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From James Hopgood Sgt 59 Sqn 1964-66
Just a few memories of Crown, nothing to compare with some that I have read tho. Everyone must remember the infamous Shower Unit? - was it called "Puffing Billy" because it always seemed to be huffing and puffing to ork properly. I wonder whether if anyone recalls that we were given a "slot" for a shower, one day you would be in the first session and the next time you would be in the last session, ths was so everyone was guaranteed a hot shower when in first. The number of times I had to go last and experience the joys of a cold shower. On another occasion (one of many I must say) we had just got in the shower and soaped up, when to our horror the complete system failed, the only way to get rid of our soap was to have a bucket of cold water thrown over us - just like a German POW camp punishment room. I do not know how many of you went "Turtle Spotting" at 2am - the only time the Turtles came ashore, it was marvellous watching them lay their, their eye water in the process, I think anyones eys would water laying as many eggs as they did. Why I mention the Turtles was, although they were only down on the beach, it was the way down to the beach which was, how should I describe it? - exciting? thrilling? not really, but downright terrifying, why you may ask. Well, if you had gone you will probably remember the Rope Bridge over the Gorge, which had live thingies at the bottom, it was not just a 10 foot drop, but more like 300-400 feet. The bridge - 3 feet wide, consisting of 3 planks 9" wide, (needless to say one had to have a head for heights!) and a single rope along each side, it was not too bad getting across, only one person was allowed to go at a time. When I went across I was with a few jokers and when I was in the middle what did they do? yes, you are there already, (was it someone reading this, if so, and you will be at the re-union in September,I would dearly love to meet you, oh yes I would) they swung the bridge from side to side, a lovely ghtexperience!!! Needless to say it happened everytime after that. Remember the Golf Course hacked out thropugh the trees? 9 holes and the Greens were somehow kept in excellent condition. Many happy memories of my time at Crown Camp, despite my wife and new born baby left in Singapore (remember they were not 100% safe due to terrorist activities still) I was fortunate in the I was able to spend all my spare time with the Missionaries in Mukdahan, we even supplied them with a Water Tank for use also by the Villagers. There were also a number of events concerning the local children, Sports Day was one and I remember a Christmas do as well - was it not a treat to see their smiling faces when they received a gift, anyone remember their favourite treat at the parties - Jam Sandwiches with no fat!! Happy days really, not sure if I would like to go back again, maybe I might if something came up. As I used to have as my signaturemark I will say,
Regards to everyone from Chiefee.
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Memories of Thailand 1964/65 by Alan Myers ACC
It was way back in 1964, when I was posted to BFPO 656, a place I had never heard of. Even on the flight to Singapore, no one seemed to know where we were going.
When I arrived at Ban kok talat it seemed like the end of the world, but I and the other lads in the ACC soon got used to the heat and settled in well.
Things I remember were that after a couple of months, Lenny Bruce, myself and a couple of other chefs started the Radio station which was situated at the back of the church. Not long after the beginning one of the Officers managed to contact BFBS Singapore and they arranged for tapes to be sent up with requests for the troops from the families of those usually stationed in Singapore. A good morale booster.
Pattaya beach was a respite from the life we encountered at camp doom, as it was affectionally known. I recall that on one occasion whilst there with the 10 man ration packs, I asked the Americans, who had a bungalow next to ours, if they liked Corned beef. The response was an overwhelming yes. I negotiated a swap and gave them 10 tins of bully in exchange for 10 cooked chickens. The lads were amazed but we fed well that week. I even had time to learn to water ski.
The children in the village loved the squaddies and a guy called Hippo Hall, would come to the kitchen at the end of the day to collect any left over food and take it to the kids, who formed straight lines, so that they could munch on pies, pasties, sausages and anything else Hippo could scrounge from us. A daily ritual.
Christmas 1964, or early January 1965 was a great time for the village school. It was decided that the camp would put on a party for them and tins were put around the camp asking the guys for all their spare Bahts so that gifts could be bought. Soldiers going on leave to Singapore would take the cash raised back with them and purchase presents and bring them back. When the day of the party arrived schoolchildren were divided into two groups and half would watch films in the school while the others would play sports and vice versa. Food was laid on by the chefs and when the time came to give out the presents an ambulance fully loaded with the presents arrived and all the children received a gift, a novelty and a hat. What a day and a credit to all who contributed or helped make it a success.
My involvement with the children, in teaching them the basics of scouts was something that will remain with me for the rest of my life.
It was a sad day when I finally left Thailand, but the 12 months I was there were some of the best in all the years I was in the army.
Alan Myers
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From Dave Samuel 40 AESR
Hi Hank,I was in the field lighting troop in 41 Sqn, with Sgt ? Harrison, Terry Blohm, Ray Rocky, Alan Scaife Shorty Drew.I was single then and cut my teeth in the NAAFI with the likes of Tom Wye. It was great being there I loved it, I remember one RSM who was SKD Lyng happy days!I went to Tidworth to 34, Hohne 7 Sqn, Recruiting Norwich,Waterbeach 48 Sqn,Hameln 29, ITRRE, Chepstow 88 Sqn and Finally 71 Engr Regt.
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John Russel Hunt
A few names from 1966 – 1969
OC J.Rougier
AO J.Woods
Tp. Off. Adams
SSM Swinbourne then Lazell
QMSI Ray Payne
MT Sgt.Gregory then Brian Packman
Pete Marsden ( when we went to Crown my Family took over Petes dog “Pig”! Smith 610, Jock Gardener, Bill Black.
Plant TP. MPF S.Sgt Pettit
Dave Webb, Lofty Gale, Ollie (ex 410)!
Others FD.TP etc
S.Sgt Cummings / Carpenter, Sgt. Bill Kelsey
Bob Knight (departed) Gerry Bedford, Ray Stevens (postie) Phil Heath, Chris Smith 685, John Borer, Ken Houston-Robb (I took over from Ken as ord.cpl. in Terendak then continued in Crown) Dave Hudson, John Stanford (Radio Crown!) Terry Gilhooly, Rod Dowling, Tom Storey. Ted( from Barbados I think, one of the characters of 11 Sqn. Plus loads more!
Not many! Wish I had kept a copy of the Post Crown nominal roll!!!
From John Russel Hunt 1966-1969
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From Rod Horner (13 Jan 09)
Hi Hankwe didnt meet - i served in 11 sqn in terendak from February 67 to October 68. was plant troup clerk and qms clerk as Rougier wouldnt have me in the main office. didnt realise dave purvis was there at the same time - we are friends now but obviosly both too old to remember we served together in terendak. I got the last laugh on Rougier as i ended up commissioned. Te HeMy fondest memories are of my friendship with plant op Jock (SadNap) day as he was christened by the boot boy. I ran the social club for a while and was friendly with Bob Knight before he sadly died.I am visiting my daughters grave in Terendak in May this year(2009)as we left before the headstone was erected.fond fond memoriesRod Horner
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From Julian Loach 410 Sqn
Hello Hank,all the best for 2009 Let's see my association with 11 Sqdn. I went out to Malaya early '58 on the Epire Fowey and joined 410 Plt Trp on the Nami / Sik road, 11 Sqdn were the other end at Gajeh Puteh.We were in the same camp as a Malayan Engineer Sqdn and they built a concrete bridge across the Sungei Muda, must have been 60 / 70 mtrs long. When that job finished 410 moved to Butterworth where we were co - located with yourselves, 55 Air Dispatch, and 101 RAR.It was great taking advantage of the different NAAFI opening and closing times.I can't remember how long we were there but we eventually moved across to Minden Barracks on lovely Penang Island. Whilst there I was attached to 11 Sqdn when they went out to Borneo, Soton camp which was near Kota Belud, there was I think about eight 410 lads went.Walt Dixon was one and I think Toots Toase was another. I seem to remember the main task was widening the road from Jesselton to Kota Belud and reducing the sharpness of the bends. we also did some work the Sungei Tempasuk constructing a crossing point The OC of the Sqdn then was I think Maj. Bruno Elgood, the workshop Sgt was Dave Kimber, the Q blokes name was Richmond and he had a bit of a stutter as did one of the storeman Geoff GGGGroom, it was legend to hear them speaking tttogether. I remember Les Kellett. 11 Sqdn had an Australian Trp, lads I remember are Chiefy Hunt a full corporal, Jock Watson "Beady Eyes", two sgt's one Sludge guts ? , big fat bloke and an arsehole, and I think the name of the other was Russell who was dark skinned, part aborigine, a great guy.My tenure with 11 Sqdn ended abruptly. One night in the Naffi the orderly officer came in to close it and I was in there with the 410 guys, I should not have been there I should have been in the corporals mess. I explained to the orderly officer that the bar was closed and when we had finished the bottles we had the we would leave, what peeved him was that when he went to call out the gaurd the aussies went round the tent lines and bought the rest of their troop back into the Naafi so when he came back he was now faced with around 40 blokes in the place instead of the dozen or so he left there. He was not impressed. The next morning I was called up, charged reduced to the rank of sapper and rtu'd to 410 who were then in Mallaca, Bukit Terendak.What stands out in my memory are the names the aussie lads gave when he started taking them, everthing from Ned Kelly, V Green but you can call me very, Winston Spencer Churchill, Sidney H Bridge, D Bradman, the poor soul didn't stand a chance against these merchants.It was a shame I got busted it took me 6 months to the day to get it back. Yep!, they were good and happy days.I also remember a medic and an RASC ambulance driver were washed off a bridge whilst trying to get local woman to the hospital and were buried with full military honours11 Sqdn were a good set of lads.Hank, I'll keep in touch and if any ex 410 guys get in touch feel free to give them my email address. You're doing a grand job, again all the best for 2009. Best regards "Joe" Loach
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_My name is Gordon Fox and I am writing to you from Northern Ireland. I was a member of 11 Independent 3troop. I joined the Sqdn in July 54, and we sailed from Southampton on 18 November1954 arriving Singapore on 16th Dec. Our CO was Maj TOG Cochrane,Sgt Eamer was Troop Sgt, John Strudley was our Cpl. Other names I recall are John Burton Derek Lamb and Brummy Mantle. ___________________________________________________________________
Cliff Watts RAOC
I would like to talk to others of OP Crown. As for photos’ I have quite a few myself. I served with the RAOC in many places as follows:- CAD Corsham 1958
Ammo Stores Section Cyprus/Jordan 1958
Kenya 24 OFP 1961/62
Osnabruck Germany 12 Inf Wksp Stores Section 1962/1965
COD Chilwell 1965/1966
Op Crown 1966
COD Chilwell 1967/1968
Singapore 3 BOD (2 Sub Depot) 1968/1971
Verden Germany 1 Div HQ & Sig Regt 1971/1972
Fallingbostal Germany 7 Field Wksp Stores Section1972/!976
Tehran Iran CAAT IRAN 1976/1977
Bridgend Stores Section 1978 to January 1980 (end of service).
Sorry the above is a bit long winded I just hope somebody somewhere remembers me, I’ve tried Forces Reunited and service pals but no luck so far.I hope all is well with you and look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Regards,Cliff Watts
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David Purvis
I was in 11 Sqn in Malacca fromMarch 1968 until December 1969 and did a tour in HK with 3 troop in early 1969.I joined the Army in Sept 1963 and retired in Nov 1995 as a Maj QM
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Dear Hank I have been given your contact details by Don Barton who served with 11 Sqn from 1957-60 and now lives in Australia. I served with 11 Sqn as a National Service 2nd Lt from April 1959 to August 1960. I was based in various places including mainly Butterworth, but also Sik in Kedah, Grik in Perak, Taiping and, lastly, Kota Belud in North Borneo. I now live in Staffordshire in England.
Best Regards
Peter Jackson
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From Gordon Chave
I must tell you that the photo of Momma Sam brought back memories!! On the first full day in Crown. I and Tom Thornton decided that it was in the nature of our work that we should visit every bar in Kok Telat – a fairly demanding task!! At the first bar, just outside the gate, we sat down to consume our first beer of the day, at about 11 a.m. There were a few mutterings from the assembled soldiers, who were not used to our presence. Momma was obviously told who we were. Her response was to sit a young lady on my knee, and said “For you Sir!!” It was somewhat difficult to reply to this, and I muttered something about it being a bit early in the morning. Her reply caught me by surprise – “Not now, sir – for always” Makes me feel very old.
Gordon Chave
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Denis Holdroyd
Hello Hank,
Sitting down with my daughter and son in law a few nights ago we got talking about my time served in the army,(I presently live in Canada,my daughter is at the time of this E.Mail entering officer training college,(Moved up through the ranks)my son in law as just returned from a successful tour of Afghanistan(Kandahare) so you can see i have a lot to be thankfully for).Being the smart girl she is she Googled 11Indep Sqdn Malacca/Malaya and low and behold the next few hours were spent in memories,names I'd forgotten,times good and bad all came rushing back, so in thank's for all those memories and maybe I can E.Mail a couple of old buddies ,that includes some Aussie friends I got to know in my time in Malaya.O. K Hank, I don't know if our path's ever crossed, my name is Denis Holroyd joined 11indep Feb 65/ Went to Thailand July to Oct 65. Then on one of those things that never happen Chopperd from HMS Changi to Vientien, Laos Sept 66(Would love to hear from any one who was on that trip) In between Won the Seramban Cup (11indep best ever soccer team, ask Jackie Book or Ian Sumpter about that one) . Played lots of Rugby against the Kiwis,i played hooker,lots of fun lots of beer,plus the broken nose .Then Myself and Moe Day went to Brunei with the Ghurkas doing a job in the Temborong jungle somebody had to operate the dozer and the grader or we would have never put the road in.So as you can see Hank Lots of memories and a lot of names on that list I have no problem putting a face to some of them were good buddies and would love to hear from them.
(By the way i was a plant op, one of VonRyan'sExpress)
All the best,
Denis Holroyd
P.S. See if anyone remembers the night one of guard was fooling around with is SLR and fired a round into the naffi window beside the door where dartboard was and hit little Frank from Wigan in the arm just as he was going for double tops to end the game, the guy who made the shot was called Ron his buddy was Jack Clackers.
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Gordon Chave
At last I have dug out a photo of myself at the time of Malaya, which might just be suitable. I apologise that I look a touch formal, complete with briefcase. The story is that when 1 Troop (I think) were selected to be the advance party on Post-Crown, the troop commander (Roger Sinclair) was in hospital. At short notice, I was detailed to take the troop up to Crown. From memory, I think we flew up to Bangkok, and stayed overnight in a hotel. I have a photo of the troop marching across Bangkok airport, which at that time catered for civilian and U.S. military flights on the same runway. We then flew up to Ubon, where we were collected by our own vehicles, which had gone up by sea a couple of weeks previously. ( We also “smuggled” Silva, Sam and the other staff up to Thailand on the ship which carried the vehicles). As you can see, we ran into a slight complication, that the driver was unaware of monsoon drains, so we amused the locals with our bad driving! Silva and the others were extremely grateful that we had been able to get them up to Crown, but the problem came when we were unable to get them back the same way. They therefore found their own way back down by land, which was a bit difficult because they had been smuggled into Thailand.The briefcase contains all the important Troop documents from Terendak .I only stayed a night or so in Crown, then “hitchhiked” back to Terendak by a U.S aircraft to Singapore. If you remember, we then took the main squadron up to Crown, just in time for Christmas, and spent our time on our backsides until the New Year. I also have a photograph of the 2 Troop officers and NCOs delivering gunfire tea and whiskey to the troops on Christmas morning. In due course I will send another photo from recent times. ‘fraid to say we all look a lot older.I am sorry that I don’t know the names of anyone else in the photo, but you may well get some response when the photo goes on the website.At the reunion I showed just a few slides. One of them was of a python found outside my cabin on Boxing Day morning – quite a big one. Someone recognised one of the men in the picture, and I have now remembered his name – it was Roy (?) Farnham. He was a West Indian driver – I think L/Cpl. Hope that is helpful. Vicky gave me your message about Jack Book. Thanks very much. Where is he living? He was VERY much a Wiltshire (or thereabouts) boy. On one occasion he spiked Vicky’s drink! She is looking forward to meeting him again!!!
Best wishes,Gordon .
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John Hunt
I was with 11 Sqn 1966-1969 and enjoyed every minute! Had a return visit 1977, trip round the camp, it was a bit run down. Went to 8 Boyd Ave(my mq) garden not as good as it used to be!Went to Sabah last year and Sarawak this year - good trips,did a bit of ulu bashing as my wife had to find out what I had been on about for years!.
Regards John Hunt
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From Mick Norton
Yes, I was there, an unforgettable 24 hours! I remember the visiting artists were Harry Seacombe, or as he said, "RE" Seacombe, Anita Harris, Billy Burden and the Amazing Focal, a mind reader. From memory the acts performed from the end of the church, St Andrews and were well received. Unfortunately the amount of ale supped by the audience upset the management and many 54, and other Crown personnel were found pissing up against the church or vomiting in the general area. Nothing unusual about that other than it was witnessed by a puritanical OC and SSM, (Pete Davidson), who tried in vain to bring some semblance of order to the situation. We were sent back to the tented Hong Kong Camp and woke up the next morning to the sound of Crown camp officers shouting, "Get on parade with your best kit !" As you will remember the best part of Hong Kong camp personnel only possessed the OG shorts. floppy hat and a pair of boots they stood up in ! We were then administered "Field Punishment" for the previous evening's disgusting behaviour. "Run them till they drop" came the shout from 54's OC Perry the Ponce, Driscoll. We duly obliged in the midday heat of 120 degrees F. As we stood quivering from exhaustion I can still remember Driscoll's threat to the assembled parade. "Don't forget you drunken rabble, I set the targets, you will achieve! If I hear of one of you attempting to sabotage the project or the plant I will guarantee you will be court martialled." As a result of that 24 hours 3 x SNCOs had to leave Crown Camp under their own steam, Jock Cameron, Tom Canning and Bob Haynes, but that's another fantastic story. The field punishment incident was probably the last administered by the British Army?
Though this incident lives on it is not as bad as the mutiny which took place at Crown Camp in 1966 when the entire shift refused to go to work on the airfield after an Aussie entertainments hour with the NAFFI bar allowed to stay open. The whole lot of us trooped out of Nash Gate and off down the village for more ale and bollocks to the job. Some ended up in Changi, others were sent back to the UK and stripes removed. Oh happy days. 29 of us were charged.
Sawadee Kop,
Mick
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John Lewis
Hello Hank.I am formerly Lcpl J.M.Lewis. 11 Independent Field Sqn. Workshop Troop I have just come across your site, its brilliant, brings back many memories. I served in 11 Sqn Workshop Troop from May 1969 until disbandment. After disbandment I went down to Singapore and joined 59 Independent Commando Sqn, where I served until demob in 1975. In the pic I am 3rd from left, back row. 1st back left is Spr Michael Lewis-Williams; front row 1st is S/Sgt Thom.I now live in South Africa.
Regards John
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Tony Mornement capt Plant troop
HANK,
Thanks for the news from 1964 it brought back some amusing memories!!
I was only with "11 Indep Fd Sqn" from March to November 1964 commanding the Plant Troop and even then was attached to HQ 28 Brigade as staff captain "A" for 4 weeks partly to test me and partly to sort out some Courts Martial where the New Zealanders had failed to follow their own version of Queens Regulations.
I commanded the rear party which went from Op Crown to Bangkok by train and then to Singapore by ship with all the vehicles and some Plant. At one stage in Bangkok, I believe we had more women saying goodbye to their lust ones than we had soldiers on the ship!
The worst part was the drive from Singapore to Malacca with overloaded trucks speeding to get back to the loved ones in Terendak. There was only one crash and fortunately no one was injured but Tony Stacy-Marks was understandably, not amused.
Last year my wife & I went up the Mekong from Saigon to Angkor Wat and then flew to Sian reap and came down the Mekong in long boats to Luang Prabang in Laos. It was a great trip and took over a month.
What did you do after leaving the Sappers? Something interesting I guess?
Best wishes & Thanks
Tony Mornement
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Hi again Hank, Just browsed through your great website for the first time in a while. I noticed the roll call for Op Crown didn't include poor me.I was attached to CRE from Ripon for 14 months. I was in MT with the RASC driving tippers at first. I was more interested in the heavy stuff though and managed to convince the RASC that I could get them on the road. Any long story short, I was the scammell driver who toiled up and down the road to Bangkok docks delivering and collecting Heavy plant including the huge tarmaking machine. I have quite a few photos and will post them soon. regard s,
John Docherty
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Ian Elsy
Hi I served in the Far East with REME from 1966 -1969 and spent six months at Crown, Spring to Autumn 1967. I was seconded from 99 Gurkha Inf. Brigade LAD in Singapore. (volunteered, b est choice I ever made)) My Far East tour was spent with Gurkha units (other than Crown) having joined 30 Squadron Gurkha Transport Unit in Kuching in September 1966, then on to 99 Brigade. I have attached a photgraph from your site to show who I am. (bob lavallin 5) Left hand side kneeling. Ian 'Geordie' Elsy. I do have a couple of photographs and will forward them later. A great site full of reminders and memories.
Kindest Regards Ian Elsy
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Hi Hank
I served in 11 sqn from1967-1970.Iwas in the MT section.Brian Packman was the MT Sgt at the time as far as I can remember.I remember travelling up from Singapore toTampin on the 1 track railway.There were about 8 of us in the draft.All the names elude me at the moment,We arrived at Terendak to find the sqn had been deployed to Thailand on op Crown.We were given our kit issue and told to report to the pay office to collect somedollars.We met up with one of the PCCU guys who took us on a tour of the nightlife in Malacca The following morning it was a trip back to Singapore for an overnight stay before being despatched on a hercules to Ubon(I think) and then onward to Long Neok Tha.My memories of the trip in the back of a 4 tonner from Ubon werewhere the hell will we end up!!
I was attachedas a driver to 2troop( Bluff Cummins as SSgt) on forward clearance and improvised bridging.
The days off at the PX and Bar with the americans at Ubon hold fond memories.
Iremember arriving back at Terendak to be told that myself and other guys had to report to the QMs dept to draw Para gear as we were off to Changi for our Para course that none of us could remember volunteering for.That was an experience on its own after a night out down Bugis St and a 6am start.
I brokemy ankle on the night jump and never got the opportunity to go back and complete my 3 equipment jumps that would have qualified me for Para pay of 10 bob a week!!
If you have alist of names from my era please send it to me
Congratulations on your website and keep pushing for the medal
Steve Wilby (Ginge)
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Chia Keng Wah
Anyone have contact with any LEPs Please, Hank
I read your web site with interest this morning and it brought back many fond memories of my service with the British army.
My name is Chia Keng Wah, a British Army Locally Enlisted Personnel who served as follows:
Jan 1962 – Jun 1964: age 15 to 17 ½ in the Army Boys Trade School in Nee Soon Barracks, Singapore
Jun 1964 – Nov 1964 RSME, Chatham
Dec 1964 Returned to Army Boys Trade school
Jan 1965 – Jun 1971: age 18 to 25 in the Singapore Engineers Squadron in Gillman Barracks, Singapore
My unit was formed in 1965, from the remains of ex 75 Malayan Fd Pk Sqn, which was transferred over to the Malayan Army in the early sixties.
During the years 1965 – 1971 we supported construction projects in
1. repairs of the Asahan Firing range, Malacca,
2. new roads in the Jungle Warfare School, Johor
3. Repairs and additions to the Penarak and Dungun Airfields in Trengganu.
On the Asahan project, we had supports from the 28 Commonwealth Brigade as far as supply of ration was concerned and a small detachment of Bomb Disposal personnel from your 11 Ind Fd Sqn.
On the road project in the JWS we had Plant Operators support from 54 Fd Pk Sqn.
On the repairs of airfields in Trengannu, supports for by Medical detachment was from the BMH, Terendak and plants complete with operators from the 54 FD Pk Sgn
My Unit disbanded at the end of 1971 when the British Forces pulled out from Singapore and Malaysia.
I am writing also to see and would most appreciate if you can kindly assist people like me and many ex British Army’s Locally Enlisted Personnel who served in Singapore and Malaysia in applying for the PJM? Now that the cut off time is only a week away, I would appreciate your early response.
We, the ex LEPs are having a get together on Fraser’s Hill from 22 – 25 May 2008. However many served with the Royal Signals and only three were ex sappers!
Best Regards,
Chia Keng Wah
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Bob Lavallin
I'm afraid that I cannot remember many of the guys names now.Time passes and the mind has too much clutter in it.
Did you recall that there was some badges made up,sewn type things.Had Thia crown on it with either REME or RE.Said Op Crown.I had mine for years.Some members of the malaya brunie got their medals at maidstone .I missed out by a couple of months.Strange world.Catch you again.Take care.
Bob.Lavallin. REME
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Fred Collings.
Hello Hank my time in crown was with 34 sqn 1966,I then got my posting to 11 sqn.Whilst in crown I joined the Kok talat choir society along with amongst others Lou Lewis,Syd Tynan and Buns Norton where we spent many a sunday morning at the WRVS tea parties
yours
Fred
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From David Haley
Hopefully this will give a little insight to my time spent at Terendak. When I first
arrived at 11 Ind 1967 -70 I was part of the MT but change to clerical duties working with
Ssgt Coleman who was in charge of the football team which I played for during
my time in Malacca I was also selected to play for 28 Comm Bde along side
Phil Cassidy Glen Hobden Danny Archer and Dave Purvis I also played
Basketball for the Sqn and was pleased to see among your photos team mate
Frank Howells. If you look at your photo No 247 in the same boat as L/cpl
McLoughlin there is a lad without his shirt on well the lad next to him looking
at the camera is yours truly. I was a member of Brian Packmans Troop and
I was really chuffed when he made Sgt.
I remember quite a few of the lads from your photos including ' Ollie' who I
believe was on his third tour of the Far East. Battersby (One of 3 Brothers on
camp) Jock Fennel Brummie Bowbanks and many others especially from
1 Troop (Plant)
David Haley
_________________________________________________________________ Dear Hank,
Thank you for your e-mail. I must confess that this stage of my life I can remember either names or faces but cannot seem to put them together. I know the name but be blowed if I can put a face to it.
I was a Cpl. in 1troop. My bunk was at the very far endend of 1 troop lines. Fernley Tout was one of my Troop along with the two reprobates Smith and Thompson I joined the Sqn in 1962 and was demobed in 64 I joined the Sqn from 9 Ind Para Sqn as did a lot of 11 Sqn. I was in the recce for operation Crown. We went over to Thailand in early November. There was about six of us including the OC. We spent several months swaning around Thailand. The excuse was that we were doing a recce of the roads to see if they were suitable to move the Plant up. What a lot of cobblers. We did a recce on just about every road, bridge and culvert in Thailand, and assessed how much explosives that it would require to put them out of action. I only had about a month up at the proposed airfield building huts. I went back to Malaya in the May for demob taking back Smith and Thompson who had been court Marshalled for burning down a bar if I recall. I had to deliver them to Changi.
I do not know if you can remember Brummie Farrell. Well Iam in touch with him out here in Australia. He lives up on the Gold Coast.He was a driver in 1 troop along with Taff Williams.
I go into the web site of the Malaya & Borneo Vets web site quite often.( I am a member) I notice that 11 Sqn have quite a few reunions. If you see any of the lads give them a thumbs up from me. Keep in touch.
Wally (Brummie) Gee
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hello Hank,
Wally Gee forwarded your email to me , hope you don't mind.I was in 11Sqn from January 61 , at Butterworth and then drove down to Malacca , whenever. left in Jan 64. Was in 1 troop the whole time . Some people called me brummy Farrell (jimmy) others told the truth.I remember most of the names you mention , oh , I was a driver.drop me a line sometime .
take care .jimmy Farrell
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Adrian Rogers
Hello Hank
Thanks very much for your email. I saw your details on the NMBVA UKwebsite (which I see has been suspended this weekend) and was going to contact you but at the moment I'm busy preparing to retire next month which also entails moving out of this house which goes with the job.
Yes, I was in Brunei Works Sect RE from Nov 63 to Nov 64 and then posted to 11 Sqn, HQ Troop as the Cpl Clerk and then went up to CRE CROWN with the sqn in Dec 65 until I was posted to Long Marston in May 66. Major JHG Stevens was OC and Major Gordon Chave was 2IC, Tom Thornton was SSM. I'm sure I remember your (young!) face while I was there. You can see my older face on our website: http://www.stgeorge-au.org/
I am currently active in processing the PJM for ex-Brits living in Australia and have done 350 so far. I received mine just before Christmas.
I came out to Australia and joined RAE in 1972 for 20 years and met anumber of 2 Fd Tp RAE members again.
Yes, I'm happy for my name to go on your website. Can you send it to me; it seems to have dropped off your message!
I will be off the internet from 5 August until I can organise myself.
Good to hear from an old Sapper.
REgards
Adrian Rogers
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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
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David Perchard
Hello this is David here (Ginger Perchard) I was very pleasantly surprised when my cousin Keith Tullett, informed me of this site. You are correct, that is many in the three ton Bedford. I saw your picture on the front of your site, but can't quite recollect your face.
I am not hundred percent sure of the dates at the moment, but I was in 11th independent corps field Park Squadron stationed at Terrendack camp. You may be able to work out the dates from the following information honours on the advance party on operation crown. When we lived in tents, whilst we built the camp. I also went to Borneo with 11th independent and was present in Malaya when President Sukarno of Indonesia, sent in the paratroopers to my in the area of Malacca. After Borneo was also fortunate enough to fly to Hong Kong for 14 days stopping on the way in Vietnam.
I will have a look to see if I have any photos or other information. I see that you have a reunion for 54 Squadron. It would be great if there was one for 11th independent, as were all tending as we are all getting a little bit long in the tooth.
Once again fabulous site, will definitely contact you in the very near future.
Best regards.
Dave (Ginger).
PS, my hair is now white.
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Dick Keens
I was in 11 indep from 1966-70 was up in post crown for 6 months. Ex chepstow 61B then borneo, malaya,st kilda !,gibraltar, left in 73 to do some real work.
I retired 2 years ago and now live between russia and spain, funny how things turn out.Was thinking of Malaysia but its a bit far to get back to see the family etc.Have been back to Singapore a couple of times, nothing like it was in the sixties but still some old bits left. Next visit may be Malacca just for old times sake. Dick
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Hi Hank,
I visited the Yorkshire Air Museum a few months ago and was surprised to see they have a nissan hut dedicated to the Royal Engineers. Inside there was a memorial to Sgt. mjr. Neave who I'm sure you remember (he preceded Tom Thornton), written by Fred Gray.
I've just been browsing the net, looking for information on Fred when I came across your website. Talk about memories! So many names and faces from our time in 11 Squadron
I did the tour extension in Borneo with the Aussies before returning to the UK and 48 Sqn at Ripon, who were kitting out for Aden! I finished my service in Aden, mainly up country at Al Milah/Habilayn.
In recent years I've managed to trace Paddy (Humph) Dunne, who was a particular mate of mine in 11 Sqn and we've met up several times. Be good to meet up again and there are several others who it would be nice to make contact with - Ferny Tout, Bob Thomson, Fred Gray, so maybe you can help. I have quite a few photos of our time in Terendak and can remember some of the names not on the website. Did you ever find out what happened to Brummie Gee?
Hope to hear from you,
Best wishes,
Ron Heaton
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Gordon Chave
I 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.
You also talked about 5 Sqn. I was also 2 i/c of 5, and moved them down from Dortmund to Iserlohn, where my two children were born. I then moved the squadron up to Paderborn, but only had a couple of months there before returning to UK. I dont know whether any of this is of interest, but hope it does. Going back to 11 Sqn - this remains the highlight of our time in the army. Have you seen the history of 2 Troop, written by David Wicks and Simon Wilson - a very good read.
Gordon
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Hi Hank,
Good to hear from you. Like Dave, I was really pleased to make contact afterall these years. When I knew Dave in Malacca he was 21. When we made contactlast year he was already retired!!Apart from military duties, he and Iplayed a lot of sport together.I arrived in Terendak in about Jan 64. At that time, I am sure that RexOsborne was troop commander of 1 Troop, and had been for some time. That wasthe time when Tony Stacey-Marks was squadron commander. Rex now lives inNewton Abbott. He made full colonel. Tony Stacey-Marks also made fullcolonel. He retired as Regimental colonel, but unfortunately died a fewyears ago. I have no memory of Peter Caddy.I have not been idle - in fact I did dig out a photo. It is of myself by theside of a 3 tonner as we made our way up from Ubon to Crown. Because thethen troop commander of 1 troop ( Roger Sinclair) had put himself inhospital, I was required to take the advance party up. Unfortunately thephoto shows that we had put the 3 tonner in a monsoon drain! Dave is hopeful that I will go to the reunion in Coventry. I have to behonest and say that I am not a great reunion man. Will you be going? Is itwith wives ( more to the point, are wives really welcome?)I had an e-mail recently from Moose Sutton. There is no doubt in my mindthat 2 Troop contributed a lot to our lives in Terendak. Barry Lennon, whowas the lieutenant in 2 Troop, has a house in Yeovil. He visited us a coupleof years ago, but I have only heard from him a couple of times over the last2 or 3 years.May I say that I think you have done a marvellous job to get this websiteoff the ground. My best wishes for the future of the website and for thefuture of all 11 Sqn "Old Boys".Best regards.
Gordon Chave
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Hank please pass on ,Fraternally Greetings to Bro Dave YEO from our Grand Primo Bro Raymond Colin Jones R.O.H. Of the Grand Lodge of Victoria of the Grand Australasian Banner of the RAOB and mine too being the Worthy Sitting Primo of Lodge Healesville 534 and as we are meeting today in out temple at Bayswater [VIC Australia] I will mention to the brothers that I have made contact with a Bro in the UK .
Moose Sutton
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hi hank nice to here from you i was reme attatched to 11 ind fld sqn from jan 66 to july 68 i was also at op crown twice from jan66 tojuly66 and aug or september 67 tofeb 68 hope you get loads of other contacts will try and dig out some photos to send you
harry(geordie)ramsay
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Ian Howatson
Hello, Hank. I was in Malaya from 1959-Septmber 62 (MT troop). After that I was 2 years in Movement Control at Gatwick Airport. Then 3 years at Waterbeach Camp, Cambridge. I dont remember having met you, but then again, it may come to me later! I was at a reunion for 11 Squadron on 12th May in Doncaster and met up with many old friends. If you would like to contact a chap called Tony Catherall, he would be very pleased to hear from you, as he organises the reunions and is always on the lookout for more Nice to speak to you, and please keep in touch if you can remember me at all - perhaps youll be able to jog my memory!
All the best,
Ian.
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Ivan Marchant
Hi Hank Ivan here.Cant really place you at 11 findep field sqd"rn , , but i did"nt spend a lot of time in MALACCA, as did 2 tours of thailand, 2of borneo, and a spell in sarawak, all in all i did about 5 months in terendak. did you have a nickname?, i might
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John Knowles
Hi Hank, I was in Crown around 1965 for a 4 month stint with the medics. I got your address from the NMBVA website - just a little bit of searching! Was in Malaysia with the NMBVA last month to get the PJM, was a fantastic few days away, around 41 of us were presented with it there, we met up with HRH Prince Andrew, had a good chat with him.Met up with several of the OP Crown folks in KL and went over old times and had several 'mutual' acquaintances. Best wishes John
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Hello Hank,
Thanks for your message. That's great news having Pete's contact details. It was indirectly through Pete that I met my wife. We've now been married for almost 45 years. Its a long story that I'll tell you some other time! I was in Malaya and Borneo from 21 May 1960 to 24 May 1962 with 11 Indep. I had previously been with 12 Indep on Christmas Island in 1958/9 during the A bomb and H Bomb Tests. I left the REs in July 1962 with the very senior rank of L/cpl!!. Married in August 62. Joined Brighton Police in Sept 62 (Later Sussex Police) and retired from the force in Sept 1992 after 30 years. I managed to be a bit more successful in the police. Got myself a degree in Law at University College London on a police scholarship and finished up as a Chief Superintendent. (Wonders will never cease). Did a couple of part time jobs for about three years and then concentated on Golf, Wine, Dog, three offspring, four grandchildren and my wife but not necessarily in that order.My memory for names is not so good now but I do recall a Keith Norton - I think from Billericay, Essex, George Suko, Ken Muldoon, Alan Fowler, Jock McFarlane, 'Errol' Flynn, Pete Jackson, Jim Barry, Karl Munday, Mick Avey (from Hove), Mick Dalton, Ken Morgan, Bill Cole, Jock Docherty and Tony Probert (2Lt National Service). You may have some of these in your list.Stay in touch,Regards,
Mike
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Patrick Moran,
I,m sure we must know each other but cant remember. 23534747 58A Chep A Coy (Fitter) Op Crown 63-65. 11 Ind Fd Sqn 68-70. Boxed,X Country Run, Rugby. Op Crown in Power Station. Demob 82.
Pat
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Hi Hank I was in 11 Sqn based at Butterworth Malaya 1957/59 I then went to Hong Kong Happy days
Peter Colling
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Brian Roberts
Hi Hank
It is good to hear from some one from the Sqn, one lad that I have met since the Malaya days is Blonde Coleman he was a short round lad with white hair, he was in 11 Fld Sqn in Osnabruck in the 1980-1985 he went out and started selling cars in Osnabruck but I have not heard from him in a few years.
The photos of the airstrip brought back some memories, was you on the strip when the young lad chopped three fingers off with a match myself and the other medic sewed them back on to keep the blood flow then they got the chopper in to take him to Terendak..
Brian
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Les Rose:
1959-1960 73 XMAS ISLAMD SQN.1960-1961 INDEPENDANT ARABIAN FEILD TROOP.1962-1963 OSNABRUK BAOR.1963-1964 73 XMAS ISLAND SQN.1964 11 INDEPENDANT FEILD SQN RE SINGAPORE(MALAYA).1964 UBON THAILAND.1965 UNTILL DEMOB 1967 56 MT TRG SQN RE CROOKMAN; sapperrosey218
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Jimmy Farrell
morning Hank ?.
thank's for the mail , I recognise some of the faces , Wilson , mad bastard , he punched me in the eye once , we were in the same section , Think Gruby , is ge the one with glasses , the guy with the crew cdut , did he used to ggo around with smudga Smith and or Wally Gee. I definitely remember Tampin station , heaps of times I had to drive up there at night to pick up new arrivals , trying to place you , do you have a photograph ?. The NAAFI club on Penang , only went there once , well it was only across on the ferry , got banned and my money back for fighting. The memories start flooding back when they get a little push.I'll try and find some old photo's to send you .catch you later, have a nice day .jimmy. ps,When I applied for that malasia medal the chap who did all the paper work over here is an ex 11Sqn fellow . I didn't know him , it was after my time over there but like me and wally he is over here in Australia , just down the road from me , on the Gold Coast, Adrian Rogers is his name .
Jim
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Tom Magee
Hank,good site.I recognise some names including Mick Norton from 54 Sqn.I was in post crown with him.I`ll look out some old photos from my time at Terendak(1965-68).Keep up the good work.all the best .TOM MAGEE.
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Tony Mitchell
Hank,
Thanks for the info, reading it, I think you must have been chasing mearound, I was Chep 56b group D coy, then 25 fd sqn paderborn untilposted to 11 sqn in Aug 62, went out on the oxfordshire, with Fernlet Tout, thats how you spell his name. got married 10 days before leaving.I remember you now I have seen the old pictures.
The full screw, whose daughter died, was Turton, I think from yourtroop, I was mates with scouse lewis from your troop, unfortunaley diedsome years ago, his wife almost gave birth in my car from Bukit Rambai,got to hospital just in time, I had a white and dark blue hillman minx, bit rare for a sapper.
I have attended a couple of BOBA reunions, good fun.Regards
Mitch
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Theo Hermans
Hey Hank. good evening. Just saw the message from Mick Ryan where you contacted him. I was with 2 Fd Troop RAE at Terandak in Aug 69 and then we moved to Nee Soon in Singapore in Feb of 1970.
Theo
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Moose Sutton
Hi Hank ,
sorry I don't recall any bald pom's in 11 ind sqn R.E way back in 1963-65, my nick name was moose my real name was William M Sutton and I was a driver with 2 field troop and drove the old comer tipper under Malcom Vangelder captain at the time plus Alan Hodges also a captain my corporal was graeme Leech and we are having a 2 troop reunion this September 2007 in Bendigo Victoria Australia .
I will add some officers e-mails address
Moose
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Ken Jolly
G`day Hank got the site from our engineers group ass.great site do not know what ATI means i was with 2 field troop RAE attached to 11 independant field sq. RE 1963=1965our troop that served in malaya are having a reunion in bendigo in oct Tom thornton has been to our reunion so we still keep a contact with the unit Hank our troop has the original 11 sqn flag we got the flag when we marched out in nov. 1965 and some how it found it way back to Australia just a little bit of info
Ken Jolley(malaya 1963=1965).
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Barry Lennon
Hank, I raised the troop in Australia and took it to Malaya in Nov 63, and handed over to Capt Malcom Van Gelder who was the OC of 4 Fd Tp (the troop that 2 Fd Tp was replacing). Captain Alan Hodges replaced Van Gelder after one year.
I took the original members of 2 Fd Tp home again in Oct 65. Capt Hodges stayed on as OC the replacement members of the troop.
2 Fd Tp was engaged in Op Crown from the start in 1963, and had a tour of duty in Bau Sarawak in 1965 before going home. The troop was relieved in place in October that year.
As 2 Fd Tp did not need both a troop commander and a troop officer, I was the squadron ‘special projects officer’ – recce officer, para stick commander, and OC shallow water diving team. This continued in Borneo when I accompanied the troop to Sarawak but was seconded to 3 Fd Sqn (and then 4 Fd Sqn) Malaysian Engineers to coordinate deployment of plant in the West Brigade area).
Will pass on info re blog at the re-union in October.
Barry
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Snow Wilson
Hank
Just received this this evening, I have been organizing reunions for our Troop the first in 1993. We are having our 6/7 in Victoria starting 7 Oct. We have had 3 RE members come out so far in the past. None this year though. Those were John Stevens OC. Tom Thornton SSM. Fred Grey Orderly Cpl. I will pass on your info to the rest of the blokes. Havent time to look at your web site in detail at the moment but will later.
Regards
Snow Wilson
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Jon Tomczak
Hi Hank,
Looks as though we were there roughly the same time, I arrived in July 1964 and was there till I think September 1967 @ I served with 2 Tp RAE. I was in Snow Graham Leech’s section. When you were there, I also did a variety of things as I was posted as a Plumber but did very little of that except when over in Borneo, and Thailand, when Garry Plumb came back to Australia I took over as the Tp Commanders driver till I returned to Australia. I will look up your web site in the next day or two; we are having a reunion in Oct for a week in Bendigo which is north east of Melbourne in Victoria. Most of us have caught up with Tom Thornton at our reunions and I met up with him when I was in the UK in 1995. I noticed that you guy’s had 11 Indep Fd Sqn RE reunion either earlier this year or late last year, if you have another one I may try and get over for it, even though I cant remember a lot about you guy’s as you were always coming and going as independents rather than as a troop.
John Tomczak
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Barry Lennon
Hank,I was indeed on Op Crown. 2 Troop RAE were there from the start 1963. I was last out having been given the rear party to dismantle the tented camp after everyone else left.And I remember the Officers mess very well. The Clerk of Works forgot to put in sole plates under the stumps. I’m not surprised you spilled the soup. It was a feet to walk over the floor without reeling.And the fire was particularly memorable – or at least the aftermath. It’s the only time I ever saw two witnesses at a court martial end up being charged and given 28 days. Interesting days.
Barry Lennon 2 Troop Commander
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Hi Hank,
you don,t know me but we trod the same ground in Thailand and probably in Malaya too! John Hamnett put me onto your site and I just wanted to say what a brilliant site, very clear and to the point, in fact a bit like an "O" group ! For once I have found someone who has his facts right about Op. Crown and hasn,t forgoten that there was a tented camp (in the beginning) My name is Mick (titch) Allen and I served in Thailand with 59 @ 34 Sqdns.1964-67 How well I remember arriving after a journey by sea and road from Singapore to find that we had tents but no poles! spent first night under the stars running to the boreholes after scoffing many water melons. Being a young,new Squadron to the Far East I think we were a bit in awe of the sun bronzed warriors of 11 Sqdn. who seemed to know what they were doing (did they?) being new boys we got sited near the entrance to the camp, plenty of dust from passing vehicles and plenty of abuse from wandering squaddies trying to find their way home after a night on the Mekong and coke in the village which was still virtually untouched at that time. Was it 11 or 54 who later went on the rampage in a much changed village (sex and booze) at a farewell party before returning "down south" for a well earned rest( even more sex and booze) except in more civilized surroundings. Mad Mack was not best pleased, probably saw his M.B.E. going up in smoke, like parts of the village! Anyway, Hank your site and the photo,s brought back good memories of good times and good mates, some of whom I have managed to contact after more than 40 years, it really makes the phrase "get some time in " come home! Best wishes for you and your site mate,
Mick Allen
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Carlton Buck Brown
3 old mates and myself have just attended the last 59 reunion before the Squadron is absorbed into 24 Commando Regiment RE next year. At the reunion we discussed the possibility of having a reunion in the UK of ex 59 Op Crown mates as a follow up of the one that was held in Thailand in 2005. To date I am in regular contact with Chris Barrett, John Hamnett and George Smart all three are on your list and I have also sent Jim Curtis an email, but have still to receive a reply. I am also in contact with Trevor Letford who lives in Cyprus and Michael Allen. We were all in 59 when it first formed up in Shorncliffe as well as being on the advance party up to Thailand and began life on Op. Crown in the tented camp.
Trevor, who is in contact with several others, has emailed me to say that those he is in contact with are not interested in meeting up, which I think is a shame but still not to worry. So Hank any others that you know of and are in contact with as well as any help you can offer in tracing old mates it would be greatly appreciated.
Buck
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hi hank thanks for the e mail i had a look at your site quite interesting. its funny to hear from someone from 11 sqn i remember when i got to thailand there was still some of the sqn at ubon in the aussie base i remember talking to the guys. i got there in 1964 until 1966 with 59 and i went back with 34 sqn the same year. when we came back to the uk i was offered a posting to 11 sqn but i knocked it back to go to berlin. i must admit i realy enjoyed the time in the far east. well mate just a short reply speak to you later.
George
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Hi Hank,
Would love to see your site and leave a message on it for all those 11 sqn personnel. please forward me the site address. I was last in Ubon two weeks ago, and I go back there on a regular basis. I visited the old airfield at Ban Kok Telat last month and it was being used as a drag strip by about 150 motor-bikes. It seemed very official with food stalls, a PA system prizes and electronic timing. Hope to hear from you soon. Regards, Jim Curtis. ex 59 Sqn RE p.s. I dont have my own computer and have to use the local library to get my e-mail.
Jim Curtis
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Roger Makin
I was one of the original Op Mukdahan crew who formed up at Kitchener bks in september 63 and went to singapore 2 december. 8 of our crew went on the ship Benmore to Bankok on the 23 Dec with the Crane
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Hank
Guilty as charged, I was with 54 on Crown in 1965 and 1966.I was firstly the Plant Docs clerk when Capt Bob Tansey was Plant Troop Comd and WO1 Stumpy Fowler was the MPF. Getting off that was a relief even though they put me on the Howard Train and then on Night Shift with Jack Box on the Bitumen Boilers. Jack unfortunately got himself shot by a local Thai gang and is buried in Kranjie War Cementary in Singapore. Next I was trusted with a Bray LWT and took off much of the blacktop from the main runway. After that I spent a very boring time stock piling aggregate ready for the concreting phase of the project. Time has wiped out much of my memory but I do seem to recollect a Hank either as a plant op or fitter I don't quite remember. One of those I remember well and still have occassional contact with from 11 sqn is Mo Day.I do however look back at the place with fond memories of Mekong whisky and tiger Beer.I was lucky enough to get posted back to 54 in 1970 as a Plant Sgt and moved to Hong Kong when the Sqn formed up there in 71.I'm afraid I never gave the Army up and spent 40 years in it retiring in 2001 although I am still working for them as a civvy and am presently running the Engineer Park in Hameln.
Regards Wally Boldock
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Dave Batterley
Have just found your website which brought back many happy memories. I served with 11 Sqn from 1969 until its disbandment in 1970 where I was posted to 54 Sqn in Singapore. Also serving with 11 Sqn were my two brothers, Mick and Stuart who also went to 54 Sqn. Sadly Mick died a few years ago from cancer whilst living in South Africa. I have a few photos of members of 11 and 54 Sqn so I'll dig them out and post them onto the web. Would love to hear from anyone who knows either me or my brothers.
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Sid Hutchings
Hi Hank
Dates March 1961_1964 1 troop (butterworth) Mallacca
Then to 65 fd pk Sqn (Orsnabrook) Hameln to 1966 back to Malaya Terendak camp to 1969
Serving North Boneo Thailand Sarawak
Then Back to the U K 24 sqn chatham Then to Germany to 2 Armd Sqn Iserlone Then back to 12 Rsme Chathamdean
Then goodnight to the Army
SID
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Hi Hank,
you don,t know me but we trod the same ground in Thailand and probably in Malaya too! John Hamnett put me onto your site and I just wanted to say what a brilliant site, very clear and to the point, in fact a bit like an "O" group ! For once I have found someone who has his facts right about Op. Crown and hasn,t forgoten that there was a tented camp (in the beginning)
My name is Mick (titch) Allen and I served in Thailand with 59 @ 34 Sqdns.1964-67 How well I remember arriving after a journey by sea and road from Singapore to find that we had tents but no poles! spent first night under the stars running to the boreholes after scoffing many water melons.
Being a young,new Squadron to the Far East I think we were a bit in awe of the sun bronzed warriors of 11 Sqdn. who seemed to know what they were doing (did they?) being new boys we got sited near the entrance to the camp, plenty of dust from passing vehicles and plenty of abuse from wandering squaddies trying to find their way home after a night on the Mekong and coke in the village which was still virtually untouched at that time. Was it 11 or 54 who
later went on the rampage in a much changed village (sex and booze) at a farewell party before returning "down south" for a well earned rest( even more sex and booze) except in more civilized surroundings. Mad Mack was not best pleased, probably saw his M.B.E. going up in smoke, like parts of the village!
Anyway, Hank your site and the photo,s brought back good memories of good times and good mates, some of whom I have managed to contact after more than 40 years, it really makes the phrase "get some time in " come home!
Best wishes for you and your site mate,
Mick
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Bernard Waslin
Hello Hank As already stated, I was posted to 11th Independent Field Sqn in January 1960. Our camp was in Butterworth [on the mainland off Penang. I was attached to our transport section. and drove Landrovers and Heavy transport. Our camp was on the beach overlooking Penang.During my time in Butterworth, I was to be promoted to unit photographer taking special photographs to be sent to England. We spent some time on our first tour of North Borneo trying to re-build the "Mountbatton Caurseway" without much luck as it was washed away when the flooding took hold. Returning to Kota Belud in later to build the Bailey bridge.As I was still the unit photographer, AND the officers could not find anyone to play "Batman" I took on the job [and did not have to do any heavy work]. Driving the officers around and keeping their kit ready. [my brother Billy was in WW2, and was Batman to Field Marshall Montgomery] I also had a Super8 movie camera as well as using the company cameras also.We returned to Mallacca in December 1962 [making three years in total].
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Tom Canning
I was with 59 Sqn from Nov 1965 to May 1968. I was a Sgt wit 59 when we took over from 11 Sqn in 1966 and handed over to 34. I went back as a Ssgt when we took over from 34 Sqn in 1967 until handover to 11 Sqn and then went back with 54 when they took over from 11 Sqn, that tour however was cut short by Col Driscoll who decided that Bob Haynes and myself were undesirables and chucked us out and we got a train ride to Bangkok and then a flight to Singapore. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Crown except for the 54 Sqn experience which I would not wish on anyone. I made a lot of very good mates there and am still in contact with some of them
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Bob Corcoran
Hi Hank. As requested. I worked on the road./ and a improvised bridge, although I was with 54 field pk it was with 59sqn, 11 sqn was also involved I done two trips, both times on the road The first trip I lived on the airfield site..As I was not a plant op or driver, I was helping the soil mechs with the testing, basically getting the wobbly wheeled rollers to make sufficient passes until the soil mechs were happy with the compaction.I also went out looking for suitable laterite deposits for the road. We lived in tents as you know.I do recall that our SSM paid us a visit up from Singers, he went ape shit when he found out that the road camp was drinking more beer than the airfield lot.Does anyone recall the Harry Secombe visit to the strip, Anita Harris was there also. We were initially not invited as we we reported to be unruly, some one must have relented as were were invited down for the show, but were not allowed to stay to meet the great and the good.It was also rumoured that there was an invite from the yanks to the Miss world show at Ubon, but the power's that be put the kybosh on that.We were invited to Ubon to play the Aussies at cricket, that was a laugh, they took it in deadly earnest, turned out on whites, the game was played adjacent to the strip, the yanks must have wondered what was going on , when they were landing and taking off in there phantoms.Needless to say we were soundly thrashed.Does anyone remember Eddy Brown and Jacky Knox both of 11 sqn. It would have been on the first trip that I visited the Ville, I had heard loads of tales of this place, from memory it was a cluster of tin roof shacks, selling leaping deer Thai whiskey, the rumour was that if you were caught drinking it , you got 28 days nick, oh least I forget the poo yings definitely not Thai beauty's. Who's this Nignoy?And this Willie Bach has he been taking strong drink.? Looking forward to hearing from you again. Bob Corcoran37 FldSqn Osnabruck54 Fld Pk Singers34Fld Sqn Tidworth
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John McLoughlin
Amazing I've only just hooked up to the internet from Spain and was browsing for information on my time in the RE's 1963 - 1975. My name is John Mc.Loughlin and I was with 11 Ind. Fld RE. 67-70. I drove a dumper truck on the Thialand road project and rember our trips to Ubon like it was yesterday. I was a L/Cpl. at the time in 1 Troop I think? I was also attached to the Ausse troop for a few weeks and went with them on a Hearts and Minds trips 80 miles up a river to build a medical centre for the natives... what a great time. I also did the HongKong road project and several other interesting jobs. My other postings were 42 Field Sqdn. Osnabruck/Hamlin 63-66; (where I had a brief unofficial trip to the South of France and Luxemborg), any one who new me at that time will know what I mean... 66 Plant Sqdn. Longmoor 1971-73 Jobs in Isle of Skye; Fase two of Air Field project - Hong Kong Road Project - Canada Road project. 73-75 AMFL Troop Logmoor/Tidworth/Norway Snow blower team. Any one remembers me please get in touch.
John
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Brian Simpson
HANK, thanks for your site info (doc) via John Hamnet yesterday, I have been to your site several times via johns site plenty of info
i served with 59 fld sqdn RE,
ON advanced party to singapore nov 1963 from shornecliffe, kent, in prep for main party arrival,
served two visits to thailand from singapore, on first visit I drove SSM (YAKKER) YATES from BANGKOK TO THAILAND AIRFIELD tented camp it was certainly tense before we got to the camp I was suffering with heat stroke SSM Yates took over driving my Landrover,I was a young 18+half then not used to the heat, still dont like hot weather to this day,I finally left far east 1966,I met SSM Yates again when he visited my new regiment 42 FLD SURVEY REGT
at BARTON STACEY near Andover I did'nt know wether to stand to attention all the time I was talking to him (frightening),
prior to leaving SINGAPORE we both went on a Recce to Malaya a place called KUANTAN for two days that was good PALM TREES and white sand on the beach, I got 50 Dollars expences I think then A Singapore dollar was then worth TWO ENGLISH SHILLINGS +4 PENCE sadly when I got back to Singapore someone raided my locker ended with nothing.
I saw on your web posted by his son D YATES that the then SSM Yates had died, all I can say that at times I feared him on other not so formal times he was a OK guy,
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Jim Harrod US Radar signals
Thank you for the Op Crown information and photos. Outstanding web site. I served at Det 6, 621 Tac Control Squadron, Mukdahan (Mukdaharn) Thailand in 1966/67 as a Radar Operator. Several of your troopers used to wander up to our site and tour the enlisted club as well as the wounderful city of Mukdahan. A couple of years ago, several of us found each other through the www and were able to get together in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We spent three wonderful days together, and I truly believe that we could have walked back into a radar operations center, sat down on scopes and performed our mission all over again.With your permission, I would also like to share your site with my friends. I have also attached an old photo of the radar site at Mukdahan.Thank you for sharing. Those were most unforgettable days of my youth.
Jim Harrod
Scope Dope
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Terry Evans
HI Hank
Just a line or two ,to intruduce my self to you a little.I joined the army in Febuary 1962 and after basic training @ Farnborough I was posted over to Gillingham in Kent to 60 fld support sqn and then down the road to Brompton Barracks,Chatham were I completed a B111 Sheet Metal Workers course.On completion of this I was flown out to Singapore and then up to Thialand to join 59 fld sqn whom had been up their for about 3 months.Between tooing and frowing from Thialand,Singapore,Malaya, and Hong Kong,I asked for an extended tour in which I got an extra 6 months.When I was up in Thialand I was in 3 Troop mainly doing verious tasks on the airstrip and after completing my B11 S.M.W. in Malaya I worked in the workshops.
I was then posted to 61 fld support sqn, down in Maidstone where I did a short tour of Bahrain and finally demob.
If at all I can help in any way as regards op-crown please contact me .
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Peter Limb
I arrived Op Crown early 64 with machines from Singapore, then went back to Singapore. till late 65 with turn over for 54 fld park Sqn, our HQ was next to the plaque and if I remember not far from the Nick. I had a good experience driving up too Bankok from Singapore with D8 on board a scammell & LOW LOADER
Peter Limb
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Hello again Hank....Hope this finds you well. Jim Harrod
Still extremely cold here in Colorado, and once again the weather has gone crazy in the midwest. I think the latest count from the tornados is 55 dead. One question from my friends about the Crown Project is we were wondering if you folks were ever under attack or probed by the local communist groups that were in our area. We had a few bullet holes in out radar antenna, an occasional round was fired accross our camp. On the morning of 14 February 1967, the Thai military and local police killed a woman and two men just accross our dirt runway that had a few satchel charges and were going to blow our radar off the air. The tied her body to an ox cart wheel and rolled it all through the village of Mukdahan and created quite a stir. Out of the forrest came about 500 Thai Special Forces and soon put things quiet again.On several occasions our Air America Friends came acccross the Mekong from Savannakhet and warned us that they felt some insurgents may try to hit the site, but nothing came of it.One other bit of excitement came about when the Thai Army captured the North Vietnamese leader in out Province. I believe he was a Major. They brought him to our site by helicopter and then loaded him into ground vehicles and were taking him to Bangkok.We had a supply run to NKP to the north almost daily and every once in a while our guys would round a corner in the road and come upon an armed group but we were never fired upon to my knowledge.Warm regards.
Jim Harrod
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Bob Corcoran
Hi Hank. As requested. I worked on the road./ and a improvised bridge, although I was with 54 field pk it was with 59sqn, 11 sqn was also involved I done two trips, both times on the road The first trip I lived on the airfield site..As I was not a plant op or driver, I was helping the soil mechs with the testing, basically getting the wobbly wheeled rollers to make sufficient passes until the soil mechs were happy with the compaction.I also went out looking for suitable laterite deposits for the road. We lived in tents as you know.I do recall that our SSM paid us a visit up from Singers, he went ape shit when he found out that the road camp was drinking more beer than the airfield lot.Does anyone recall the Harry Secombe visit to the strip, Anita Harris was there also. We were initially not invited as we we reported to be unruly, some one must have relented as were were invited down for the show, but were not allowed to stay to meet the great and the good.It was also rumoured that there was an invite from the yanks to the Miss world show at Ubon, but the power's that be put the kybosh on that.We were invited to Ubon to play the Aussies at cricket, that was a laugh, they took it in deadly earnest, turned out on whites, the game was played adjacent to the strip, the yanks must have wondered what was going on , when they were landing and taking off in there phantoms.Needless to say we were soundly thrashed.Does anyone remember Eddy Brown and Jacky Knox both of 11sgn. It would have been on the first trip that I visited the Ville, I had heard loads of tales of this place, from memory it was a cluster of tin roof shacks, selling leaping deer Thai whiskey, the rumour was that if you were caught drinking it , you got 28 days nick, oh least I forget the poo yings definitely not Thai beauty's. Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Bob Corcoran
37 FldSqn Osnabruck54 Fld Pk Singers34Fld Sqn Tidworth
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Colin Armstrong
Hi.
Completed 2 tours on Op Crown between 66/68,1 on the strip and the other a cushy job running the Cpl's club---- based in Gillman Barracks Singapore----54 Sqn also involved in Borneo same time.59 Sqn also in Gillman Bks prior to changing their hats.
Colin
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Tony Cliffe
I was in OP CROWN 64-66 S/M YATES shooting all the dogs monsoon rains washing away half the toilets, going to ubon on latterite roads for supplies we had to do over 35 mph to stop bouncing and just hit the top of the ridges.Dust everywhere.Great was'nt it . Cliffy my nickname would like hear from anyone who remembers me .especially the crown football team that beat the aussies in Ubon I was right half ..We won a cup wonder where it is now.
Cliffy
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Roy Follows, malay police 1950s
Dear Hank.
Thanks for your email, also your kindness in trying track down the RE Lt whose name I thought was Newman? Frantically searching through my 'Fort' files I came across the officers name and it's Lt. K W Newhams. From what little information I have , Lt Newhams was o/ic of building the airstrip at Fort Shean which was in the state of Pahang . These airstrips which you will be too aware of, were for Pioneer/Auster Short Take Off Landing (STOL ) aircraft. I have it from somewhere, that Lt Newhams made an official report about his units (11th Ind Sqn REs ? ) involvement with Jungle Forts , which a few years ago, version of it appeared in 'The Sapper ' . For your interest, there were twelve official jungle forts, which l were all under the Malay Police, and until 1958 ish all fort commanders were Brits . Fort Tapong the last fort to be built (1958 ) its Commander was an Asian Police officer. The area were Fort Tapong was, is now a hugh reservoir , and the fort now lies under deep water. My old place Fort Brooke in the mountains north of threCameron Highlands is still there . But is no longer an armed stockade where you never moved without your automatic. The fort is now a admin centre with clinic, school etc for the Aborigines. Some of the other jungle forts are also still in existance. Fort Brooke was built by the SAS together with men from Malaya Police operational units . The officer I/c of the building was Maj Ted Peackock RE SAS, who sadly passed away a few years ago. It was named 'Brooke' after Lt/Col O Brooke the then CO of the SAS. It was about six months ago that I began looking for information/photographs any thing about jungle forts and since than I've received photographs of forts from many different people who were involved with them and not only from the UK but Canada, NZ and Australia. So in 'nut shell' I'm looking for information ,stories,anything about the jungle forts,which I hope the 11th Ind Sqd RE or any othe RE until can kindly supply me with. This book about Jungle Forts, I'm at present working on will be my third book I've cobbled out(I don't write ) . The other two that were publish , first was 'The Jungle Beat' about my time on jungle operations,which came out some years ago, than about a couple of years ago 'Four Wheels and Frontiers', sub titled 'The First Overland', was published . This is the account of how in 1958 my friend and drove ALL the way from Singapore via Thailand and Burma to the UK. For this three months epic drive, the vehicle we used was a 1943 an ex Brit army Jeep that we bought from a scrap yard in Johore Bahru.
So hoping you can help
Thanks again
Best wishes
Roy.
Pleased find three images attached.
Because of he mountainous terrain where it was postioned, Fort Brooke could not have an airstrip ( Not Even the 11th Ind could have made one there ! ) but it had a LD/Z. I took the photograph of this AD taking place at the fort. This parachute missed the DZ to land inside the forts compound causing much damage.
125 Air Drop at Fort Brooke. 629 Jungle Beat 632 Four Wheels and Frontiers .
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Richard Nobby Clarke
11 INDEPENDENT FIELD SQUADRON R.E.
JUNGLE FORTS
11 Independent base camp was at Butterworth in an old Japanese army camp in atap huts or basha’s.
The Sqn was involved in building and maintaining the forts deep in the Malayan Jungle that where manned by the Malay Police and also used by the security forces to gain access to remote area’s where the CT’s where.
I was involved as a L/CPL in 1 Troop RE in the building of Fort Tapong, all three field troops worked on this fort on a three week rotation that is two troops working and one back at Butterworth on R&R the other field troops where 2 Troop RAE and 3 Troop RE.
We would travel by road to Grik stay overnight at the RAR forward Base and set off at dawn by native boat up the Sungi Perak and travel most of the day up this large river having to negotiate several large rapids we found this very exhilarating, passing on the way aboriginal villages on the river bank.
The camp we set up was above the river next to the Malay police camp our camp consisted of a cleared area about seventy yards diameter with one or two man basha’s around the perimeter made out of our poncho’s for a roof and a home made bed consisting of canvas and bamboo pole’s not unlike a stretcher the sides and ends open to the elements, the troop commander slept in the centre of camp.
The Police camp was much the same as ours at that time I believe that they had been operational in this area for some time with just a LZ for access.
Each man carried with them two sets of clothes one for working in and one for sleeping, jungle and hockey boots personal items such as washing and mending kit a gullok jungle knife, weapon and ammunition, items to help make up the Basha this was not supplied you had to provide your own.
Most men also took their PE Shorts to work in as they more comfortable and easy to wash every day in the river when you took a bath.
We would stand to at dawn then breakfast of tined bacon and egg and a mug of tea then off to work on the airstrip clearing the jungle using axes on the smaller trees and explosives under the roots on the large one’s everything had to be cleared back to the edge of the airstrip.
At midday we would take a short break for food usually cold tined meat or cheese and hardtack biscuits and tea, at the end of the day it was back to camp for a meal of compo rations cooked with a petrol hydro burner in a open trench, then the best of all the rum ration which some men saved up in a spare water bottle to drink after five or six days!!
All our supplies came in by air drop about once a week including if we where lucky fresh meat for one meal and mouldy bread.
Our latrine or thunder boxes as we called them was a deep trench covered with bamboo and soil leaving three openings for the seats made from old detonating cord boxes which had lids to help keep the flies down and a bamboo screen around and roof of bamboo very posh, every few days this had to be burnt out with petrol to keep the flies under control this was the job of the medic.
One day while working on the airstrip we heard a loud explosion from the camp and saw a large cloud of dust and what looked like the bog roof falling like a leaf from the sky, we all rushed back to camp to find the medic laying flat on his back covered in you know what with a large smoking hole next to him it seems he had used to much petrol!
Another humorous incident was when Bill (Lofty) Kibble from 3 Troop was clearing the hill side of a very large three with large fin like roots using explosives after two attempts and a lot of smoke and dust the tree was still standing on the third attempt their was a very load explosion and from the cloud of smoke and dust rose this very large tree like a rocket going into orbit and then split down the centre, he never did tell us how much PE he had used, years later Bill became a QMSI instructor in Bomb Disposal !
Richard (Nobby) Clarke
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3 comments:
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hank. and for those advertising wedding dresses please stop as its such a pain having to remove all the time
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Hi Hank
ReplyDeletewe didnt meet - i served in 11 sqn in terendak from February 67 to October 68. was plant troup clerk and qms clerk as Rougier wouldnt have me in the main office. didnt realise dave purvis was there at the same time - we are friends now but obviosly both too old to remember we served together in terendak. I got the last laugh on Rougier as i ended up commissioned. Te He
My fondest memories are of my friendship with plant op Jock (SadNap) day as he was christened by the boot boy. I ran the social club for a while and was friendly with Bob Knight before he sadly died.
I am visiting my daughters grave in Terendak in May this year(2009)as we left before the headstone was erected.
fond fond memories
Rod Horner
Hi Rod
ReplyDeleteHank here please can you contact me through the contact links and let me have your email address. Phone number would be good.
As i try to link people together
In 1963 I was a 12 year old student in the only English school in my home town of Grik, Perak, Malaya (now called Malaysia). I was a scout and my Scout Master Mr.Vincent Lowe brought in a Medic from the near by military camp to give us briefing on first aid. Our school was next to the military air strip. The Medic could be either British or Australian and could be in his seventies now. Thru your web site I am hoping to get in touch with this very nice gentlemen who gave us a thrilling experience in first aid.I will write in again on the British / australian troops in my home town as witnessed by myself as a small boy. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteRegards. Rama. I can be contacted at rama33@hotmail.com