Copy of letter from OC, 55 Coy RASC AD, Malaya.
30 October 2006.
Dear Mr Doctor,
Memories of the terrible Valetta crash of 22 August 1957 came flooding back to me on recieving your letter and booklet " Searching for Valetta VX491". Thank you for taking the time and trouble to put all this together as a piece of our military history and while understanding that some may be upset to see what could be concidered unpleasant memories brought back, I believe that your recording of this event is right.
Those who were not engaged on these operations need to be reminded of the dangers faced on a daily basis, by the AD personnel of 55 Company and the RAF aircrew. The AD crew of L/cpl Travis and Dvrs Downes, Moore and Roe, thank god, survived but the RAF aircrew regrettably died, I flew with Flight Sergeant Pound a number of times, he was a first class pilot and a good man, Due to his timely action in warning the crew of the emergency he no doubt saved the lives of the AD crew. The subsequent action of the AD crew, under the leadership of L/cpl Travis was also right in the circumstances at the time. That they survived in the jungle for so long with the injuries they had, is a remarkable story of survival under extreme conditions.
An understanding is required of the trauma and hardships faced by these young soldiers, on active service in Malaya, serving their country in 1957. Today with modern communications, the media and instant worldwide coverage, it is difficult to comprehend their life then. Young soldiers serving overseas for at least 18 months were totally out of touch with home and the outside world, except for mail and the local radio, Involved on jungle operations in an aircrash, this AD crew, all young soldiers, were completely isolated and badly injured without any form of medical aid. In todays world it is difficult to comprehend such a desperate situation. Imagine the difference had they had a mobile tellephone! They were a credit to their unit and it was my privilege to command them. Attitudes then were quite different. As soldiers we had a job and duty to perform and we got on with it. Publicity and the media were not a part of our life as soldiers.
However, the pity is that even today the full contribution our forces make for the good of our country is not fully recognised by the government in the same manner that othercountries appreciate theirs, Our Prime Minister may verbally support the efforts of our troops from time to time, but ask Ernie Roe as a survivor of the Valetta crash about his claim for disability pension and the difficulties encountered; and in my own case the problem I encountered in claiming for WWII disability, Old soldiers appear to be in a different league to MP's when it comes to awarding pensions and perks!
At the time of the air crash I was undergoing the SAS Parachute course at RAF Changi. Fortunately since it was the first week involving fitness training only, I was able to postpone this and return to my company and play a part in the search for the crash site and survivors. It was a great relief when news of the rescue came through days later. I believe the crash site was found by a pilot of 656 Army Air OP Sqn, Ipoh.
Finally I can only repeat what I have already said; it was my privilege at this time to command the soldiers of 55 Company, both regular and national service, and extremely proud to have served with them in Malaya.
Yours sincerely,
Colonel LBA Thacker
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