The Green Howard and Friends of the Green Howards Museum Newsletters

Newsletter, - Issue No 5, April 1998
Close window to return to menu page for previous issues of the Newsletters

National Servicemen in the Malaya Campaign.

The Malayan Campaign took place between 1948 - 1960.

The many National Servicemen who spent their 18 months service with the 1st battalion, the Green Howards, in Malaya between 1949-1952 acquitted themselves well and were proud of their contribution to the Regiment's history.

In this issue, the reader is taken back to the 1950s, with some fascinating personal insights into what it meant to be both a National Serviceman and a Green Howard.

As with other Newsletters, this edition is well illustrated with maps and photographs.

CONTENTS

With the National Servicemen of the 1st Battalion, Malaya		An introduction, with a map of the country in 1949, to the story of the Green Howards in Malaya..
Time Frame, Malaya. 1949 - 1952		A chronicle of events associated with the three years spent by the Green Howards in Malaya.
The Moulding of Men		Lieutenant Colonel Jock Neighbour recounts how National Service recruits were trained to be soldiers at the Richmond Depot of the Green Howards.
At the Depot, by Peter Etherington		The Richmond memories of a Green Howards National Serviceman.
Reluctant Heroes, - Our National Servicemen in Malaya		How the newly trained National Service soldiers coped with their role in jungle warfare.
Fact File, - the 1st Battalion in Malaya, 1949-1952		The numbers of men who served, were killed, and were decorated for bravery.
The Trackers		An account of how the Trackers played a vital role during the Malayan campaign, and were used extensively by the Regiment during its three year tour.
On Patrol		National Serviceman 2nd Lieutenant Frank Laycock, MC, describes an eventful patrol from his days in Malaya.
The Singapore Riots		An account of how the 1st Battalion of the Green Howards were used to help quell the rioting that had broken out in Singapore in December 1950.
The Evacuation of Kampong Miku		Brigadier John Oldfield describes how a population of 200 were evacuated from a Kampong in October 1951 for resettlement.
The General Service Medal, with the clasp "Malaya"		A description of the General Service Medal, 1918 - 1962, with emphasis on those awarded for service in Malaya.
Remembering Chan Too		Field Marshall Sir Nigel Bagnall writing of his fond recollections of the former Green Howards supporter and interpreter in Malaya.
'C' Company Completely Cut Off		How 'C' Company coped with the severe flooding that cut them off from the outside, and how they also provided assistance to the locals in this flooding.
A Change of Tactics		Lieutenant Clive Artley describes how jungle warfare tactics were changed to achieve some impressive results.
Jungle Weapons		Major James Pearson describes the weapons used during the Malayan campaign, as well as the clothing, rations, and communications equipment.
The Bandit Camp Attack		Brigadier John Oldfield provides an account of an attack by a Company of the Green Howards on a guerilla camp, deep in the jungle.
Malaya, - Terrorist Casualties		A breakdown of the terrorist casualties in Malaya, month by month, between 1949 and 1952. The number killed or captured by the Green Howards is included.
Mortar Platoon		Derek Watkins recalls his experiences serving with a 3" Mortar Platoon in 1950 and 1951.
My Time in Malaya		Colonel Michael Roberts, OBE, recalls his service with the Green Howards, serving as a Major in Malaya in 1951 and 1952.
Malaya Platoon		The men of No 12 Platoon, 1st Battalion of the Green Howards, are photographed on active service in January 1952. The individuals are identified against the photograph.
Malaya Miscellany		A selection of miscellaneous photographs, showing that there was more to service in Malaya than simply sitting out in the jungle on ambush patrol.
The British Planters		The lighter side of the Malayan emergency, seen through the eyes of the British Planters who continued to live and work on the rubber plantations.
Troopships		Troopships that have carried the Green Howards over the past 150 years are recalled. An account is provided of a voyage by the 6th battalion of the Green Howards to Northern Russia in 1918 on HMT "Tras-os-Montes".
Malaya memories		The memories of Private Tony Bohanan are recalled as he writes an open letter to his former Platoon Commander in Malaya, Lieutenant (now the Reverend) Clive Artley. A reply is included from Clive Artley.

--------------> Top of Page