11 INDEPENDENT FIELD SQUADRON

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Always check the welcome page for any new Links

NOTICE BOARD LINK
ROLL CALL LINK
Sqn History Link

click on flag for Terendak Camp

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Link to RAE 2 and 4 Troop Page

I was informed today by Dorothy Woods

that Jim passed away in the early hours
of today 4 March 2010
I extend condolances from us all to
Dorothy and family
Jim served with the Sqn
1954-57
and 1959-62 with 410

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This article should be of interest to most of you.

Psychological Warfare of the Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960 __________________________________________

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Welcome June 2010
Peter Campbell
OC 1961-63 approx
Maj Gen Rtd
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Welcome to May 2010
Ray tich Goymer
3 troop 1962-65
Berny Meston
3 tp 1963-66
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Den Johnson
Austria 1953
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Mick Saunders
Plt Pk Tp 1960-62
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New Additions March 2010

Brian Collins OC 3 troop 1956-59

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Want the 11 Ind Fld Sqn Tie

Link

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New Additions Jan 2010

Allen Jermy 3 troop 1956-58

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Welcome New Additions Dec 09

Colin Taff Williams 1969

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Welcome New Additions Nov 09

John Cusack 1965-67

Harry Daker 1961-64 Park Troop

Peter Kennedy 1959-61 1 troop

Geoff Woolatt 1960-62 Park Troop Cmd.

Bill Fiddes 1962-64 HQ troop

Reginald Keeping 1962-64 S/Sgt 3 Troop

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Welcome New Additions Oct 09

George Cox 1957-59

Jimmy Thrippleton 1 troop 1957-60

Tom Smit 1966-68

S/Sgt Geoffrey Fagg 1963-66

Rod Horner 1966-68

Michael Fraser-Allen Capt 1961-64 Lt Col retired

George W Dick 1962-65 1 troop

Leon Willy Wilson 1962-65 1 troop

Peter Bowker 1954-55 Park Troop

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It has been proposed by Dave Yeo 1964-67

and backed up by several at Coventry Reunion in June,

That an 11 Sqn tie be produced as link below

the lettering will be embroidered.

If an order of 50 can be placed the cost is £10 each.

We need your feedback on this matter please

THE TIE

TO LIST OF THOSE WANTING TIE

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Welcome New Additions Sept 09

Ray Sturgess 1959-62

Eddie Vincent 1 troop 1962-65

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Welcome New Additions July & Aug 09

Dennis Blay MT 1966-69

Barry Foot 1959-62

Phil Peet 1969-70 draughtsman project office

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Welcome New Additions June

Richard M Johnston 1 troop Cmd 1967-69

Alex McQueen movements clerk 1966-67

Dick Leonard 1 & 3 troop S/Sgt 1967-1969

John Lancefield 3 & 1 Troop 1964-67

Bob Morgan Plant Troop 1965-68

Brian Lord 1957-59

Ron Hayhurst 410 ind plt troop 1956-58

Brian Webb HQ troop 1965-68

Bob (Andy) Capper 1965-68

Dick Crust 1963-66 1 troop

David Folwell 1963-1966 1 troop

Mick Ramsay 410 Sqn 1960-1962

Gerry Gleeson 1962-1965 HQ troop

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Welcome New Additions May

Robert Morgan 1965-1968

Robert Blinch blanco 1950-52 H.K. & Austria

Rob Cooke 1965-1967

John Hampton 1957-58

Frank Campbell 1957-58

Anthony Bunker plant 1957-58

Dawson Powell 1955-58

Terry Bridges 1 troop 1965-68

Bob Holme 1 troop 1966-1968

Billy Stuart 1961-1964 1 troop and 3 troop

Gerry Bedford 1965-1968

Bob (sailor) Crowford 1964-67 1 &HQ troop

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Welcome New Additions April

Jim Scoular 1 troop 1961-Oct 62

Tony Goodridge 1957-59 Plant troop

John Green 3 troop 1968-69

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Message for Ray Coleman

Are you receiving my email's Please

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Special request

If any of you have stories of your time with Norman Noddle

who passed May 2008

His wife Jean would very much like to hear them

So start getting that grey matter working and email

me with them

Hank

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Welcome New Additions Mar 09

Graham Avery 1968-1969 Wrk shop

Simon Chivers 1968-1970 3 troop

George Roberts 1958-1960 1 troop stores

Don McGilp 1967-1970 moved to new 11 Fld Sqn

David Shaw 1954-1957

Peter Lamont 1961-1964 ACC

Kenny Houston-Robb 1966-68

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Welcome new additions Feb 09

Ray Coleman 1968-1970 Last Chief Clerk

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Welcome new additions Jan 2009

John Emby 1962-1965

Dave Floyd 1969-1970

Randy Pantin 1963-1965 1 Troop

Rod Horner 1967-1968 Plant troop

Please contact me Rod with details

Harry Moore 1965-1968__________________________________
Welcome to New Additions Dec 08

John Borer 1967-70

Alan Calderbank 1955-58

Ray Schwalm MT 1958-61 _______________________________________

New Additions Nov 08

Bernard Lowe 1965-68

John Spriggs 1965-68 park troop

Anthony Fowke 1961-1964

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New Additions Oct 08

Eddy Brown 1965-1968

Norman Donaldson 1951-52 Austria.

Gordon Fox 1954-56

Mo Day 1965-68

Alex Rae 1967-70 Passed 7/8 years ago

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Welcome to New additions Sept 08

Syd Sweeting 1967-70

David Purvis 1968-69

Mike Barry 1963-65

Alan Hann 1958-1959

Jesse Whitemore Tp Sgt 1957-60

William Anderson HQ 1964-66
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From Denis Holroyd

Would really appreciate it if you could fit this photo in somewhere on the web site,

my daughter Hannah and I after her induction into officer training school,

after going through the ranks in the Canadian military,

induction was 2008/09/01

R.M.C. Kingston , Ontario,Canada.

Take care,
Denis

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I have just read Roy Follows first book The Jungle Beat. I can recommend this book as a must to any of the lads who spent time in the Jungle especially at the forts as it brings back lots of memories, a cracking read.

It can be purchased from EYE BOOKS at wwwtravellerseye.com

Price £7.99

Can’t wait for his new book the Jungle Forts, which incidentally will mention 11 Independent as one of the fort builders.

Regards Nobby
May 2014
Sad to announce that Roy Passed
Sept 2013

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Welcome to new members Aug 08

Jackie Gavin wife of

Barry 1961-63 who passed away May 2004

Gordon Lidster 1956-57

Peter Jackson 1959-60

Barry Hinchliffe 1960-63

Don Barton 1957-60

Derrick Ballard 1961-65

Russell Taff Jones 1962-64

Keith Tapp 1959-1962

Andy Andrews 1967-69

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Can anyone tell us who was Gordon Chave's driver on Op Crown 1964

they appear in a photo of the football team he is 3rd from right rear

Possible names from Bill Anderson 8 Sept 08

Pete Halliwell or Fred Embey

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New call for help. 15 july 08

Hi Hank,Came upon your website whilst looking for info on air accident in Borneo in which my brother Lcpl William Jack was killed on 12.04.65, his body was never recovered. Unfortunately, I have no memory of him as I was only 18mths old at the time. I was wondering if anyone on your site may remember him (long shot). I dont have much info other than he was based at Aldershot and served in Borneo 1962-65, with 23rd Parachute Field Amulance in Sarawak area I think. He was also stationed in Cyprus previously. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Terrie Jack

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Welcome To New Members July

John Olford 1965-67

Trevor Palmer MC 2i/c 1960-1961

Denis Holroyd 1965-1967

Jack Book 1964-1966

Charles Waddington Sqn Clerke 1960-1963

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Latest additions to members list

Fred Frape 1962-1965

Just Recovering from his opperation best wishe from all

Dermont Richards 1962-1966 Plant

Ray Theakston 1966-1968
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Can You help with the following

Hank, I am an ex aust sgt who was attached to HQFARELF in Singapore in June 1962, billeted at REME Rowcroft Lines Singapore and supported 28 COMWEALTH BDE GP in EX TRUMPETRER. Part of 274 Liaison Unit commanded by Lt col Frank Skinner, Capt Derek Jones Admin, WO Len Harvey also in unit. Do you have any knowledge of KETTLEDRUM or BUCKRUM.Grateful for reply.

Thank you for your reply. The time was 1962 in Singapore and Malaya with HQFARELF and GCHQ Phoenix Park Tanglin. Exercise Trumpeter was held in June 1962 and involved UK, Aust, NZ, Malay troops training for Buckram, the plan to support LAOS in the event that country was overrun by Chicom forces. I had hoped you might have been with FARELF or 28 Comwealth Bde at this time. Many thanks

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New contact from South Africa

L/Cpl John M taff Lewis 1969-70

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Help Reqd

Dear Hank. I'm looking to write a book about the little known Malaysian jungle forts and the important role they played during the emergency. With the 11th Ind Sqn REs and other units of your Regiment being involved in the building of Fort Tapong and the making of airstrips at some of the other forts, I would appreciate it ,if you would kindly put an appeal on your web site, asking for information, stories anything related to jungle forts. There were twelve official jungle forts all under Malay/sian Police control. They were Fort Brooke, Shean, Dixon, Chabai ,Kemar, Legap, Iskandar, Telanok, Langkap, Selim, Sinderhut and Tapong . Fort Iskander in Southern Pahang was the first fort to be established and was built by Malay Police operational units . Fort Tapong was the last one to be built. Some of these forts are still in existance, but not Fort Tapong, which now lies deep underwater in a vast reservoir . I myself served in the Malay/sian Police for over eight years (from 1952 )during the emergency, where for most of my time I was a platoon commander with a Police Jungle company engaged on operations,and for about eight months I was the commander of Fort Brooke, which is still there. Anyone who thinks they can help me with information about jungle forts , please email me at royfollows@dsl.pipex.com .Thank you.Roy Follows.
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Latest additions To Sqn List

Sammy Moore 1962-1965 1 Troop S/Sgt

Tony Mornement OBE. Plant Troop Cmd 1964
Rex Osborne 1 Troop Cmd 1964-65

Stuart Symonds 1 Troop Cmd then 2 IC 1958-61

Ron Taffy Davies 1955-1957

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The following video clip was taken by Wally Gee

1 Troop 1962-65

Thanks Wally

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Could all the people who served on OP Crown that i have not

listed in the op crown roll call please email me with dates

They were there, Thanks Hank ______________________________________________________

From Harry Ramsay REME

Just to let you know that Frank Robinson served with the sqdn. from jan.66 to july 68 and twice in crown in 66 and 67/68. Sadly Frank died in a car accident in jan. 91. thought you might like to put his details on the unit roll thanks
Harry

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15 Jan o8

New Addition to the roll call

Bernard Waslin Living in Australia

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19/12/07

New Names added

Chris Enoch 1 troop 1955-58

Bill Purvis 1 troop 1956-58

Ron Worth 1956-58

Sid Hutchings 1 troop 1961-64 plus 1966-69

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1 st Dec 07

Welcome to Dave Batterley and his brother Stuart1

1969-70
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We are looking for Sandy Shields served with Fred Gray

Moved to New Zealand

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Can anyone remember the name of the Scotsman from 3 Troop who married a Chinese girl when he was at Butterworth 1958-1961 I met him again in 30 Sqn Germany I would like to find him again.
Richard (Nobby) Clarke
richard@clarke502.orangehome.co.uk Tel 01594834749

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Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal

Those members of the United Kingdom Force who were on the posted strength of a unit or formation and served in the prescribed operational area of Malaysia and Singapore, in direct support of operations in Malaysia for 90 days or more, in the aggregate, as follows:
(1) Malaysia during the period 31 August 1957 and 12 August 1966 inclusive; or
(2) Singapore during the period 31 August 1957 and 9 August 1965 inclusive.

Go To NMBVA link and download Application form

{NMBVA Application Link}

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Received from Gordon Chave

have just read your website, and was directed to it by Alan Hodges, who was the

2 Troop captain of the Australian troop in 11 Sqn.

At that time I was second in command of 11 Sqn. and remain very
proud to have been so. Sadly I have to report that the O.C., John Stevens, died of lung cancer
about 2 weeks ago. The Australian troop already know of this.I have also contacted Tom Thornton,
the then SSM, who has not been too well himself. At John's funeral, I met Nick Whatley, who headed the Plant Troop.
I would like to send greetings to the Yeo brothers, who I remember well, and I think will remember
me as a footballer, or indeed any other sport.

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Proof that the power of the internet is great.

This is from Brian Hobbs Living in Florida

He searched for RE websites and hey Presto,.

Thanks for your reply Hank. I live in Florida .I came upon your site whilst searching for various RE sites. In particular I was trying to contact Alan Holyoak who shows many pics on various RE sites and with whom I served in FARELF. Its great to have people such as yourself who take so much trouble to do something which benefits those of us without either the time ,expertise or perhaps more honestly the inclination to do something that helps contact and keep in touch with old friends. Many many thanks..

Yours Brian Hobbs Served 11 Sqn 1967-1969

Update 24 August 08 Brian and Alan have been reunited

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Also need help with finding Alan Grubey/Gruby. He married chinese girl.

was with 11sqn, 62-65

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Tony Catherall Receiving

Pingat Jasa Medal.

Click on picture to enlarge

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Also note from Ray Lambert.
One person I would like to find is a chap by the name of Kenny (Ken) Steads, so if it should come up let me know, its strange he has not appeared before as he was into technical things, and computers would be right up his street.

Regards Ray Lambert
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This is a message i received from an Exe A.C.C member who served Borneo

1962-63

Hi my name is Fred (nobby) Clarke I was in kota Belud in 1962/63 there was a field sqn with some aussie and malaysian engineers building a training camp which was nicknamed silver city the metal huts were i beleive called godalphins, they were also building bailey bridges across the Tamposik duo. If Any one can remember The Clerk of works i would love his name.

Please get in touch via Hank who has my details.

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If you have not yet checked out Pams Site about

208 Signals Terendak it is worth a look.

The photos of the camp etc are great Follow the link below

http://www.marsden.me.uk/army/army_index.html

Thanks for this PAM

____________________________________________________________________ COLONEL J H G STEVENS

Born 19 July 1927, died 12 October 2007, aged 80.
John Stevens almost exactly fitted the age-old definition that a good sapper should be a soldier first and an engineer second. With his qualifications, experience and ability, his attributes were well balanced and he would have made an excellent Engineer in Chief. Sadly it was not to be.
Born in 1927 and educated at the John Lyon School, Harrow, his abilities were soon apparent and he was Head Boy. Commissioned into the Corps in 1947, courses at Chatham and Shrivenham followed where he proved to be bright yet modest and always ready to help others.
John then learnt his trade in 23 Engineer Regiment, formerly 2 Divisional Engineers, which had been static in Dortmund for many years. He was the 2IC of the Field Park Suadron,then was appointed Adjutant.

In 1952 John married Norma, who he had known since childhood and they soon became a strong team at the heart of a happy and friendly regiment. The following years were busy for John, with the unusual combination of the Staff College, and the Long Engineer course in Chatham, then a staff appointment in Aden, a hot spot in more senses than one.
The Stevens were fully involved in the social life of Aden and were renowned for their friendly hospitality. John was ideally qualified for his next appointment as OC of 11 Independent Field Squadron, the last RE Field Force unit to be stationed in the Far East. This was the plum majors appointment in the Corps, and with additional plant and an Australian Troop under command, the squadron were committed to constructing the Op Crown airfield in NE Thailand. John always looked back on his time in Thailand as a happy and fulfilling tour and all ranks of the squadron including the Australians and still remember him with affection and respect.
Twenty years later when he was working in Bangkok after leaving the Army he paid a return visit to the airfield and wrote an amusing article in the RE Journal describing how he found it.
After attending the Joint Services Staff college, in 1968 John returned to command 35 Engineer Regiment in a very different BAOR from the one he let in the mid fifties. The cold war still prevailed and the Army was gradually being re-equipped and brought up to date. The RE orbat was entirely reconstructed to provide an engineer regiment for each brigade.
John revelled in the appointment and quickly developed the qualities necessary to meet every challenge. His value as leader, organiser and administrator, as well as an engineer, came to the fore and he was highly respected by his seniors and by the commanders of other arms in his Division.
Hameln was a large garrison with numerous ancillary and administrative units but John’s knowledge of, and interest in garrison matters was of great assistance to the absentee Garrison Commander located 40 miles away. Every problem was assessed carefully, the views of others were listened to and a balance and sensible solution evolved.
Hameln was followed by a return to Camberley as a Divisional Colonel at the Staff College and although most competent and popular with students and Directing staff he surprisingly failed to be selected for promotion to Brigadier. After a final two years with 12 Engineer Brigade, John decided to leave the Army but with his qualifications and experience he was soon snapped up by Randal, Palmer and Tritton; probably the most esteemed consulting engineers in the country. A few busy years followed as Resident Engineer of major projects in Bahrain, Libya and Bangkok.
Looking for a more settled life, John left the Consultants and became Director of Haigh Homes, the organisation which owned hundreds of homes nationwide. These British Legion homes, built for ex Servicemen were in dire need of renovation and John masterminded a vast rebuild and modernisation programme to bring them up to date.
After reaching his formal retirement age, John joined RedR as a voluntary instructor for the specialists from various engineering backgrounds, who offered their services for disaster relief. He thoroughly enjoyed the work and was an ideal choice for it, as much of it was based upon the Sapper stick and string approach rather than upon sophisticated engineering.
He was a glutton for work and up to the time of his death was an intensely active Welfare Officer for the Royal British Legion. He earned a reputation [and the Legions Special Award] for taking on the powers that be and achieving the best possible support and help for every deserving case. Amidst his many activities, John managed to find time for his love of sailing where he made many friends. He was a most competent and cheerful ship mate and an excellent navigator. In his sailing, as in other aspects of life, he managed to combine a thorough and professional approach with a sense of fun and determination to enjoy life.
John may have been highly qualified and multi-talented as a sapper, but as a man he was loved by many for his impretentioness his absolute integrity and his friendly approach to all.
He will be sadly missed by Norma, who wonderfully supported him, by Debbie and Greg, and by so many others.
JHP GJC JNSD JHE JNE AF HGTS GBS RS DV

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