rubber trees wasdemonstrated, and Sapper Ian Tibbles learned a new trade,earning himself the title of Tapper Tibbles.

In late August, Bill Jones’ father died suddenly whileworking in London. As the funeral was held in the UK, itwas not possible for Bill to attend, but his family stayed withhim and Lorraine on their way back to Australia.

A State of Emergency

By September 1964 the Indonesians were becoming increasingly aggressive.

Snow’s diary 2 September (while he was on a Language course at Nee Soon):

30 Indons landed by parachute at Labis in Johore. Second landing, this time byregular troops. Looks like it might be on shortly.

A party of 30 insurgents was parachuted into the Labis area in Johore, east of Malaccaat 0230 on 2 September, the second landing within as many days. The next day theMalaysian Government declared a State of Emergency, and security went up anotherlevel. There were now armed guards on all the garrison installations on a 24-hour basis.Armed guards were also placed on the school buses carrying garrison children.

Snow’s diary 4 September:

Singapore is under curfew. Riots in Geylang Road. All the Kiwis dragged offcourses and sent back to their units to join in the hunt for the Indons in the Labisarea with 1 Battalion Gurkhas. Wonder how long before we go back?

“30 Indonslanded byparachute atLabis in Johore.Second landing,this time byregular troops.Looks like itmight be onshortly”

In spite of the serious nature of the situation, there were some lighter moments to theheightened security and the issue of live rounds. A Brit, Sapper Meston, known to allas ‘Little Mess Tin’, had an AD (accidental discharge) outside the 11 Sqn NAAFI, andmanaged to shoot a fellow Brit in the arm as he was reaching for his beer. The woundedBrit did not see a funny side to it, but he was lucky it was a 9 mm Sterling and not anFN 30. Sapper Meston’s elder brother, ‘Big Mess Tin’, got browned-off with the noisychit-chats (geckos) at the munitions magazine, and let off a burst of 9 mm rounds. Thegecko survived, but the sapper was harshly dealt with. 2 Troop’s Nipper Simpson nearlystarted an international incident when he threatened to shoot a Malay mosquito-control worker, mistaking him for an insurgent and the wand on his knapsack sprayerfor a rifle.

During September, the annual battle efficiency tests were endured and passed by all.Day one was a two-mile run, in full kit, in 20 minutes. Everyone came in under the 20 minutes mark but they were pretty bushed. Next day was a nine-mile run in full kitin two hours, with a 100-yard fireman’s carry in the middle, followed immediately by thewall and water jump, then live firing on the 25-yard range (yes, you were expected tohit the target).

Lisa, the first child of the Troop OC, Alan Hodges, and his wife Beryl, was born inSeptember 1964.

Around this time Major Tony Stacey-Marks was farewelled. He had been a popular OC,not only with the Brits but also with the Australian troops as well, and it was withsadness they said goodbye to a good friend. Few of the Troop knew of the SquadronCommander’s interesting background. He was born in Uganda but educated in England.He joined the Home Guard and undertook a short degree-course at Cambridge in 1942.As a 19-year-old he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1943 and wasMentioned in Despatches during service in 79 Assault Sqn following the D-Daylandings. He was wounded in 1945 and evacuated to England. He subsequently servedin engineer units and on the staff in Kenya, UK, the Canal Zone and Cyprus. This wasfollowed by four years at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst before takingcommand of 11 Indep Field Sqn.

The incoming Squadron Commander, Major John Stevens, was to prove equally even-handed in his administration of the composite squadron and quickly earned the respectand admiration of all its members. Major Gordon Chave had by now settled into his

2 Troop at Engineer Training Centre, Kluang, assembling an LFB (Light Floating Bridge)at the wet-gap training area.


position as 2IC and was also wellreceived by all ranks.

In October the KOYLI battaliondeparted Terendak for a new postingfollowing a farewell Trooping of theColour at which they displayed the‘marching on-the-run’ drill of the LightInfantry. 2 Troop provided the KOYLIswith an armed escort to the airport atKuala Lumpur. The KOYLIs werereplaced by a battalion of the ScotsGuards with 2 Troop assigned as itsdirect support engineers. The battalionCommanding Officer was LieutenantColonel Sir Gregor McGregor of McGregor. The battalion headquarters operated on aninteresting arrangement of the CO, 2IC, Adjutant and Assistant Adjutant all being inthe same office (open-planning well before its time!) with their desks covered inMcGregor tartan cloths.

Snow’s diary Sunday 4 October:

Dennis Fitzhenry had an accident today, dived into shallow water and damaged hisneck. Supposed to be broken but we will wait and see.

As a result of the accident Dennis spent several weeks with a plaster cast around hisneck but otherwise seemed OK.

Shortly after the battle efficiency tests, Lt Barry Lennon, S/Sgt Bing Crosby, Sgt BlairParsons and Sapper Dave Wicks travelled to Singapore to complete a basic parachutecourse with the RAF Far East Parachute school at Changi. Earlier in the year, DaveWood had completed a 4-week Junior NCO cadre course at Gillman Barracks – theonly Australian and the only sapper on what was an excellent leadership course. Davepassed with distinction. Snow Wilson attended a Malay language course at the schoolof languages at Nee Soon and proved to be a very capable interpreter during the Troop’slater tour in Sarawak.

Snow’s diary 17 October:

Young Craig Crosby fell down thestairs and broke and dislocated hisjaw, also broke his arm.

Craig had fallen over the top landing inthe Crosby’s married quarter and landedon the bottom three steps of the tiledconcrete. He was initially treated at theTerendak hospital but later was flownby helicopter to the British MilitaryHospital in Singapore for urgent dental treatment. Bing was already inSingapore on a parachute course, so

S/Sgt David Crosby, centre, awaiting orders to jump from an RAF Argosyover Seletar airfield in Singapore.

The whole of Australia stops for the Melbourne Cup. Membersof 2 Troop during bridging training at Kluang join their fellowAussies to listen to the race on Snow Wilson’s short-wave radio.


Judy Crosby initially stayed at Terendakto care for Craig’s twin sister Sue. The dental surgeon had left Singaporeon holidays the day before, so theauthorities flew a Surgeon Commanderfrom the fleet in the South China Sea.He saved all of Craig's teeth and theCrosbys remain forever in the debt ofthose concerned.

In late October, 2 Troop was sent southto the Engineer Training Centre atKluang to spend time at the wet-gapbridging training area. The camp wasthe main centre for Gurkha engineers soeveryone worked to Gurkha hours: start0700, breakfast 0900, lunch 1330 thenrest for the remainder of the day. SapperPhil Macklin had a fall from a gyn onthe first day, breaking one ankle andbadly bruising the other and, as a result,he spent a considerable time in hospital.At the end of their four-week parachutecourse, Bruce Parsons and Dave Wicksrejoined the troop at Kluang, just intime to listen to the Melbourne Cup onSnow Wilson’s radio. Polo Prince riddenby R Taylor was first past the post, butthere is no record of who won the sweep.The Troop left Kluang and returned toTerendak on 7 November.

Invasion

While the troop was at Kluang, onOctober 29, the Indonesians landedseveral boat loads of insurgents in theMerimau swamps near the Muar River,about 30 miles south of Terendak. 3 RAR, a battalion of Gurkhas and theRoyal New Zealand Infantry Regimentwere sent to seal off the area and dealwith the threat. 102 Field Battery RAAemployed their 105 mm howitzers togood effect in support of the operation.This was the same area where theAustralian 19 and 29 Brigades firstengaged the Japanese in mid-January

At the half-way party the Troop vehicle mechanic, Spr BillJones, is presented with a Selangor pewter tankard by Capt

Alan Hodges. Spr William ‘Jock’ Oliver looks on.

Spr Alan Richardson and his wife Yvonne enjoy a quiet chat withRay Logan and fiancée, Ahlan, at the Troop half-way party.

Navigating the Heavy Ferry during training at Blakang MatiIsland off Singapore in November 1964.


1942 and, in a fierce and bloody battle raging over severaldays, halted the Japanese advance on Singapore, albeitbriefly.

This latest incursion of insurgents from the islands offSumatra prompted the deployment of platoon-strengthpatrols to remote fishing villages along the Malayan westcoast. Drawn from various units, these platoons wereequipped with an assault boat powered by a 40 hp outboardmotor and manned by boat handlers from 11 Sqn. Sappersfrom 2 Troop were included in the rotation and usually spenta week at a time on boat duty, although Fred Hess spentseveral months at one of the outposts near Port Dickson. Hehad hired a car in Malacca, was involved in an accident, carwas a write-off, no insurance! The Chinese businessmanwanted full restitution or else, so Fred felt safer some distancefrom Malacca. He was replaced during February 1965 byHumphrey ‘Dodo’ Dodd, who spent several weeks as the dutyboat handler before returning to Terendak in readiness fordeployment to Sarawak.

As a result of the escalation of the Indonesian confrontationand the further commitment of troops to the Vietnamconflict, the Australian Government announced on 10 November that it was reintroducing National Service.The call-up would be for a period of two years service withcandidates decided by a ballot based on birth dates.

Also during November, 1 Field Sqn and a portion of 20 FieldPark Sqn replaced 7 Field Sqn in Sabah. Before theyreturned to Australia, a few of the 7 Field sappers, includingPhil Jones, ‘Darky’ Fadden and Max Blain, managed a detourto Malacca to catch up with a few of their old mates in 2 Troop, and were suitably entertained at a party at one ofthe ‘Pads’ as the married members were called as they livedin houses or ‘pads’.

The Half-Way Mark

On Friday, 13 November 1964, 2 Troop had been in Malayafor a few days short of 12 months. What better reason thanto celebrate the occasion in the newly-renovated club housewith a ‘half-way’ party. It was a resounding success andeveryone had a great time, but there were a few sorry-lookingpeople around next day. Spr Bill Jones had his photo inArmy Newspaper being presented at the party with aSelangor pewter tankard to mark his approaching returnhome after his two-year tour of duty.

On the Sunday following the half-way celebrations, thetroop travelled to Blakang Mati, ‘The Isle of The Dead’, anisland just off Singapore, for two weeks of rafting training

A History of 2 Field Troop RAE 1963 to 1965PAGE 41

Sprs Mick Sutton and TomAbberfield attempting to supplementthe rations at Blakang Mati.

2 Troop members inspecting theWW2 fortifications on Blakang Mati Island.

using the Heavy Ferry and various floating bridges and otherwatercraft. Blakang Mati was the site of major fortress gunemplacements with deep ammunition storage tunnels datingback to the 1880s when Royal Engineers and local labourundertook extensive blasting and excavation to build FortSilosa to protect Singapore harbour. Further fortificationswere constructed before WW2, but proved ineffective duringthe Japanese invasion which came from the Malay Peninsularather than from the sea, and so the guns took no part in thedefence of Singapore. 2 Troop lived in old concrete barracksand had the chance to inspect many of the fortificationswhich were being gradually overgrown by dense tropicalgrowth.

With Tom Abberfield, now a L/Cpl, in charge of thecatering, the troop ate extremely well. Tom’s skills atbartering army rations for fresh local produce wereexceptional. The Straits Times on 4 December 1964 had afull-page spread with seven photos of the troop membersundertaking training activities. This coincided with a teamfrom Channel 9 making a 30-minute documentary to giveNational Servicemen some idea of life for soldiers inMalaysia. Blakang Mati today is a popular tourist park nowknown as Sentosa, which means peace and tranquillity inMalay.

Sappers Simpson and Wicks did not accompany the troop onthis exercise. They were recovering in Terendak hospital as aresult of a motorbike accident where they had been forced offthe road by a bus and a Malay local was killed. Both sappersrequired stitches, but neither was seriously hurt, althoughthey were fortunate that the 11 Sqn guard truck came alongshortly after the accident and rescued them from a veryhostile group of local villagers.

The Motorbike Brigade

From the very first days in Malaya, several of the troopmembers purchased motorbikes, usually small 75-100 cc two-stroke models. These were ideal for travelling about thegarrison, which was spread out over a large area. For traveloutside the garrison most used taxis, which were plentifuland cheap, but some of the troop graduated to larger andmore powerful bikes. The problem was that the roads, whilebitumen sealed, were narrow and winding, and the localdrivers had scant regard for other road users, especially thoseon motorbikes. As a result, most of the bike owners had oneor more accidents, usually minor, but some were moreserious. Nipper Simpson was riding George Greenslade’sTriumph with Dave Wicks as pillion at the time of theiraccident. Harry Atkinson also came to grief when a taxi

L/Cpl Brian Cribbs keeping in touch during rafting training on

Blakang Mati Island.

Spr Dennis Fitzhenry as ‘HoraceHorsecollar’ after he injured his neck

when diving into shallow water.


pushed him off the road and through a barbed-wire fence.Besides losing a lot of bark (skin), Harry very nearly lost thesight in one eye. After that episode, a sympathetic matechristened Harry ‘Wok-eye’, and the name has stuck to thepresent day. Ian Tibbles and John Tomczak were returningfrom Malacca on their bikes when Tibbs had a buster. Johnconvinced Ian he needed medical attention but, while givinghim a pillion ride to the hospital, John hit a dog, so they bothended up in hospital for the night. Shortly after, John sold hisbike and bought an MG sports car. To celebrate theimportance of bikes, the troop conducted a MotorbikeGymkhana in the area near the 25-yard range. Much fun washad by riders and spectators alike, but it is doubtful thatanyone above the rank of corporal knew it ever took place.

Christmas with the Pads

In the lead-up to Christmas 1964 there were many activities.11 Sqn had a Children’s Christmas Party on the Saturdaybeforehand, and the married families went out of their way toensure the single members were looked after and had anenjoyable time. Each pad invited several single members tohis home for Christmas dinner and made them feel welcome.It was a generous gesture, and one the single membersappreciated and remember with gratitude. The many bathtubs were filled with ice and beer and some of the ladies hadto bathe with their neighbours for several days until all thebeer was consumed. There was the usual traditionalChristmas lunch on Christmas Eve in the ORs mess, withthe officers and senior NCOs providing the table service.The menu was:

Cream of tomato soup

Roast turkey with sage and onion stuffing

Roast pork with apple sauce

Chipolata sausages (a strange Brit favourite)

Parmentier potatoes, creamed potatoes, crisps

Green peas, glazed carrots and giblet gravy.

Christmas pudding, brandy sauce, fresh fruit, nuts,

cheese and crackers.

A few days later, Clem Finlay celebrated his 21st birthday on29 December. During this Christmas leave period, several ofthe troop members, who were originally from UK, tookadvantage of the RAF’s ‘indulgence’ flights to visit the homecountry. They included Brian Cribbs, Jack Brown andWilliam ‘Jock’ Oliver and, while they no doubt enjoyed the


Spr Frank Sexton competing in themotorbike gymkhana, with someassistance from Spr Mick Sutton.

Spr Harry Atkinson shortly after aserious motorbike accident in which hewas forced off the road and through abarbed-wire fence.

visit, they seemed happy to return to awarm climate.

It was not a particularly happy new yearfor John White. His father died of aheart attack on the 30 December whilemowing the lawn. John managed to geta flight back to Brisbane in time for thefuneral and, after several quiet daysspent with his family, returned toTerendak.

January 1965

The first month of the 1965 new yearsaw the return to Australia of Sapper BillJones, wife Lorraine and baby Sharon.The replacement vehicle mechanic,Sapper Doug ‘Lefty’ Maddison, took upresidence a couple of weeks later andsettled in quickly with the Troop. Itshould be noted here that Bill Jones,Doug Maddison and Tom Abberfieldwere in fact sappers, and like all sappers,had completed the Field Engineer Grade3 course, in addition to their relevanttrade training. All three were proud tobe Royal Australian Engineers andstrongly resisted moves by the Army totransfer them to RAEME and AACC,but in the end were unsuccessful in thisendeavour.

Frank Sexton and Yvonne Richardsonreached their majority. Bill Whitfieldand wife, Kath, organised the 21stbirthday party for Frank at their place,inviting the entire troop. It was a greatnight for all, especially Frank, who yearslater could not even remember wherethe party was held. The parachute squadof Lennon, Crosby, Parsons and Wicksreturned to Singapore for a two-daycontinuation course, adding anothercouple of jumps to their total.

The first week in February was markedby Ian Tibbles’ 21st birthday. Dave andJudy Wood held the party at their houseand most of the troop arrived to help Iancelebrate his coming of age. Sapper Dion

SSM Tom Thornton manages to keep his thumbs out of the soup while serving the Christmas lunch in the ORs

mess, Christmas 1964.

Putting the finishing touches to the helicopter landing platform during the section-strength exercise in the

Asahan training area.


Spr Frank Sexton stabs the cake at his 21st birthdaycelebrations. Kath and Bill Whitfield held the party at their ‘pad’

and the Troop assembled to wish Frank the best for the future.


Hands, who had arrived earlier as the troop clerk and then returned to Australia to bemarried, brought his new wife, Magaret, to Terendak.

Asahan Again

Another exercise was conducted in the Asahan area involving each of 2 Troop’s threesections being transported to a different site by helicopter. Once there, they werelowered into the jungle by winch, complete with chainsaws, axes, explosives andrations for three days. The task was to clear a patch of the jungle with chainsaws andexplosives and then build a platform from the felled timber adequate to land ahelicopter; only then could the men be lifted out. It was a tough assignment especiallyfelling tropical rainforest trees with extremely large buttress roots, but one in which theAustralians excelled. Sappers like Les McNamara, Harry Atkinson and Ken Jolley wereexperts with axe and chainsaw, and they had earned their living working in the bigtimber country before enlisting. Their efforts were helped along with some carefully-positioned plastic explosive.

Snow Wilson, section corporal at one ofthe sites, takes up the story:

One morning John Barnett andGeorge Greenslade found a snake.We didn’t know what type it was,but George put it into a sand bag tokeep. George had been bitten onthe hand by something before thisand it was rather swollen. So, onthe radio schedule I discussed whatwe should do with him. Medicswere consulted and it was decidedthat he would be lifted out. Thechopper came in and George andhis gear were loaded on. He alsotook the snake. When he got backto camp he went to the hospitalcomplete with snake for a check up. The medic could not identify the snake, butthey treated George and sent him back to the unit. George got cleaned up anddecided to go to town complete with snake.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital the medic found a book that identified the snakeand rang the unit to advise George it was quite poisonous. The duty personnelcouldn’t find him, but someone had seen him getting in a taxi and heading for town,so the Redcaps were alerted. Anyhow, George wasn’t found and came back to camplater that night without the snake, which he had apparently given to someone inMalacca.

The landing pads were completed after three days of hard yakka in hot and tryingconditions, the RAAF from Butterworth arrived on cue, and the men were lifted out tothe trucks for the return to Terendak and a few refreshing and appreciated beers at theSydney Bar.

Snake charmers Spr George Greenslade and L/Cpl JohnBarnett. George later took the snake with him to TerendakHospital where he was treated for a swollen hand.

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C h a p t e r F i v e

Bound for Borneo – Sarawak

Indonesian Confrontation

The Indonesian Confrontation had its beginnings in 1961 when the Malayan PrimeMinister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, proposed that Malaya, Singapore and the two BritishTerritories in Borneo, Sarawak and Sabah, should merge into a new federation calledMalaysia. Indonesian President Sukarno was strongly opposed to the union, particularlythe inclusion of the Borneo Territories, which he saw as a part of Indonesia.Kalimantan, the largest part of the island of Borneo, was in fact already Indonesian.

The Federation of Malaysia came into being on 16 September 1963, only two monthsbefore 2 Troop's arrival at Terendak. The Australian Government, while welcoming theFederation as having important regional, strategic and economic advantages, alsowished to retain friendly ties with Indonesia. With the Federation now a reality,President Sukarno declared a Konfrontasi (Confrontation), without really spelling outwhat his intentions were, except to Ganjang Malaysia (Crush Malaysia) ‘before thecock crowed in 1965’.

At first, Indonesia conducted only brief guerrilla raids into Sabah and Sarawak, butthese escalated as the PKI (Partai Kommunis Indonesia) guerrillas were reinforced byregular army units, and this in turn required a corresponding build-up of British andFederation of Malaysia combat units. Until the action at the Muar River in October1964, Australia had managed to avoid direct contact between its troops and those ofIndonesia. With the confrontation escalating still further, Australia finally committedcombat units to Sarawak in March–April 1965.

The Communist Party coup and counter-coup that took place in Jakarta in October1965 was the beginning of the end for Sukarno. After the bloodbath that followed thecoup, where tens of thousands of the PKI and their supporters were massacred, a little-known military leader, Major General Soeharto, emerged as the dominant force inIndonesian politics. This had little immediate effect on the military situation in Sabahand Sarawak, and it was not until 11 August 1966 that a Peace Treaty was signed to enda three-year war that had never been declared. Throughout the Confrontation, evenduring the period of the successful deep penetration secret 'Claret' operations across theKalimantan border, conducted by 3 RAR, and the following year by 4 RAR, Australiamaintained full diplomatic relations with Indonesia, considering this the best way tobring peace and stability to the region. However, it seemed incongruous to some that,while Australian soldiers were fighting the Indonesians in Borneo, Indonesian Officersstill attended the Australian Staff College at Queenscliff in Victoria.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Off to Borneo

Since the beginning of the New Year there were persistent rumours that 2 Troop was tobe sent to Borneo as 3 Troop of 11 Indep Field Sqn was already there and would needto be replaced in a few months. On 21 January 1965 the Malaysian Government madea direct request to Australia for combat troops for Borneo and the AustralianGovernment reluctantly agreed. The first unit to be deployed, 1 SAS Sqn under MajorAlf Garland, arrived in Brunei in early February. During March, 3 RAR began movinginto Sarawak and, also in March, 2 Troop replaced 3 Troop in Sarawak as part of WestBrigade under the command of Brigadier Bill Cheyne, OBE. Babu, an essential memberof the troop, also went to Borneo (although he had not been allowed to accompany thetroop on Op Crown in Thailand).

Farewells and Congratulations

Before departing for Sarawak, the Troop said farewell to Sappers Fred Hess, JimKimberley, Geordie Sinclair and Murray Aitken, who were returning to Australia afterhaving completed their tour of duty. Phil Macklin also returned home about this timefor medical reasons. Replacements, Sappers Terry Hanrahan, Michael ‘Tassie’ Holloway

and Alan Pullen, arrived in early Apriland, as soon as they settled in, joined theTroop at Bau.

Ken Jolley had his 21st birthday on the31 March 1965, and althoughpreparations for deployment were in fullswing, Ken, assisted by several of hismates, celebrated the occasion at theSydney Bar.

On the day of departure for Singapore,several members of the transport partywere delayed while repairs were carriedout on one of the vehicles. LeftyMaddison, the recently-arrived vehiclemechanic, takes up the story:

The Commer Tipper

This poor old wreck was in dire need of a new prop shaft months before the troopwas deployed to Borneo. Having requested new parts through the FAMTO store,which never seemed to come up with any parts for the Australian Troop, we decidedthe old girl would make Singapore and, if treated gently, it still had a few months ofloyal service in the old shaft.

On our day of departure and dressed in our good clobber, we were unexpectedlyapproached by the L/Cpl in the FAMTO store who came out with a brand new propshaft for our tipper. We were told that the new part must be fitted NOW and theold part returned to the store. He was promptly told to p--- off and that we wouldtake the new part and fit it at a later date, then send the old one back.

This idea did not sit well with the L/Cpl who then ordered me to change the shaftimmediately. At this time, Frank Sexton, Moose Sutton, Ian Tibbles and I were

2 Troop about to board the Auby in Singapore for Kuching on 4 April 1965.


discussing this bloke’s parentage, to which he did not take kindly, so he went andreported us to the QM. The QM then arranged a very swift visit to his office forthe four offending colonials. The QM pointed out to us the error of our ways sayingthat, because we were on active service and we being four against one PommyNCO, we could be charged with mutiny, for which the penalty was the firingsquad.

Not being too keen on this idea, a new solution was found: we would apologize tothe L/Cpl, change the part and proceed on our merry way.

After the apology (tongue in cheek) and an hour or so delay, the job was done.Picking up the old shaft I threw it to the L/Cpl, who was a bit on the skinny side.The weight of the shaft sat him on his backside and as we drove off, I think he wasdiscussing our parentage.

Bau and Cambrai Camp

The 2 Troop advance party was flown into Kuching courtesy of RAF TransportCommand in early April 1965 while the main body of the Troop sailed from Singaporeon the Auby on 4 April. The Auby, a cargo/ferry ship, was built in 1954 for the SarawakSteamship Company and was charteredby the Ministry of Transport during theIndonesian Confrontation. Acting as atroopship, it ferried some 31 000 troopsduring Confrontation including 3 RARto Sarawak in late March.

The transport party and Troop vehiclesembarked at Singapore on their oldfriend, the Maxwell Brander, also on 4April, bound for Kuching. Snow Wilsonwas in charge of the road convoy and hetakes up the narrative: .

The ship was due to sail at 1800hrs so we were required to be onboard by 1700 hrs; most of usmade it, although Mick Sutton, IanTibbles and Frank Sexton were a little late. A lot of us had been on board the yearbefore when we came back from Thailand, and one thing for sure – it was notdesigned as a cruise ship, and it had been used in the landings of the Second WorldWar. We were allocated to mess decks or cabins, which held about 14 bunks. Thesewere located up forward and each side of the well deck, bow doors and landingramp. They were very hot and there was no ventilation worth having, even with theportholes open. To overcome this, we each carried a mattress up on to the deck,found the best bit of shade we could and camped in it for most of the trip.

Our meals were served to us out of the galley door into our mess tins. I don’t knowhow the cook managed to cook for us all in such a small galley. Babu, our boot boy,came with us on the ship, which raised some eyebrows from other units when wearrived at our base in Bau. To relieve boredom on the three-day voyage and to honeour small arms skills, live firing was conducted over the stern each day

Aboard the heavy landing ship Maxwell Brander bound for Kuching, Sarawak, L/Cpl John Barnett, Sprs HarryAtkinson, Gary Plumb and John White enjoy a game of cards to pass the time, Spr Doug Canning and Cpl Simon Wilson look on.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

It was about mid-morning when we saw the city of Kuching and by lunchtime wetied up and were met by a party from the Troop which had arrived before us. Onceall the vehicles were unloaded we left for the camp at Bau, which was about 30 miles south west of Kuching. The trip was interesting and, about halfway, wehad to cross the Kuching River again, this time by vehicular ferry. This took, about

20 to 25 minutes including the loadingand unloading. The road was bitumen allthe way and we passed through severalkampongs. It was not until later that wefound out that one of the villages wasconsidered unfriendly, and it wasrecommended you should pass through ata rapid rate and be ready for anyreception committee waiting for you. Itwas late afternoon when we reached themining township of Bau, which was to beour base of operations.

A signal from CRE West Brigade, with asimple but appropriate message, wasreceived by 2 Troop on its arrival in Bau:‘Welcome to the real thing.’ Cambrai,

the fortified camp at Bau, also housed 3 RAR Battalion Headquarters, plus onecompany as reserve, a troop of armoured vehicles from 4 Royal Tank Regiment and asection of Malaysian Federation Army Engineer plant operators, which were to workunder the command of 2 Troop. The Malaysian Engineers did not stay in the compoundbut lived with the local villagers in Bau. 3 RAR also had a company at each of theforward defensive positions of Stass, Bukit Knuckle and Serikin along the Kalimantanboarder. 2 Locating Troop, RA, had a small detachment at Cambrai Camp with a GreenArcher radar to investigate whether the existing ability to identify artillery shells and

mortar rounds when fired during fineweather would also work during heavyor monsoonal rain.

The accommodation and facilities atBau were surprisingly good. The timber-framed buildings were roofed withcorrugated galvanised iron and thewooden floors were raised several feetabove the ground. Walls were mostlymade from atap (woven palm fronds),some with large push-out shutters,others with half-walls and a verandah. AGurkha battalion had occupied Cambraibefore the arrival of the Australians.Because of the high water table at thecamp it had not been feasible to digstandard weapon pits, so they had

constructed ‘sangers’, above-ground defensive positions built from sandbags On the firstevening ‘stand-to’ it was discovered the dirt floor of the sangers had to be lowered by

Ferry crossing on the Kuching River between Kuching and Bau.

The fortified Cambrai Camp at Bau overshadowed by the 1200 feet high Bau Peak.

about one foot to accommodate the lanky Australians. The twice-daily clearing patrolsand general base security were handled by the battalion, with everyone else, including2 Troop members, taking their turn in the weapon pits at night. 2 Troop was to becomethe bane of the dawn clearing patrols as the sappers roared out of the compound eachmorning before sun-up to begin work.

Sapper John Tomczak, one of the troopplumbers, spent little time at Cambraiduring the early part of 2 Troop’sdeployment, being detached to 3 RARto provide some basic water supplyfacilities at Serikin and Bukit Knuckle.His tasks included providing hot andcold showers, a rare luxury at forwardbases, and basic maintenance of thecamps’ water supplies. Before his returnto more mundane duties at CambraiCamp, John also participated in aclearing patrol with the infantry.

The Tasks at Bau

2 Troop was tasked with completing anairstrip close to the Bau township,which had been started several months earlier by 11 Sqn’s 3 Troop. A second objectivewas to push a road through difficult terrain, towards the Kalimantan border, to link upwith the 3 RAR outposts, whose only means of re-supply was by helicopter or air drop.OC 11 Sqn, Major John Stevens, visited the troop several times and gained a very goodappreciation of the difficulties of construction in the very wet and muddy area. Hestressed the need to complete the airstrip and road with some urgency. The squadron2IC, Major Gordon Chave, also visited the troop to oversee progress.

The airstrip presented major difficultiesin that it was partially built on a massivetailings dump from an adjacent open-pitmine. This had become the scenic TaiParit Lake and recreation area that alsoprovided a plentiful water supply toboth the town and the camp. When 2 Troop arrived, the main airstrip earthworks were already completed, but the 1 200 feet surface of the airstrip wascovered in a thick gluey slurry, and thesub-base was poorly compacted andunstable. This situation caused a majorheadache for S/Sgt Bing Crosby on justhow to proceed. Since it was notpractical to compact the tailings dump,it was decided to remove the surfaceslush, and then correct the gradients so the strip would become self-draining. After thiswas completed, a layer of rock, 10-12 inches thick was spread to form a solid base. The


Progress on the road and airfield may be all-important but thepaperwork still has to be done. Cpl Peter Stokes and Spr DougCanning get their heads together.

Local labour hand-laying a rock base on the poorly-compactedairstrip. The rock had been delivered by Shawny-Poole haulagetrailers.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

placing of the rock was almost completely done by hand, using labour recruited fromBau and the surrounding villages, and overseen by Cpl Graeme Leach. Throughoutoperations in Sarawak, the policy of employing as much local labour as possible wasencouraged to give some economic benefit to the local communities. A further layer ofcrushed metal was spread by grader using the expert skills of L/Cpl Noel Butler, followedby the final surface of compacted gold tailings.

Initially, the coarse rock was hauledfrom a commercial quarry on theKuching road, but this provedunsatisfactory. Material was then drawnfrom a quarry operated by the troop,with the assistance of much local labour.Sapper Harry Atkinson was placed incharge, and produced a continuoussupply of good quality material for boththe airstrip and road works. Adjacent tothe quarry, a rock-crushing plant was setup to provide the crushed metal neededfor the sub-base on the road and airfieldbefore the final surface of gold tailingscould be laid. Several sappers took therole of overseer at the crusher at various

times, supervising the local labour employed at the site. A very popular overseer wasNorm Looby who got along extremely well with all the workers.

The locally-purchased explosives used for blasting at the quarry consisted of 2-ouncesticks of gelignite. Apart from being much smaller than the 8-ounce sticks with whichthe Australians were familiar, the gelignite was generally in poor condition and proneto weeping. Unless extreme care was exercised in using the gelignite, it caused severeheadaches for those who handled it. So it was decided to use a mixture of nitrogen

fertilizer and fuel oil, as this would be a better quarryingcharge anyway. Some prilled fertilizer was purchased inKuching and prepared in the appropriate manner but, nomatter how large the primary charge, it could not be inducedto detonate. Most likely the nitrogen level was not highenough, but whatever the reason it was back to the gelignite,headaches and all. The local villagers welcomed the gift ofthe remaining fertilizer and soon had the greenest gardens inall of Sarawak.

Harry Atkinson, the youngest member of 2 Troop, turned 21 during April but had little cause to celebrate. He hadcontacted a dose of the local strain of measles from the Dyakworkers at the quarry, and spent a week in the hot anduncomfortable isolation hut adjacent to the 3 RARRegimental Aid Post.

Tai Parit lake at Bau. Originally an open-pit gold mine, thelake was reputed to be 200 feet deep and was a favourite

swimming spot, both for the locals and the troops.

Spr Harry Atkinson, foreman at the quarry, drilling prior

to blasting. The front piece sketch was based

on this photo.


Meanwhile, the new road toward the border was progressing under the direction ofPlant Cpl John Bending and his offsiders, Sappers Dave Wood and Alan Morris,although conditions there were less than ideal as well. An unsurfaced road alreadyexisted for about 8 miles in a south-westerly direction from Bau, but there it ended.Progress on extension of the road from that point was slow due to marshy conditionsand very heavy rainfall, and it was not until the high country was reached that the roadconstruction gained momentum.

There was a quarter-mile section of roadthat needed several culverts. The firstculvert, a sawn timber-box section,proved satisfactory, but the material hadto be purchased locally with theinherent lead-time, transportation andcost. So, it was decided to use logculverts from felled timber adjacent tothe road alignment. The logs used wereabout 8 inches in diameter and 30 feetlong. To move the timber, the Dyaklabourers would line up on each side ofa log and stand for what seemed to beages, looking at one another. Therewould be an occasional ‘whoop’. Aftersome minutes, one man, the ‘chant-master’, would call the tune. As one, they bent andlifted the heavy log on to their shoulders. Moving the log and positioning it intoposition was deliberate and steady. The result: applause, grins and shaking of hands.

Dave Wood’s recalls some aspects of the road construction:

A super highway this was not! But the road to Stass was a planty’s dream, no design to work to. The only instruction was to get a vehicular track to Stass by the best possible alignment. Once again the planties (plant operators) under JB (Cpl John Bending to some, but to Alan Morris and me, JB or Bindi Jack) were banished to the sharp end, along with ourtrusty FE, Cpl Snow Wilson).Snow’s job (and what a great job he did for an FE!) was to find a suitable route to Stass. Just a pityhe did not take the time to becomea plant type! Also included inSnow’s job description wascounting the valuable trees forwhich compensation would be paid if we planties ‘inadvertently’destroyed them.

A Michigan 75 front-end loader operated at the quarry by aMalaysian Engineer under the supervision of Spr Ian Tibbleswhile Spr Mick Sutton in a Commer tipper waits for a load.

The rock-crushing plant near the quarry provided a continuous supply of good quality aggregate. Here, it ismanned by sappers from 2 Troop, although local labour was usually employed.

Some road work had already beencompleted by the previous troop, but dueto the wet weather and time constraintsthe construction had stopped just short ofa very wet and marshy area.

This area posed some problems at first,but in time an alternative route wasfound around it; then, like all good plantops, we headed for the hills. This notonly picked up the pace of construction ofthe road but also gave us a lot more dirtto play with and push around. Design,what design? It appeared that, if the roadas constructed would take our tippersand dump trucks, then that would begood enough for the local traffic as well.In the end the main carriageway was to

be about 20 feet wide, with shoulders and side drains taking the overall width toapprox 35 feet.

Once the centre line was selected, we set about clearing about 40 feet each side ofit. This was to allow some sun onto the road alignment and to help maintain areasonably dry surface on which to build the road. The road progressed at a steadyrate, helped by the fact that the ridge line was not heavily timbered and, oncecleared, allowed for easy drainage. It did mean, however, that to shape the road’ssub-base and base, and still maintain a reasonable gradient, a lot of cut and fill wasrequired. It was in this work that two Michigan wheeled-dozers, on loan from theMalaysian Engineer Sqn, proved their worth.

As the road got nearer the border, JB felt that we did not have enough protectionwith personal weapons only and that more substantial protection should be availablefor the project. JB decided to go right to the Top Man and this he did, speaking

directly to Brig Bill Cheyne on one of theWest Bde Commander’s visits byhelicopter to the head of the road. Itturned out that the Brigadier’s helicopterwas piloted by an Australian, Lt BobbyHill, who had completed a Basic PlantCourse with me in 20 Field Pk Sqn in theearly 60s before taking up flying, so wehad an ‘in’ there for a start. The oldsaying goes ‘ask and you shall receive’.The next day two armoured vehiclesfrom 4 Royal Tank Regiment, a Ferretscout car and a Saladin armoured vehiclewere on hand to escort us to the roadhead daily, and they remained with us forthe duration of the road task, so we a felta little safer after that.

Section of marshy road surfaced with corduroy surfacing.After the section was adequately drained, a gravel surface

was laid over the corduroy as an expedient method of progressing the road.

A Cat D4D bogged in the marshy ground encountered earlyin the road project. Much time and many resources were spent

recovering this piece of equipment.


We had our good and bad days.One of our not-so-good days waswhen moving a 19 Ruston Bucyrustracked excavator ‘face shovel’ to aforward area, we had to ford a littlecreek approximately 50 feet wideand banks at 20 feet in height anda very fast-flowing stream. Thisnecessitated cutting ramps downthe banks to allow easy access forthe excavator. Once the rampswere cut, we then drove themachine to the water line andattached a winch rope from thedozer we had on the far bank toassist in getting the machine acrossthe creek. Easy, I hear you say! Assoon as the excavator entered thewater it proceeded to sink into the bottom of the creek, and it being very heavy andfitted with only flat tracks did not help the situation. Also, it had started to rain veryheavily as it so often does in the tropics, which had the effect of causing the waterlevel to rise rapidly from about shin level to waist deep in less than 30 minutes. Asthe sun had long passed the yardarm we were committed to completing the task, beit finished by day or by dark. After much consternation and a good amount ofcursing, we got the job done. The crossing had taken about five hours to complete.We learnt a lot about recovery that day and I had many occasions later in my Armycareer to remember the lessons learnt on recovery of construction plant.

The good days were when we had no recovery to carry out and the road progressedahead of schedule. Towards the end of our tour, JB managed a short walk in toStass to surprise the locals, using the pilot track for the road.

Our task completed, we made ready to return to Terendak.

Noel Butler, our expert graderoperator, did very little work on theStass road, as he mostly worked onthe airstrip and on maintaining theroads used by the haulage vehicles.We did, however, have someFederation Engineers with us.

The equipment was maintained bythe plant ops themselves with helpfrom some locals who greased anddid other relevant tasks as directed.

The equipment used for the roadconstruction was handed over bythe previous troop along with thefollowing on loan from theMalaysian Engineers:

Sprs Alan Morris and Dave Wood driving Michigan 180 and280 wheeled-dozers operating in tandem on a forward sectionof the road from Bau to the forward base at Stass occupied byA Company 3 RAR.

Local labour hand-placing rock on the formed road surface.The artillery base of Pejiru can be seen through the smoke atthe bottom of the hill.


Two Michigan wheeled dozersModels 180 and 280

One D4D tracked dozer

One Avelling Austin grader

One Fowler size-6 trackeddozer

Two Commer tippers

I believe that the standard of roadachieved during this period wascomparable to other tasksundertaken in Sarawak at thattime.

In addition to the reconnaissance of thebest route for the road to Stass, SnowWilson was in charge of the Dyakworkers clearing the timber from theroad alignment. The construction plantcould certainly have done this job, but itwas important to provide employmentfor the locals. Also, there were fruit treesscattered throughout the bush whichwere owned by various families in thekampongs. Much of their food and tradegoods came from the jungle. If any ofthese trees had to be removed, it neededto be recorded so the owners could becompensated.

An Indonesian poster offering a rewardfor the capture of a particular fair-haired‘round-eye’ (European), described as afreelance spy, appeared in several of thesurrounding kampongs and, while itwasn’t Snow they were after, discretiondictated that he stay closer to CambraiCamp. On one occasion, Snow asked tobe relieved but an outwardlyunsympathetic Troop S/Sgt remindedhim of his extra pay allowance for usinghis language training. He was notimpressed with that argument and usedlanguage that his allowance did NOTcover However, Snow was eventuallyreplaced in this role by Flash Farrell (bynow a L/Cpl) during the final weeks ofthe troop’s tour in Sarawak, as it may

Ferret scout car, protection for the forward road works, inspected by Sprs Sexton and Tibbles.

(Trying to get a demo drive?)

Ruston Bucyrus 19 RB excavator loading a Muir Hill dump truckwith crushed metal. This was the excavator which became bogged

in the bottom of a stream and was so difficult to extract.

Spr Dave Wicks dropping a load of rock on the road to Stass. Oncethe high country was reached the road works progressed rapidly, but

this made it an increasingly long haul from the quarry.


have been embarrassing trying toexplain to Mrs Wilson why her son’shead, complete with blonde locks,adorned a pole in some Dyak village.Bing Crosby recalls that ‘Snow Wilsonwas outstanding as a forward scout andliaison officer with the indigenouspeople’.

The plant and equipment available tothe troop included a number of Muir-Hill dump trucks and these, along witha couple of Commer tippers, were usedalmost exclusively for the haulage of allthe materials required for the airstripand road construction. These machineswere apparently designed for use inquarries and areas with paved surfaces,and were completely unsuitable for thetransport of heavy materials on theoften steep, wet and narrow unmaderoads of Sarawak. The cockpit was opento the elements, with no crashprotection, the brakes were virtuallynon-existent and the steering was heavyand prone to 'wheel wobble'. However,since these were the only haulagevehicles available, it was necessary topersevere with them. There werefrequent accidents and it was fortunateno one was seriously injured. Sapper Ian‘Jock’ Benson hit a local bus head onand the bus ended up about two feetshorter. Sappers Simpson and Jolleyboth put their dump trucks over steepembankments, managing to 'bail out'safely as the vehicles left the road.Sapper Dave Wicks and an RA LandRover met on a narrow bridge, theGunner driver wisely opting for thecreek. The vehicle was soon towed backonto the road with nothing hurt exceptthe Artillery officer’s pride.

Another type of haulage vehicle inlimited use was the Shawny-Poole, aFordson tractor fitted with a two-wheelarticulated trailer. Sapper Doug 'Blue'Canning was hauling gold tailings whena narrow section of road subsided, and

Payday for the Dyaks employed on the road gang.

The Muir Hill dump trucks were generally unsuited to theoperating conditions prevailing in Sarawak and this was only one of several accidents in which they were involved.

Cpl Jack Brown and Spr Jock Benson helping to maintain plant and equipment not designed for the harsh operating conditions of Sarawak.


DESTINATION: MALAYA

the tractor overturned and slid down a steep embankment. Blue was badly shaken butnot seriously hurt, and the equipment was soon recovered. As a result, it was decided towiden the road at that point and this involved blasting a large outcrop of rock. HarryAtkinson was borrowed from the quarry for the job, but had to 'cadge' an Infantry driverand Land Rover to tow the air compressor to the site, due to a shortage of troopvehicles. Drilling completed and the holes charged, the Infantry driver, with compressor

attached, was given a red flag andinstructed to park down the road andstop all traffic. The fuse was lit, 'fire on'given, and everyone retreated to cover,when around the corner appeared aLand Rover. Capt Alan Hodges, with hisdriver, Sapper Macca McDonald, hadcome to check on progress and pulled upbeside the outcrop. Warnings wereshouted, and Macca took one look at theburning fuse and reversed faster than hehad ever driven forward. After the blast,a very pale and shaken Alan Hodgesdemanded an explanation. Seems theInfantry driver realised he had to stopeveryone, but did not think it includedofficers.

On the road toward Stass, about five miles from Bau was an old wooden truss bridge.Reputedly built by POWs during the Japanese occupation of Borneo in WW2, it wasquite a unique, well-engineered structure, but the truss design limited the side andoverhead clearance. Unfortunately, during the road construction an armoured scout carfrom 4 Royal Tank Regiment damaged a side-bearer strut which caused the collapse ofthe bottom chord. The structural integrity of the bridge was compromised which

required that it be closed to vehicletraffic. The 2 Troop 'chippies'(carpenters) Cpl Graeme Leach, L/Cpl Flash Farrell and Sapper TrevorReece, with assistance from some FEs,supported the bridge on a pierconstructed from the very versatile steelChristchurch Cribs and then fitted anew main support, returning the bridgeto near new condition. This bridgespanned the same stream where theRuston Bucyrus excavator becamebogged and which was the cause of somuch grief to the planties.

Anzac Day 25 April 1965 was the 50thanniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.

A dawn service was held at Cambrai Camp with elements of all the Australian units inthe camp represented. After the service, it was a quick breakfast and then off to work asusual. The previous day had seen the commemoration of the Battle of Kapyong, a big

Truss bridge reputedly built by POWs during WW2. One ofthe main supports was damaged by an armoured vehicle and

the bridge was in danger of collapse.

With repairs complete and the bridge returned to near-newcondition, the workers celebrate with a cold drink.

L to R: Sprs Dennis Fitzhenry, Trevor Reece, John White,Cpl Peter Stokes, Spr Peter Matthews in front.


day on the 3 RAR calendar. Kapyong Day commemorates the successful action duringthe Korean War on 23 and 24 April 1951 in which 3 RAR, along with a Canadianinfantry battalion and a company of US tanks, held their defensive positions against anenormous attack by the Chinese Army.

On 17 May, Sgt Vella and Pte Downes, two members of 1 Platoon, 3 RAR were killedwhen they triggered an US-manufactured M2A4 jumping mine while patrolling on a jungle track near Stass. The CO of 3RAR, Lieutenant Colonel BruceMcDonald, MC, sent Alan Hodges witha section of the battalion's AssaultPioneers, under the protection of anInfantry platoon, to check the area formore mines. The mines were providedin packages of six. The remaining mineswere discovered using mine detectorsand prodders and were exploded inplace by Alan Hodges. (In 1996 BruceMcDonald received the award of theOrder of the British Empire for hisservice in Bau. He retired from theArmy as a Major General.)

This was the second mine incidentinvolving 1 Platoon. Earlier, in March, a sergeant and an Iban tracker were killed andthree others wounded in the same area, shortly after they took over duties in the areafrom 1/7 Gurkhas.

Near to where 2 Troop began extending the road was the Artillery compound of Pejiru.It contained two long-range 5.5 inch guns which, as well as protecting the forwardbases, offered support for the covert, deep penetration operations into Indonesianterritory. Even with the heavy tropical atmosphere of Sarawak, these guns could fireeffectively up to about 14 miles. The problem was that they were sited on marshyground, and the recoil used to bury the spades in the soft earth. The solution was topack behind the spades with gravel. So it was not uncommon for a load of crushedmetal, destined for the road works further on, to be dropped behind the guns. Thisalways earned the driver a 'goffa' (soft drink) or a cold beer, but it was never done forsuch gain. Another piece of equipment at Pejiru was a large searchlight, which, whenthe cloud conditions were right, would be used to bounce a beam of high intensity lightinto suspected enemy positions and so provide artificial moonlight, thus disruptingtheir activities.

Gawai Padi – Festival of the Rice Goddess

The Gawai Padi is a harvest festival celebrated by the Dyak people on the first andsecond of June each year. Several of the troop working on the road were invited toattend the festival in Kampong Serasot and, as it was a Sunday rest day, several of themwent and what a day they had.

From the end of the road it was a five-mile walk to the Kampong, using the Dyak trackwhich was the shortest way in and, once there, the troop members were met bymembers of the Dyak road-clearing team.

Because of the rugged terrain large amounts of fill wererequired in places. 2 Troop carpenters and FEs construct abridge as dozers complete the embankments.

For the festival, the villagers hadconstructed a large bamboo platform (asthey do each festival) in front of one ofthe central buildings. This was theRumah Gawai, the building where thevillagers hold their traditional rituals. Inthe centre was a small shelter withseating for the dignitaries. The platformheld about 80 people when theceremony was in full swing.

The day started with a visit to the houseof one of the road-team members, wherethe sappers were introduced to sometypical Dyak hospitality. They weregiven a locally-brewed rice wine ‘tuak’which was the favourite of that houseand, after having stayed a reasonabletime, they were led off to another teammember’s house to sample the favouritebeverage there. This continued until themain ceremony of the day was to start,when they were taken back to theRumah Gawai.

There was much dancing and singingwhich was all in the local dialect and,although the visitors could notunderstand it, they did appreciate therhythm of the songs and beat of thedrums and gongs.

Before leaving the Rumah Gawai, theyhad servings of roast pork which hadbeen a wild pig in the jungle the daybefore. It was cooked whole over anopen fire and the cut up into cubes withthe skin still attached. The cooking wasnot very thorough but, as no one camedown with food poisoning, it must havebeen done enough. To go with the porkwas glutinous rice. This was cooked inlengths of green bamboo about two feetlong and two inches inside diameter.The dry rice was first wrapped inbananas leaves and slid into thebamboo, some water added, and thebamboo tubes were then stacked oneither side of a fire to cook.

Dr Tan Siew Sin, Malaysian Federal Minister for Finance,with Capt Alan Hodges, inspecting the guard of honour at the

opening of the Bau airstrip.

The completed Bau airstrip.

The sign unveiled at the official opening of the Bau airstrip.


After the feasting was finished it wasback to visiting houses for more Dyakhospitality, until it was finally time tobid their friendly hosts farewell and facethe long walk back to the end of theroad.

In early June 1965 the Troop receivedthe sad news that another Australiansoldier, a member of 1 SAS Sqn, waskilled while on patrol in the Sabah-Kalimantan border region. A rogue bullelephant, standing almost 10 feet tall,attacked an SAS patrol that was tryingto avoid the beast but the patrolsignaller, L/Cpl Paul Denehy, was fatallygored by the enraged bull. Paul Denehywas the first Australian SAS soldier todie on active service.

The Bau airstrip was completed andofficially opened on 15 June 1965 by Dr Tan Siew Sin, Malaysia's FederalMinister for Finance, who arrived in anRAF Twin Pioneer aircraft. A guard ofhonour of 2 Troop and attached Britishand 3 Sqn Malaysian Engineers wasinspected by Dr Tan before he departedin the Twin Pioneer, which in themeantime had been suitablyembellished with the red kangaroostencil. The Army Newspaper reportedthat Dr Tan spoke with Cpl NoelButler, L/Cpl John Armitage and Spr

2 Troop and supporting British and Malaysian Engineers after the official opening of the airstrip.


Members of the construction team with the RAF Twin Pioneerwhich flew Dr Tan to Bau for the opening of the airstrip.

Sgt Bruce Parsons, L/Cpl Noel Butler and Spr Bill Whitfieldhaving a cold drink after the opening ceremony.

Norm Looby. Dr Tan also congratulated all concerned for what he termed ‘a very goodjob done in very good time.'

With the completion of the airstrip, all resources were concentrated on extending theroad. A frequent and welcome visitor along the road was Padre Eugene Harley, anAustralian RC chaplain, who took a close interest in construction progress and thewelfare of the troop. When the road reached the village of Serasot, the residents threwa grand party at St Leo's school with music from Sarawak gongs and drums accompaniedby men walking on stilts. There was much excitement for the villagers as they welcomedAlan Hodges in the first car to drive into Serasot. To honour the Troop for its work, thevillagers made him an honorary Dyak chief.

Ambush

By late June, with the road to Stass progressing on schedule, some of the plant was tobe moved to a Malaysian Engineer base at Kohom near Balai Ringin, on the Kuching-Serian road. The first convoy left Bau on the evening of 28 June with Dave Wooddriving the Michigan 280 dozer, Lt Barry Lennon in a Land Rover as convoycommander, and two three-ton Bedford trucks with a couple of sections of 4 Sqn

Malaysian Engineers and two BritishMPs. To minimise disruption to localtraffic on the narrow roads, the convoytravelled in the curfew hours between1800 and 0600. The MalaysianEngineers were not for protection, butwere required to lay large balks of timberon each of the 29 bridges to be crossed,raising the road surface so the Michigancould cross without demolishing theguardrails with its blade. The timberserved a secondary role of distributingthe weight of the plant more evenly onbridges not designed for such heavyequipment.

At about 2200, just past the 17 MileBazaar, the convoy was stopped when an

explosion damaged a bridge in front of them. Barry Lennon immediately put the convoyinto a defensive position and, leaving Dave Wood in charge, took a section of the 4 SqnFEs forward to check out the area. The bridge was not extensively damaged so Barrycontinued on to the 24 Mile Bazaar where an attempt had been made to blow anotherbridge. At the Bazaar, there had also been some selective killing of pro-governmentlocals so he radioed for an APC-mounted infantry unit to be dispatched from BalaiRingin to do a sweep of the area. While waiting for support, Barry was engaged in someimmediate clearing at the murder sites and setting up a defensive perimeter, and thenin assessing the capability of the bridge to support the mounted infantry when theyarrived.

Meanwhile, seeing a firefight in progress beyond the 17 Mile Bazaar, Dave Wood andthe MPs conducted a clearing sweep through the village pepper gardens and up to the18 Mile Police Station. The raiders had departed by the time Dave Wood and his party


Padre Eugene Harley. an Australian RC chaplain, enjoys ajoke with troop members at the head of the road.


arrived, but they were kept busy doing what they could to aid the police and civilian wounded.

It was thought at first that the convoy had been the target and that it was a local CCO(Communist Clandestine Organization) operation. However, it soon became apparentthat the 18 Mile Police Station was in fact the primary target and the perpetrators werea party of about 40 Indonesian regulars from across the Kalimantan border, with somesupport from local CCO subversives. The attempts at blowing the bridges wereintended to prevent reinforcements from Bali Ringing and Kuching from reaching thePolice Station. Oil poured on the road in conjunction with crude road blocks, madefrom large spikes driven through blocks of timber placed at the 10 and 24 mile posts,did in fact successfully delay an APC and Police Land Rover despatched from Kuching.

At the Police station two policemen were killed and two others severely wounded. Theradio had been destroyed and the armoury looted. At the 17 and 24 Mile Bazaars therewere a total of six civilian deaths including women and children, and a further threebadly injured. All were either shot or hacked to death. One of the dead policemen wasthe Officer in Charge of the station, Sgt Simon Peter Ningkan, younger brother of DatoStephen Kalong Ningkan, Sarawak’s Chief Minister.

The reinforcements from Balai Ringin arrived aroundmidnight and some time later the convoy returned to Bauwith the plant undelivered. Next day both Barry Lennonand Dave Wood were extensively debriefed by 3 RAROperations and Intelligence officers.

In the days that followed, 2 Troop members joinedMalaysian Engineers to put fences around five villages in thearea suspected of being CCO strongholds. The fences werepatrolled by Gurkha infantry, both protecting the villagersand providing a controlled environment to enable theextent of the CCO support to be assessed

Several days later, another attempt was made to get the plantto Kohom and this time the convoy included both of theMichigan dozers plus two Michigan 210 motorised scrapers from Penrissen Garrison at9 Mile Bazaar. It also included a section from 2 Troop under Jack Brown as an armedescort. The plant was delivered without incident and, after an overnight stay at theMalaysian Engineer base, the troop members returned safely to Bau. The two Michigan210 scrapers are now on permanent display in front of the 3 Sqn Malaysian EngineerHQ at Penrissen Garrison.

Official Visits

In early July 1965 the Minister for the Army, the Hon A J Forbes, MC visited 28 Brigade at Terendak and also came to Bau where he met a number of the troop. TheMinister’s visit was followed on the 22 July by a group of MHRs from the AustralianLabor Party led by Mr E G Whitlam, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and includingMr K Beazley. They were briefed by 3 RAR intelligence officers and inspected progresson the forward road works. Later, Mr Whitlam shouted the troop a beer in the canteen,but one of his staff obviously forgot to pay the bill before departing, as the troopmembers had to pay for their own beer next day.

At the Bazaar,there had also been some selective killing of pro-governmentlocals

DESTINATION: MALAYA

By mid-July the troop was making preparations for return to Terendak and an advanceparty of Gurkhas had arrived to relieve 3 RAR. Despite the reduction in the heavy plantat their disposal, John Bending and his crew had managed, in the final days, to cut apilot dozer trail right up to the forward defensive position of Stass on the Kalimantanborder. In the last week before departure, Sapper Lefty Maddison, the troop vehiclemechanic, slipped and fell into a weapon pit, breaking several ribs and puncturing alung. Shortly before the troop left for Terendak, the Sarawak Chief Minister, DatoStephen Kalong Ningkan, presented a handsome Sarawak shield to 2 Troop as a

memento of its service.

On 25 July as the troop was preparing to leave Bau, thefollowing signal was received from Commander WestBrigade, Brigadier Cheyne:

From Comd to OC 2 Troop RAE. Many thanks for all thegood work done by your troops in W/Bde. Bau-Stass road andthe Bau airstrip will be a permanent reminder of your effortshere and will be appreciated and valued by both civil and milin Sarawak. It has been a great pleasure having you undercommand. I hope all ranks have a good well-earned leave.Good luck.

On the 28th July, in a torrential downpour, 2 Troop was liftedfrom Bau by Wessex helicopters directly to the deck of HMSAlbion, ‘The Grey Ghost of the Borneo Coast’, waitingseveral miles offshore.

Australian Associated Press reported on the following day under the headline: Malaysia: 58 Aussies Flown Out. Gurkhas move into Jungle

58 Australian jungle fighters were airlifted from Sarawak yesterday and replaced byBritish Gurkha troops.

Waves of helicopters flew the Gurkhas directly from the commando aircraft carrierAlbion to forward positions facing Indonesian Borneo.

The helicopters then took the Australians, ending 4 months of duty along the ruggedBorneo border that separates Indonesia from Malaysia, back to the carrier.

When the Australians – the Second Field Troop of the 11th Independent SquadronRoyal Engineers – were flown out, they left behind at least 3 mementoes. Theywere:

A new surface to the Bau airstrip.

An extension to a road leading to one of the forward positions near theIndonesian border.

Their Squadron flag fluttering high on the 1 200 feet Bau Hill.

A sudden downpour drenched the men as they were being airlifted out. One of themen said, ‘Wouldn't you know it? 14 days without rain and it has to rain today.’But the airlift continued.

Lieut Barry Lennon from Morningside, Brisbane, who took the engineers’ flag upBau Hill said the men were looking forward to getting out.

“From Comd to OC 2 Troop RAE.

Many thanks for all the good work

done by your troops in W/Bde.”

But both he and Captain Alan Hodges, of Mordialloc, Melbourne, had nothing butpraise for the tiny town of Bau, nestling beside a lake.

The Australian engineers employed local workers and spoke highly of their workand friendliness.

‘They could spend days just chipping at rocks whereas our men would get fed upwithin a few hours’, Captain Hodges said.

Both officers said the local people spoke English, thenadded with a grin they had learned some of the locallanguage also.

‘Just the essential,’ one of them said, ‘like – “Anotherbrandy ginger” and “Tell my friend to pay”.’

The day-long helicopter operation was the second of itskind in Malaysian Borneo.

3 RAR was also choppered aboard Albion, a 28 000-tonSpecial Commando Carrier, and sister ship to the AustralianAircraft Carrier, HMAS Melbourne. It was a relaxing anduneventful voyage to Terendak, except perhaps for LeftyMaddison, who was in the sickbay and still feeling a bit sorryfor himself. Movies were shown on the hanger deck, and atwo-can per day, per man (perhaps!) beer ration was ineffect, but since it was Pommy beer hardly anyone drew his

HMS Albion and its complement of Westland Wessex helicopters involved in the airlift of 2 Troop and 3 RAR from Sarawak.

A History of 2nd Field Troop RAE 1963 to 1965 PAGE 65

A handsome plaque from the State ofSarawak presented to 2 Troop on its departure.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

entitlement. Daylight on the third day and HMS Albion was standing off the sailing clubat Terendak.

A final word on the Troop's tour in Sarawak appeared in the Terendak Garrisonmagazine, the Bukit Bulletin:

Looking back on our tour it is easy to forget the moans of extra duties (disciplinemust be maintained). Our clerk Cpl Peter Stokes checked up and found that SprLooby had just enough service to work off his extras before return to Australia.

Two major tasks were handed over to us by 3 Troop. The first, a light aircraft stripthat was officially opened in mid-June, and the other was a road towards Stass. Inour last week Cpl John Bending, in charge of plant on the road, managed to makea surprise visit to Stass along the dozer trail. Our British plant-fitting team underL/Cpl Geoff Gillespie kept the machines going with Bostic and elbow grease.

Infanteers and Sappers aren't really compatible. 3 RAR loved the rain as theirpatrols couldn't be heard, but nothing gladdens the heart of a Sapper more thangood dry dust. Our dump trucks coated Cambrai Camp in dust and the RSM wasnot impressed when we quoted figures of maximum economical haulage speeds. This

speed was sometimes exceeded and S/Sgt Bing Crosby and SprJock Benson are available for lectures on ‘Newton’s SecondLaw of Motion and Impact Factors during collisions.’

The ‘Hearts and Minds’ campaign is really an excuse for anyjob that won't be approved. Our children's playground at thelake met with the approval of the resting warriors of 3 RAR.An interesting item was the floating diving tower. Spr TrevorReece still insists that the design was based on Archimedes’Principle. Whoever he is, he wasn't at Bau.

The plant ops built a padang at Kampong Serasot and thelocals had a ‘gawai’ for us in return. The troop commanderwas inaugurated as an honorary Dyak chief. The Bau

Secondary School received the assistance of many hands to construct a basketballcourt. A carved wooden hornbill was received from the school by Capt Alan Hodgeson behalf of the troop.

After our return with 3 RAR in HMS Albion it was touch and go to get a leavepass before the Orderly Corporal got your name on the duty roster.

“...nothinggladdens the heartof a Sapper more

than good drydust...”

C h a p t e r S i x

Terendak, then Homeward Bound

The soldiers were delivered ashore in assault landing craft to the Terendak LCT hardon Saturday 31 July 1965, much to the delight of the assembled wives and children ofboth 2 Troop and the Battalion. Lefty Maddison was transferred directly from the shipto Terendak Hospital. Meanwhile, the troop vehicles made the return voyage on theLSL (Landing Ship Logistic) Sir Lancelot to Singapore and thence by road to Terendak,arriving several days after the main body. Sir Lancelot, of 6 390 gross tons, was built in1964 for the UK Ministry of Transport. In 1970 it was transferred to the Royal FleetAuxiliary. Along with five sister ships, Sir Lancelot served in the 1982 FalklandsConflict. She was damaged by a 1 000-pound enemy bomb which although failing toexplode, resulted in fire damage. The ship continued in service until 1989, when shewas sold and refitted as a floating casino at Capetown, South Africa.

During the deployment in Sarawak there were several more additions to troop numbers.Bruce and Judy Parsons became proud parents of a son, Jeffrey, born at TerendakHospital, while June Hanrahan travelled to Penang and gave birth to daughter Kim,surrounded by family and friends, but with Terry still in Bau. Anais Marie Richardsonarrived on 3 July to joyous first-time parents, Yvonne and Alan.

The Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kwan Yew, announced on 9 August thatSingapore was seceding from the Federation of Malaysia, and would become a separaterepublic, with himself as President.

Ray Logan and fiancée, Ahlan, were married at St. John’s OPD Church, Terendak, on16 August. Harry Atkinson took the role of best man.

On Friday 20 August, 11 Sqn held a dinner dance in the ORs mess to celebrate thereturn of 2 Troop from Borneo. The dress was 'Planters with ties for men' (long trousersand long-sleeved white shirts). The Flamingoes provided dance music including thewaltz, quickstep, foxtrot, Latin American and Gay Gordons. There was also a Twistcompetition and novelty dances, including the Limbo.

Meanwhile Park Troop and the 2 Troop planties recently returned from Sarawak, werehard at work constructing a helipad and helicopter test area just below the 11 Sqnbarracks. While it was largely a plant operation, sappers from the squadron poured theconcrete test bays and tie-down points.


Also during August, Acker Bilk (aformer Royal Engineer) and his bandvisited Terendak, and all the lovers oftrad jazz attended the concert and had agreat time. 2 Troop, with the exceptionof seven members who were stayingbehind to join the incoming group, werein wind-down mode. The Pads werebusily having their personal belongingspacked for transport to Australia by sea,and the aluminium trunks (soldier’s box) of the single members were packed and addressed to their respectivedestinations.

Most of the troop attended the FarewellParade for 3 RAR, held on 9 September,and the Battalion certainly marched outin style.

Lennon, Crosby, Parsons and Wickstravelled once more to Singapore toparticipate in another parachutequalifying course. This time theytravelled in a RAF Beverley Transport to Kuantan on the east coast for practice jumps in stick formations of 15-20 troops at a time.

Brian Cribbs, a confirmed bachelor,quaintly asked his Troop Commanderfor permission to marry. He amazedeveryone in deciding to get marriedgiven his committed single life and atsuch a late stage in the tour of duty inMalaya. Naturally, the whole troop wasinvited to witness the happy occasionand to enjoy a sumptuous 12-course feastwhile wishing Brian and his bride muchhappiness.

Farewell to Malaysia

It was now 2 Troop's turn to march outand they were bade farewell at aSquadron Parade on 30 September 1965,with Lieutenant Colonel E WestbrookRE, the Deputy Commander, 28Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, taking

Spr Ray Logan and his new bride, Ahlan, with bridesmaidand best man, Spr Harry Atkinson, outside St. John’s church,

Terendak, shortly after the wedding ceremony.

Spr Dave Wood accompanied by Spr Ian Tibbles on a Fowlerlight dozer beginning preliminary work on the helicopter test

area adjacent to the 11 Sqn area.

A landing craft from HMS Albion delivers members of 2Troop to the landing hard at Terendak where wives and family

are eagerly waiting.


the salute. During the farewell parade,Major Stevens presented Capt Hodgeswith a handsome shield with crossedchromed gollock and Malay parang.This plaque, along with the onepresented to 2 Troop by the State ofSarawak, is on display in the AustralianArmy Museum of Military Engineeringat the School of Military Engineering.The troop marched off proudly, showingit was not only the Regiments thatcould put on a display. The 11 Sqn flagwas lowered by L/Cpl Tom Abberfield,who was given this duty as he was notgreatly adept at parade drill. With theorder to 'March Off', this Tom did –straight to his barracks instead of theOrderly Room. Custodian of the Flagfor 28 years, Tom presented it to thetroop at its first reunion in AliceSprings in 1993. (After Tom’s death hissister, Barbara Dore, gave the 11 Sqnflag to Doug Maddison and Bill Jonesfor use at future reunions.)

The final party was held in the 2 Troopclubhouse and all members werepresented with a Selengor pewtertankard suitably inscribed with theirpersonal details and history of thedeployment. Barry Lennon presented aplaque to Maj John Stevens as amemento of the Troop’s service with 11 Sqn. (The plaque with the map ofAustralia was made from timber fromeach State by 20 Field Park Sqn inSydney, which was commanded by MajWarren Lennon, Barry’s brother.)

Everyone was keen to return toAustralia but, while there wereoccasional instances of animositybetween the Brit and Australiansappers, the troop had made many goodfriends in the Squadron and it was sadto bid them farewell. The SSM, WOTom Thornton, in particular, was wellliked and respected by everyone. Fred

2 Troop’s farewell parade. Lt Col E Westbrook RE, DeputyCommander, 28 Commonwealth Brigade, inspects the Troopwith Troop OC Capt Alan Hodges, 30 September 1965.

Presenting Arms to the Inspecting Officer after the march past.

L/Cpl Brian Cribbs and bride with Cpl Stan Limb and CplSimon Wilson, September 1965.


Gray, the Orderly Room Corporal forthe first 12 months, and plant fitterL/Cpl Geoff Gillespie would also beremembered as close friends.

Everyone, apart from the TroopCommander, and the six others whowere staying on with the replacementtroop, said farewell to Terendak on 5October 1965, and boarded a Qantas707 in Singapore for the flight home.Although Lefty Maddison had only beenin Malaya for under a year, he returnedwith the troop on its return to Australiato attend a medical board as a result ofhis injuries in Sarawak.

It was necessary for the plane to flyaround the top end of the island ofSumatra to avoid Indonesian airspace,then on to the first touchdown onAustralian soil for two years – a cold,windy and wet Perth. With theSandgropers disembarked, it was on toSydney, arriving at some ungodly hour ofthe morning. A few hours sleep at thepersonnel depot at Watsons Bay (ormotels for the families), then thosetravelling interstate caught their variousflights to take some much anticipatedleave.

With the dispersal of the members totheir various new postings, the 2 Troopof 1963-65 was no longer an entity,although the name continued with itssuccessor. Some of the troop went toexisting engineer squadrons, whileothers became the nucleus of thefledgling 18 Field Sqn to be based atWacol (later moved to LavarackBarracks, Townsville). Many went on toserve one or more tours in SouthVietnam, while those who were postedto 21 Const Sqn were in Borneo againbefore Christmas, this time in Sabah,relieving 24 Const Sqn. However, nomatter what the posting, those Sapperswho spent 1963-1965 in Malaya,

The farewell parade over, its time to relax with a few ‘coldies’ at the troop club house. From here it is

‘Destination: Australia’.

2 Troop singlies, together with Babu, enjoy a farewell drinkwith the Hodges before the Troop’s return to Australia.

The troops march past in style, with the salute taken by LtCol E Westbrook RE.



Thailand and Sarawak always thought of themselves, firstand foremost, as 2 Field Troop Royal Australian Engineers.

Those troop members with eligible service were awarded theBritish General Service Medal with bars, 'Malay Peninsula'and 'Borneo'. Subsequently, the Australian Active ServiceMedal 1945-1975 was awarded with clasp 'Malaysia' and theAustralian Service Medal 1945-1975 with clasps 'Thailand'and ‘SE Asia’. The General Service Medal has especiallybeen worn proudly because of its special significance as atangible reminder of our close working relationship with ourBritish colleagues in 11 Indep Field Sqn RE. (Further detailson medal entitlements are contained in the section onService Medals at the end of the book.)

With 11 Sqn at Present Arms, 2 Troop leaves the parade ground for the last time.

Plaque presented to 2 Troop on itsdeparture by 11 Indep Field Sqn

“Any expectation that I would have to induct and

train a new bunch of sapperswas dissipated when

I was confronted with a well-trained troop...”


C h a p t e r S e v e n

Views from the Top

Malcolm van Gelder – Officer Commanding 2 Field Troop RAE, 1963-64

At the time that I was posted as Troop Commander of 4 Field Troop RAE, 11 IndepField Sqn RE in 1963, I was worried that I was fast becoming the longest-serving troopcommander in the RAE. My first troop was the MARSU (Maralinga Range SupportUnit) troop at Maralinga in 1958,consisting of a mixture of British andAustralian sappers. Five years later I wasto return to contact with British sappers,but in the more salubrious location ofMalacca, with reasonable access to theeven more salubrious (and very British)Gillman and Tanglin Barracks inSingapore.

For the record I had come direct frommy 5 Airfield Const Sqn RAAF (5ACS) attachment in Darwin at thebeginning of 1963, and departedMalaysia from command of 2 Troop in1964 for posting to SME as instructor onpromotion.

When 2 Troop arrived I was wellensconced in military life in Malaysiahaving been ‘blooded’ by the veterans of 4 Troop. Any expectation that I would haveto induct and train a new bunch of sappers was dissipated when I was confronted witha well-trained troop led by Lt Barry Lennon as Troop Officer, supported by S/Sgt BingCrosby. All I had to do was relax and let it happen! Perhaps that might explain why I later indulged myself in so many ‘getaways’, having great confidence that the troopwould be in good hands and shape in my absence.

I shall summarise some reflections:

• Luxury travel from Australia to Singapore by Italian passenger liner. Our family’sfirst and last such journey. With the advent of cheaper and more frequent airtravel, the option of such travel may not have been so readily available to laterarrivals.

Capt Malcolm van Gelder accompanying Lt Gen Wilton,CGS Australia, on inspection of the Troop, along with MajTony Stacey-Marks.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

• Our first married quarter in Kampong Bukit Bahru just outside Malacca.

• The assistance of a cook and an amah to make domestic life even in a kampongand later in married quarters in Terendak Garrison much more pleasant with twochildren under three years.

• Our transition from a 1960 Holden, which we had in Darwin, to a sparkling blackMercedes. The fact that the pride and joy suffered the indignity of being driveninto a monsoon drain did not detract from our later enjoyment of travellingthroughout Malaya in unaccustomed luxury.

• The cool hill stations which were available for families and for troops generally.

• Visits to Singapore for shopping at ‘Tangs’ and indulging in the products of ‘ColdStorage’.

• Travel to Penang and enjoying the magnificent views from Penang Hill.

• Our quick trip to Japan from whence I returned via HMAS Quiberon as a guest ofthe Australian Navy, and Helen flew back to Malacca to rejoin the children afterspending an overnight train trip from Osaka to Tokyo in a sleeping compartmentin which she was the only female.

• My short familiarisation attachment to Vietnam, flying to and from Saigon by PanAm first class, the only time in my life that I have flown internationally first class.Although we have travelled much thereafter, cattle class has remained the travelmode for the van Gelders.

• My involvement in SEATO Exercise Dhana Rajata in Thailand in 1963 in which,while managing the erection of camp facilities for SEATO exercise troops, I encountered some difficulty, even with an interpreter, in explaining to a femalebuilding contractor the intricacies of building an Australian sit-up dunny asopposed to a ‘squat’.

• Culinary delights not previously experienced in Australia.

• Helen’s experience of six-months separation from me during the deployment of 2 Troop at Crown while looking after two children. The period was marked by theyoungest, Timothy, contracting a serious bout of measles and pneumonia andbeing evacuated to a military hospital in Kuala Lumpur at Kinrara.

• The commencement of Indonesian confrontation and rumours of hostile action.

• For me, particularly, the renewed experience of life and service in Thailand onOperation Crown, punctuated by numerous excursions into the hinterland ofNortheast Thailand. Highlights of the excursions were visits to the Cambodianborder to sight the famous temple of Khao Prau Vivanh, and a flying visit by roadto the Mekong River in Laos at Pakse.

• Being bogged in a Land Rover in the middle of a paddy field. The efforts of a Thaifarmer in constructing a temporary bund and evacuating the water with his feetwere more fruitful than the efforts and equipment of the Australian sappers.

• The poignant picture of a small Thai boy afflicted with elephantitis, as an exampleof how primitive village medicine remained in the early 1960s.

• Hair-raising travel between Ubon and Ban Kok Talat where the corrugations wereworthy of an Australian outback road. It is not necessarily true that a visitingAustralian general happened to die of heart attack shortly after his return fromThailand.

• Running with the typically-British Hashhound Harriers (also called Hash HouseHarriers). This was an exercise in paper-chasing through the Thai countryside toan undisclosed destination where typical refreshments awaited the exhaustedrunners.

• The unauthorised, but enterprising, 2 Troop canteen operating out of a site shedin defiance of the NAAFI Canteen. It produced a good source of Troop funds.

• The enforced absence of contact between members of 2 Troop and the AustralianRAAF contingent at Ubon. There were two memorable visits to Ubon at whichthe Troop played Australian Rules and rugby games.

• Exercise Raven and the experience of participating in a brigade-strength exerciseconducted straight out of a military textbook.

• My experience also of the hazard of playing bridge in a British mess and thesubsequent pecuniary loss.

• Recollections of, as examples only of application of skills, particularly theconstruction of the hospital facility at Crown, the demonstration of water-divining skills also at Crown, and the removal of the huge tree leaningdangerously over the Commander’s residence at Terendak.

• The enduring memory of Australian sappers’ skills displayed in military, trade orsporting activities and their high level of competence. This was not surprisinggiven the selection procedures leading to the formation of 2 Troop, and the factthat 2 Troop was the only engineer unit or sub-unit outside Australia (apart fromPNG) at the time of its deployment.

Barry Lennon – Troop Officer, 2 Field Troop RAE, 1963-65

With the hindsight of forty years, and four distinct and different careers, I look back onthe experience of raising the troop to go to Malaysia and then the time in Malaysia,Borneo, and Thailand as the mostrewarding of my life. The reward wasnot financial but experiential. I was, atthat stage, a mere two and a half yearsinto my career as a soldier with most ofthat time in training at Officer CadetSchool and at the School of MilitaryEngineering, and only a short time as alieutenant responsible for the lives andaspirations of a troop of soldiers. Likemost ‘two pippers’ at that stage of acareer, I did not know what I did notknow. Learning what I did not knowcame later and, for it, I am very muchindebted to the NCOs and men of 2 Field Troop RAE.

Lt Barry Lennon presents Major John Stevens, OC 11 IndepField Sqn RE, with a commemorative plaque, a gift from theAustralian Troop.


DESTINATION: MALAYA

After our arrival in Malaysia, my responsibilities to the troop as troop commander wereat an end. I handed the troop over to Captain Malcolm van Gelder who shared my view,or perhaps I shared his, that a troop of Australian engineers within the infrastructureprovided by the 11 Indep Field Sqn RE did not require both a troop commander and atroop officer. I became, at that stage, the squadron liaison officer. For those not toofamiliar with it, ‘liaison’ is army-speak for whatever job needs to be done. Fortunatelyfor me, two of the things that needed to be done were to create a squadron parachutestick and a squadron shallow-water diving team. Doing this gave me many opportunitiesto visit Singapore for initial and ‘continuation’ training and to work with both theRoyal Air Force at Changi and the Royal Navy at HMS Terror at the Straits of Johore.While there is nothing very rewarding about doing a ship’s bottom search in the murkof the Straits of Johore, or jumping out of an aircraft at 800 feet, banging down the sideof a C47, before releasing into a strong crosswind and landing in trees, the experienceof living and working in Singapore was instrumental in my being offered, and quicklyaccepting, an assignment to Singapore with IBM much later – and spending another 16years in the Orient.

These, together with assignments as Brigade Plant Movements Officer and BombDisposal Officer in Sarawak, engineer-in-charge of the reconstruction of Leong NokTha MRT (medium range transport) strip about 15 miles north of Crown, and SquadronReconnaissance Officer during operations and training on the Malay Peninsular, keptme more than busy. The occasional trip to visit the RAE squadron building the road atKeningau in Sabah and to visit the American training teams in South Vietnam alsohelped. But the result was that there was not much time to get engaged in much of whatthe troop was doing. This troop history therefore, for me, fills in many blanks in thatdetail.

My recollections of the troop are very much confined to the troop members with whomI worked on various squadron operations and projects. A few of the troop were part ofthe shallow-water diving team and the parachute stick. Elements of the troop wereassigned to me for limited operations up the Kuching-Balai Ringin Road in Borneo, andour planties did the bulk of the work at Leong Nok Tha (Crown). It was always apleasure to work with your own countrymen.

But by far the most pleasurable associations were back at Terendak at the varioussporting and social events that happened at the squadron. The Australian troop of 11 Squadron fielded seven of the 15 rugby players in the Squadron team which beat theAustralian Infantry Battalion in the rugby final just before we set off to Borneo. SprTibbles and I competed in the British Automobile Association Rally through the tinmines and rubber plantations of Malaysia. Tibbles’ preoccupation with how high a 1/4-ton Land Rover could leap over rice paddy bunds, rather than on how exactly to getthrough a rubber plantation in roughly the right direction, cost us first, second, andthird place. But fourth, we considered, was ‘credible’.

The more I cast my mind back to these days, the more the memories come floodingback. Little things – almost losing a Michigan 280 in the river at Bau when trying toload it on the LST Teddy. The poor fellow we mistakenly captured as a terrorist at 17Mile Bazaar – who was merely out after curfew trying to get a midwife for his wife whohad gone into labour. The night ‘Little Mess Tin’ accidentally discharged his gun whileon guard duty at Terendak. The atap beetles at Cambrai camp in Bau. The mysterious


sinking fortified fire-posts at Bukit Knuckel. The Iban longhouses with the piles ofskulls in the bush in Sarawak. The police station at Mukdahan. The family of the poorchap we accidentally killed with our plant convoy from Bangkok to Ban Kok Talat. Themorning the wash basins froze at Crown and several villagers died of pneumonia. Thenight a couple of British sappers decided to burn down Ban Kok Talat. And so muchmore.

But the memories of the troop’s preparation time prior to leaving Australia are alsostrong. This is the time when I knew the troop best. It was also without doubt thegreatest challenge of my army career. To be told that you were to raise a troop and getit ready for operations in Asia sounded simple. But when it became apparent that‘raising a troop’ was army-speak for ‘scrounging’, it ceased to be quite so simple. If therewas a medal for scrounging, 2 Troop should have been awarded it. We scrounged forpeople, equipment, accommodation, administrative support, weapons, field kit,transport, the lot. But with everybody pitching in, we managed to get ourselves readyfor Malaysia and also put in some valuable time in the Wollombi area – Glen Davis,Glen Alice, Gospers Mountain – getting to know each other’s strengths and weaknessesand getting to work as a team.

I was reminded recently of those days when I heard a news report that someone haddiscovered in the Wollombi National Park a significant site of Aboriginal cavepaintings. This is a part of Australia that 2 Troop knew well. It had some of the thickestscrub within a few hours drive from Sydney that we could find to simulate Malaysia’sjungles. And we got to know it very well indeed, even to the point of rediscovering acairn erected by a group of explorers who had first (they said) found their way up theGlen Davis escarpment to Mt Uraterer. They had left a message in the cairn in 1937.We added another.

On one of our expeditions down the Glen Davis-Newnes gorge, however, we alsodiscovered how quickly a gorge fills with water when a severe storm hits the mountainsabove it. It was coming on evening and too late to try to clear the gorge in daylight.The water was rising as we watched and the walls of the ravine were sheer. With,potentially, a very dangerous situation, we split the troop to double our chances ofsurvival. One section, led by Cpl Jack Brown, decided to climb the escarpment, whileI led the rest of the troop downstream in search of some higher ground on which to seeout the night and the rising waters. By morning I thought we had lost Jack and hissection. Bits of gear had been spotted sweeping past in the flood. But there was no signof them.

They eventually turned up – minus gear – but none the worse for wear. It was only whenI read the recent report that I came to understand that they probably spent the nightdrawing pictures on a cave wall.

Those two and a half years for the members of 2 Troop and its families were a veryspecial time. Just how strong is evidenced by the remaining bonds of friendship thatbring the troop together every few years to remember past days and past friends. Icommend the team that took the initiative to put this history together. I am not awareof any other sub-unit that has retained the cohesion and the interest to be able to dothat. Well done!

David Crosby – Troop Staff Sergeant,2 Field Troop RAE, 1963-65

Graduation from the Army ApprenticesSchool in 1953 took me to two units with a definite ‘Dad’s Army’environment: 17 Const Sqn in Sydneyand 25 Const Sqn in Hobart. A postingto 7 Field Sqn followed. The unit hadmany ex-Malaya sappers and there wasmuch talk about their exploits. Rumoursflowed daily as to the makeup of the newtroop to go to 11 Sqn with a changeoverthought to be at least 10 months away inlate-1963. Snow Wilson and I haddecided there would need to be a miracleor two if we were to be considered forthe Corps’ plum posting.

The gods must have been listeningbecause one night I was the UnitPicquet Corporal. and the Duty Officerwas the SSM, WO2 Don Stahl, a highly-efficient and respected no-nonsensesoldier. I was a little in awe of thisimmaculately turned-out soldier who

seemed to want to talk. We shared some confidences and I told him that, although I stillneeded B1 and B2 for Sergeant, I wanted to take 2 Field Troop to Malaya as the StaffSergeant. I confided that, on the promotion scale, with anything less I would be betteroff transferring to a construction squadron and ultimately the Works Service stream.

The SSM inspected the squadron parade next morning and paused in front of mesaying, ‘Be at the orderly room at 1200 hours – you are seeing the DCRE Field Force’. Irecall stuttering, ‘But I don’t want to see the DCRE, SSM’. ‘You just be there and tellhim exactly what you told me last night.’ I duly reported and was introduced to theDCRE by the OC Major Bob Mills who then left for lunch.

Lt Col Ian Gilmore heard my case with a slightly bemused look. I am sure that therewere some chuckles between him and Bob Mills over lunch as they discussed thisambitious sapper and HIS plans for his role in the Field Force. The DCRE promised toget back to me in a few days, but there was quite a delay because we were on exerciseagain. When the information came through, I was paraded eyeball-to-eyeball with CaptBrian Florence, the unit 2IC. ‘You must pass a re-examination of all FE subjects. If youpass, you will then join the FE1 course for Sergeant. If you pass at suitable levels, youwill be posted to Malaya as the Acting Troop S/Sgt.’

While on the course at SME, I had to ‘vet’ those who were posted to the MalayanTroop. I met Lt B B Lennon who seemed to be quite unimpressed by those senior in rankto himself. He also seemed to be able to just appear, sign a few papers and everythingwould be OK. It took me quite a while to discover that BB had skills which set him apart

S/Sgt David Crosby at ‘Apache’ forward base helicopter landing pad, Sarawak.



from virtually all other junior officers and many senior officers. Examples included hisability to delegate, and to recognize that there were others within the rank structure –above and below him – who would ensure that the wheels kept turning. He neverseemed to worry and was, in every respect, capable to the point where I doubt that hewas ever fully tested either mentally or physically while in the Army.

I travelled to Terendak with the advance party. On arrival I met SSM Tom Thorntonwho wore a peaked cap in a way which I thought gave him a very narrow view of whatwas going on. In fact, he seemed to have a crystal ball. We become close friends andresolved many problems quite often before those involved knew there was one. Thehandover was with S/Sgt Ron Janvrin (Jamtin) and he was very generous with hisknowledge of the ‘Pommy’ system. On waking on that first morning I was handed a cupof char which was as black as the smiling face behind it, even with the tinned milk. Itwas bloody awful.

Quite early in the tour (that word is meant to imply that we really were tourists) thetroop had to do a navigation exercise to a pick-up point. Trucks delivered us, minus ourtroop commander, who had ‘done it all before’ and BB who ‘had important matters tosort out’ and after all ‘that is the sort of thing that troop S/Sgts are meant to do’. I didwhat others (apparently) had done before me and managed to read the map on to thewrong ridgeline – shades of the map reading at 7 Field Sqn. Quite democratically, it was

decided to backtrack and stay the night in an unused policehut adjacent to a village. We were picked up the next day bytruck after I had phoned for help. Our radios weren’t up tothe terrain and distance.

Malaya was a challenge in every regard. I won the guernsey as the Duty Officer on thereopening of the ORs Beach Club. It had been closed indefinitely due to a riot thatnight. I kept a British cook in the Army, despite his desire to commit hari-kari. Yes, hedrew blood, but when told to ‘get on with it’ he eventually handed over the knife, wasdisciplined in Terendak and served on Op Crown.

Operation Crown certainly tested Malcolm van Gelder’s diplomacy with the CRE andhis staff. In turn, there was a flow-on effect where he and I developed a relationshipbased on demarcation which allowed him to be fairly free of troop matters.

Borneo was another opportunity to expand in knowledge and experience and I believethat, under Capt Alan Hodges, the troop performed exceptionally well in thatenvironment.

S/Sgt David Crosby’s paybookshowing meagre earnings inAustralian pounds and drawings inMalay dollars.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

As I look back, there never seemed to bemany average situations. On the plusside, each individual at one time oranother stepped forwarded and wascounted. Certainly, being the TroopS/Sgt of 2 Field Troop Malaya was amajor highlight of my military careerand I thank those with whom I served.

Alan Hodges – Officer Commanding2 Field Troop RAE, 1964-66

I was deep in the bush at Tin Can Bay inmid-1964 when I received word that Iwas to be posted to Malaysia. Nothingcould have been further from my mindat that time, but I was very excited at theprospect of this posting. I was soonbrought down to earth with a protractedbattle with the Army Movementsbureaucracy, until they finally gaveapproval for Beryl to accompany me. Weleft Australia less than two monthsbefore our first child was due.

On arrival in Terendak, I immediatelytook part in Exercise Raven. During the

0300 frantic deployment preparation in 11 Squadron lines, I admitted to Major Stacey-Marks that I really wasn’t sure just what was going on. I quickly received life-changingadvice to the effect that I was never to be in a position to tell him that again. And I wasn’t – in Malaya or anywhere!

On Exercise Raven I met for the first time the troop members who were to become life-long friends. At that time we were sizing each other up, but it did not take long for meto respect the sappers I had the privilege to command. All worked extremely hard, bothon deployments and in barracks, and some still suffer the physical consequences. Theycould also play hard with youthful enthusiasm and without caution. This sometimesresulted in the most outrageous excuses for various military offences, which at thisdistance in time seem rather trivial. Moreover, the punishments did not seem to haveany deterrent effect!

This group of soldiers taught me so much about practical sappering. Each was a trueprofessional. I particularly learned from, and depended on, Barry Lennon, David Crosbyand the troop NCOs. I received frequent and unsolicited advice from all levels of thetroop on how to solve problems. As a result, I never felt that as Troop Commander thatI needed to have all the answers.

Tony Stacey-Marks left shortly after I arrived, and so I came to know John Stevens andGordon Chave – a formidable leadership team. John was an excellent commander anda practical engineer. I recall that he alerted me to the value of fascines (bundles of treelimbs used to fill holes in road works) in expedient road repair in Borneo. Gordon was

Capt Alan Hodges explaining engineering works to Dr Tan Siew Sin, Malaysian Minister for Finance,

at opening of Bau airstrip.


a great enthusiast and had the heavyload of managing the PRI Fund(equivalent to Australian regimentalfunds). As auditor of the fund, I gladlytook Gordon's advice on the intricaciesof double-entry book-keeping andreadily accepted his assurances thateverything would balance – and it did!

After I left Malaysia, I was posted to the Office of the Engineer in Chief in Canberra. During that time I received an inquiry through Armychannels in Malaysia regarding the ownership of a Bailey Bridge on the road alongside the lake in Bau. The British Army wanted to recover it, but the locals told the officials that ‘Captain Hodges gave it to us’. I was certainly not about to underminethe achievements of the hearts andminds campaign! I hope that the bridge is still standing and serving ourfriends in Bau.

Twenty-one years after leavingTerendak, Beryl and I revisitedTerendak. The former 11 Squadronlines had hardly changed, althoughthere were more flowerbeds and a largeaviary. It was home to a Malaysianengineer squadron. The 2 Troop officewas as familiar as yesterday, although itdid seem somewhat smaller than Iremembered. We ended our visit at theBeach Club and had a very refreshing‘gunner’ (half ginger ale, half gingerbeer and a dash of bitters) and topped-off our nostalgic visit with GulaMalacca (glutinous sago topped with avery sweet palm-sugar syrup).

The reunions have given me a newinsight into 2 Troop. I am constantlydelighted at the strong bonds that havegrown over the past 40 years. Theefforts of Snow Wilson in initiating theinaugural reunion in Alice Springs in1993 and in keeping everyone in touchby regular newsletters have helped

Labourers gathering timber for making a fascine.

Fascine being laid on the Bau-Stass Road, in conjunction witha culvert, on particularly boggy ground, following a suggestionfrom Major John Stevens.

immensely in fostering the spirit of comradeship and true friendship between us all andour families. There is now a constant stream of phone calls and emails crossing thecountry between so many of the troop.

On 26 April 2002 I received an email from Dave Wicks in which he said in part:

Over a few beers yesterday (Anzac Day), Snow and I decided it was finally time toput the Troop history into print while we can still remember some of it. The aim isto have at least the first draft completed for the reunion next year in Canberra, theTroop’s 40th birthday.

Compiling this history has been a further binding force within the Troop as informationwas swapped, checked and corrected. Unfortunately, many of us have gaps in memoriesthat we thought would never disappear. Nevertheless, the book has been written andproduced in final form in time for our reunion in Canberra. This feat has required greatcommitment and persistence by Dave Wicks and Snow Wilson. We are all in their debtfor their sustained effort in recording such a significant time in our lives together.

I served in the Army for 38 years, but was never in a unit that has strengthened andnurtured its spirit in the way 2 Troop has. I feel extremely privileged to have beenassociated with 2 Troop, both with the sappers who served in 1963-65 and with theirsuccessors in the replacement troop which I commanded until the end of 1966. Whatwas a challenging and exciting posting for me as a junior captain has become acontinuing source of great satisfaction and pride.

The British Perspective

John Stevens – Officer Commanding 11 Indep Field Sqn RE, 1964-66

I was overjoyed to be given command of 11 Indep Field Sqn in October 1964. A squadron independent of a regimental commander was every major's dream andproviding engineer support to 28 Brigade with its Australian and New Zealand

components in sunny Malaya was a veryexciting prospect. I could hardly ask formore! However, what about theAustralian Troop - an integral part of theunit. Now, I did not know manyAustralian soldiers apart from a fewofficers attending courses in UK – whowere always on their best behaviour.Rumour had it that drinking Tiger beerfrom unbelievably cold tins was a serioussport! Would I be able to handle 2 FieldTroop RAE? How did they fit into theSquadron? Would different pay rates andterms of service be a problem? Whatabout their military and engineer skills –how did they compare with the Brits?How would Norma get on with theAustralian wives?

Maj John Stevens presents Capt Alan Hodges with a shield ofcrossed gollock and Malay parang on behalf of 11 Indep Field

Sqn during the farewell parade of 2 Troop.



I need not have had so many sleepless nights! I inherited a group of young, fit, highly-competent Sappers who worked hard and played hard. Under their excellent TroopCommander they were full of initiative, tackled any task with skill and enthusiasm andsaw it through to a successful conclusion. The wives too played a full part, with shootingand basketball teams. 2 Troop fitted in well with the rest of the unit and many long-lasting friendships were made. They were always full of fun and a great asset to theSquadron and its social and sporting life.

Above all, our most treasured memory of 2 Troop is its comradeship, epitomised forNorma and me in the Hobart Reunion in 1999. It was wonderful to see so many of ourboisterous, Tiger-drinking tearaways of Terendak now senior and respected citizens stillenjoying their comradeship more than 30 years later. We only wish we could havejoined them in Canberra 2003.

Commanding 11 Indep Field Sqn was the most satisfying and enjoyable assignment ofmy military career and it was one in which 2 Field Troop RAE made such a memorableand important contribution.

Gordon Chave – 2IC, 11 Indep Field Sqn RE 1964-66

It's a privilege and a pleasure to contribute these few words - that sounds trite, but 40years on from our time in Malaya that is still the opinion of Vicky and me. There is nodoubt that 11 Squadron was the highlight of our years in the army – that is why we havecalled our present house ‘Terendak’. 2 Troop contributed much to the quality of life,both in the way of work and in the social and sporting aspects. It says much for themorale of the unit that there is still an Association and that reunions are so successful,and we Brits are proud to be honorary members of this marvellous organisation.

11 Squadron was very ‘family’, and it is obvious that 2 Troop (Retired) is still all aboutfamilies. 2 Troop ladies contributed so much to the overall life of the unit. As I write, Ihave in front of me a number of photographs. Number one is of the wives shootingteam. One day, as I sat in my office, I heard the fire of Sten guns (that dates it!), andenquired of Tom Thornton who wasusing the range. Reply – the ladies havegot a bit bored with .22, so Sgt Edge isgiving them a go with SMG! This wasDEFINITELY not allowed.

Another nice memory – I am escortingthe Commander of Far East LandForces, Lieutenant General Jolly, on areview of the assembled troops, with SgtBrown as right marker. To my surprise,the general stopped and said, ‘Hello SgtBrown’. Apparently they had servedtogether in the British army. It certainlyrelaxed the situation.

2 Troop in the jungle – a radio messagethat Spr Clem Finlay has put a macheteinto his knee, and was being flown backto Terendak by helicopter with an

L to R Front row: Bobby Thornton, – , Norma Stevens, Jan Leach, Jean SlesserSecond row: Vicky Chave, Mary Reece, Margaret Strokes, JudyCrosby, –Rear: Sgt Peter Edge(Jan Leach won the 1994 Ladies Small Bore

escort. John Stevens and I met them, to be told by a furiouspilot that the escort (Spr Greenslade) firmly believed that ifyou could catch a snake, you should take it back to show adoctor – what the rules actually said was that if you wereBITTEN by a snake, you should try to catch it foridentification. Shortly after the helicopter had taken off,another sapper opened a sand bag and enquired of the pilotwhether he had ever seen one of these – it was a pit viper!Later in the evening I enquired what had happened to thesnake, and was told that Spr Osman, who lived in Malacca,had taken it home strapped to the pillion of his motorcycle.The next morning he brought it back in a jar – pickled.

I have in front of me a copy of the Bukit Bulletin, and also acopy of the programme of the Grand Fete (held while 2Troop was in Borneo) that was known to most as the fateworse than death. It was held up on the playing fields nearthe 2 Troop social club. (Incidentally, we have goodmemories of the club, and have a Qantas tie pin presented toall the ladies by 2 Troop, to prove it.)

I am now looking at the photograph of the Alice SpringsReunion. I see a few changes, but oddly can still recognise afew faces.

It was great chaps - thanks for the memories.

Tom Thornton – SSM 11 Indep Field Sqn RE 1964-66

In many ways I am sure that I had the best deal when I joined11 Indep Field Sqn as the SSM. I was posted in on a three-year tour and this was where my ‘best deal’ commenced – Icaught the back end of the ‘Janvrin first troop 1961-63’ thenthe whole of the ‘Crosby troop 1963-65’ and finished off withthe relieving ‘Janvrin second troop 1965-67’.

The most relevant leveller in my time was when theAustralian and New Zealand Governments decided to allowtheir resident infantry battalions to serve outside Malaysianmainland. Prior to this decision, British troops had fulfilledall the commitments. 2 Field Troop RAE was in support ofthe Australian Infantry Battalion when the Brigade orBattalion Group deployed. Not that the 1963-65 Troop hada great deal of time to familiarise themselves in their supportduties, because we all marched away to Thailand on theSquadron’s first ‘works’ task of 1964.

On second sight the timing was perfect: on first sight it didnot make for a happy New Year. But, small things pushed toone side, the rainy season ended about four hours before ouraircraft touched down at RAAF Ubon. Someone workedthat one out correctly. It ‘almost’ seemed as if the military

Part of the ‘Grand Fete and MilitaryDisplay’ on 3 July 1965 at 11 Indep Field

Sqn playing fields held to raise funds forthe Army Benevolent Funds of the threeCommonwealth countries in 28 Brigade.

Maj Gordon Chave crossing abamboo bridge near Bau when

visiting 2 Troop.

Squadron SSM, WO2 Tom Thornton.



were not involved in our reception, but the civiliancontractor bus drivers had been well briefed. Besideourselves, our kit, our rations and other sundry items were allloaded. We put our faith in the leading driver and took offon the bumpy, dusty laterite road to ?, at that time we did notknow where. Our eyes and minds were soon to be opened, forOperation Crown was about to commence and Ban KokTalat was about to grow up and blossom out.

The first sight of our new home for the next four monthslooked suspiciously like a dried-out paddy field, but ourdrivers turned off the main road with all confidence andthere we were: soldiers, kit, rations, sundries and buses.Minutes later all the buses had gone, as had the daylight, andwe were stranded right there – IN IT. It was a case of INIT,INIT dark, INIT dusty, INIT hard to find a torch, INIT hardto find a toilet, etc, etc.

The next morning we set about militarising the paddy fields. This was achieved with anitem of British Army Equipment from another era – the IPEP, Indian PatternEquipment Personnel – a six-man tent no less. These were something of a puzzle for theuninitiated but, having lived for three years in them in Egypt, I was able to offer someadvice and a few hints and we set about constructing our canvas city, which was tohouse 730 all ranks with an Officers Mess, Sgts Mess, Dining Room, NAAFI, FieldKitchen, MI Room, Offices and Stores Compound.

Strange how the deployment worked out. 3 Troop was based at Korat and hosted by aUS Army Base camp. They were responsible for 200 miles of road and bridges north ofKorat carrying the largest and heaviest loads, Scammel prime movers, low loaders andSize 8 bulldozers, for instance. 1 Troop found their lodgings at RAAF Ubon and lookedafter 200 miles south of Ubon and 50 miles to the north. They unloaded all items fromthe railhead terminus and moved it north to Ban Kok Talat. 2 Field Troop lived in thetented camp and made a start on a permanent hutted camp nearby. Their other dutieswere to look after Squadron Headquarters and Park Troop.

Every flight into Ubon brought in more and more personnel who set up and mannedHQ CRE Troops and we also had the company of 59 (Antrim) Field Sqn RoyalEngineers and, best of all, the mobile Bath Unit of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

There was no natural source of water in Ban Kok Talat or the next village orsurrounding area. 50 miles away was a lake and very quickly a water point was set upand manned by a small detachment. 400-gallon galvanised tanks were secured onflatbed Bedfords and they worked hard to keep up our water levels in the canvas city.Not much could be spared for the showers at the bath unit. The system was simple –whistle blew, water came on, minimal time to soap up and wash off, whistle blew, wateroff. If you were slow, tough luck, you got dry skin, unless you learnt to hurry yourself up.The short walk back to the tent lines, through the paddy field, did not enhance yourcomplexion a great deal either.

The soldier’s life took on better shape when the beer bar opened. Some time later whenwe were a little more settled in, the beer bar took on a role of more importance and Itook it upon myself to build a boxing ring adjacent to the NAAFI tent where exponents

Tent lines at Op Crown as organisedby SSM Tom Thornton

DESTINATION: MALAYA

of the fine art were allowed to enter the ring and do their best or their worst, whicheverway you looked at it, without let or hindrance. No fisticuffs were allowed in the NAAFItent, much to the relief of the manager.

With all the required stores and equipment on site, 1 and 3 Troops joined us in TentedCity and Operation Crown began to show signs that the main objectives wereprogressing. Early shifts and late shifts were introduced to achieve as much as possiblebefore the wet season was upon us again. It could be said that it was extremely hot, sothat the fellas from Tassie must have suffered a bit. It was much different at nightthough as the temperature did drop to a relative cold.

During this period, 2 Field Troop came into its own with its overall high standards oftrade skills and the experience of construction squadron work. By the time we cameback to Terendak there was a blacktop airfield runway and most of the hutted campcomplete.

Not everyone liked Operation Crown – like the Brit wife who hid her husband’spassport – but, surprisingly, even some of the soldiers were not overly enthusiastic on iteither. I used to think of my three and a half years in the Middle East and count myblessings. That reminds me of the time I overheard three of my fellas moaning about ourconditions early on after our arrival. One of their comments was ‘I did not join theArmy to live in a b… tent. I got hold of the three of them and made them move out ofthat luxurious tent and suffer the discomfort of living in a paddy field. Three days andnights were enough for them to realise that perhaps there might be some smalladvantages in a canvas cover – as I said: ‘Count your blessings’.

Those four months set a pattern for the Squadron that turned out to be competitive,and the strong rivalry that thrived there did much for the wellbeing and the goodhumour of all.

To me there was little or no difference in the troop personnel, except probably thevarious accents amongst the Brits. Each Troop would have their joker (verbal), joker(practical), the mickey-takers (and those who bore the brunt of their cruel humour),the quiet ones, the talkers, the action men, the moaners, the scruffs, the smart ones and,of course, the sportsmen. Within all these personalities was the strength of the troop,woven together to make one material which could be as soft as silk or as hard asarmoured plate, just depending on the daily requirement.

It was a good thing for the squadron to return one year later and to participate in thecompletion of the concrete runway and also be part of the Guard of Honour for theofficial handover to the Thai Services.

Incidentally, do you remember the Thai Army Band that played at that ceremony? Theygot through two choruses of the National Anthem before I realised what they wereplaying – not their National Anthem but OURS.

Service with 11 Indep Field Sqn, Royal Engineers was one of the best tours of my 371/2

years service and that can only be attributed to the people I served with. With thatthought in mind, I will take this opportunity to say ‘Thank you one and all’.


C h a p t e r E i g h t

Reminiscences

Bill Jones

A Vehicle Mechanic’s Story

The life of the troop vehicle mechanic is not the most magical or exciting task withina field troop. FEs have fun with big bangs, etc while I was left to ponder, with ourdrivers, the best way to keep our equipment ship-shape and stay out of trouble. Thetroop transport consisted of the following: 5 x Land Rovers 1/4 ton, each with 1/2 tontrailer – one with winch, and one as FFR (fitted for radio): the boss’s vehicle. Then thesuper transport vehicles: 2 x Bedford 3 ton GS trucks, 1 x Commer tipper of dubiousage and ability, and 1 x 100 gallon water trailer. All this to be maintained by a vehiclemechanic and the unit drivers – a piece of cake, thought he.

For what I think was one of the funniest times in my longand sometimes inglorious career, the story starts and ends inThailand, Ban Kok Talat. What a wonderful place, BingCrosby had allowed me to slink away from the vehicles for awhile and work with the troop. We were constructing theRomney huts down by the strip. It was not much fun, but wasbetter than lying under a truck, in two feet of bulldust, tryingto keep outdated tippers going.

We had by this time formed a little group, led by theinimitable Cpl Peter Stokes, called the Animals Club. Wehad two aims in life: make things as unpleasant as possible forthe Pommy RSM, and ensure we had sufficient COLD beerto see us through each night. In order to ensure the beer wascold we had a plan. Boy, did we have a plan. To the front ofthe Sergeants mess was a stockpile of ice, cleverly hiddenunder a heap of sawdust. At about lights out, two of us would take our galvanizeddustbin, purloined from the Q store, place a block of ice in the bin and merrily returnto our tent. We would then cover the bin in bagging and leave it for the next day.Whoever knocked off first was responsible to get the bin to the canteen, buy a cartonof Tiger cans and place them in the bin so that the beer was crispy cold when the restof the gang knocked off. Worked like a charm! We would then add to the bin asrequired all night.

A smiling Spr Bill Jones on theMaxwell Brander.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Now for the good bit. One particular day I was dragged off the Romneys to fix a tipperthat had thrown a prop shaft. It was a particularly difficult task because the job had tobe done in situ, off the side of the main road. I digress. I finished quite early, about 1500and decided to get an early start with the beer task. Either Blue Canning, or JimKimberly had obtained a carton of West Aussie beer from the RAAF and half of it wasin the ice bin. I elicited the aid of one of the Pommies from the soils lab – he owed us– and we positioned the bin with ice and beer in the NAAFI tent. Being a good soldier,I decided to guard the bin in case someone decided to take advantage of ourforethought. Of course, guarding it also required sampling it. I can still taste it, bloodyterrible! So I only had a few. In due course, the NAAFI opened and I filled our bin withthe much more flavoursome Tiger.

On especially hot nights (weren’t they all) we would build a can pyramid on our FStable and try to reach the roof of the tent. On an especially hot night, having beenjoined by about half the troop, we were going great guns to hit the roof with the canswhen Moose Sutton decided it was time for a Beatles hit on his wind-up record player.Moose, ever playful, called out ‘Stand fast for the British National Anthem’ andproceeded to play ‘She Loves Me’. To say ‘the proverbial hit the fan’ would be an

understatement. Beer cans flew at us from everywhere, ourbeloved pyramid was knocked down, and a couple of groupsdecided fisticuffs was the answer. The Duty Officer arrivedand attempted to quell the uprising, and indeed called outthe guard. I explained that if he didn’t depart I would showhim what he could do with his piddling little SMG. He washorrified and, in the best traditions of the RE, he placed meunder close arrest and had me escorted to the guardroom –another tent, no walls, locked up?

The disturbance apparently continued, and some poorPommy ended in one of the horrific pits into which we threwour leftover meal scraps. The Duty Officer then decided thatthe matter required his attention again, so he handcuffed me

to a stretcher and left post-haste to quell the ‘colonial melee’ at the NAAFI – his words,not mine.

Authors’ note: Bill fails to mention that he rejoined the ‘colonials’ in the NAAFIlater that night for a few more Tigers, still under close arrest and still firmlyhandcuffed to the stretcher which was now neatly folded under his arm.

Graeme Leach

Bees

A round of golf with your mates. What else could you ask for?

The first hole at Terendak was a short par 3 away from the club house and over thecreek. I have no implanted memories of our start or finish on this hole. However the2nd hole, a par 4, will remain with me forever.

We had all approached on or near the green and I walked on to remove the flag for ourputting. All hell broke loose. I had not noticed that a swarm of jungle bees had adoptedthe flagstick and, once I was near enough, they attacked me all over the face, head,neck, and other exposed parts.

“It was not muchfun, but was betterthan lying under atruck, in two feet

of bulldust.”


Flapping and flaying at them increased their effort. Over the edge of the green and ashort distance downhill was the small creek that ran through the golf course. Thatbecame my target and I hit it flat out with a belly-flop dive. Still not good enough. Thewater was not deep so I had to roll around like a crocodile in a frenzy trying to rid myselfof the bees. The waterhole was like one of those buffalo wallows, but to me it was mysaviour.

I have no recollection of how much time this took to remove the swarm but eventuallyit was strongly recommended by my playing mates that I return to the clubhouse andthen make my way to the hospital for some attention.

Of course, this is what I did and, of course, my mates continued to complete their roundof golf. What else would golfers do?!

I somehow found the clubhouse and rode my 50 cc step-through Honda bike, trying tosee through slits that used to be my eyes, and made my way along the bitumen to thehospital. My next recollection was being dragged out of a shower cubicle where I hadcollapsed. The British had a policy of patients being free of buffalo dung prior tomedication. I do remember being told that the sister had taken 158 bee stings just outof my back and then stopped counting as she pulled them outof my face and arms.

Naturally, my playing mates visited me in the wonderfulhospital to tell me their scores. To this day when questionedabout being allergic to anything, my stock answer is ‘Bee-Stings’.

Alan Pullen

Tasmania to Sarawak

‘Bloody Hell! You’ve got it made, young Pullen – Corpsenlisted to Engineers, AND a posting straight to Malaysia!’ –comment from my Sgt Instructor, Percy Lyall RAE, duringmy basic training at Kapooka. From 1 Recruit TrainingBattalion to 17 Const Sqn at Randwick in October 1964, then late March 1965 toEastern Command Personnel Depot to process for embarkation to Malaysia with thethen Spr Tassie Holloway, who later became the much-admired (and curiously-watched) bomb disposal ‘expert’ at SME.

Early April, 1965: on board the international civvy Qantas flight to Singapore, byMalaysian Airlines to Malacca, then to Terendak Garrison. OOPS! ‘2 Field Troop RAEisn’t here – it’s in Borneo.’ ‘We’ll send you back to Singapore, to Changi, to acclimatisefor two weeks, then you can join the Troop.’ Tassie and I investigated all of theSingapore tourist attractions, i.e. one pub after the other. Two weeks of ‘re-hydration’ –it was the least we could do to prepare us to ‘do our duty’ in Borneo.

28 April 1965: We boarded the RAF Hastings aircraft at Changi, then were on theground in Kuching. Met by gun-toting ‘Waries’, Peter ‘PJ’ Matthews and partner-in-crime, ‘Flash’ Farrell, who proceeded to ‘brief’ Tassie and me on the ‘DS’ required –vehicle ambush drill. Very impressed were we!? We – in our ‘polys’, no weapons, sittingin the back of a stripped-down Land Rover – scared stiff of what we were headed for.Flash and Pete continued to ‘brief’ us on the more ‘deadly’ side of this War in Sarawak.

The British had a policy ofpatients beingfree of buffalodung prior tomedication

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Arrived at Cambrai Camp Bau. Welcomed by Troop Commander, Capt Alan Hodges,and Troop S/Sgt Bing Crosby. Allocated our ‘tentage’, accommodation for the next fourmonths, sharing with Dave Wicks and Nipper Simpson.

‘What’s your ECN?’ ‘Electrical Mechanic, Staff.’ ‘Good, you’ll be driving a dump truck!’‘But – I haven’t got my military licence.’ ‘That’s OK, most of the other “drivers” haven’tgot theirs either. Just don’t drive them over 30 miles per hour, or the bloody thing willbounce itself off the roadway!’

‘Welcome to the Troop.’ So began my RAE, and life-shaping, military service.

I had been in the Army less than 12 months. I was in a Theatre of War. I had not beento SME for FE training, in fact I was never to undertake this supposedly essential coursefor all RAE personnel. (Some years later, as a new sergeant. I did manage to be postedto FE Wing to instruct on two FE Courses.) Further, I had arrived in a Theatre of Warwithout having gone through the dreaded Jungle Training Centre at Canungra,Queensland, again considered ‘essential’ training to prepare soldiers for war. The‘system’ did, however, finally, manage to get me through Canungra before I joined

1 Field Sqn, RAE in South Vietnam in 1968.

The memories of that time that remain etched on mypersonality all revolve around the individuals and theirunique characteristics that made the long, hot days justbearable:

I can never forget Nipper Simpson and his nightly battleswith malaria and how Dave Wicks genuinely cared forhim during these spells. I learnt what ‘mates’ meant.

Tassie Holloway and his ‘dossing’ down in the first bedhe reached as he staggered, (worn out from his dailyventures!?) into the tent – it was usually mine. Howcould you get angry with big, loveable Tassie?

The children who followed the road, always there for ahandout, and with a permanent smile.

The smell of the Gurkhas’ cooking pots and whatever it was inside them.

The rice wine at Serasot. Whew! High octane plus.

Listening to the fight between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston for the WorldHeavyweight Boxing Championship on Radio Australia, in the middle of theAirstrip at Bau, in May.

Trying to keep that dump truck on the road. And trying to find a comfortable wayto sit on it – it was worse than riding a buckjumper.

How beautiful the country and its people were, if you took the time to appreciatethem.

The flight by Wessex helicopter from Bau out to HMS Albion miles out into theSouth China Sea.

The Troop’s ‘beach landing’ at Terendak, just below the Officers Mess, with itsattendant wives as humoured spectators. Whoever thought up this tactical exercise?

“I had been in the Army less than12 months. I was

in a Theatre ofWar. I had not

been to SME forFE training...”


The basketball games, played in heat and humidity only a Brit would go out in.How bloody good we were, considering we were a hodgepodge of just 50 AustralianSappers.

‘A cuppa char and a NAAFI buun!’

The experience that was the Sydney Bar – complete with the Kiwis who youregretted ever responding too. Their ‘Eh, you want a drink boy!’ a statement, nota request – the signal for alcoholic self-destruction.

Thank God for those gigantic storm-water drains alongside the road back to camp that,once fallen into, guided the most disadvantaged legs back to the main gate of Terendak.Then, you only had to convince those Scots Guards you were an Australian Sapper andnot a CT, or worse, a Brit.

I remained with the troop until it returned to Australia in October 1965 and, as I hadnot yet completed my two-year posting, I stayed in Malaysia with the replacementtroop, until selected for Officer Training at the Officer Cadet School, Portsea,commencing there early in January 1966.

Mick Sutton

My Uncle and Me

On our deployment to Sarawak the departure of the MaxwellBrander from Singapore harbour was delayed by the latereturn of several sappers. Here are the facts.

Well, where do I start? There were three sappers doing a bitof a bar crawl and we met a few sailors who were in port. Iasked one if he knew a Chief Petty Officer by the name ofCurly Sutton. He said he did and arranged for me totelephone the ship and speak to Curly, who is my uncle. Ihadn’t seen him in about five years, him sailing the seven seas and all, so he came inon the next boat. Ian Tibbles, Frank Sexton and I waited till he got into town, all shookhands, then headed off to a bar for some light refreshment. Before one could say‘whoops-a-daisy’, we were late back to the Maxwell Brander and to the loving arms ofour favourite Corporal, Snow Wilson, who later informed me that I would be put on acharge for holding up the departure of the said ship.

Well I didn’t worry. I had a very good excuse, so up we three musketeers went to facethe table. First was Tibbles and Capt Hodges liked the story; next up went Frank andagain Capt Hodges liked hearing the story a second time – no fine or charges for eitherof these two fine young sappers; and then it was ‘March in the guilty party – havingheard the two stories I find you guilty as charged to the tune of three weeks loss of pay.’It was MY uncle, not Tibbles’ or Sexton’s, and I paid the price.

But it didn’t worry me and, to this day, I can still see my Uncle Jim waving his whitehandkerchief while standing on the wharf, as the Maxwell Brander steamed out to seawith Captain Bligh and his faithful corporal by his side.

“I find you guilty as chargedto the tune ofthree weeks lossof pay...”

DESTINATION: MALAYA

John Tomczak

My Tour In North Borneo

During the first part of the tour of duty with 2 Field Troop RAE in Bau I was assignedto 3 RAR at their forward bases near the Indonesian border.

My role was to provide adequate showering facilities for the personnel based there. Thetwo forward bases I went to were Serikin and Bukit Knuckle. Serikin was the first and Iwas there for approximately three to four weeks. This was by far the better base as it wason level ground and had a clear field of fire up to approx 200 yards. Some of theaccommodation that we lived in was dug into the ground with some very basic timbershoring and lined with corrugated iron, which was then covered with filled sandbags.

It didn’t rain very much during my stay, which was a blessing, as the living conditionswere very musty and damp. On the underside of the corrugated iron there was a seriesof poncho liners to catch the loose dirt falling upon one’s luxury five-star dwelling. Notthat this did much good for, when the Brit 105 mm artillery started to do its nightlyharassing fire from the base, you had to evacuate the bunker because the cordite fumeswould just flow right in and create difficulty in breathing, plus the vibration would

compound the falling debris.

The task I was sent out to do wasn’t anoverly big job, but getting the suppliesout to me was slow, as they had to bepurchased in Kuching then flown intomy location. One lot of galvanised waterpipe was actually delivered to the end ofthe existing road by truck, then carriedin 11 or 12 miles over jungle tracks byDyak porters. I used a very basic buteffective layout. I built an additionalwater tower for a secondary storage tank,with provision to store a couple of 44-gallon drums of diesel fuel on a lowerplatform for fuel to heat up the primary

water storage boiler. I then ran additional pipes and taps to link up with the existingcold-shower plumbing. There were approximately 20 showers connected to the systemand, with an effective heating system, there was more than enough hot water for thecompany of 3 RAR and its supporting elements.

I constructed a similar but smaller system at Bukit Knuckle, as this position had a vastlydifferent layout from that of Serikin. This countryside was very hilly and inhospitable.The entire base was built into both sides of a razorback ridge; the helipad was locatedon top of the ridge, and the accommodation bunkers were dug into both sidesdescending down to the general administration and messing area. The bunkeraccommodation was less than homely as it was continually damp and smelly, with theonly light entering into the bunker coming from a small window that was used for ourfield of fire at ‘stand-to’ and when we did our nightly guard duty. So with those types ofliving conditions, people generally spent most of their time in the messing area which

A Belvedere helicopter above a forward base at Bau where SprJohn Tomczak was working.


doubled up as a recreation area. I don’t recall staying at Bukit Knuckle for more thaneight or nine days.

I was a lot more involved in other tasks at Serikin, such as minor base-restoration andreconstruction. I did one night-clearing patrol, and nightly sentry duty, made upashtrays out of 105 shell casings for those who wanted them, and assisted with gatheringup parachute resupply drops that came once or twice a week. (The parachutes made upinto great pyjamas.) I found that the 3 RAR guys were very friendly and easy to getalong with, and there was a good feeling at both forward bases.

Snow Wilson

First Bush Trip

Our shakedown exercise was a bit of a disaster; we headed out of Terendak Camp to oneof the training areas on a map-reading exercise and to get used to operating in thejungle. Great! We had our Brit 44-pattern webbing, our new, green jungle-boots andpersonal weapons with five rounds of ammunition each. The trucks dropped us off, andwe set off in patrol formation into the jungle. We kept moving steadily, deeper, andabout 1600 hours we stopped in our harbour position. Everyone got himself organisedwith hutchies and mozzie nets erected, then cooked ourmeal, or rather warmed it up. Before final darkness fell wehad an ‘O’ group where we got our instructions for the nextday. Then, as it was not a tactical exercise, we turned in forthe night.

I was camped with Jock Benson and we chatted on likeeveryone else until I felt something crawling around on mylower left leg. I asked Jock to find the torch, as by now I washolding the culprit through my trousers. Jock asked, ‘Whatdo you need the torch for?’, so I told him I thought I had aleech on my leg. Poor Jock went into a flap. He came fromGlasgow and was not used to the things in the bush. Well,we overcame that problem and settled down again on our inner-sprung dirt. Within halfan hour we heard away in the distance a tiger growling. Poor Jock – that was the endof his sleeping for the night.

Nee Soon

I went to Nee Soon Barracks in Singapore for a six-week Malay language course and got‘E’ for effort. On our course we had blokes from a variety of units and amongst themwere some members of the British SAS. Because of the security situation in Singapore,we were confined to camp for part of our course. One Saturday night we had been inthe NAAFI for a while and were quite cheerful by the time they closed the bar. As wewere leaving, one of the SAS blokes decided he would like to take the picture of theQueen, which was hanging on the wall. What he thought was a good idea, members ofthe Anti-Aircraft Artillery unit took exception to. As I went past him, he handed methe picture while he sorted out the AA blokes. Not a good idea, as I am ratherrecognisable. Also I didn’t know that the Duty Sgt was a Gurkha, and they don’t havemuch of a sense humour when on duty. I went to the barracks, gave the bloke hispicture, and then went to bed. Well, it was not long before the Duty Sgt was giving mewhat-for about the photo of his beloved Queen. Of course, I forgot where it was and it

“...we heardaway in thedistance a tigergrowling...”

DESTINATION: MALAYA

was only when I was halfway across the parade ground heading rapidly for theguardroom that my memory suddenly returned. We went back to the barracks, thepicture was returned, and so did peace.

Our Hoppy RSM

Operation Crown has hundreds of funny stories. One was when I fell foul of Hoppy,CRE Crown RSM. Like a lot of RSMs he didn’t always see things the same way as adigger does. The temperature had been hovering around the 100-1090F and my face andneck were burnt enough to fry eggs. So, I saw the Boss, Capt VG, and asked if I couldwear my slouch hat. It was no problem as far as the Troop Commander was concerned.

Sunburn in the Army was considered as a self-inflicted wound and you could be chargedfor it. Things went well for a few days as Hoppy hadn’t seen me. Well, when he did, hegave me a bit of advice as only RSMs can, and told me to ‘Get that thing off your head,and get your bush hat on. NOW!’ Trying to explain was getting me nowhere, so off tothe Boss again, then down to the MO for a chit. The Doctor gave me a chit to allow meto wear my slouch hat without question. I kept it under the headband of my hat, which

saved so many more embarrassing situations with othersenior members of Operation Crown.

I might add that I didn’t have problems from anyone in 11 Indep Field Sqn.

Fire

At about 0400 hours Dodo Dodd rushed into my tent andwoke me up with, ‘Snow, there is a tent on fire!’ I jumped outfrom under my mozzie net, put on my thongs and racedoutside, grabbed the fire bucket in one hand and the stirruppump in the other and ran down to where Moose Sutton,Frank Sexton, Stan Limb and Geordie Sinclair’s tent was onthe ground with just a few smoking remains left. Luckily, noone was hurt but most of their gear was lost. Well, all thatwas above ground was. Over the other side of the tent to me

were Geordie and the RSM, who was fairly giving Geordie a dressing down for not beingproperly dressed. I was lucky someone handed me a towel and I quickly went back tomy tent to get dressed.

Canteen Cowboy

Canteen Cowboy is the term we used for the Duty NCO in the NAAFI. I was on dutyone night and it must have been an off-pay week as it was rather quiet. A few of 2 Troopwere there, playing darts and spending their last dollars on the cheap beer. In the Britside it was pretty much the same. The NAAFI wasn’t segregated but it had two bars.The Brits tended to drink in one and, in the other, the larger of the two, the Aussiesdrank.

I was watching the dart game when suddenly a shot rang out. I jumped up and racedthrough the Brit side to find one of the guards outside, with his Sterling SMG, in quitea state. I took the weapon from him and he was taken to the guardroom for furtherinvestigation.

“...one of theBrits had justbeen reaching

for his beer onthe bar when

he was shot inthe forearm


It turned out that the guard had forgotten two basic things about the Stirling: the first,it has a fixed firing pin; and second, if you let the working parts forward with a loadedmagazine, it will take a live round into the chamber and fire that round. And that iswhat happened.

In the meantime there was a lot of noise coming from the Brit side of the NAAFI.When I got back inside I found that one of the Brits had just been reaching for his beeron the bar when he was shot in the forearm. The bullet had travelled a distance ofabout 10 yards, through a timber window frame a couple of inches thick, but hadn’tgone right through the bloke’s arm. Which was very lucky for our blokes as thedartboard was in a direct line of the shot. The bloke who was shot was taken up to thehospital in the car of one of his mates as the duty vehicle was out on another job. Theinjured soldier returned to the unit some days later.

My personal weapon was a Stirling, so the next morning I was down at the Q storestraight after parade and changed the 9 mm Stirling for a 7.62 mm FN 30, somethingwith a bit of hitting power.

Back from Sarawak and on Leave

After our return on the HMS Albionfrom Sarawak we cleaned up ourequipment and got any replacements weneeded, then went on leave. Three of usdecided to go up to Penang for a fewdays. Dave Wicks and Murray Averyorganised a hire car from some dodgybloke who hired them without thecorrect paperwork, insurance, etc. I’mnot too sure it even had currentregistration.

They got the car and the next morningwe set off on the trip – first stop, theSydney Bar for breakfast. When I wasclimbing out of the back seat, holdingonto the centre post, Dave slammed his front door. What a good start, four bruisedfingernails and two unsympathetic Sappers laughing their heads off.

After breakfast we headed north to new sights, sounds and smells. We stopped once tolook at a local circus, to find a polar bear in a cage on a trailer with a large block of icein with it. We passed the Batu Caves and their interiors set up as temples. We stoppedto take photos of very large tin dredges floating on their own lakes as they ate their waythrough the countryside and, at last, came to the beautiful city of Ipoh where we stayedovernight.

The next day we toured around Ipoh. In the afternoon we went to the races where wefound out that to win you needed to back the horses with the Aussie jockeys on them,and then you needed to know whose turn it was to win. Well that’s how it seemed tous.

Then on to Penang Island, where we crossed by one of the large ferries, stayed for acouple of days, travelling on the Peak Railway and did other touristy things. On the

Spr Murray Avery and Cpl Simon Wilson with a dodgy hirecar outside the Sydney Bar at the Terendak Garrison entrance.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

morning we were leaving, Murray was driving and as we were going into a car park, agroup of attractive young ladies were crossing the street. Having good eyesight, we wereall (including the driver) admiring the scenery. I was sitting in the backseat. SuddenlyI looked in front and yelled, ‘LOOK OUT!’ Too late – we hit one of the metal lamppostsfair and square in the middle. Luckily, we didn’t cause too much damage to the car, andnone to the lamp-post, but the girls were in hysterics. We managed to straighten out thefront so we could drive without causing any more damage, and we eventually got on ourway.

We got back to Terendak in time for me to mount guard duty. After taking the pee outof me during the whole trip, the other two had to take the car back. Their reception wasrather cool, but their legs were fast. I think that was the last they heard about thematter.

Anonymous

Crossing the Mekong

My name is – well, it really is of little concern what my name is at this time, suffice tosay I am writing these few lines to put right a longstandingmisconception of a series of events that happened many yearsago. I was very close to the people involved and to the bestof my knowledge this is the only factual account everrecorded of the often discussed ‘Crossing of the Mekong’.

As the sun came up on that Sunday morning, it shone downfiercely upon a group of young Australian Army Engineers asthey left a makeshift Chapel. In the absence of a Padre in thearea, each took his turn on Sunday mornings to present ashort service by reading selected passages from the goodbook.

Nothing particularly unusual about this scene, other thanthe fact that it was occurring in a rice paddy in a remote part of Northeast Thailand.The actual date is a bit fuzzy; however, it was in the first quarter of 1964. The lads inthe group of five shall remain nameless; one a lanky Queenslander in the mould ofChips Rafferty, one a red-headed dynamo from Western Australia, a shy and introvertedlad from New South Wales and two steady types from Tasmania.

Something set this group aside from the other troops that day – they had all volunteeredto work on their day off. They had done this despite the fact that, like all of the sappersat Operation ‘Crownseal’, they were working six days a week from daylight to dark interrible conditions: searing heat during the day, and freezing cold at night. These are thetypes of soldiers you will come to respect, as you become more familiar with theirexploits.

A few days before, they had approached their Staff Sergeant (The Crooner) andoutlined a plan to drive north from the camp a hundred kilometres or so and seek outand record potential sites for quarries, water and level, well-drained light aircraft strips,etc. It seemed logical to them that their work-free days should be used in a constructiveway, seeking out and placing on record such strategic knowledge to facilitate futureoperations should the need for them arise. There was never a thought given to their

“There was never athought given totheir own health

and wellbeing...”


own health and wellbeing, nor to the rest they ought to be having on their limited daysaway from the workface.

The Crooner, upon hearing their plan, sought approval from the Troop OC, who agreedto authorise the use of a suitable vehicle and wished the group well in their endeavours.He, like his Senior NCO, never ceased to be impressed by the work ethic of theAustralian Sapper when the situation warranted it. It may be worth mentioning thatthe Captain to this day recalls an inner sinking feeling he experienced as he watchedthe vehicle depart the Camp confines.

The group drove north at a steady rate, oblivious to the severe heat and choking dustalong the way, sighting several areas of potential value in relation to road base, waterand other sought-after materials. They had decided to photograph and record thesesights during their return trip.

Tired and dirty from the long road trip, they were pleased to reach a village ofreasonable size that appeared to have one or two rural Thai-style eating-houses: a fewchairs and tables, an owner/cook and one or two staff to service the patrons. The ladsentered the first one they came across and proceeded to order Earl Greys all around,followed by bowls of red rice and vegies. They were soon settled into their lunch andenjoying the sweeping vista of the magnificent Mekong River. As you might imagine,the presence of the Australians caused a little stir among the locals, as the Aussies werepossibly the first they had seen in the flesh. The owner seemed particularly surprisedthat the group had chosen to drink tea instead of the cold beer and spirits he hadquickly placed on the counter upon their arrival. This, however, was the nature of thisgroup: the work must come first and any thought of a cold beer or two would have towait until they were safely back at base and, even then, not until the de-briefings werecompleted.

So there they were, knocking back the Earl Greys when one of them sighted, throughbinoculars, a large foreign flag flying on top of a substantial building on the other sideof the river, directly opposite their position. It was jointly decided that the flag inquestion would look good in one of the messes at Casula. That’s all it takes withSappers, the decision was unanimous, the flag ‘had to be got’.

By this time, the Earl Grey was starting to kick in and it was agreed that they borrow apowered longboat, slip across to the other side and bring the flag back. A few problemsexisted, of course, not the least of which was the fact that the country across the riverwas led by a communist regime, and there was a fair chance that any governmentofficials present in the building flying the flag would not take kindly to an unsolicitedvisit by a group of foreigners. You could add to that the fact that the Mekong aroundthis area was almost a mile wide. These minor problems aside, the lads were well awarethat each of them was highly skilled in watermanship and, as a group, well-honed in thefiner arts of public relations, in particular those required while serving overseas.

Arriving at the river’s edge, the group had soon arranged for a local to lend the grouphis motorised longboat. He was seemingly quite pleased with the idea and evendeclined the offer of money to offset the cost of fuel, etc. He became so excited aboutthe fact that his boat had been selected from many lying around that, as the groupheaded offshore, he appeared to be jumping up and down and waving his arms about,obviously overcome by the situation he found himself in.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

With the throttle wide open, it didn’t take long to navigate the sandbars and severalother craft on the river, and they soon found themselves backing off a little to approachthe shoreline. It would appear the cups of tea had affected some more than others, anda couple expressed the need to ease themselves as soon as they were ashore. They hadno sooner commenced this function when a large group of locals arrived on the sceneto observe these strange-looking people from parts unknown and their weird greetingritual of standing with their headwear positioned over their crotch.

It was at this time that a number of uniformed men carrying firearms were sightedleaving the building with the flag flying above and heading at a canter towards theunscheduled boat arrival. The decision was instantaneous, ‘To hell with the flag; let’sget out of here’, or words to that effect. With that, the vessel, again complete with itscrew, was pointed back towards friendly shores and the motor given its head. The (untilnow) reliable old craft fairly screamed away from the riverbank and the now-presentreception committee but, alas, not for long. In midstream, the motor coughed andspluttered a few times and then stopped. It was literally dead in the water.

Hours of training on the wet gap went out the window as all aboard decided to assist inthe attempt to restart the failed engine; this had the immediate effect of transferring all

of the onboard weight to the blunt end, already strugglingwith the weight of the motor and the operator. The bemusedlocals on both sides of the river were, within a few seconds,witnessing the no-doubt amusing spectacle of the boat goingend-up and, together with its highly-trained crew, disappearquickly beneath the surface, stern-first! It was, however,pleasing to note that even in these trying circumstancessome of the crew’s training prevailed and, as the last few feetof the boat disappeared, the cry was heard, ‘Lay in your oars’,followed closely by a gurgling sound.

It soon became evident to the now-swimmers that the boatand motor were not coming back up and another decision

was quickly reached. As JFK and his crew had done, at another time and place, all fivestruck out towards the distant riverbank, some 500 yards or so through fast-flowingmuddy waters. Amazing stuff that Earl Grey, even in these circumstances there wasplenty of sparkling conversation until it was noticed that the conversation had becomea four-way one, and not five-way as it should have been. They ducked-dived as one, andthere he was on the murky bottom, our West Australian friend, no doubt checking outthe river gravel as to its suitability for concrete or road-base material. He was draggedback to the surface by his now out-of-breath mates, only to inform them that he wassick of swimming and was going back to the bottom.

As you can imagine, there was quite a bit of animated conversation going on about thistime and, after retrieving him again, they managed to convince him that any future hemight have lay on the bank ahead of them. I understand that a mental picture drawnby one of his mates of the availability of chilled Earl Grey awaiting them ashore carriedthe day, and together they pushed on towards the still-distant riverbank. Finally, theywaded ashore in anything but Macarthur fashion, but still managed to carry themselveswith some dignity towards the rousing reception from the gathered villagers.

“It would appearthe cups of tea hadaffected some more

than others...”


A couple had dispensed with their footwear in mid-stream, others hadn’t. All werepretty well spent and looking for a place to sit down, dry off a little, and perchancepartake of a few more exotic teas. Those with footwear led the way, followed by thosewithout. A couple of attempts were made to purchase thongs from the locals to no avail.Apparently, the sodden one-baht notes offered by the wretched souls with bare feetdidn’t appeal.

In the village again, they quickly located another teahouse and arranged themselvesaround a table. Much relieved, they ordered drinks and began reliving their recentordeal, oblivious to the stunned looks on the faces of the attending staff. Soon theystarted to dry out a little, and laughter began to fill the small building as the Earl Greyagain warmed their souls.

A few minutes later, all hell broke loose – Hollywood came to the village. A number ofvehicles skidded to a halt in front of the building and a dozen or so Thai police officersdebussed carrying a variety of weapons, some of which were quite nasty-lookingarrangements. They pushed through the locals gathered in the doorway and quicklysurrounded the visitors’ table. They were shouting orders of some kind at the perplexedAustralians who, now refortified in the best Aussie tradition, started returning thecompliments in kind. More Hollywood – through the doorcame a thin, pale European male who in an uncalled-forbelligerent manner declared himself to be a Major in theBritish Army, and proceeded to demand the names from allof those seated at the table. Only one name wasforthcoming, that of the ever-present Spr Bridge. The others,not at all impressed by this sudden show of bravado, invitedthe intruder to depart the immediate area and, in so doing,broke their habit of not swearing in public places.

The Senior Thai officer stepped forward at this stage and,looking totally under-whelmed by the scene taking place,barked an order to his officers. His intentions were very clearand with the clicking of safety catches ringing in their earsthe boys decided as one to go along with whatever the Senior Police Officer had inmind. On arrival at the Police Station, it would seem the Captain had decided to allowthe still-damp and tired visitors to occupy one of his rooms for a few hours in order thatthey may dry out and rest up a little. His men directed the group upstairs to where theonly room of sorts was overflowing with really bad-looking Asian males. This situationwas quickly overcome and an officer opened the door to the room and shoutedsomething at the bemused occupants who, en masse, stampeded out of the room anddown the stairs in a matter of seconds.

Inside the small room, which was constructed of a series of iron bars spaced about threeinches apart, no doubt to facilitate a good flow of air in the tropical conditions, the newoccupants examined the spartan decor. The only thing present in the room other thanthemselves was a very large earthenware jar or urn of sorts, the function of which wouldsoon become obvious to all present. The worst aspect of the room appeared to be thefact that it was no more than about five feet two inches from floor to ceiling. It wasimpossible for the Australians to stand upright, a serious design fault. In their ensuingattempts to get comfortable, the West Australian somehow managed to knock over the

“...the cry washeard, ‘Lay inyour oars’,followed closelyby a gurglingsound.”

DESTINATION: MALAYA

urn in the corner and its use became immediately apparent. The foul-smelling contentspoured forth onto the floor, the stench overpowering.

It was at this moment that old Chips, the Queenslander, decided that theaccommodation provided was not to his liking and, as the door was still ajar at thisstage, he decided to return to the eating-house down the road. He strolled from theroom to the top of the staircase – a bad move in the circumstances. The business-endof a very long rifle barrel was positioned just below his bottom lip by a policeman whogave the impression that he wasn’t being paid for his overtime. As he cocked hisweapon, the whole floor resounded with the unmistakable sound of rounds going up thespout. Watching the lanky Queenslander somehow cover the distance from the top ofthe stairwell back to his mates in a single bound (and, in so doing, almost taking out theurn-bandit who had decided to join him) cheered up his mates no end, so much so, theyburst forth with a rousing rendition of ‘Two Arms’.

Maybe it was the terrible rendition of the soldier’s hymn, orperhaps the fact that the contents of the urn had seepedthrough the floorboards and had dripped all over his desk,that convinced the Police Captain that it was time to have achat with his new tenants. In any case, the group foundthemselves standing in front of the Captain’s desk in a matterof minutes. It was at the very start of this meeting that theCaptain experienced first-hand the compassionate nature ofthese rowdy Australians. Disappointed to see the Captainhad a smoking habit, the lad from New South Wales reachedacross the desk, picked up the Captain’s cigarettes andhanded one to each member of the group. He then picked uphis Zippo and proceeded to light all of them. He tried toexplain to the somewhat bewildered Captain that, in sodoing, he was cutting down the number of cigarettesavailable for consumption, thus cutting down on his (theCaptain’s) smoking habit. Following this little discourse, theCaptain terminated the meeting and had the cigarette-puffing group shown back to their room. On this occasion,the door was closed behind them. The boys soon settled intosome more intelligent conversation and, from time to time,attempted to replace the contents of the urn. They insistedthat the West Australian sit in the opposite corner, andwatched him very closely when his turn came to use it.

Time seemed to fly by in their comfortable surroundings until, before them, theimposing sight of the tallest NCO in the troop appeared at the top of the steps. Hisdriver Sapper Black, who as always had a grin from ear to ear, closely followed him. Tryas they may however, the boys could not make out even the slightest smile on the bigfeller’s face. Things moved pretty quickly from that point onwards and the group soonfound themselves in the back of a vehicle heading towards their camp at a fair clip. Asthey proceeded down the road, the effects of too much Earl Grey still lingered and eachtook his turn to enlighten those in the front of the vehicle with the day’s happenings.Of course, these deliberations were laced with much laughter and ‘You should havebeen there!’ remarks. Someone in the rear committed a social indiscretion in a very

“It was at the very start of this

meeting that the Captain experienced

first-hand the compassionate nature of these

rowdy Australians”


audible manner followed by the usual comments: ‘A bit more choke and that wouldhave started’, ‘If that’s not out, I’m not playing’ etc.

It wasn’t long before all of this wore a little thin with the ‘Tall One’ in the front seat.He turned around with a look that conveyed the tacit message that, at that verymoment in time, they as a group were in more physical danger than they had been atany stage since leaving on their eventful trip. All five had seen the ‘Windmill’ go off inthe wet canteen the night a not-so-bright Brit had removed the Troop shield from thewall behind the bar and proceeded to stomp all over it. In the ensuing moments,’ TheWindmill’s flailing arms had, inter alia, cooled the canteen considerably. From thatpoint on, it was a pleasantly quiet trip, broken only by the odd polite request for acomfort stop.

On the vehicle’s arrival back at camp, the Sqn OC was understandably anxious to knowhow the recce group was bearing up after their experience. He had been briefed ofcourse by the British Major who had the pleasure of meeting up with the group in thefield and, because of that, had in all probability developed a slanted view of what reallyoccurred during their absence from the camp. He must have indeed been anxious for adebriefing, as the SSM himself was in attendance to ‘invite’ the boys into the arrangedmeeting as soon as possible. As the team gathered in front ofthe polished desk, one of them was heard to express theopinion that he thought it rather rude that no chairs hadbeen provided for the weary travellers. It would appear theywould have to stand throughout the proceedings.

In any case, it didn’t take long to sort out the unfortunatemisconceptions that were formed prior to their arrival, andall present reached a satisfactory conclusion to the matters athand. All perhaps with the exception of the ‘British Major’who departed the area muttering two words over and over.One of the words was ‘Colonials’, the one that preceded itwas not really nice, so much so, that common decencydictates that it not be recorded here.

The group readily agreed to pay the boatman for his loss of the boat and motor, stillpresumably on the bottom of the Mekong. All agreed that, although it had been amechanical fault that had caused the problem in the first instance, no blame could belaid at their feet and, as the owner had at the time been good enough to lend his boat,he should not be left out of pocket. They also agreed to an unusual request that theyconstruct a boxing ring in the vicinity of the wet canteen. They even agreed to performthis task outside of normal working hours – a nice gesture, given the circumstances. Thegroup believed then, and still do, that the boxing-ring concept came from the BritishSSM, a big man in every sense of the word. He was without doubt the most admiredand respected British soldier the Australians had met to date on their tour of SoutheastAsia.

The boxing edifice was soon completed, and was naturally of a high standard, giventhat there were two excellent chippies in the group, not to mention a qualified‘tinsmith’. The only lingering concern the lads had was that the SSM might have calledupon one of them to join him in the ring for a few rounds in order to test the facility.Thankfully, their fears in this respect were unfounded.

The group readilyagreed to pay theboatman for hisloss of the boatand motor,

DESTINATION: MALAYA

A few days later, the whole team returned to the village and spoke at length with thePolice Captain in relation to the events of the previous week. No Earl Grey wasconsumed prior to or during this trip, with the end result that the meeting wasextremely convivial. The Captain gratefully accepted the payment for the lost boat andmotor and mentioned in passing that he had received information to the effect that thelocal had retrieved the complete outfit the next day; however, in the interest ofreceiving some form of compensation, he had hidden it well away from the village. Hestated that, although this was dishonest, he was not inclined to pursue the matter,having regard to all of the circumstances. The lads apologised for the dripping ceilingepisode and for their unauthorised consumption of his tobacco products. He made thecomment in closing that he believed the whole incident had been the result of highspirits, something that constantly saw him in trouble as a young man. The meetingfinished with everyone on good terms. The likely lads were even tempted to invite the

Captain down to his ‘local’ for a couple of Earl Greys,however common sense prevailed – well, either that or alook from across the room.

The whole matter ended there, well almost. It would appearthat these rather unusual events had been whispered about inthe hallways of Canberra, in particular the rumour thatserving Australian soldiers had indeed set foot in acommunist country. The discussions centred on thediplomatic problems that could ensue from such anoccurrence. It was apparently decided at slightly belowexecutive level that ‘it did not happen’. Confirmation thatthe hallway discussions did in fact take place wasforthcoming after the troop returned to its base in Malaya. A visiting General while addressing the assembled troopmentioned in passing that he believed all members of the‘Mekong Sailing Club’ were present in the ranks. He wasdiscreet enough not to seek personal introductions.

Well, that’s the way it happened – at last a credible accountof what transpired on that day back in 1964. It’s a pity thatrumours grow in the absence of facts. I know of one inparticular that really hurt those involved. It was theoutrageous suggestion that they had consumed copious

amounts of Mekong whisky prior to and during their unfortunate misadventure on themighty Mekong.

Upon reflection, one might say they could be likened to a group of young children in aThai Pagoda, innocents surrounded by gilt.

Ben Trovato (nom de plume)

Trish Farrell

Men just don’t listen

Like all of you, we have many fond and humorous memories from Malaya. One we oftenrelate to our friends is the time Tony arrived home from work a little hot and botheredas usual from the bus trip from Terendak, and proceeded to the fridge. I told him there

“Upon reflection,one might saythey could be

likened to a group of young

children in aThai Pagoda,

innocentssurrounded

by gilt”


was a man in the roof. To which he responded ‘Yeah, sure’ and proceeded to sit downon his favourite chair and empty a can of Tiger in his usual fashion. He was on thesecond one when a pair of hairy legs appeared out of the manhole above him. He almostspilt his beer in adopting an aggressive stance beneath the manhole. He was relieved tofind a friendly British neighbour from across the road who had come to my assistancewhen the hot water tank in the roof had somehow overflowed and leaked down thewalls and onto the floor – something Tony had failed to notice before settling into hisarrival home ritual. He wears glasses now.

Swarming

Swarming is not a new idea. It was alive and well in the 60s. Unbeknown to Tony andme, some considerate person placed a notice on the troop noticeboard to the effect‘Open house at the Farrells’ on Saturday night. All welcome. BYO’. On the Saturdaymorning we returned from a shopping trip in Malacca to find a stack of cartons on thefront porch. Our normally calm, pleasant Ah Moi said in a very quiet yet knowingvoice, ‘Master’s friends come. I go sleep at parents’ house tonight’. (She was a motherof nine and her husband worked in Singapore).

The ‘guests’ started arriving early for the ‘big party’. As usual,the towers of empty cans were constructed andphotographed. We were eaten out of house and home by ‘thesinglies’. Soon, the cans collapsed all over the floor, leavinga considerable mess for all sleepover guests to clean up nextmorning.

Before light, a truck screeched to a halt outside the house.The driver announced, in the usual ‘voice-to-wake-the-dead’, the untimely news of an air-portability exercise. Allpresent were bundled into the truck and taken back toTerendak. Tony was informed that a vehicle would return forthe married men at 0400. Somehow he managed to gethimself up and was making more than the normal noiseassociated with getting ready for work, so reluctantly Idecided to investigate before the truck arrived and I couldget some sleep. The scene in the lounge was not to my liking at all. There was Tonyholding a large box of empty beer cans that he had picked up, no doubt in the hope ofleaving home on speaking terms. The truck arrived from the camp to another screechthat probably woke the whole neighbourhood. Another yell and knock at the door.Then the crash – the bottom of the box, now limp and sodden from the beer fromleaking beer cans, split and the contents spilled out onto his boots, uniform and all overthe lounge. One word was spoken: ‘OUT’. I closed and locked the door and went backto bed until Ah Moi and I cleaned up the mess made by the party animals. We alsofound several cartons of beer, which some guest or tenant had stashed away. As I havenever been a beer drinker and have always been generous in giving it away to friends, Idecided to get rid of the horrible stuff and have a party for the other wives who lived inthe street.

It was wonderful to see the look on the faces of the DPJFs (‘Deep Penetrating JungleFighters’) when they returned, thinking they had been very smart and there would bea ‘coldie’ at the Farrells’!

“Open house at the Farrells’ on Saturday night.All welcome.BYO”

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Picnic at Port Dixon.

Shortly after their joint purchase of a motorcar, Peter Matthews and Phil Macklin weregood enough to invite Tony and me along on a picnic. We were happy enough to go,provided my little dog Mandy could also attend.

Peter reluctantly went along with this and panicked all of the way, in the fear that thepoor little thing might not be car-trained and might wee in the back seat, which weshared as the invited guests. Almost there, no mishaps as yet; then the dog that camefrom a disadvantaged background and had never travelled in a car before was carsick.She made more noise than Peter ever could. Peter was mortified and did his usual ‘rave’.Phil was as controlled as ever, while we continued the journey in uncontrolled fits oflaughter. A short, but nonetheless pleasant, picnic (at least Tony and I thought so) wasfollowed by a whiffy return to Malacca. That was the only ride we had in their new car,which didn’t last long as a new car anyway after bone-shaking punishment on theTerendak-Malacca road. Funny about that!

Tony vs. Mandy

Mandy was very much my dog. I didn’t like dogs in the house. However, as we livedoutside of camp, the dog was a companion and very protective of our space. Shetolerated Tony and he returned the favour. We still get a good laugh when we recall theday Tony arrived home, unexpectedly, after a two-week exercise only to be greeted by asharp nip on his behind by my beautiful little dog. Tony responded by throwing a punch,missing Mandy completely but somehow smashing a very beautiful and expensive radio,which had been purchased from our Indian Trader. It was going to be a showpiece onour return to Brisbane. Mandy survived the incident. I think Tony’s pride suffered alittle.

The Cameraman

After a very long day at the Singapore Zoological Gardens, we decided that Tony hadtaken enough magnificent snaps (with our borrowed camera) to show our family andfriends back home. Tired and complete with the photographic record of our one andonly visit to this wonderful place, we returned to our room at the 7th Storey Hotel. Onarrival at Malacca early next morning (you guessed it) when he examined the camerato remove the film for development, he discovered the lens cap in place where it hadbeen for the duration of his photographic safari. Men!

Beryl Hodges

Our arrangements for the Brisbane birth of our first baby in 1964 were hastily changedon our surprise posting to Malaysia. After hurried injections, packing and a farewell tripto our families in Melbourne, we excitedly made our first overseas flight, via theheavily-guarded Jakarta airport, to Singapore. With an overnight stay at Raffles inSingapore, we flew then on to Malacca, wide-eyed at all the unfamiliar and fascinatingsights (and smells) of Southeast Asia.

Within a couple of days, Alan had left for Exercise Raven and I was ‘put in’ to theWesternhay Hotel, a Somerset Maugham-style boarding house on the Malacca Road,where I mostly spent the time taking afternoon tea with the owner, Mrs Zoe Benn, anEnglish gentlewoman from Malaya’s colonial past. This set the pattern of our life for thenext two and a half years of our wonderful posting at Terendak – Alan away for long


periods in Borneo and Thailand, as well as all the never-ending jungle exercises, whileI spent a great deal of time at morning and afternoon teas (by no-means an unpleasantexperience) as wives from 2 Troop and other units in the Brigade formed a strongsupport network for each other. I have great admiration, developed from that time andover the many years since, for the competence and independence of Army wives indealing alone with family life while their husbands are away.

The times between our separations were happy, enjoyable and great fun. It was easy toslip into a comfortable lifestyle so different from life in Australia.

Our daughter Lisa was born at the new British Military Hospital in Terendak, run withan iron rod by the no-nonsense British Army nursing sisters, one of whom sternlyanswered Alan’s enquiry about me with: ‘I’ll ask the questions, Captain!’ I was bemusedby the fact that we patients were all required to read the Standing Orders, make ourbeds and stand to attention during rounds by the CO (I hope I was right in assumingthat this latter instruction didn’t apply to the Maternity Ward).

We were well looked after by our wonderful amahs, Ah Lan,who did the laundry and upstairs cleaning, and Maryfollowed by Chai, who were cooks and who also cleaneddownstairs. The kebun cared for the garden and cleaned themonsoon drains along the driveway. These were deep, andessential for the rainy season, but provided a constantdriving hazard, especially with a curved driveway such as wehad. However, wives lived with the reassuring knowledgethat if you drove your car into a monsoon drain in camp, itwas quite possible that a couple of cheerful Maori MPs wouldbe passing and would lift it out, by hand! At the same time,you were careful not to sit behind those big MPs at theLoewen Cinema, or you wouldn’t be able to see the screen.

Very good pay allowances and lots of free time madeshopping, at the NAAFI, in Malacca and in some of thesmaller nearby towns, a regular pastime. Learning theintricacies of bargaining has since been useful duringnumerous trips to Asia. I also became very adept at playingMahjong.

Of course, most of the dramas happened while the husbands were away, such as when Ifound a snake crawling around our dining-room floor while our baby girl was sittingnearby. By the time husbands heard by letter about such events, they were old news.Telephones were simply not part of our lives. Communication with families at homewas also usually only by letter. However, for quick messages there was an interestingAustralian Army system of sending telegrams economically. Set phrases such as‘Greetings to the best of fathers’, ‘Good show’ and ‘Many happy returns’ were coded bynumber, and so we sent and received cryptic messages on telegrams which had the typedcode, with a handwritten translation added by the receiving post office staff.

Alan, Lisa and I really enjoyed exploring multicultural Malacca, with its history,buildings and people, and made many trips around Malacca and beyond, south toSingapore and north to Kuala Lumpur and Penang. We loved watching the seasonalchanges in the padi fields and seeing glimpses of the daily life of the beautiful and

If I had to use one word todescribe 2 Troop,‘irrepressible’ would come to mind.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

graceful Malays in their kampong houses. Just as fascinating were the Chinese andIndian temples, festivities and shops.

When I look at photos of 2 Troop, I marvel at how young we all were and what fun itwas. If I had to use one word to describe 2 Troop, ‘irrepressible’ would come to mind.They were a lively bunch who made life interesting for everyone. Just before 2 Troopleft for Borneo, one of these lively sappers and his friends arrived at our house with hisgramophone and a pile of LP records. He thought that I might be lonely while the Bosswas away and I might enjoy playing his records. I was touched by his thoughtfulness(and it didn’t occur to me how much safer they would be at our place than left in theempty 2 Troop lines). I played those records endlessly during the long evenings andbecame very fond of them all, even ‘I’m Going Back Again to Yarrawonga’ and ‘ThePub With No Beer’. So I was very grateful, and sorry to have to give them back on 2 Troop’s return. Shortly after, Alan told me that he had to heavily fine the sapper as aresult of a charge for some incident in Kuching (he didn’t tell me what the incidentwas) and that he (the sapper) was going to sell his records to raise some money. Guesswho bought them – and I still love listening to them!

Our 2 Troop posting is a cherished memory. The wonderful life and experiences havecompensated for the separations and loneliness, and perhaps our young age made usmore resilient when coping with the difficulties than we might have been at a latertime.

The soldiers and wives of 2 Troop and 11Indep Field Sqn, and so many otherAustralians in Terendak, becamelifelong friends – our friendshipssuccinctly summed up by the words: ‘wewere in Malaya together’.

Lorraine Jones

Lorraine’s Malaya Story

The date was the 28 February 1963 andI was going on this big adventure toMalaya. I was excited about it andnervous at the same time – Bill and I hadbeen married for four months and he hadleft in early January. I was expecting ourfirst child so I couldn’t leave with himbecause some of the needles would notbe given before I was three-monthspregnant.

This was the first time I had been awayfrom home and my family, and they toohad mixed emotions about my leaving.Anyway, the day arrived that I was flyingout to meet Bill in Singapore and thewhole family came to see me off: myparents, my brother and all five of myLorraine Jones and daughter Sharon.


aunties. I can remember that there were two soldiers on the same flight, and one of mydear aunties went to them and asked them to look after me. I was so embarrassed! I waswell looked after on our flight and I eventually arrived in Singapore where I was meton the tarmac by our movements corporal, Bruce Glossop. Bill had advised him to lookfor a pregnant lady – that would be me.

Bill and I were booked into a hotel for the night, but they had put us into a room withone single bed, and the bathroom consisted of a shower and a hole in the floor for atoilet. I had a lot to learn about Asia and toilets!

Malacca airport was closed, so the next morning it was on to the train to Tampin – lotsmore to learn. On arrival at the railway station, we were met by a driver from 11 Sqnand driven at breakneck speed to our married quarter at Klebang Bazaar. The troopwives had been shopping for us and we had food, and a couple of the ladies were thereto meet me. The shock of seeing the married quarter, everything the same colour, allthe furniture the same colour, caused me to collapse in tears. This was to be home forthe next two years, and sometimes Bill even shared it with me (when the troop didn’tneed him).

So the months progressed. We had employed an Amah sothat I didn’t have to wash and iron uniforms – too hot andtoo pregnant. And Bill was home sometimes. The otherwives were wonderful. Some had babies born in the tropicsand knew what I was going through. We had to make ourown fun. I couldn’t play basketball, but played a lot of bingoat the Beach Club and we had dinners at each other’s houseswhen the boys were away.

The big day dawns: I get up to make Bill’s breakfast and feelstrange. While busying myself in the kitchen, I casuallyremark ‘I think I’m having the baby’. Bill goes into a blindpanic: no suitcase is packed; no arrangements made to get tocamp; the baby is not due for another three weeks. Half-dressed, Bill darts across the street to where Lucy and Billy Broughton live. Billy is aS/Sgt clerk of works with the CRE at Terendak but, more importantly, he owns a car.Billy agrees to drive us to the MRS (there was no hospital in those days) as I throw someclothes into a suitcase. We arrive at the MRS and a very officious Sister takes over, ‘Goto your unit young man’, she scolds Bill ‘and do not ring before lunch time’. Unableeven to get a kiss goodbye from Bill, I am whisked away.

Our gorgeous baby girl arrives, Sharon, weighing six pounds. Gone are the days of restand trying to find something to do. Bill rings and is allowed to see me. When he arrivesI am taken on a wheelchair to the entrance to the next ward. The sister says, ‘Your bedis the second on the left. Away you go.’ Now I’ve learnt the British way to have a baby.There sure is a lot to learn in this country!

“I had a lot tolearn about Asiaand toilets!”

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Jan Leach

Memories of Terendak

When we were asked if we would like tocontribute an article for this book, I thought, ‘What did we have to writeabout?’, and then the memories cameflooding back:

Walking down the steps of the Boeing707 at Singapore airport and thatstrange, heady ‘Asian smell’ mingledwith the humidity wafting up to greet us;arriving at Terendak at night; and gettingup the next morning to find our clotheshad been washed, starched and hangingon the clothes line.

The excitement and expectation turning to horror on my first visit to the markets inMalacca. ‘What have we done?’ I thought when I saw the meat and those red duckshanging from hooks with no refrigeration, and the horrible foul-smelling stormdrains that the locals seemed to use for everything.

Pat Hup, the bus company, and how one never caught ‘the bus’. It was always ‘PatHup.’

Memories of the sentry box having to be moved because evil spirits had invaded it.

Graeme and I both on our Honda 50 cc step-through motor scooters, carrying a setof golf clubs each.

Later, buying a black Austin A50 with rust holes in the floor and most of the liningpulled out, driving to Singapore, arriving at the Goodwin Hotel, and the uniformeddoorman parking it amongst all the shining new Mercedes.

And who could forget the Magnolia boy? Malaya’s ice cream man. Even when wewere on a trip to Port Dickson for the day, he seemed to materialize from nowherewhen we arrived, peddling as fast as he could and ringing his bicycle bell.

Apart from platitudes, I have two vivid memories from Terendak. The first memory wasthe snobbery among the wives. One’s social standing depended very much on yourhusband’s rank. I had been told I could expect this among the British wives but neverin my wildest dreams did I think that this class distinction would exist amongAustralian wives. The first time I was put in my place was on the golf course. After ourtee shots my partner asked me, ‘Who are you with?’ ‘I’m with the beginners’, I replied.The conversation then went something like this: ‘No, what unit are you with?’ ‘I’m notwith any unit, my husband is in 2 Troop, 11 Field Sqn.’ ‘What rank is he?’ ‘A corporal’,I replied. ‘Oh.’ was the answer and that woman never spoke another word to me for therest of the game except when the etiquette of the game forced her to. This came as quitea shock to a naïve 21-year-old who thought she must have had leprosy. I later learnt thatthis woman was an RSM’s wife. On many occasions it was made known to Graeme andme that we were the ‘lowest-ranked’ couple at the Terendak golf club. Later, and toGraeme’s disappointment, I resigned from the club.

11 Squadron ladies basketball team. Rear L to R --, Yvonne Richardson, Judy Crosby, Jan Leach, Bobby Thornton.

Front L to R --, Mary Reece, --, --, Lily Butler


My strongest memory of life inTerendak is of loneliness and livingapart for months at a time. Like manyother wives I played a lot of sport, did alot of shopping and tried to immersemyself into local life, but this still didnot compensate for, or fill, the lonelyvoid in one’s life, of living apart. As asoldier’s wife I expected to spend sometime on my own, but never did I envisage having to spend so manymonths alone. After Thailand, therewere the usual short separations andthen came the tour to Sarawak. Onceagain, the loneliness set in. Month aftermonth of putting on a happy face,looking forward to going home towardsthe end of 1965, where perhaps we could spend more time together.

Little did I know what 1966 would bring – Vietnam.

Trish Lennon

Posted to Malaysia

We all knew about Malaysia – a country in South East Asia, the capital Kuala Lumpur,and the city of Singapore. Our perception of Malaysia came from books and movies asfew of us had ever travelled outside Australia in the 60s. It was an exotic land of jungles,rubber plantations and British plantation owners who wore pith helmets, lived in largebungalows with servants, and who drank gin and tonics at sunset.

On our landing in Singapore, reality hit us – the smell, the heat and the humidity.Strangely though, the smell somehow faded after a few months. And the heat andhumidity were manageable. We discarded our old, fashionable clothing and adjustedour daily routines. We exchanged the waisted dresses, the petticoats, and the stockingsfor cotton shifts, bare legs, and sandals. Shopping in Malacca was rarely done in themiddle of the day.

When we arrived in Malacca, the reality of servants appeared in the form of Ah Eng, ablack and white amah. Quite frankly, she terrified me. Fortunately, after six weeks wemoved to Klebang Besar, closer to Terendak camp, as the men were off to Thailand.From then on, the household included Ah Keng the cook amah and Ah Lan the washamah. The latter never ceased to amaze. In the most primitive of conditions and in theheat of the day, she washed and ironed our clothes to perfection. She somehowmanaged to starch Barry’s uniform so well it could stand to attention on its own. I always thought that that was British army regulations – but perhaps not.

The new house at Jalan Tay Boon Seng was one of a number of duplexes where all theother occupants were young families from 3 RAR – a great support group. The houseswere typically Chinese, built on cement slabs and all gaily painted in blue, green,yellow, and pink. In the wet season, the water table was level with the floor, so, through

Letter-writers in front of Stadthuys, the oldest Dutch buildingin Malacca. It was erected before 1660 and was used as agovernment office in 1963. It now houses the MalaccaMuseum.

capillary action, the moisture was drawn up through the cement to form interestinglarge ‘splodges’ on the walls.

Rather to my regret, I never did take the time and effort to explore the intricacies of thedifferent cultures that had shaped the town of Malacca. Of course, at a superficial level,we knew that Malacca had been colonized by the Portuguese, that the Chinese hasarrived as traders, and that the British civil servants had brought large pots of red paintto cover all of the administrative buildings with bright red exteriors.

The indigenous Malays lived in kampongs, wore sarongs, and were buried under smallheadstones facing in the direction of Mecca. The Chinese lived in rather morecentralized areas in their cement houses, visited the exotically-decorated temples, and

were buried on the hillsides in semi-circular graves thatrepresented the womb. We all vaguely knew the traditions ofthe local people – there was the Muslim Ramadan and theHaj to Mecca, mostly followed by the Malays. The Chinesecelebrated Chinese New Year and other festivals such as theNight of the Hungry Ghosts. We found out about this whenthe large tree at the end of our street had packages of stickyrice tied to its branches to appease the ghosts. The othertroops in the Malacca-Terendak area were the Gurkhas whohad their own rituals which, every New Year, included theceremonial beheading of a bullock for good luck – all veryintriguing.

During our two years in Malacca, the wives tended to live asomewhat idyllic life. We had more money and more time onour hands, so we enjoyed our freedom and spent many ahappy hour at the Beach Club. There was also time tosocialize during the day and enjoy visits from the linen man,the camphor-wood chest man, or the occasional visit fromthe travelling gem trader. Buy a Burmese ruby at your ownrisk though – it could just as readily be a piece of colouredglass.

But during these years we were also cocooned from thereality of what was going on around us. I think this wasbecause there was little sense of immediacy. There were notele/photo journalists in those days, so the impact of anumber of life-threatening incidents occurred in another

dimension. Some of the more serious were: the invasion of the Indonesians south of usat Muar, the bombing of the theatre in Malacca, the explosion in the electrical pylonat the end of our street, the killing of young 3 RAR soldiers on the Malaysian-Thaiborder, and the assault on the 17 Mile Police station that involved our own 2 Troopers.These were ongoing throughout the two years and cast a pall over all our lives. Thereality was that our men’s lives were at risk and no amount of wishing otherwise couldalter the fact that there was a very real threat to our loved ones.

But I doubt that any of us would have foregone those two years. I like to think that weall somehow ‘grew up’ while we were in Malaysia. The long separations from husbandsmade us more self-reliant. The differences in the cultures that surrounded us made us


“The reality wasthat our men’s

lives were at riskand no amount

of wishingotherwise could

alter the factthat there was

a very realthreat to ourloved ones”


more tolerant. We had to get along with others – we lived so closely together and underthe same sort of pressures. We shared so many of the same joys and heartbreaks. Wereturned to Australia different people from those who had left just a short two yearsbefore and – I like to think – better people.

Margaret Stokes

Malasia, what do I remember?

The flight to Malaysia for me was horrible: four kids, the eldest five, the youngest 18 months. Peter wasn’t with us as he was in the advance party. He did, however, meetus at Malacca airport with a minibus.

We played basketball, squash, went swimming and joined the rifle club. Shoppingbecame a good pastime. The three older children, Peter, Debra and Michael, startedschool at the Seaview British Army School while Janelle stayed home with me.

A couple of memories from the kids: the MPs came into the area and shot a mad dog infront of them. They told the kids to get inside the b… house. They also rememberchasing the fog machine when it came into the area to spray the mosquitoes. It wasprobably DDT – we didn’t know then that its use was going to be severely restrictedyears later. The other memory that stands out with Peter is that we were going to beinvaded by the Indonesians.

I also remember that one Christmas we had a couple of single chaps come in for the day.We all went to a Christmas Eve ‘do’ in camp, getting home at 3 am. Pete and his mateswent to bed while l had to finish two bridal dolls and didn’t get to bed until 4.30. Thekids were up at 5! When the fellas got up they could not remember where they were.Peter had to go in and tell them that they were at our place.

When we came back to Australia, we were put in a private hotel in Kings Cross. Boomboom da boom boom went on all night. The next morning when we went out the kidsmade for a small advertising photo cabinet. Yes, you've guessed it – the ‘Pink Pussy Cat’was the source of the music. Their comment was rather loud, ‘Look at the rudies, Dad.’

Hope this gives a little insight into this family’s tour of Malaysia.

“All the members of 2 Field Troop RoyalAustralian Engineers 1963-1965 served theCorps with pride and dedication during the

Malaysian deployment...”


C h a p t e r n i n e

Records of Service Achievement

All the members of 2 Field Troop Royal Australian Engineers 1963-1965 served theCorps with pride and dedication during the Malaysian deployment and in subsequentpostings. As their period of engagement expired, many returned to civilian life,becoming valuable members of the community. They took with them the discipline,ingenuity and pride in achievement of the Sapper, often excelling in their chosencareer, and making important contributions to their workplace and to the broadercommunity. To record their achievements would be a worthwhile and challengingproject, but one well beyond the scope of this book.

There were, however, those who continued their career in the Army, giving meritoriousservice to the Corps, and their record of service is much easier to document. Thefollowing members of 2 Field Troop RAE and key figures from 11 Indep Field Sqn REcan be justly proud of their achievements:

Murray Aitken. A carpenter and joiner, Murray enlisted in 1962 and after recruittraining and an FE3 course was posted to 1 Field Sqn. In March 1963 he was posted to4 Troop in Malaya, remaining there with 2 Field Troop until March 1965 when hereturned to Australia shortly before the Sarawak tour. He was not to miss out on Borneohowever, deploying to Sabah with 21 Const Sqn. This was followed in 1970 with a Sgt’sposting to 198 Works Section in Vietnam as Assistant Supervisor Construction andMaintenance. Promoted to WO2 in 1975, Murray served as Supervisor Constructionand Maintenance in such diverse postings as ADAG in PNG, 19 CE Works Sydney,HQ 2nd Military District, Liverpool, and as Garrison Engineer at Kapooka. On retiringin 1984, Murray had served over 22 years with the Corps.

John Bending. John enlisted in February 1949, completing basic training at Greta,then, while at SME, spent two months of his early Army life in the Muswellbrook NSWcoal mines during the miners’ strike. After service in 21 and 22 Const Sqns he wasposted to the British Commonwealth Engineer Regiment in Kure, Japan. John then sawservice in Korea at Seoul and Inchon (the sharp end) with 7 Works Section RE. On hisreturn to Australia, he was posted to 8 Army Engineer Regiment RAE at Broken Hill,then to PNG with one of the earliest construction squadrons sent to that area ofoperations. After returning from the deployment to Malaysia, John filled the role ofplant sergeant in the fledgling 18 Field Sqn, before serving with 1 Field and 17 ConstSqns in Vietnam. After his discharge in 1971 he joined the Main Roads Departmentand was Works Supervisor on the Harvey Range Road project.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

David ‘Bing’ Crosby. Bing graduated from the Army Apprentices School at Balcombein 1953 as a ‘Chippy’. By the time he joined 2 Field Troop in 1963 as Troop S/Sgt FieldEngineer (but with the added benefit of being a qualified Clerk of Works), he hadserved with 17 Const Sqn, 25 Const Sqn and 7 Field Sqn. After deployment in Malaya,Thailand and Sarawak, David successfully completed the 32/66 Officer QualifyingCourse at the Jungle Training Centre at Canungra and subsequently served in Wewakas Lieutenant, Garrison Engineer, PNG. On promotion to Captain, he was posted TroopCommander Resources Troop, 23 Const Sqn and later as the Works Officer of that unit.He was posted to Vietnam as OC 21 Engineer Support Troop. Medevaced home toHolsworthy, he was posted to Tasmania as the 2IC/Adjutant 12 Field Sqn (CMF) andlater as Garrison Engineer, Headquarters Tasmania Command. David was promoted toMajor and became Chief Engineer Tasmania Command (a position he held for 9 yearsand 19 days – an unofficial Army record). His final appointment before retirement inDecember 1983 (after over 30 years of service with the Corps) was OC District SupportUnit, Hobart.

Alan Hodges. After graduating from the Royal Military College in 1960, Alancompleted his civil engineering degree at Melbourne University before being posted to24 Const Sqn. A posting as OC 2 Field Troop followed and he joined the troop half-way through its tour. He continued on as OC of the replacement troop for a further year,including a deployment for six months at Op Crown in Thailand. Subsequentappointments included: OC District Engineers Office in PNG, OC 23 Const Sqn, StaffCollege in Quetta, Pakistan, Directing Staff at the Joint Services Staff College,Commanding Officer/Chief Instructor School of Military Engineering, Commander 5th Military District WA, Chief of Staff Training Command in Sydney and severalsenior staff appointments in Army Office and Headquarters Australian Defence Force.He was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and made a Member of theOrder of Australia (AM) in 1992. He finished his career of 38 years in the Army asDirector General Emergency Management Australia with the rank of Brigadier andcontinued in that appointment as a civilian for a further five years. He now conducts a consultancy business.

Michael ‘Tassie’ Holloway. Tassie Holloway joined 2 Field Troop in Sarawak as areplacement for the homeward-bound Jim Kimberley, remaining in Malaya until 1967.Two years in 18 Field Sqn was followed in 1969 by a posting to PNG as RAE BombDisposal Technician He returned to Australia in 1972 to the Jungle Training Centre atCanungra as an instructor in the Battle Wing. Tassie’s work in PNG as a sergeant earnedhim an Order of Australia (AM) in 1975. On promotion to WO2, he moved to SMEFE wing, followed in 1976 by five months in the UK on the inaugural exercise ‘Long-Look’ where he was attached to 39 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Sqn. His CO wasGordon Chave, then a Lt Col. Returning to SME, Tassie remained at FE wing until theoffer of an accompanied posting to the UK as a WO instructor. This was followed bythe WO1 position with 5 Engineer Group at Haberfield, then from 1983 to hisretirement in 1985, as RSM of 2/3 Field Engineer Regiment – a total of 27 years withthe Royal Australian Engineers.

Bill Jones. Bill Jones graduated from the Army Apprentices School as a vehiclemechanic in 1960. After time with 17 Const Sqn and 20 Field Park Sqn he joined 4Troop in Malaya in January 1963, staying on with 2 Field Troop, and returning toAustralia in January 1965. As a sergeant in 1966, Bill narrowly avoided being Corps-


transferred to RAEME and by 1970 was in Vietnam with 21 Engineer Support Troop. This was followed by two yearsinstructing at SME, then to PNG as WO2, where one of hisCommanding Officers was Lt Col P M Jeffrey MC, (therecently-appointed Australian Governor General) On hisreturn to Australia Bill’s next three years were spent as aninstructor at SME (for a period while Alan Hodges wasCO/CI), and OCS, with a short stint as acting RSM of SME.Awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, he wasdischarged in 1980 with the rank of WO1 and 22 yearsservice in the Corps.

Jim Kimberley. Jim enlisted in 1961 and, followingcompletion of basic training and FE3 course, was posted to 1Field Sqn. In March 1963, he was posted to 4 Field Troop inMalaya and remained there with 2 Field Troop until March1965. On return to Australia, he went to 22 Const Sqn inWA and was promoted to Cpl and then Sgt while in theunit. He went with the squadron to Sabah, Borneo in 1966.A posting to 17 Const Sqn in South Vietnam in 1969 wasfollowed in 1970 with a transfer to the Australian ArmyTraining Team Vietnam. On return to Australia, Jim wasposted to SME as a Troop Sgt/Instructor with Corps TrainingWing and in 1971 he returned to 22 Const Sqn as Troop/Training Sgt. In January 1975,he was promoted to WO2 and posted back to SME as WO Coordination. In 1977, hewas posted as SSM 16 Field Sqn in 3 Field Engineer Regt, Townsville. Promotion toWO1 occurred in 1978 and an instructional posting as WO Training Wing, LandWarfare Centre, Canungra. His final posting was, once again, with 22 Const Sqn wherehe became SSM in 1980. In 1982, Jim took his discharge and joined the Main RoadsDepartment of WA where he was employed as an engineering assistant until retirementin 1998.

Barry Lennon. Barry graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea in 1961 andafter completing the officers’ ‘Long Course’ at SME was posted to 1 Field Sqn as troopcommander before being given responsibility as Troop Officer for raising 2 Field Troopfor service in Malaysia. On return from Malaysia, Barry raised 22 Field Support Troopand relocated it to Queensland in support of 7 Field Sqn. From there he was appointedas GSO3 Staff Duties at Army HQ in Canberra, followed by appointment initially as2IC of 17 Const Sqn in Nui Dat Vietnam and then OC Land Clearing Operations andOC 17 Const Sqn detachment in Vung Tau. On return from Vietnam, he wasappointed OC 7 Field Sqn in Queensland – his last assignment before being grantedpermission to transfer to the ‘inactive list’ in Canberra. While an ‘inactive’ Reservist hejoined IBM World Trade Corporation and spent the bulk of his 30 years with thatcompany as General Manager of various country operations in Asia – includingSingapore, Malaysia, and Thailand – the countries which he first experienced duringservice with 2 Field Troop.

Doug ‘Lefty’ Maddison. Lefty joined the Army Apprentice School at Balcombe as avehicle mechanic in 1959. After completion of his trade, he was posted to 17 ConstSqn, and when the squadron deployed to PNG in 1963 he went with them. On his

Spr Jim Kimberley ready for actionin the jungle.

return to Australia, he was posted to 55 Advanced EngineerStores Sqn at Penrith and from there volunteered for aposting to Malaya, where he replaced Bill Jones, arriving in 2 Troop in February 1965 and deploying with the troop toSarawak, but he was injured shortly before the troop’s returnto Terendak. As a result of his injuries, he returned toAustralia with 2 Troop in October 1965 for a medical board,but instead of returning to Malaya he was posted back to 17 Const Sqn, and in 1966 deployed with them to Vietnam.Back home to 7 Field Sqn Workshop, he was forced totransfer corps to RAEME. It was then back to Vietnam foranother tour with 17 Const Sqn Workshop. Various postingsto engineer units followed, then it was back to PNG oncemore, this time with PNGDF Engineer Workshop. After 12 months in PNG, he returned to Sydney and was thenposted to several non-engineer units. Lefty left the service inApril 1982, having completed 23 years service, the last four asa WO2.

Bruce ‘Blair’ Parsons. Blair Parsons joined 2 Field Troop asa section corporal from 1 Field Sqn. He had enlisted in 1952in the 7th intake at the Army Apprentice School, graduatingas a Carpenter and Joiner, and had served in PNG before

joining the troop. He was promoted to sergeant during 2 Troop’s deployment in Malayaand then, after a brief posting in Australia, served in Vietnam during 1966-67 with 17Const Sqn and 1 Field Sqn. Promotion to WO2 was followed by a variety of postings:5 Field Sqn, where he was SSM, 11 CE Works and then SME. Blair was the SSM of 1 Field Sqn 1 Field Engineer Regiment when he took his discharge.

Peter Stokes. After his enlistment in 1960 Peter’s first posting on completion of his FE3course was to 7 Field Sqn in Enoggera. He joined 2 Field Troop in May 1963 as theTroop Clerk with the rank of corporal. When 2 Troop returned home in 1965, Peter andhis family remained in Malaya and he completed a second deployment to OperationCrown before being posted to 55 AES at Penrith in 1966. In December 1967 Peterjoined 17 Const Sqn in South Vietnam as the Sgt Clerk. This was followed by a returnto 55 AES and, in 1971, a posting as S/Sgt to PNG where he remained until 1974. Onhis return to Australia and promotion to warrant officer, Peter was posted to 1 FieldEngineer Regiment as Chief Clerk where he remained until discharge in 1976. He thenundertook a career in the security industry and later in the justice system.

Malcolm van Gelder. After graduating from the Royal Military College in 1955,Malcolm completed his engineering degree at the University of Adelaide in 1957. Aftera posting as an instructor at the Royal Military College, he was Troop Commander inthe Maralinga Range Support Unit followed by Works Officer at 21 Construction Sqnat Puckapunyal. In 1961 he was attached to 5 Airfield Construction Sqn RAAF atDarwin as Works Officer and then, in 1963, posted to Malaya to command 4 Troop andthe replacement 2 Troop. On return to Australia, he served in succession as MajorInstructor SME, OC 23 Construction Sqn at Holsworthy and of 17 Construction Sqnin Vietnam, and staff appointments as a Maj and Lt Col at Army Headquarters in theareas of personal services and personnel planning. He subsequently attended StaffCollege and the Joint Services Staff College. In 1972 he joined the Australian Public

Sgt Bruce Parsons all ready to parachute.



Service in the Department of Territories as Assistant Secretary AdministrativePlanning and Development. On leaving the Public Service in 1988 he became a lawyerin practices in Sydney and Canberra, and is now a sole practitioner in Canberra. Whilein the Army, he completed Masters degrees in Engineering Science and Economics, andsubsequently completed a Bachelor of Laws.

Simon ‘Snow’ Wilson. Snow enlisted in 1958 and after completing the FE3 course atSME served in 7 Indep Field Sqn (later renamed 7 Field Sqn) and 20 Field Park Sqn.He joined 2 Field Troop as a section corporal and after service with the troop in Malaya,Thailand and Sarawak, Snow was posted to the newly formed 18 Field Sqn. In 1967 hejoined 17 Const Sqn in Vietnam and on his promotion to Sgt in May the same year wasposted to 1 Field Sqn at Nui Dat. On his return to Australia he again spent a short timewith 7 Field Sqn before receiving a posting to SME as an instructor in the FE wing,where he remained until his discharge in late 1970, with the rank of WO2 and 12 yearsservice with the Corps.

Dave Wood. After completing National Service in 1959 Dave immediately signed onin the Regular army and subsequently served in a wide variety of Engineer units.Following the deployment to Malaya with 2 Troop, Dave completed two tours ofVietnam. In 1978, accompanied by wife Judy, Dave was posted to Fiji as part of aDefence Corps Project for the Royal Fiji Military Force. His role as Plant TroopCommander was to establish a plant troop and oversee Australian Military Aid projectsinvolving plant and equipment. Dave and Judy returned to Australia in 1980 and hetook up a position with 19 CE Works in Sydney, followed by several years as instructorat PRA (Plant Road and Airfield) wing at SME. After 26 years with the Corps, Davewas discharged in 1985 as a WO1.

The British Hierarchy

Gordon Chave. After serving with 11 Indep Field Sqn RE, Gordonreturned to UK from Terendak to fill astaff appointment at the AtomicWeapons Research Establishment. Thiswas followed by command of a squadronin the Arabian Gulf, which amongother things included drilling for waterfor the Arab rulers in the days before oil was discovered. He then attendedJoint Services Staff College. TheCommandant was Maj Gen (later Lt Gen Sir) Terence McMeekin, andamong the staff were Lt Col JohnStevens and the Australian Lt Col(Later Gen Sir) Phillip Bennett. In due course he commanded a regiment, a BombDisposal unit. Following another staff tour, he was persuaded to join industry and, aftera short spell with Dunlop Rubber, he became joint managing director of a firmmanufacturing textile products for the army and for export. For five years Gordon wassecretary and Vicky was a caseworker with the Soldiers, Sailors and Air ForceAssociation, a charity which they used to support in Malaya.

Maj Gordon Chave, Major John Stevens and WO2 TomThornton at 11 Indep Field Sqn.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Tony Stacey-Marks. Tony is well-remembered by all in 2 Troop, who proudly servedunder his command. He was always very loyal to his Australian Troop and took greatpleasure in having 2 Troop as part of his unit. Immediately after commanding 11 IndepField Sqn RE, he had a succession of postings in the UK, followed by attendance at theNATO Defence College in Rome. He then served in Europe at SHAPE (SupremeHeadquarters Allied Powers Europe) and SACEUR (Supreme Allied CommanderEurope). He returned to his Corps in 1977 as the first Regimental Colonel. After leavingthe Army, Tony became a district councillor for six years and ran residential homes forthe elderly. Sadly, Tony Stacey-Marks died in December 1999 aged 75 years.

John Stevens. John left Terendak in December 1965 and returned to the UK to becomethe senior staff officer in the Engineer in Chief’s Operations and Organisationdepartment in the Ministry of Defence. In mid-1967 he was promoted to command 35 Corps Engineer Regiment in Hamelin, West Germany during the tense Cold Warperiod of preparing for a possible Soviet invasion. This was followed by two relatedappointments: as Instructor at the Joint Services Staff College and then, on promotionto Colonel, as Senior Instructor at the Staff College, Camberley. His final appointmentwas as Deputy Commander 12 Engineer Brigade where he was responsible forconstruction projects undertaken by RE units world-wide. As a civilian, John worked fora consulting engineer firm and supervised the construction of major port developmentsin Bahrain and Libya, with four years in each country. He then transferred with the firmto Bangkok for two years. On return to the UK, he became Director of a housingassociation providing rented homes for ex-Service families until he retired in 1992. Johnthen spent a further five years training young engineers to prepare them for disaster-reliefoperations worldwide. He now provides assistance to others as a Welfare Officer for theRoyal British Legion. Norma continues to work for OXFAM and Traidcraft, anorganisation providing aid through trade for developing countries.

Tom Thornton. Following his departure from 11 Indep Field Sqn in 1966, Tom tookaccumulated overseas leave before attending a QMSI course at the Royal School ofMilitary Engineering. He then occupied a QMSI appointment in charge of the TrainingWing at 21 Engineer Regt as part of the British Army of the Rhine. In 1969 he waspromoted WO1 and became the RSM of 4 Divisional Engineer Regt and of 26 EngineerRegt. In the following year he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Tom wascommissioned as a Captain in 1970 and became OC HQ Sqn, 25 Engineer Regt. In 1972he returned to UK and served for four years as Assistant Chief Instructor of No 1 Training Regt at Cove. His final two years in the Army saw him as a PersonnelSelection Officer at the Army Junior Selection Centre at Harrogate. In 1978, he wasdischarged after 371/2 years service and became a Sales and Marketing Manager forseveral years, followed by 12 years as the Service Manager at hospitals in Leeds and York.

C h a p t e r Te n

The Reunions

The 2 Troop reunions as we know them today had their beginnings around 1989, whena small group of ex-members of 2 Troop in Western Australia, along with a couplevisiting from Tasmania, got together for dinner. The idea of a reunion was discussed andSnow Wilson agreed to coordinate the search for the 62 members who at one time oranother had been part of 2 Field Troop RAE during 1963-65, and gather them togetherat a ‘central point’. It was a monumental undertaking, and it is now history that it tookthe best part of five years to make contact with the bulk of the members and organisethe inaugural reunion.

The ‘central point’ was Alice Springs, and this ensured everyone had to travel about thesame distance. The first weekend in September ‘seemed like a good time’ and so 30 yearsafter the Troop deployed to Malaysia they gathered once more, this time to reminisceand enjoy the company of their fellow sappers and families.

After the runaway success of the Alice Springs reunion, it was agreed by all that itshould happen again and, initially, a five-year cycle was proposed. As no one was gettingany younger, however, it was later decided that reunions should be scheduled morefrequently.

On the eve of the 5th reunion and the 40th anniversary of the formation of 2 Field TroopRAE 1963-65 we look forward to meeting up with our comrades and families onceagain, especially those for whom this is their first reunion. May we all live to enjoy manymore such gatherings.

The 2 Troop members at the Alice Springs reunion


ALICE SPRINGS

Northern Territory

3-5 September 1993

The following is an extract from a report written by BillJones shortly after his return home from the reunion, and itsuccinctly sums up the events and the camaraderieexperienced by all who attended.

In excess of 30 members accepted the invitation to attend thereunion. A few had to drop out due to work and familycommitments. With wives and children, we had 74 bookedinto the motel and the surrounding area.

On Friday the third we all met at The Outback Motor Lodgeand the scene was one of utter chaos as hands were shaken,ladies kissed and people stood about in groups reminiscingabout past feats, present employment and how different we alllooked. Cold beers were offered and accepted (the beauty ofan advance party) and after about an hour all were ‘as wewere’ all those years ago. A barbecue was held at the motelthat night and stories were told till the small hours.

On Saturday afternoon a service was held at the Alice SpringsWar Memorial and a wreath was laid in honour of our three

comrades no longer with us.

The words of Alan Hodges best describe the moment:

Toward dusk we gathered at the striking War Memorial that dominates the town onthe top of Anzac Hill. The troop members lined up in front of the memorial and KenJolley conducted a short but moving wreath-laying service in memory of DennisFitzhenry, Ian Tibbles and Noel and Lily Butler. Malcolm van Gelder recited theOde. As the remaining serving member of 2 Troop, I felt greatly honoured to wearuniform and lay a sheaf of flowers at the memorial on behalf of us all.

Bill Jones continues:

Saturday night was taken up by a dinner at the Alice Springs RSL Social Club. BingCrosby was MC for the night and presentations were made toSnow Wilson and Ken Jolley for their efforts in putting thereunion together.

Congratulatory letters were read from Norma and JohnStevens, Vicky and Gordon Chave, Bobby and TomThornton and from Colonel Rod McKinnon, Director ofEngineers-Army.

Sunday morning, very early we headed off as a group forsightseeing in the Western McDonald ranges. Sunday eveningagain saw us at the RSL where the local Vietnam VeteransAssociation provided us with a barbecue. It rained, of course,and the locals were glad that we came to provide the off-season rain. The President of the RSL welcomed us, as did the

Brig Alan Hodges after laying awreath at the Alice Springs War

Memorial September 1993.

Alice Springs War Memorial


Mayor. Many thanks to the RSLfor its kindness and participation.

After much talk and friendlyrivalry as to location, it wasdecided ‘to do it all again’ atanother ‘central point’ in fiveyears.

A sum of money was raised toenable the restoration and additionto the Australian Troop PhotoAlbum held and kindly lent to usby the RAE Museum at SME.This task will be undertaken asphotos, etc arrive.

Mick Sutton had transferred his home movies of Malaya to video and these wereeagerly watched by all, creating much mirth and many ‘remember whens.’ Mick alsohad commemorative caps and stubby coolers printed in Engineer colours. Tony Farrellarrived with a couple of cartons of Tiger beer (just like old times) but Trish wouldn’t lethim cool them in the bath tub, insisting he use the fridge instead. On the Fridayafternoon several of the group enjoyed the novelty of a camel ride.

The weekend passed all too quickly, and as Monday morning dawned and arrangementswere made to return to their various destinations, there was not one person whoregretted making the effort to gather again with his comrades of 2 Field Troop RAE of1963-65.

TANUNDA

South Australia

17-19 September 1996

After a very successful reunion in Alice Springs during early September 1993, it wasdecided by the group that we should do this again and again. So Snow went back toBusselton WA, put on his thinking cap and produced a map of Australia and sent a copy

Family members at the Alice Springs reunion

Some of the group that travelled down the Murray on the Murray Princess


to all members of the troop. Eachmember was asked to nominate atown/place for the next reunion. Howvery democratic!

The result of the vote was mostly forSouth Australia and what a great resultit turned out to be. The decision wasthen made for the Troop to meet inTanunda in 1996, three years after thatgreat inaugural reunion at the Alice.

Once again in excess of 30 of us, plusfamilies, made the journey, this time toSA in mid-September 1996. Snow hadtried to keep a similar format to that ofthe reunion in the Northern Territory asit had worked so very well.

Unfortunately, the welcome barbecuewas a wash out; however, not to be putoff, the organisers decided to move theevent inside under cover (the diningroom) and what a great ‘barbie’ it turnedout to be, Silver Service and all! Somepeople were heard to say this is the onlyway to have a barbecue. I think this setthe tone for the rest of the reunionwhich was full of adventure. How manywineries can you see in one day? I thinkwe managed five on the first day andthen some more over the next few days.Along with the visits to wineries, wemanaged to fit in a few bus rides, touringthe beautiful Barossa countryside (Iwonder if the tour guide ever found that

Mick Sutton and Clem Finlay at the Barossa Pioneer Memorial

Wreath-laying ceremony at Tanunda

Relaxing at Yaldara Winery


house). Who will ever forget those bustrips and the goings on during them? I would hate to have been the drivertrying to organise that lot! Just to get tothe bus was a production of mammothproportions. I think the culprits willknow who they were, so I won’tmention names.

We had a very moving memorial servicefor our mates and close family memberswho had passed away since Malaya. Thisservice is now a formal part of ourreunions, along with the official dinnerwe have toward the end.

At the end of a very good reunion some of the group had decided to party on, while therest went back to the daily grind. Those that stayed on proceeded to Mannum for a two-day trip on the Murray River aboard the Murray Princess (a paddle steamer of somenote). Those two days were just the best,being able to relax and take in just howbig and beautiful the river really is.

The trip on the Murray for me cappedoff a great reunion. (What aboutCynthia and Richard, the local experts,who showed us some of the great thingsthat the local indigenous people left forus to marvel at in a later time.) Whileon the river the seeds for the location ofthe next reunion were planted and thisturned out to be Tasmania in 1999.

Dave Wood

HOBART

Tasmania

19-26 April 1999

The ‘Tasmanian Connection’ took on the task of getting all of us to Tasmania for AnzacDay 1999. The reunion at this time of the year meant that we could gather and marchas a Troop for the first time since leaving Malaya in October 1965.

The members and their families met in Hobart Town a couple of days prior to Anzac Dayand this allowed us to catch up on old friends, and see what everybody had been doingsince the last reunion. It also allowed time to do some tourist activities, which includeda bus tour of Hobart by evening and a visit to the old courthouse and jail, where we tookpart in a trial which had been listed especially for us. I think it may have brought backmemories for some members of the troop. (I will not go into that at this time.)

On the whole, I think the Tassie reunion was one big history lesson for everyone.Everywhere you turn there is so much for you to look at and discover about our nation’s

Afternoon tea with the Matthews on the first day of theHobart Reunion,

The Troop proudly marching through Hobart on Anzac Daywith the newly-dedicated banner.


past, and what a past it is. Places like Port Arthur and SarahIsland are among some of the worst examples, but then therewere the wonderful buildings and bridges that were left for usto admire. I would like to know how many of the engineerswho built these great structures had university degrees! Orwas it just good old sapper know-how?

Enough of the history lessons, let’s get back to the march onAnzac day. The march was for me the highlight of thereunion. We had present, our former Commander of 11 Indep Field Sqn RE 1964 -1966, Colonel John Stevens,both the 2 Troop Commanders, Malcolm van Gelder andAlan Hodges, and our Troop S/Sgt Bing Crosby plus about 20 members. This was to be one of the bigger groupsmarching on the day and our wives and families showedplenty of enthusiasm as we marched by. The march wasfollowed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorialin Hobart, and then back to a local hotel for lunch and a fewdrinks.

Then what about our reunion dinner, when Moose Suttonturned up with all his Buffalo Lodge medals on and showedus all up. The look on the faces of people who were not in

the know was priceless. At the dinner we unveiled a new troop banner and had itblessed by the local padre. This was then carried in the Anzac parade and is now a partof the troop history.

All in all, a great reunion. Many people took the opportunity to explore the Apple Isleboth before and after the official functions and I don’tbelieve anyone would have left Tasmania disappointed.

Dave Wood

BUSSELTON

West Australia

16-20 October 2001

The Busselton reunion was an occasion to explore thebeautiful southwest of Western Australia. The location wasan easy choice as Busselton is home to the Wilsons.However, this meant that, once again, the heavyorganisational preparation fell to Snow Wilson.

The first night, Tuesday, was held at the Busselton RSL in itsnewly-renovated premises. This event was extremely relaxedand there was much talk and mixing. To our surprise wefound that everyone else in Busselton called Snow by hisname, Simon. Our accommodation was at the very spaciousand well-appointed Esplanade Hotel, which set a very highstandard for selection of future reunion accommodation.

Mick Sutton looking resplendent atthe Hobart Reunion Dinner.

Some of those attending the Hobartreunion just before the

Anzac Day march.


On Wednesday we left by coach to explore the beautiful Cape Naturaliste hinterlandby going to Canal Rocks, Yallingup, Eagle Bay and Dunsborough with lunch at Wises’Winery. The next day we toured the wonderful Mammoth Cave and stood among thetall trees in the Borranup forest with lunch at Augusta. A highlight of the day was theCape Leeuwin lighthouse which had its foundation stonelaid in 1895. It is still serving mariners as it standsprominently against the fierce winds on the mostsouthwestern point of Australia and at the dividing pointbetween the Southern and Indian Oceans.

After we arrived back at the hotel, we met for an hour or sowith the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency,Lieutenant General John Sanderson, AC. The Governorspoke to everyone at the reunion and renewed many oldsapper acquaintances. After dinner, to the accompanimentof many comments, both flattering and unflattering, we sawa selection of slides from 1963-65 that various people hadbrought with them. Were we really so young?

Friday saw us split into two groups so that we had half a dayto explore the various attractions of Busselton. Theremainder of the day was occupied by a guided tour by localexpert, Rob Breeden, to the Whicher Ranges to look atwildflowers. That evening we had our Reunion Dinner at the RSL. As this was the firstreunion that Barry Lennon had been able to attend, he was the main speaker andreminisced about our time together in Malaya. How wonderful to catch up once againwith Trish and Barry and the other first-timers: Terry Hanrahan, Margaret Stokes andNoelene and Peter Glasson. Unfortunately, Peter had an emergency medicalevacuation as a result of heart problems and was flown to Hollywood Hospital in Perthby the Royal Flying Doctor Service. After we arrived home it was a relief to hear thathe was recovering well.

2 Troop join the Governor, Lt Gen John Sanderson, during the Busselton reunion, October 2001


“The Governorspoke to everyoneat the reunionand renewedmany old sapperacquaintances”

The Grace said by Alan Hodges before the dinner was:

Lord

As we gather here this evening we cherish the comradeship forged in Malaya,Thailand and Borneo nearly 40 years ago.

We value the friendships, which have blossomed to embrace our families.

We remember those who, for various reasons, cannot be with us here in Busselton.

We particularly remember our colleagues who have died, and their families, andpray that you will hold them in the palm of your hand.

As we share this meal tonight, we thank you for this food and ask for your blessingon us all.

Amen

Saturday morning saw us all at the Busselton War Memorial set among manicured lawnson the main street. A simple but moving ceremony was held under Parade Marshall,Ken Jolley; a sheaf of flowers was laid in memory of our deceased colleagues and families;and Snow Wilson lowered the flag during the Last Post. During the remainder of theday we went by coach to visit Mt Augusta and the magnificently-appointed Palandriwinery, and we also wandered around the township of Margaret River and looked at thelocal artworks in a number of galleries. The final evening was characterised by peoplemoving between small groups during informal meals in the bustling Esplanade Hotel.

Simon Wilson lowering the flag at the Busselton reunion.



Farewells were held the followingmorning while a number continued toAlbany for an overnight visit. Duringthis visit they saw the One Tree Bridgemade out of a massive Karri tree andvisited the Light Horse Memorial at MtClarence overlooking King GeorgesSound. The next morning beforeheading back to Busselton there was avisit to the whaling station, the Gapand the Natural Bridge.

Once again, it was a truly memorablereunion.

Canberra

Australian Capital Territory

30 September-4 October

At the time of writing this book, the Canberra reunion is still to be held. About 70 people are planning on attending. The program will commence with a welcomebuffet at the Belconnen Inn on Tuesday evening during which this book will belaunched by General Peter Gration.

Wednesday will commence with a tourof the National Capital Exhibition thattells the story of the history of Canberraand its design. This is to be followed bya tour of the highlights of the city andits vantage points, followed by lunch atthe Southern Cross Yacht Club. After aboat cruise on Lake Burley Griffin,there will be a leisurely inspection ofthe beautiful flowers at the annualFloriade exhibition in CommonwealthPark followed by a visit to the ChangiChapel at the Royal Military College.

The first activity on Thursday is to be atour of the War Memorials on AnzacParade followed by a wreath-layingceremony at the Tomb of the UnknownSoldier in the Hall of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial.Monsignor John Hoare, a former Armychaplain, will be conducting this service. During the ceremony, a plaque to honour allthe members of the 1963-65, 2 Field Troop will be dedicated for subsequent placementin the Heritage Area of the School of Military Engineering. The War Memorial isproviding a function room for a morning tea after the ceremony. The rest of the day isavailable for inspecting the exhibits and records of the Memorial’s collection. In the

2 Troop on parade for the wreath laying ceremony at theBusselton reunion, October 2001.

Family members at the Busselton reunion who lived inMalaya. L to R: Kate Wood, Helen van Gelder, YvonneRichardson, Lorraine Jones, Judy Wood, Beryl Hodges,Margaret Stokes.

evening, a casual dinner is planned at Harcourt Inn with some liveentertainment.

The Parliamentary Triangle is the centreof interest on Friday commencing with atour of Parliament House and then freetime to visit other attractions such asOld Parliament House, Questacon,Reconciliation Place, High Court,National Gallery of Australian andAustralian Archives. Lunch will be heldin the Members’ Dining Room of OldParliament House.

Saturday morning will see the group goto the National Museum with theafternoon free to wander. The ReunionDinner at the Belconnen Inn in theevening will bring the gathering to aclose, although a number of the groupwill go on a post-reunion visit to theSnowy area on Sunday and Monday.

The reunion has been organised byMalcolm van Gelder, Frank Sexton andAlan Hodges and supported by agenerous $1500 grant from theGovernment through the Minister forVeterans Affairs in recognition of thespecial occasion of this reunion,celebrating the 40th anniversary of theTroop’s arrival in Malaya. A ceremonialhanding-over of the cheque to thereunion organising committee was madeby Senator Gary Humphries, Senator forthe ACT, on Thursday 14 August atParliament House.

A special feature of this reunion will be the presence of our 11 Indep FieldSqn British colleagues Tom Thorntonand Fred Gray, who will be accompaniedby his wife Betty. We will also receive a sketch of a WW1 digger presented to the Troop by John and NormaStevens in recognition of their linkswith 2 Troop members. This sketch wasdone by the late Charles Payne, aWarwickshire artist.

Plaque to be dedicated at the Australian War Memorial andplaced at the School of Military Engineering.

Senator Gary Humphries, Senator for the ACT, with AlanHodges, Frank Sexton and Malcolm van Gelder, displaying

the plaque during a ceremony to hand over a cheque for $1500 for support of the reunion.


Ceremonial cheque from the Minister of Veterans Affairs to support the reunion.

Sketch of a WW1 digger to be presented to 2 Troop at the Canberra reunion on behalf of John and Norma Stevens.


DESTINATION: MALAYA

2 Troop Nominal Roll

Name Reg No. Rank Posting Arrived Malaya RTA

Abberfield T L 24649 Spr/LCpl Cook 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Aitken M J 61450 Spr Carpenter Ex 4 Troop 3/1965

Armitage J E 15938 L/Cpl FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Arnold G A 16681 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Atkinson H W 16312 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Avery M R 5411164 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Barnett J W 14411 L/Cpl FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Bending J 51051 Cpl Plant 17/11/1963 5/10/1965Operator

Benson I 311397 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Brown J O 311393 Sgt/Cpl FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Butler N M 13706 L/Cpl Plant 17/11/1963 5/10/1965Operator

Canning D A 53894 Spr Driver 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Cannon D L 16695 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Cribbs B W 214375 L/Cpl FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Crosby A D 64267 S/Sgt FE/Clerk 17/11/1963 5/10/1965of Works

Dodd H G 42921 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Farrell A J 61433 Spr/LCpl Carpenter 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Finlay C J 214336 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Fitzhenry D G 5411092 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Glasson P D 5411162 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Greenslade A G 37783 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Hands D H 48614 Spr Clerk 2/1965 1967

Hanrahan T J 14563 Spr FE/Fitter 5/04/1965 1967

Hess D F 15159 Spr Plumber Ex 4 Troop 3/1965

Hodges A H 335128 Capt Troop OC 30/6/1964 5/12/1966

Holloway M G 61188 Spr FE 5/04/1965 1967

Johnson K Pte Cook 1964 Not known

Jolley K J 16733 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Jones L W 243081 Spr Vehicle Ex 4 Troop 14/01/1965Mechanic

Kimberley J F 5410989 Spr Driver Ex 4 Troop 27/03/1965


2 Troop Nominal Roll

Name Reg No. Rank Posting Arrived Malaya RTA

Leach G E 242773 Cpl Carpenter 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Lennon B B 15871 Lt Troop 17/11/1963 5/10/1965Officer

Limb S 61357 Cpl Stores 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Logan H R 16736 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Looby N 3411116 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Macklin P J 16692 Spr FE 17/11/1963 7/4/1965

Maddison D R 243145 Spr Vehicle 8/2/1965 5/10/1965Mechanic

Matthews P J 61432 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

McDonald R M 42742 Spr Driver 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

McNamara L C 15863 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Morris A 2411338 Spr Plant 17/11/1963 5/10/1965Operator

Oliver W M 5411225 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Parsons B W 214121 Cpl/Sgt FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Plumb G C 15712 Spr Driver 17/11/1963 May 1966

Pullen A R 61592 Spr Electrician 5/04/1965 12/1965

Rawson R E 214457 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Reece T W 16394 Spr Carpenter 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Reed R W 342790 Spr Carpenter Ex 4 Troop Mid-1964

Richardson A T 48572 Spr Bricklayer Ex 4 Troop 5/10/1965

Sexton F J 37481 Spr Driver 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Simpson L E 37833 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Sinclair A 311261 Spr Clerk Ex 4 Troop 3/1965

Stokes P J 36907 Cpl Clerk 17/11/1963 Mid-1966

Sutton W M 37448 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Tibbles I E 214667 Spr Driver 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Tomczak J W 58737 Spr Plumber 6/1964 8/1967

van Gelder M M 17021 Capt Troop OC Ex 4 Troop 1/07/1965

White K J 16584 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Whitfield W A 29959 Spr Plumber 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Wicks D C 16722 Spr FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Wilson J S 53599 Cpl FE 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

Wood D F 15389 Spr Plant Operator 17/11/1963 5/10/1965

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Accompanied Family Details

Name Children/Comments

Mercia Armitage Lisa and Jamie

Joan Barnett 2 children

Betty Bending Michael born Malaya May 1964

Lily Butler

– Cribbs Married in Malaya September 1965

Judy Crosby Twins, Craig and Sue

Trish Farrell Married in Malaya 25 May 1964. Christopher born Malaya 18 August 1965

Margaret Hands

June Hanrahan Lee; Kim born Malaya June 1965

Beryl Hodges Lisa born Malaya 10 September 1964

Lorraine Jones Sharon born Malaya 9 July 1963

Jan Leach

Trish Lennon Steele; Jenni-Lee born Malaya 13 March 1964

Ahlan (Ann) Logan Married in Malaya 16 August 1965

Beverley Morris Stephen; Shane born Malaya 1964

Judy Parsons Jeffrey born Malaya 1965

Val Plumb Kevin born Malaya March 1964, Janelle born Malaya November 1965

Mary Reece David, Michael and Lynette

Marilyn Reed Donna born Malaya 12 December 1963

Yvonne Richardson Anais Marie born Malaya 3 July 1965

Margaret Stokes Peter, Debra, Michael and Janelle

Helen van Gelder James and Timothy

Kath Whitfield 1 girl and 3 boys

Judy Wood David and Kate, Roslyn deceased Malaya 24 July 1964


2 F i e l d Tr o o p R A E

Roll of Honour

With great affection we remember our colleagues who have died since we served together in2 Field Troop RAE.

24649 Tom L Abberfield

311397 Ian Benson

13706 Noel M Butler

214375 Brian W Cribbs

5411092 Dennis G Fitzhenry

214121 Bruce W Parsons

36907 Peter J Stokes

214667 Ian E Tibbles

Our Comrades at arms

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them

Lest We Forget

In 2002 a limited-edition paving brick was commissioned by the Troop in memory ofthose members who had died. It is to be laid on the Heritage Walk adjacent to theRoyal Australian Engineers’ Vietnam Memorial at the School of Military Engineering.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

2 F i e l d Tr o o p R A E

In Memoriam

With great affection we remember family members

of

2 Field Troop RAE (1963-65) who have died.

Joan Barnett

Lily Butler

Judy Crosby

Val Plumb

Roslyn Wood

May they rest in eternal peace


Service Medals

In 1994 a Committee of Inquiry into Defence and Defence Related Awards, headed byGeneral Peter Gration AC, OBE Ret’d, was established to examine service from 1945until 1975 when the present Australian system of honours and awards came into being.(As mentioned in Chapter 1, General Gration was the troop officer of 4 Troop, theinaugural Australian troop to join 11 Indep Fd Sqn, RE.)

At the time of the inquiry, Alan Hodges was Director General Service Personnel Policyin Headquarters Australian Defence Force. In this capacity, he was responsible forappearing before the Committee to put forward the Defence position on a range ofissues relating to awards. During such an appearance, the matter of an award for RAAFpersonnel serving at Ubon was discussed. This led to discussion of 2 Troop’s service onOperation Crown. General Gration suggested that a submission be prepared on behalfof 2 Troop for the Committee to consider. This offer was accepted and the case wassupported by reports on Operation Crown by both Malcolm van Gelder and AlanHodges (in relation to his service on Operation Crown in 1966 with the replacement2 Troop).

The reports were referred to the Official History Unit at the Australian War Memorial,which examined the reports and provided additional advice to the Committee. A letterfrom the Official History Unit covering the return of the report to Alan Hodges stated:

It was indeed most fortuitous that both you and Malcolm van Gelder still retainedyour reports. I think this must say something about the thoroughness of Australianengineers.

As a result of the Committee’s findings and recommendations, the Minister for Defenceannounced, on 19 April 1994, the introduction of a number of new Defence RelatedAwards to recognise service to Australia, including the Australian Service Medal withbar ‘Thailand’ for service on Operation Crown. This reflected acceptance of the Reportof Committee of Inquiry into Defence and Defence/Related Awards, which stated:

The Committee also received a submission on behalf of 2 Field Troop, RoyalAustralian Engineers (RAE), who served at Ban Kok Talat 110 kilometres northof Ubon for five months in 1964 and six months in 1965-1966. On both occasionsthe troop’s employment was associated with construction of an airfield at LeongNok Tha (Operation Crown) as part of Australia’s commitment to SEATO.During both deployments there was a continuing low level of insurgent activity inthe general Operation Crown area, probably comparable to that pertaining 110 kilometres to the south around the Ubon air base. For example, in the periodfrom January to April 1966, in six separate insurgent incidents in the Crown area,eighteen Thai dead and five wounded were reported including police andgovernment officials. There is no suggestion that 2 Field Troop was engaged in anyaction and insurgents, but the deployment clearly took place in a situation of lowsecurity. The unit also advises that a few other Australian personnel (signals andmedical) may have been involved with Operation Crown.

Guided by Principles number 1, number 3 and number 8, the Committeerecommends that members of 2 Field Troop RAE and other Australian personnelwho participated in Operation Crown and served at Ban Kok Talat between

DESTINATION: MALAYA

January 1964 and May 1966 should also be awarded the Australian Service Medal1945-1975 with clasp Ubon, with the relevant qualifying period of 30 days.

(The clasp eventually issued was ‘Thailand’ rather than ‘Ubon’.)

The Committee developed 10 principles to guide its consideration of the manysubmissions placed before it. Those applicable to 2 Troop were:

Principle 1: Recognition of service by medals (other than medals for long serviceor special occasions such as coronations) should only occur when that service hasbeen rendered beyond the normal requirements of peacetime. Normal duties such astraining and garrison duties should not be recognised by the award of a medal, eventhough they may be demanding, hazardous and uncomfortable, and may beundertaken in countries other than Australia. As a general rule, medals should bereserved for the recognition of service in military campaigns, peacekeeping or othermilitary activities clearly and markedly more demanding than normal peacetimeservice.

Principle 3: To maintain the inherent fairness and integrity of the Australiansystem of honours and awards, care must be taken that, in recognising service bysome, the comparable service of others is not overlooked or degraded.

Principle 8: Recognising that its work requires viewing past service through theeyes of 1994, the Committee believes that appropriate benchmarks in consideringhitherto unrecognised service between 1945 and 1975 are the terms and conditionscurrently attached to an award of the Australian Active Service and AustralianService Medals. Service rendered during this period which generally meets thoseterms and conditions should receive retrospective and comparable recognition.

Depending on actual areas and times of service, members of 2 Field Troop (1963-64) areentitled to the award of the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM), the AustralianService Medal (ASM) and the British General Service Medal (GSM).

Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975

Prime Minister John Howard announced the establishment of theAASM in December 1997 to recognise the service of veterans whoserved in the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the IndonesianConfrontation and the Vietnam War. The establishment of this newmedal followed on from the Government’s 1996 election commitment tothe veterans’ community to create a distinctly Australian award torecognise warlike service between 1945 and 1975.

The AASM with clasp MALAYSIA is awarded to members of theAustralian Defence Force who were allotted and posted for one day’sservice in warlike operations during Indonesian Confrontation inSarawak for service between 24 December 1962 and 11 August 1966 andin the Malay Peninsula between 17 August 1964 and 11 August 1966.The AASM is also awarded for those who had been awarded the GSMwith clasp BORNEO or clasp MALAY PENINSULA.

Australian ActiveService Medal.


Australian Service Medal 1945-1975

The ASM is awarded to members of the Australian Defence forceserving with the Australian Defence Force for non-warlike service incertain specified areas overseas. Two clasps apply to the service of 2 FieldTroop during 1963-65.

The conditions for the clasp THAILAND specifically list the service of2 Field Troop RAE at Ban Kok Talat in Operation Crown between 1 May 1962 and 24 June 1965.

The clasp SE ASIA applies for non-warlike Defence Force activities onland in Malaysia between 1 August 1960 and 16 August 1964.

Some of the troop, who stayed on with the replacement 2 Troop in 1964and served in Operation Crown in 1966, are entitled to the AASM withclasp THAILAND for that service rather than the ASM.

British General Service Medal 1962

The GSM with clasp BORNEO was awarded for 30 days or more servicein Borneo, not necessarily continuous, between 24 December 1962 and11 August 1966.

The GSM with clasp MALAY PENINSULA was awarded for 30 days ormore service, not necessarily continuous, on land in the MalayPeninsular and Singapore between 17 August 1964 and 12 June 1965inclusive while on the posted or attached strength of any unit orformation serving in these areas

An interesting flow-on of the award for service on Operation Crownrelates to New Zealand Army detachments. A 33-strong New ZealandArmy engineering team was deployed at Operation Crown, and anothergroup worked on a separate road project in northeast Thailand. In 2002,Alan Hodges was contacted by a NZ Engineer about the justification heput forward for the award to Australians for service on Operation Crown.He provided his report on Operation Crown and this was used to assistin the justification for a new New Zealand General Service Medal withclasp ‘Thailand’, which was announced by the NZ Minister for Defenceon 15 January 2003.

Australian ServiceMedal.

British GeneralService Medal.

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Bibliography

Army, The Soldier’s newspaper, all issues May 1963 to November 1965.

Australasian Post, What a Divine Digger, July 1964.

Australia Through Time – 126 Years of Australian History, Sydney, 1994.

Bukit Bulletin, Terendak Camp Fortnightly Magazine, various issues 1964-65.

Cochrane, Peter. Australians at War. Accompanying book to the television series‘Australians at War,’ Sydney, 2001.

Donough, W. ‘Wanton Attack - Heavily Armed Indons Overrun Police Station’, TheSarawak Tribune, 29 June 1965.

Edwards, Peter. ‘Confrontation – Australia’s Curious War of Diplomacy’, Wartime,Summer, 1999

Greville, Brigadier P. J. CBE. The Royal Australian Engineers 1945 to 1972 Volume 4.Loftus, NSW, 2002.

Kho, Paul. ‘Tan Opens Bau Airstrip’, The Sarawak Tribune, 16 June 1965.

Miller, Russell. ‘Sweat and Grit in the Land of Smiles’, Soldier, June 1965.

Navy News, ‘HMAS Voyager Sunk’, 21 February 1964.

Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Defence and Defence Related Awards, Canberra,1994

Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Neil C, AM. Nothing Short of War – With the AustralianArmy in Borneo 1962-66, Melbourne, 1999.

Sun Herald, feature article, ‘President Kennedy’s Assassination’, Sydney, 24 November1963.

Wilson, J S ‘Snow’. Extracts from his personal diary, 1964.

Sprs Ian Tibbles, Lindsay Simpson and Trevor Reece Cpl Peter Stokes, Sprs Peter Matthews, Jim Kimberley, Bob McDonald and Bill Jones

Spr (Acting 'Capt’!)

Peter Glasson

Spr Dave Cannon

L/Cpl Brian Cribbs

Sprs Clem Finlay and Tom Abberfield

Sprs Ken Jolley and Jock Benson

Spr Murray Aitken

L/Cpl Tony Farrell

L/Cpl Noel Butler

DESTINATION: MALAYA

Spr Murray Avery and bootboy Spr Humphrey Dodd Spr Bob McDonald

L/Cpl John Barnett

Spr Mick Sutton

Spr George Greenslade

Spr John White

Spr Les McNamara Sprs Les McNamara and Lindsay Simpson

Spr Peter Matthews

Description of image above to beinserted in this section, description ofimage above to be inserted in thissection

L/Cpl John Barnett and Spr Bill Whitfield and an unlucky Brit Spr Ian Tibbles Sprs Bob Rawson and Tony Farrell

Spr Arthur Sinclair

L/Cpl Tony Farrell

Sprs Dave Wicks, Ray Logan, Harry Atkinson,

Mick Sutton and George Greenslade

Spr Darryl Hess

Spr Ken Jolley

Spr Doug Canning

Spr Dion Hands

Front cover photo top: Loading a Commer tipper with laterite under the chinaman at theFree Thai airstrip. Cpl John Bending oversees proceedings while Spr Ian Tibbles advis-es Spr Alan Morris driving the dozer. Operation Crown, March 1964.

Front cover photo bottom: L to R: Sappers Les McNamara, Darryl Hess, Peter Matthews,Gary Plumb, Trevor Reece and Bob Rawson. Exercise Raven, July 1964, AsahanTraining Area, Malacca State.

Rear cover photo: Spr Darryl Hess leading the bucket brigade of concrete carriers duringthe construction of a stairway from Commonwealth House, the home of theCommander of 28 Commonwealth Brigade, to the beach 1964.

Sapper Harry Atkinson drilling rocks in a quarry formed from a gold mine at Bau, Sarawak, 1964. Drawing by Dennis Adams (1914-2001), commissioned by Alan Hodges in 1979 from a photograph he took in Bau. Dennis Adams was a prolific WW2 war artist. The Australian War Memorial has over 350 of his drawings, paintings, illustrations and sculptures. Other works include the bronze Royal Australian Regiment Memorial in Regimental Square, Sydney and the bronze memorial to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals at Watsonia in Victoria.

MalayaDavid Wicks and Simon Wilson


Destination:Destination:

"It is a splendid job most professionally done... " Brigadier Terrence McMeekin, Commander 28 Commonwealth Brigade

Destinaton:Malaya

A History of 2 Field Troop Royal Australian Engineers 1963–1965David W

icks and Simon W

ilson

destination malaya 2nd australian field troop

Education

troop members

field troop rae roll

malaya destination

troop nominal roll

malaya david wicks

military engineers australia

australian war memorial

indep field sqn lines