The Malay Regiment

The Malay Regiment marching on a field exercise

The Malay Regiment

1890s – Plan to recruit Malays for companies of ‘ Submarine Miners’- to work with Naval Mines to serve in Singapore, Hong Kong, Ceylon; the scheme fell apart when Malays declined to sign up.

1913 – Formal proposal for regular Malay Regiment was presented to the Federated Malay States Legislative Council. Dropped because of outbreak of WW1

1920 – Federal Government acknowledged the idea and was considered

1925 – The proposal was referred to the War Office in London for further study

1931 – The Sultans in the Malay States demanded decisions for the proposals as they were tired of paying for Indian Army to garrison the colony. Indian Officials would never fix a cost for the Indian Unit and kept sending unexpected additional bills. Malays could do a better job at less cost.

1932 – Small experimental Malay unit was formed and was given 6 months to prove its value. More than 1,000 Malays apply for 25 places. Well educated and promising young men of higher classes were encouraged to apply

Capt G Bruce, Lincolnshire Regiment was given command, with Capt K E Exham from the Malacca Volunteer Corps as regimental adjutant. RSM A E Mc Carthy and CSM E Oldfield (Instructors with the Volunteer Force) completed the training team. The British Officers and NCOs have to combine British Army Standards with Malay Culture to produce Military Ethos.

1933 1 Mar, Recruits and trainers assembled and trained in huts in Port Dickson that have been used by FMSVF units on weekend courses.

1934 The Government announced that the experiment was a success and a full Battalion of the The Malay Regiment was formed on 1 Jan 1935, the motto “Loyal and True”

1937 The Malay Regiment became the Federated Malay States garrison unit when the Burma Rifles left and was running NCO courses for local volunteer forces

Malay officers held commissions from the Federated Malay States High Commissioner rather than the British Crown and had lower wages. A British Sergeant-major received S$375 a month vs. Malay with the same rank receiving S$55 per month

1938 With the success of the Malay Regiment, The British Army recruited Malays to form the Malay Sappers with 1,000 men as part of the Royal Engineers. The unit manned searchlights and was moved to the Royal Artillery in 1941

1938 As an acceptance of the Malay Regiment, the 1^st Battalion came under the command of the new 1^st Malaya Infantry Brigade with the 2^nd Battalion Loyal Regiment and the 1^st Battalion 17^th Dogra Regiment

1941 March, The 2^nd Battalion Malay Regiment was formed. A regimental Depot was established to train recruits for the two battalions. Experienced officers and men were transferred from the 1^st Battalion to help organize and lead the new unit.

Dec 1941 the 2^nd Battalion Malay Regiment was operational ready. The 1^st Battalion was to guard the southern coasts of Singapore and A company and D company from the 2^nd Battalion was sent to fortify Kelantan and Province of Wellesley respectively.

Extracted from Forgotten Regiments, by Barry Renfrew

Federated Malay States Volunteer Force FMSVF - Mubin Sheppard

Taman Budiman – Memoirs of an Unorthodox Civil Servant, by Tan Sri Dato Mubin Sheppard

Prisoner & Postman 1938 – 1945

- 1938 – Mubin Sheppard (MUBIN SHEPPARD) was appointed 2^nd assistant Secretary to Government in the Federal Secretariat, Kuala Lumpur

- accepted Command of D Company, Selangor Battalion Federated Malay States Volunteer Force (2nd Battalion FMSVF)

- MUBIN SHEPPARD went to Klang and Kuala Selangor every week to supervise training of 3 Malay Platoons and 1 European Platoon (Mainly rubber planters)

- 1938 June, Governor of Straits Settlement, appointed MUBIN SHEPPARD as honorary Aide De Camp (ADC)

- 1939 August, FMSVF HQ held a mobilization exercises for each of the 4 battalions.

- In Selangor, MUBIN SHEPPARD held a Company Rifle Meeting, before attending a Battalion Camp in Port Dickson

- Sultan of Selangor visited the Battalion in camp and dined in the Volunteer Officers Mess. His family members were officers and NCOs of D Company

- 1939, Nov, MUBIN SHEPPARD was engaged and by end of Jan 1940, married the sister of a fellow Malaya Civil Services(MCS) Officer in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore. He was 34 yrs old and the bride, 36.

- 1941 Sep, MUBIN SHEPPARD reported at the District office in Batu Gajah, Perak and took charge of the Land Office- the largest office in Federated Malay States (FMS). Same time, took over command of C Company of the Perak Volunteer Battalion (1st Battalion FMSVF)

- MUBIN SHEPPARD gave top priority to Volunteer training

1941 Oct, Jungle training weekend organized for the company of Malay Volunteers, was met by sarcasm from regular army officers in the Kinta Club Bar

- local sense of complacency about preparing for the war with the Japanese was prevalent

1941 1^st Dec, General mobilisation of all troops and volunteers in Malaya was ordered

- MUBIN SHEPPARD told Williams, the District Officer and friends that he would be back to celebrate Christmas. He never saw his house possessions again from that date.

1941 8^th Dec, C Company, 1^st Battalion FMSVF camped in company tents and in thatched huts on the perimeter of the Ipoh Airfield.

- detachment of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel was positioned at the end of the runway with a few small fighter planes and a large stock of fuel

- RAAF also manned telephone exchange, connecting D Company to the town of Ipoh and 1^st Battalion FMSVF Volunteer HQ

- Japanese planes had morning and evening bombing raids and dropped anti-personnel bombs on huts and machine gunned trenches, without destroying the runway.

- FMSVF only equipped with Lewis guns with maximum range of 2,000 feet, hence ineffective against Japanese planes

- RAAF withdrew from the airbase one evening, but FMSVF D Company of 4 platoons remained at their posts till 23 Dec 1941 and was ordered to protect the civil engineers that destroyed the runway

1941, 24 Dec, FMSVF D Company handed over the defence posts to a company of Indian Regulars and withdrew to Kampar High School

- a handed typed signal from Military HQ Ipoh was handed to MUBIN SHEPPARD when he has paid the mobilization allowance to his men and was watching the distribution of cooked meal for them on the evening of 24 Dec 1941

- MUBIN SHEPPARD was informed to hand over command to second in command and report to Col Warren at Station Hotel, Kuala Lumpur immediately

- Col Warren was a Royal Marine and was in Singapore 6 months prior to set up a secret school for sabotage operations

- MUBIN SHEPPARD was to join “Stay Behind” parties to be located at the Sungei Lembing to Bundi area, off Kuantan at the East Coast of Malaya

- His duty was to operate wireless transmitters and carry out guerilla operations behind Japanese lines – in anticipation of British counter attacks when reinforcements arrived in Singapore (!)

- Col Warren was finalizing “Stay Behind” parties and has mentioned operatives like Spencer-Chapman, John Davies and Richard Broome

- John Davies was also organizing “Dalforce” which is a company of Chinese Communists from his house in Bellamy Road Kuala Lumpur (?)

1942 9 Jan, MUBIN SHEPPARD was however hospitalized in Singapore General Hospital as he was down with Tropical Typhus

1942 15 Feb, last issue of Straits Times published in the morning – single sheet, tabloid size with caption heading – “Singapore must stand: It shall stand, HE The Governor”

1942 15 Feb, 6pm – General Percival, GOC Malaya Command signed the surrender to the Japanese. 8.30pm, all hostilities ceased.

1942 16 Feb, Morning – Before Japanese take control of Singapore, Leslie Davis, Capt Clement( ADC to the Governor) and MUBIN SHEPPARD drove to the Government House to collect the Governor’s belongings.

- MUBIN SHEPPARD removed the Union Jack Flag which was flying over Government House till 12 Feb 1942. MUBIN SHEPPARD kept the flag sewn inside a sarong, concealed in a pillow case for the whole period of imprisonment and it was hoisted again on the 1^st day of release in August 1945. Same year that MUBIN SHEPPARD was conferred a Major rank in the FMSVF

Extracted from Taman Budiman by MUBIN SHEPPARD

1st Battalion Straits Settlement Volunteer Force - Baba Nonnie goes to war

Baba Nonnie goes to war by Ron Mitchell

Ron Mitchell was working with Fraser & Neave Singapore. At age 17, he joined the Intelligence Platoon, 1^st Battalion Straits Settlement Volunteer Force, with his brothers Ian and Malcolm

- Registered at Manpower Bureau, giving date of birth as 17^th Feb 1923 instead of 1924. ( 18 yrs old instead of 17)

- interviewed and accepted by Copt Holiday, OC Intelligence Platoon 1SSVF

- The Platoon was a motor cycle unit riding the 500cc side valve BSA

- Volunteers had to undergo 2 months full time training and attend weekly parades and weekend exercises

- As part of the Intelligence Platoon, Ron had to know the North West part of Singapore keenly

- He was able to enjoy the comfort of a bar and lounge available to all ranks in the Drill Hall on Beach Road

- Mobilised for full time services on 1 Dec 1941 and was given 36 hrs to get things in order

- Full uniform was khaki shorts and shirts, with hose tops and puttee, issued for personal keep to attend weekend exercises and normal parades

- Wore topee that was shaped like helmets worn by the Royal Marines, without the spike on top

- Tin hats, revolvers, extra webbing, bedding and blankets were issued on arrival at the drill hall on mobilization day

- Military preparations were not evident in Singapore for a strong defence of the island.

- Ron was a dispatch rider (a Don R). Whilst delivering messages in the north of Singapore, there were no building of pill boxes or trenches to be seen

- On day of surrender, 15^th Feb 1942, Ron was still a dispatch rider for another day, wearing a Japanese armband. He had to deliver messages to units telling them of the Japanese orders. He was stopped continuously by groups of Japanese troops and was robbed in the process off his personal possessions

- 17^th Feb 1942, on Ron’s 18^th birthday, he marched to Changi and captivity

Extracted from Baba Nonnie goes to war, by Ron Mitchell

1st Battalion Straits Settlement Volunteer Force

Pencil Portrait of Paul, POW Camp, Changi 1942

Paul Gibbs Pancheri, employee of Harper Gilfillan. Probably joined Singapore Volunteers Corps in early 1940 as a private in 1^st Battalion SSVF, S Support Company (Machine gunners) – Scottish Company

Before the War…

- Regular Tuesday evening “drills” at Volunteer HQ, Beach Road 5 – 7 pm

- Field days on Sundays, practiced “tactical withdrawals” as withdrawals claimed to be more difficult than advance

- King’s Birthday with parade at Cricket Club Padang. S Company donned kilt, sporran, diced hose, spats & bonnets

- HQ Mess – after parade sessions in Mess consisted rounds of “stengahs” ( small whiskey, lots of soda & water) & “makan kechil” ( cracker biscuits with small sardines & Tabasco sauce, with crisps & nuts)

- 2 months training in July & August 1940 at Telok Paku, Changi Camp.

- Daily routine in Camp:

· Dawn parade for PT

· Shower, shave, dressing, breakfast & inspection

· Morning Field Exercises

· Afternoon ( 2 – 5.15pm ) back to office

· Evening Parades – lectures, indoor gun drills & machine gun “lock” exercise

· After dinner/after parade sessions, in the mess

- During training, weekend passes were available, but most have to return to camp by 2359hrs

- S Company QM Sgt – Tommy Laffan (Chartered accountant with McAuliffe, Turquand, Youngs & Co.)

- John Swallow, Company Commander S Company transferred Paul Gibbs Pancheri to Battalion QM stores under Capt. Harry Proud (Manager in Singapore Gas Company) as corporal.

- Regimental QM Sgt Harry Goodman ( Stores Manager United Engineers)

- Paul has observed that Volunteers could have been useful as guides and interpreters (applied more to planters & tin miners) but SVC should have “honour” of fighting as a separate unit.

- 2 months mobilization training in April & May 1941. Lt Col Chamier, Commanding Officer of 1^st Battalion, was posted to Penang. Lt Col Newey ( Senior Post Office Official) took over command

- New QM, Lt “Jock” Snell ( Assistant in Whiteaway Laidlaw)

- Spring 1941, S Company’s kilt, sporran, bonnets were kept in store. Volunteers were fitted with 2 pairs of shorts ( 1 for Scottish company), 1 pair of slacks, 2 shirts, 1 tunic and 1 pair of boots – made to measure by Chinese contractors

- Jan 1940, conscription was introduced by Governor of Straits Settlement. Army “issued” kits were handed out instead of made to measure ones. Weaponry consisted of WW1 rifles, Lewis & Vickers guns. Armored Car company had WW1 “Armored “Daimlers with Lewis guns. They were heavy vehicles with narrow tires; only good for movement on metalled roads. Subsequently replaced by Bren Carriers with guns of non-standard bore and only 800 rounds.

- Rations for the battalion drawn from Alexandra Depot.

- May 1941, whilst training at Telok Paku Camp, Volunteers saw the arrival of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth ships with Australian troops.

- Volunteer Other Ranks were forbidden to enter to their own clubs if in uniform

- 1^st December 1941, 1^st Battalion SVC mobilized and deployed HQ at Geylang English School premises. S Company occupied concrete pill boxes along the coasts from the Singapore Swimming Club to the town area. B & D companies prepared defences positions at the rear of this are

During the war…

- SVC 1^st Battalion QM’s routine was indenting and drawing rations for the volunteers

- SVC deployment on beach posts from the Swimming Club to the city, and companies in reserve behind the posts

- Pioneer Sgt Bill Teasdale ensure slit trenches and beach defence wiring for defence works

- Sgt George Mytton – Cook Sgt for Battalion ( Cold Storage Company Manager)

- Breakfast was fried bread and baked beans and occasional tough fried egg

- Lunch was fat mutton curry mostly

- Alan Walker ( Sun Life of Canada ) & Cpl Sonny Matthews distributed the rations

- Christmas 1941 – Battalion dining area was the school canteen

- 2 platoons of S company SVC sent with half of 2 Gordon Highlanders to reinforce Australians troops in Johor when Japanese advanced to Yong Peng and Batu Pahat

- 31 Jan 1941, QM drew 2 day’s rations for 1 battalion of Norfolk and 2 battalions of Cambridgeshires that arrived in Singapore and was billeted at Tyersall Camp with the Argylls.

- SVC HQ S Company relocated to near Cairnhill circle, off Orchard Road in terraced houses.

- SVC S, B & D companies deployed in Holland road area and towards Ayer Raja Road

- Alexander Depot ceased to function and SVC Battalion HQ has to raid godowns for essential supplies namely food. And in one occasion, Vichy Water ( which was important later due to cut in water supplies)

- Sgt Ken Stevens (Dunlop Manager) joined Battalion HQ.

- Task of QM stores were to destroy liquor stored in cellars of Goodwood Park Hotel.

- 15^th of Feb 1942, 2200hrs CO of 1^st Battalion SSVF sent word of surrender and that all volunteers to stay at their posts, with weapons stacked and ready to be handed over to the victors.

Extracts from “Volunteer” by Paul Gibbs Pancheri

Hong Kong Singapore Royal Artillery (2)

HKSRA Gunners manning a 3 inch Anti Aircraft gun on the coast of Singapore cir 1939. Note the gunner without his helmet- against regulations? Call the CSM! source : Life

Hong Kong – Singapore Royal Artillery HKSRA (1930 – 1942)

1920-30’s – HKSRA expanded for defenses of Singapore & Hong Kong with the construction of the Naval Base in Singapore due cheaper to deploy Asian troops than British Soldiers.

1930’s - 3 heavy battery in Hong Kong and 1 in Singapore. By 1938, 2 more heavies added including 1 Heavy battery in Penang

Anti aircraft (AA) units were included in the HKSRA Regiments with 9 AA battery (6 fully operational) and 3 coastal battery available in Singapore by Oct 1941 (OCT 1937 – 1 HKSRA battery established). Further plans to include 12 guns manned by HKSRA in Penang and positions and plans for expansion of AA defenses to be completed by 30 Jan 1942

By 1941 (less than 4 yrs) – 3 HKSRA regiments with 14 battery was formed

Rapid expansion has created problems as:

- Singapore units are less experienced than Hong Kong units

- New battery formed faster than available guns

- Recruits were in army for few months when battery formed and officers and men were still picking up skills

- Rarely practice with live rounds and communication were poor with primitive radios

- Shortage of experienced officers and NCOs – made worse when Aden formed more battery; milking experienced gunners

1938 – Built a new cantonment in Nee Soon to house HKSRA with the largest officer’s mess outside UK (dining capacity for 90)

Malaya (1941 – 1942)

- 20^th Heavy AA Battery formed in Malaya on 11 Mar 1941 (location possibly KUL?)

- 9^th Battery of 1^st HKSRA Regiment at Kota Bahru ( LT J C Close) & Alor Setar

- 13^th Battery at Sungei Petani ( Battery Comdr Maj PE White) – 6 guns

- 14^th Battery at Ipoh – shot down 5 aircrafts ; pulled out 24 Dec & 27 Dec to reach KUL

- 16^th Battery to cover 3^rd India Corps – deployed to protect bridges & key cross roads, B troop involved in Slime River. Equipped with Bofors

- 2^nd HKSRA Regiment under LT COL HV Allpress was commanding AA defenses of Malaya. 3 battery was deployed in KL Airfield with 5 planes shot & probable 7 kills

- HKSRA shot down 51 planes and claimed 30 probable kills

- 14 HKSRA AA guns were destroyed and lost when Malaya was abandoned

- 1^st HKSRA Regiment defended Diary Road location with A troops of 9^th battery losing guns to Japanese mortar fire

- 20^th HKSRA Battery was forced to destroy guns and retreat when HQ22 Australian Infantry Brigade withdrawn

Bibliography : Forgotten Regiments by Barry Renfrew