25th Field Regiment in Malaya

By Gnr. James Daniel Lamb, 23116884.

Gun Positions in chronological order
Sungi Mangis
FRA
Lothian Estate
Tanjong Malin
Hulu Langat
Dusan Tua
Kajang
Semenyih
Tampin
Titie
Rompin
Clevelly Estate
Asahan
Titie
Bahau
Tampin, Semynyih.
Singapore - Southampton

Jim has also provided a set of maps showing the locations of the gun positions, please see: Maps
Links are included in the main article for relevant maps.

Fox Troop
93.(Lecateau) Field Battery.
25 Field Regiment RA.
Service commenced 17 Feb 1955
Effective date of discharge 14 Feb 1957.
First camp, Oswestry North Wales 2 weeks.
Second camp, Kinmel Bay Rhyl. Past driving test.

On our 6th week we moved to Bulford Barracks, to undertake gunnery training on Salisbury plain with 25pounders.
Home on leave 3 weeks, to liverpool onto HMS Devonshire to Singapore, arrived Noon.
We travelled by steam train which left at 6pm to Kuala Lumpur, boarding at 9am for a truck convoy of 6 trucks to Kuala Kubu Bahru.
we then spent 3 weeks getting climatised, every morning and afternoon on the parade growned
wearing nothing, doing very light drill and into the doctor for a good painting
with calamine lotion after every 30min. A couple of the lads were sent back home with burnt skin.

A few of the pictures I took whilst on tour
Please click the pictures to enlarge.

Coffee break, Seremban, Jim Lamb, Ammunition 2

Bath night at Dudan Tua

9 Oct 1955, Left Kuala Kubu Bahru, for our 1st Gun position at Sungi Mangis, 18yr old Philpot, 18yr old Frank Battersby Signaller, and myself 21yr old. 70 miles in a well worn truck with a escort Humber scout car. We bypassed Kuala Lumpur to Klang, Banting the camp was on a cross road people waiting in the centre of it for a bus. The tents wear on the side of the road, We were met by Sergeant Major Warwick with his Baton,his first words 'Relax have you had a meal' Frank got in first with 'No Sir' I was to get on with him later like a house on fire and paid for it. Got sorted with a bunk in the Drivers tent. a good meal. The Troop Commanders scout car has Dvr J Drain VC on the front 93 bat from first world war.

16. Map showing Taman Sungai Manggis and Kampung Sungai manggis

Fox Troop, Sungi Mangis. 9 Oct to 4 Dec 1955

J Drain VC

Sungi Mangis, Roving Gun

Three photographs to explain why 93 bty was part of 25 fld Regt.and dvr J Drain VC on the troop com, scout car.

J Drain's Scout car and author

J Drain's memorial information

Newspaper clipping re: 93 battery's links with le Cateau.

My first day with Fox Troop 93 Le Cateau Field Battery. We were all up at 6am, Sgt Major Warwick put all 40 of us on a Picket line all round the Troop position, After a short wait tall 2nd lt officer came by with the Sgt Major no comments. It Is the first time I have seen the area in daylight, We have a small area of Grass with a pole in the centre with place names pointing in three directions this is the bus stop for the local people, the road runs by the side of camp. No one knows I am here everyone is hard at it cleaning polishing, I go too the four 25 pounders parked very close to each other, lack of space, five gunners on each,I asked were the No1's were,"they are at a map reading course" At this point I was told to report to, Mr Richardson, Mt Officer, 2nd Lt, " Driver J Lamb""Yes sir" "Go and find the Reme Corporal Davies tell him I have sent you" easy to find, Checking a wagon, "Hi my names William ""Jim Lamb" "Ok this is yours, It's a Ford V8 Wot 6 Reg No 63YW61 3.7 ton 1947, This is your Log Book, in it is all you have to know One simple rule, Carry it with you all of the time keep it up to date, It does six miles to the gallon, Sign This, It's Yours.

We were at this position for 8 weeks, Week 2, got my first detail, too Kanchong Laut on the edge of Kurla Langat Swamp( Sepang is also on the edge of this swamp new F1 Racing circuit). With 1 25 pounder Scout Car Mr Brumond Troop Commander 2Lt Mr Elliot Gun Position Officer,all 6ft4, of him. 10 rounds were fired during the day, 4pm we were done all empty shell cases in the back of my truck and back to camp 1 hours drive.

Recovery Saracen

Sgt Davis and Roving Gun, Lothian Estate

Sungai Manggis

7.Nov 55.team of 4, Cpl Davies, Frank Battersby, Taffy Hale, J.Lamb, my vehicle report too stores for ABC rations to last 6 days, large marquee tools and best Kit, Destination, Gedok New Village, Food Restricted Area, 35 mile drive We are to check all food going in and out of the village by the villagers. We are to work with the local police, one male one lady, The main gate opens at 6am and closes 5pm, All the locals are Rubber tappers waiting to leave on there Bicycles,all have to be checked, the bicycle frame is checked by tapping it with a bamboo stick, they return late afternoon, this is the busiest time, been shopping before coming home, We all checked them out in the morning, we then worked in pairs, we all enjoyed the change, very quiet.

(FRA) Food Restricted area
J.Lamb, Taffy Hale, Gedok New Village

Gedok New Village, J.Lamb, Corporal W.Davies.

Gedok New Village, Food Restricted Area

November 16, my first Ammunition detail too BHQ Tampin, 200 rounds 25-pdr, Shell and Cartridge. My vehicle,(AMN 2) and escort scout car, 60 miles too Tampin, Stopped en route at Seremban for Coffee, 30 gallons of petrol at local fuel station. Near the Reme workshops all types of vehicles waiting for repair, BHQ shown the Ordnance buildings and boxes of Ammunition, there was no easy way loading, all done by hand, one box of 4 weighed 100 lbs, X 50. plus cartridges. Arrived back at camp 4pm, Ammunition taken by the gunners loaded into the Limbers. Just been informed we are moving in two days time position unknown.

2 Dec, Troop Movement now on for 4 Dec, I have 2nd Ammunition detail same as first. on 3Dec. Returned early back at camp,Ammunition left in my vehicle (Amn2), having to pack away all my kit ready for early start, On Guard duty with 5 others. After breakfast Sgt major Warwick, has us all standing outside our tents, blows his whistle, we have 30 minutes to have all our equipment packed away and the area clean to his high standards. Within the hour we were all lined up ready to go, front was troop commander in his scout car, he knows were to go. Next are the four 25 ponders all clean and shining, From Sungi Mangis we traveled around the perimeter of Kurla Langat Swamp, Turning left at Sepang Vilage through the gate into Lothian Estate. The next 5 miles were hard going I had all the Ammunition plus all the tents and kit bags cooking equipment, when we got to the gun position it took every one to get the guns setup, two lads were sent out to find running water and dam it up to have a wash later.

18. Map showing Roving 1. Kuala Langat Swamp, Lothian Estate 3.

Too Lothian Estate from Sepang

Lothian estate

Thomas Knight, Lothian Estate

Taffy Hale, Lothian Estate

Our next Gun Position Tanjong Malin. Route through Kajang, bypass KL, Rawang, over the River Bernam right and pass through Village the gun position 300 yards farther on and short on space, the ground is uneven and rough. My Speedometer reads 77 miles for the daily run. My orders for tomorrow, take Rigby Q2 with you back too Lothian Estate pickup the empty boxes , too GHQ for 200 rounds each, take Philpot and Bowen, two strong lads.
Wed 7 Dec on the road early, no breakfast, Traveled direct route through centre of Kuala Lumpur never seen so much traffic, it helps when they drive on the same side of the road, we stopped at Seramban for Breakfast, 35 gal's fuel,on too Lothian Estate, now we have a problem, the ground is churned up our vehicles are light,we found one small area for one vehicle, we have to carry half the boxes too the first vehicle, about 30 yards,and repeat the same, we got out ok. On our back we stopped at Seramban, Coffee and pie, we gave Kuala Lumpur a miss, the weight of the ammunition slows our vehicles down by half, we kept to the open road. we arrived back at camp 5pm. The rest of the time 7 days cleaning our Vehicles after the conditions in and out of Kuala Lagat Swamp.

4. Map showing Tanjong Malim

Tanjong Malin local boys.	Tanjong Malin, children's play area.	Q2. Bill Rigby.	Tanjong Malin entrance.
Tanjong Malin, lack of space.	Tanjong Malin troop commander - it's my turn.	Tanjong Malin, Sgt Davie.	Tanjong Malin.

55 mile drive to Hulu Langat,25 miles east of Kuala Lumpur, Gun position rough ground. Lots of clearing and creepy crawlies. my first detail to dam up the nearest stream forwashing, not a problem only one, Day 3 to Tampin, 200 rounds, Ammunition 130 miles total, Coffee and fuel 35 gall Seremban, back at camp 3pm, remainder of day making living area more comfortable, no holes in Mosquito net, day 4 more clearing and cleaning Amn 2 for inspection by troop commander, looking for cigarette ends full marks I don't smoke, returned all empty ammunition boxes to Tampin, returned with 200 rounds left in Amn 2, Troop movement in the morning 20 December.

1. Map showing the major roads around Hulu Langat
19. Map showing Hulu Langat 5 and Semenyih 14

Preparing to leave Hulu Langat.	Frank Batersby and his Pole.	Hulu Langat Gun Position.
Enter into Hulu Langat Gun Position.	Hulu Langat/J Lamb.	Hulu Langat.

20.Dec. Troop Movement to Dusan Tua, Short drive 10 miles, we have a large lake hot springs at the end, local swimming baths. 21st detail to Kuala Lumpur for naafi supplies,rest of day cleaning Kit and Amn2, weapons stripped and laid out on Poncho ready for inspection byReeme personnel, We were on holiday for the next days over Xmas, If all your kit and equipment was in A1 condition, Orders from Sgt Major Warwick. 27th to Tampin for rations, and ammunition,28 Dec Troop Movement.

Duan Tua Hot Springs. Xmas, Long Night Ahead.	Dusan Tau, Xmas, Hot Springs, Taffy Hale.	Dusan Tau, Xmas, Hot Springs, Taffy Hale.
Dusan Tau, Xmas, Hot Springs, J Lamb.	Gunners at play.	Dusan Tau Hot Springs. Xmas, Dinner, Tiger beer, from Officers Mess.

Monday 2nd Jan 1956, In Amn 2 to Kajang for fuel 31 gallons 25 miles, Reme road test, 6 miles changed front near side Tyre, Tuesday Troop Movement to Kajang 13 miles, F2 Quad arrived late with minor problem, I have 2 Ammunition details to Tampin 400 rounds, total mileage 127 miles. on return I take 12 gunners and sgt Davies to, Royal Hampshires camp for Showers, 2 miles. Wednesday 2 Ammunition details to Tampin, 400 rounds total, 127 miles, Gunners for showers. All 4 guns firing from 11pm to 4am, All the drivers helped with the Ammunition, and Refreshments, Thursday was a quiet day I took the water trailer to Kajang Police station for refill, plus fuel 15 gallons, Friday 2 details to Tampin returning empty Ammunition boxes and collecting troop stores, back in camp 6pm, on guard 7pm. Saturday, to Kajang police station to paint Amn 2. completed Sunday, lads for showers,Royal Hampshires. Remainder of week 4 days details to tampin, Kuala Lumpur, collecting stores, taking lads for showers and football field to play Royal Hampshires. our next move Saturday.

20. Map showing Kajang 7, Semenyih 8 and Bahau 15

Kajang Command Post.	Kajang, Arrived.	Leaving Kajang.
Kajang, Lynch.	Kajang setting up.	Kajang, Sgt Davis.

14 Jan, All ammunition to Semenyih our next Gun position 10 mile drive Large area of flat ground no scrub, return to Kajang leaving two to keep watch, Bowen and Greenwood, with Tim a large Alsatian, Troop commanders new Dog,
12 noon on our way to Semenyih, Lots of space everyone gave mr Elliot a rousing cheer, our Gun Position Officer. It was now a race to have all the tents up and guns in position, I did two runs in Amn2 to Kagang with the lads for showers,
Sunday 15th, Ammunition detail to Tampin 200 rounds 105 mile, Water trailer to Kajang for refill, lads for showers.
Monday 16th, Sgt Major Warwick "Come with me" 2lt Mr Richards, Mt Officer,"I am giving you a change of vehicle, The Armoured Pig" "Thank you Sir" Sgt Major" exchange your Sten gun for the Bren gun, It goes with the Pig, you will be on escort duties most of your time". The Pig, 6 ton of steel plates no power steering, nice to drive 6 miles to the gall. my first detail, taking all the lads for showers in turn.
On the front the name Capt Vivien,I never gave it a second thought until I started researching my Grandfathers WW1 records in 1980, William Davies 11 Bat South Lancs Rgt, Killed 1st July 1916 Battle of the Somme, never found, his name is on the Thiepval Memorial. Captain Vivien was in the battle of Le Cateau, France, 26,August,1914.

20. Map showing Kajang 7, Semenyih 8 and Bahau 15

	Gunner Redford and Bullock M3 maintenance	Bowen, J.Lamb, Greenwood, Tim
Taffy Hale, Tim		Semenyia

Wednesday 18, Jan, Troop movement to Tampin BHQ. 59 miles returning all stores. Following four days cleaning, changing all equipment and kit, four hour course on the workings of the Bren gun, and the 25 pounder. Cleaning and painting the Pig with the help from John Redmond, Percy Fenn. All vehicles were filled with fuel, the Pig with Naffi stores. Ready for Morning.

John Redmond

Jim Lamb

Percy Fenn, Tampin

Monday 23 Jan, Troop movement to Titie via Seramban, Ulu Klawang,
Jelebu Pass, 64 miles, extra care to be taken driving through the pass. Troop commander leading in the Scout car, four 25 Pounder guns, Ammunition Limbers holding 32 rounds each Towed by a Morris-Commercial Quad. I was at the rear driving the Pig with corporal Davies with the Bren gun. ten other vehicles were spread out between the scout car and Pig in no particular order, All the vehicles were fully loaded our speed never rose above 25 mph.
Arrived gun position 3pm, very large disused Tin mine ground flat with a large lake at one end no jungle in sight. 8pm all 4 guns firing 3hours,

Tuesday, football team to Jelebu to play local team, (Gurkhas)we lost 2-1.
The Gurkhas are based in Jelebu. the next 4 days are quiet cleaning very litle firing
Rifle practise, firing the Bren for the first time.

11. Map showing Titi

Jelebu Pass		Titie, disused tin mine, troop movement
Titie, recreation	Titie, rifle practise	Titie, rifle practise

Tuesday 31 Jan, 1956. Troop movement to Rompin 65 miles.
We are in the Jungle being eaten by creepy crawlies, most of the day trying to position the Guns and ammunition several vehicles bogged down, After many hours, all was in place forty rounds were fired during the night. Wednesday we are moving, much shouting, pulling,shoving to get out onto the road, No one injured just bitten.

Frank Batersby	1) 2 lt Richards, 2) Lt Elliot, 3) Corp Davies. REME, 4) Sgt Major Warwick	Rompin, Lots of Creepy-Crawlies
Sgt Davies, Rompin		Leaving Rompin

Our next position Clevelly Estate, A large Rubber Plantation, 17 mile drive.
The two day-es at Rompin were hard we all left there with a bite of some sort, the new positions no better, years ago it had Rubber Trees, Now it is covered with scrub and stunted trees, Second day Friday 3rd Feb, Detail to Tampin in the Pig to pick up rations with four of the lads,John Garton, Richard Liptrot, Henry Houghton, and Tom Wilson, to see the doctor, all had swollen arms, I was ok but told to have a check up from the doctor. We all returned to camp with a tube of cream, with the instructions, If it gets worse come back, Saturday escort duties to Troop Commander
Small village Kuala Pilah,30 miles East.and Bahau, Returned to camp 3pm all busy, on the move again.

Clevelly Estate	Recovered from Swamp, Clevelly Estate
Clevelly Estate	Leaving Clevelly Estate

Troop movement, Sunday 5 February, 45 mile drive to the town of Asahan, East side of Mt Ophir 4187 ft our camp 3 miles clear of the town on good flat ground, 4 guns pointing to the mounting with a large stock of shells, Firing most of the night Monday, escort to the ammunition vehicles, too Tampin returning empty boxes and replenish the guns with 800 rounds, on return escort to John Bowen and his vehicle with the water trailer to Asahan for a refill. 5.30pm first meal of the day, 4 hours sleep 10pm, assisting gunners till 3am. 2 gunners having problems with sore arms from previous position. No details to-day, The Pig having a good clean and check by Cpl Davies,Reme, Wednesday detail to Tampin, collecting stores, 2gall of oil, 20 gall fuel. Returning all empty cases, back at camp preparations to move.

12. Map showing Asahan

Asahan, D Ryder, P Hunt, G Howard

Asahan, J Kirby

Asahan

Asahan, Cpl Davies, REME

Troop movement to Titie,Thursday 9 February. 86 miles Jelebu Pass.
Very large flat area I would guise 300 yards wide by one mile long, The Guns were parked in line close to each other with there Limbers and Vehicles close together, Friday , escort to two Vehicles returning all Ammunition and empty boxes leaving maximum 32 rounds in each limber. returning with full rations, OMD 110 Oil two galls. fuel 20 galls for the Pig ( my vehicle) mileage to-day 145 miles Saturday, Escort to troop commander and football team to play Chinese at Jelebu. Sunday detail to Seremban Hospital 67 miles with 3 sick gunners, Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday Collecting Bamboo Titie area to lift our tents off the ground, Jock Bain from the Shetland Islands, 3days traveling time to get home from Bulford Camp Wiltshire. Paul Redman, from Leicester. We use the shallow end of the Pool to bathe and clean the vehicles, The deep end used by the good Swimmers, Troop Orders,

Thursday Friday, Sgt Major Warwick and myself are going on A Jungle patrol, with the Royal Hampshires, We were met at Kajang there base by 14 half were new recruits first time in the jungle One Sgt, One Cpl, We were given a talk on what to do an not do, you could tell the experienced ones with the jungle kit they were wearing, well worn, ours new, We all carried water bottles and rifle the rifle was to get used to the weight, haversack full of small amounts of food, toiletries and machete, we were dropped of at 10am in the middle of nowhere, all lined up in order I was in the middle sgt major 3rd from the front sgt leading and the experienced ones at the rear,the track was worn and dry 1 hour passed before we stopped and had a body inspection, one of the cpls was a medic we all passed and on our way. We progressed at a steady pace lots of noise from the locals, very large frogs they could jump a good 6 feet, About noon our leader stopped to let us know we were entering a village, on entering he met a local who I guise was the head man. after a short chat he explained to us all, Small population of Sakai original inhabitants. you can walk around the village with care, I counted 14 houses made of bamboo on stilts the roof looked like thatch they were very clean many children of all ages were sitting under there houses to keep cool, the village stood on a rise with the river flowing past 200 yds away, our leader and doctor were checking people of all ages after half hour we moved on to-wards the river, I found the experience very interesting, our next stop was to have a meal, each one of us had his Little pack all the same, we followed the river for a short time continued to a piece of open ground and waiting for us, two trucks,I have no idea in what direction we traveled and the number of miles. Arrived back at camp Kajang had a good meal and bottle of Tiger bear. Arrived back at Titie 5-30pm.

Saturday, Escort to troop commander, Ghurkha base camp at Jelebu, 14 miles.

Sunday. Escort to football team to play Ghurkha team,at Jelebu Lost 2-1

Monday,collecting more Bamboo from Titie area 13miles taking football team to Jelebu to play Chinese 14 miles won 2-0

Tuesday Collecting stores from Tampin 127 miles, Wed .collected mt stores from Tampin 18 gall fuel 135 miles.

23 February, FRA, Food restricted area, Petaling Village, J Lamb and Bombardier Lynch, The village on the small size, Men and Women about 200 all elderly small number of middle age men and woman, no children, May be it was home for the aged, they never left the village to work, the daily meal was rice made by two police men, in two large pots in the cook house, We Lynch and my-self were very pleased after our 10 days had passed and relieve arrived

1st March, Back in camp a football pitch had been made it must have hoked by the Troop Commander,Mr Brumond, every day our lads were playing on it and cooling off in the lake the tin miners left behind, after 22 days and never fired a round we are lost for answers, are we coming home 4 lads are close to demob, I myself have 11 months to do, Escort to troop Commander, Seremban 67 miles, Got a big wave and cheer from a group of Royal Hampshire's, Back at Titie on a 3day course on Maintenance with Cpl Davies, not a problem played with Motor cycles for the last 10 yrs, after the 3 days the assessment came and was passed with a rise of 2 shillings and 6 pence.

Escort the Troop Commander to Kajang railway station to pick up 7 sailors take to the Ghurkha Mortor position, Kongkoi 14 miles North of Titie, The Ghurkha were living under very light canvas 3 Ghurkhas working the Mortor The sailors were a bit shocked at the living conditions, after 2 hours they understood the way Ghurkhas live myself included, I drove them back to Jelebu for the night at the Ghurkha Base Camp. The following Morning Escort to troop commander and 5 gunners to Jelebu, I was surprised to see the square spotless and seating for the visitors, We could hear the Pipes out of our sight, all went quiet, Introduction gave by high ranking officer,Second Ghurkha Division Jelebu, The pipe major leading the band up the centre of the square all in white and wearing there Sashes playing the old Marches,They tell me marches are the hardest music to play, you have to march in step with the pipes and the players around you, one of my most enjoyable days, We all had drinks, found our sailors, back to Kajang railway station, over night train to Singapore. return to Titie 5pm.

No details for the next 5 days. Guns have not yet been fired. 14 March Football team, anyone who wants a game to Jelebu ground 14 miles, 15th Period check for the Pig. 16th Advanced party to Tampin for Inoculations 132 miles 28 gall fuel. No details for the next 6 days.

Kongkoi Gurkha Mortar Position	Bombardier Lynch	F.R.A. Petaling Village
F.R.A. Petaling Village	F.R.A. Petaling Village	Bombrdier Lynch, F.R.A. Petaling Village	River crossing
Jock Bain Pos 14 Titi	Titie, Our tents raised to keep cool	Sakai Village	Bombardier Lynch, F.R.A. Petaling Village
Sakai Village	Sakai Village	Sakai Village	Sakai Village
Ghurkha Pipeband, 2nd Ghurkha Div	Ghurkha Pipeband, 2nd Ghurkha Div	Ghurkha Pipeband, 2nd Ghurkha Div	Ghurkha Pipeband, 2nd Ghurkha Div
Ghurkha Pipeband, 2nd Ghurkha Div	Sakai Village	Sakai Village	Kongkoi, Ghurkha Mortar Position
Kongkoi, Ghurkha Mortar Position	Kongkoi, Ghurkha Mortar Position	Pos 14 Titie, Redman

2.March, Troop Movement, to Bahau 70 miles via Seremban, Problem no1, getting down from the roadway onto the Gun position we have a steep drop of 5 feet at 45 degrees 90 degrees to the roadway, after 2 hours we had a suitable path to drive down, The site was large clean, slight drop to the River Muar.It was approximately forty feet wide, two feet deep, a cross the river is thick forest, later we all had a well earned bath.

23rd Friday, 104 miles to Tampin with 7 chosen gunners for inoculations.

24th Sat, Escort to Troop Commander to Rompin 14 miles,Returned 12 noon, rest of day cleaning kit and the Bren. the guns have not been fired from this position, don't know why.

25th, 2 gunners sick to Bahau town, Escort to Troop Commander. Low on petrol top up, 30 gallons.

26 Monday early Morning, Woken up by the guard at the same time I found myself under water, all we have for light are paraffin lamps, We were sleeping 20 ft from the rivers edge the depth of water was knee high and flowing at a good rate and full of all sorts of rubbish, The area near the road was dry the river never rose that high about 30 feet short. Every one is collecting his kit and weapons taken them to the highest point, 5am you could make out the damage all the living quarters were still standing, the cook house was half down most of the food lost. Sgt Major, "Get your vehicle on the road" it was sitting in 12" of swirling river, there is no way you can get it out on it's own power, 6 ton with only rear wheel drive, We need 2 guards and enough rope to reach the dry ground, Cpl Davies says if you try to start the engine the fan will shower the electrical part and that would be the end of it for the rest of the day, It was 6am when it was on the road,Sgt Major "Take the cook and Filpot with the Bren gun you will be met at Tampin with rations" 120 miles round trip, As we were leaving five of the strongest swimmers were in the River collecting equipment. The five,Battersby, Lawton, Botterill, Bdr Smith, and Hutchison.

Arrived back at camp 12-30 the river was all most back at it's earlier level. We spent the next four days cleaning the camp up. I was kept busy taking the lads for showers to Rompin, 18miles one way, The river was out bounds.

31st Sat. Lads for showers,Rompin and to the Pictures,I don't know the name of the film.

F.Battersby	Bahau	Far side of the river
River Maur, Bahau. Battersby, Lawton, Botterill, Bdr.Smith and Hutchinson.		Geoff Botterill, Frank Battersby, Dave Swanson and Jamie Hutchinson.

Troop movement to Tampin 1st April 1956, Two full days only.
All equipment thoroughly cleaned, all vehicles, Guns, Weapons and personal kit. Full inspection by high ranking officer before we leave for our last gun position, Semynyih And Home. Wednesday 4th April, all of Fox troop were standing at ease waiting for the inspection group to arrive, all in our best kit.

Our troop commander arrived Leading a party of three officers making enquiries later, told the head man was Colonel Parker. He praised us for the work we had done, "And have a safe journey home", At this point most of us, the two year men gave a sigh of relief. The order was given to start up, on our way to our last position Semynyih a drive of 64 miles. We had been to this position back in January, large flat area enough for four football pitches, My next two days were escort duties, to troop commander football team to Kajang to play Royal Hampshires, well looked after by the cook.

Sunday, 8th April 8am no warning, The Pig and two other vehicles taking 18 off the troop to Port Dickson beach for the day, the troop commander will ride in the Pig as guide.The following Sunday I had to do the same run 118 miles with the remainder of the troop, this time it was planed, we had beer,food on board, Sgt Major Warwick as guide, he does not know the way I found the beach very clean, the locals were very interesting to talk to, A twenty year old rode in on the same motorcycle I left at home, Triumph 500cc Tiger 100. some of the lads were chatting to the ladies,We arrived back at camp 5.30 pm, Monday on wards all of my time spent doing escort duties for the Troop Commander. The gunners and drivers played football most of the time, others spent the time on the guns polishing ,the Sgt Major gave a case of beer to the team who got the most gloss, all the guns looked like museum pieces.

22 April, escort to Kajang railway station for new NCOs, six in total 24,Tuesday, Collecting Drivers from B H Q Tampin on the way back stopped for petrol 26 gall, One driver ask, who the cpl was sitting by the side of me his head out with the Bren gun, This is cpl Davies from the Reme, looks after all the vehicles, who ever gets this one, known as the Pig, allso gets the Bren Gun, it goes into workshops soon for 1000 mile check. As planned Pig into workshops Seramban Wednesday Started B 3 test Soldering Fault Finding Written Test. the exercise was mostly engineering, My trade from leaving school after three days enjoying myself I passed with a small rise of one and six pence per week. Officers to Semenyih,Going away party with the Gurkhas. Pig returned from workshops, arrived back at camp for party, back to Tampin for four days leave. Back to camp 5 weeks pay 75 dollars.

Friday 11 May, Collected new Troop from Gajang station, Handed over Pig to new Driver, 12 May 1956 all Fox Troop photograph with 25 pounder before firing the last round in Malaya. 10.27am. Arived in Singapore Sunday 8am, Drew BD for tailoring, Shopping in Nee Soon.

Thursday 17 May, 15 months in the Army. BD from tailors, told to pack all kit, 35 days leave to come,

Thursday 24 May 1956 set sail from Singapore 12-00 noon, Empire Ken.

Fox Troop, beer queue.	Port Dickon, 8th April 1956.	Semenyia, Last round fired.
J. Lamb on Triumph 500cc, Port Dixon, Sunday 8th April 1956.	Bowen, Redman, Lynch and Rigby.	Semenyia, last gun position. Saturday 12th May 1956.

Semenyia, Saturday 12th May 1956.

Waiting to embark on to the Empire Ken, Thursday 24 May 1956.
wearing our new ill fitting Battle Dress, no shelter from the sun, Very hot, we all have new Kit bags full of presents bought from Nee Soon, 10am starting to embark, found our Bunk beds one above the other, to the stores to collect bedding, change to shorts and tee shirt, up on deck for a cold drink, we are leaving the Empire Dock 12 noon, by 1pm we are steaming up the Strait of Malacca, with many small islands At this point we are told to go on the top deck, we are all given a job to do, Myself and Geoff Botterill, Dave Swanson, have the job, 6am and 2pm going down to the Freezers to collect the food, We have to wear thick clothing, boots, gloves,hat, we are in the freezer for 30 minutes, we are then taken to the changing room and given a pint of cold milk. This was our task for the remainder of our journey. Every day at noon the ships daily run is given by tannoy, first day 319 miles first weeks total 1009 miles.

All-so at noon we have family favorites, one song was played every day, Hank williams, singing 'Long gone lonsome blues' After getting married in 1961 the wife and I have bought every Hank Williams record. The Empire Ken was completed in 1928 as

A Passenger ship Ubena, 1939 it was in the German Navy, 1945 German hospital ship, 1945 Seized by Allies at Travemunde,1945 Empire Ken Troopship,1957 Scrapped Dalmuir. It was small in size, A game of Tug of War, Shooting at balloons from the back of the ship, Crossing the Indian Ocean,we had a rough time for a week, most of us were Sea Sick, Arrived at Columbo 8am Tuesday 29 May. Set sail for Aden 1400 hrs, distance 2110 miles, Arrived Aden 2100 hrs ,3hrs shore leave, Set sail for Port Said 2am, 1130 miles Red sea and Suez, Mediterranean Sea,

Arrived Strait of Gibraltar 0430hrs Sunday 17 June.1956. Ships daily run 305 miles Miles to Southampton 980. Docked at Southampton 1900 hrs 20 June. Total millage 8340.

During the afternoon,we collected our train passes and pay plus 35 days leave. Frank Battersby and Myself, first train to Euston London, Lime Street Liverpool

Arrived home St,Helens Friday 22 June 1956.

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