Description
Object description
British officer served with 1st Bn Suffolk Regt, 2nd Infantry Bde in Federation of Malaya, 1951-1952
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Woodford Green and Stratford-upon-Avon, GB, 1931-1950: family; education; evacuation to Stratford-upon-Avon during Second World War. Aspects of period as private with Essex Regt at Meeanee Barracks, Colchester, GB, 9/1950-12/1950: attitude towards doing National Service; reporting to barracks, 9/1950; inoculations; officer selection procedure; drill instruction; barrack accommodation and kit inspections; relations with NCOs; degree of weapons training. Aspects of officer training at No 164 Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) at Eaton Hall, GB, 1951: selection procedure; pattern of training; attending battle camp; fire and movement training; degree to which training was of use on active service in Malaya; commissioning and posting to Suffolk Regimental Depot at Gibraltar Barracks, Bury St Edmunds. Recollections of operations as officer with 1st Bn Suffolk Regt, 2nd Infantry Bde in Federation of Malaya, 1951-1952: voyage aboard HMT Empire Windrush from GB to Federation of Malaya, 1951; arrival in Malaya; degree of knowledge of situation in Federation of Malaya.
REEL 2 Continues: move to Kuala Lumpur area for jungle training; character of rubber plantations and the jungle; conditions underfoot; problems of visibility; use of animal tracks; threat of wild pigs; encounter with tigers; problems with ants and mosquitoes; leech inspections; pattern of jungle training including introduction to different weapons; unit deployment; insurgent activity; intimidation of civilians by insurgents; role intercepting insurgents in aid of the civil power; opinion of relations with Federation of Malaya Police; role of the stand by section; size of platoon and operational procedures; organisation of section patrol; distribution of firepower within the patrol; destruction of abandoned insurgent camps; problems of signalling in jungle; clothing worn; rations carried.
REEL 3 Continues: burial of rubbish; cigarette smoking on patrol; progress in jungle terrain; quality of maps used; navigating in the jungle; sleeping arrangements on patrol; rota for standing guard; problems sleeping in jungle; health problems caused by infected leech bite; washing and shaving; posting to B Coy in Kajang; character of company camp at Kajang; conditions in camp on rubber plantation; rotation of companies; intensification of operations after assassination of Governor Sir Henry Gurney, 6/10/1951; character of Surrendered Enemy Personnel (SEPs); attempt to ambush Indian insurgent leader in camp; nature of insurgent camp; degree of intelligence available about Indian insurgent leader; insurgent guards and escape routes; searching camps; use of Iban trackers; conditions for insurgents; problems of visibility in sighting camps; second failed ambush on insurgent camp; moving in the jungle.
REEL 4 Continues: follow up operations after contacts; plans to target Liew Kon Kim in swamp area in Kuala Langat Forest Reserve; technique for patrolling swamp; reads extract from book highlighting action against Liew Kon Kim, 5/7/1952; use of M1 Carbine during action; problems of visibility and how close he was to Liew Kon Kim's camp; identification of Liew Kon Kim and removal of insurgents bodies, 5/7/1952; reaction to sight of Special Air Service patrol; reaction to award of Military Cross; relations between regular and national service officers; reputation of 1st Bn Suffolk Regt in Malaya; origins of platoon members; ambushing insurgent supply routes; condition on return from patrol; treatment after shooting of Liew Kon Kim; attitude to having served with 1st Bn Suffolk Regt in Malaya; visit by General Gerald Templer after shooting of Liew Kon Kim.