British and Commonwealth Units that
participated in the Malayan Emergency

This is a list of the British forces that served in Malaya. As usual, information is hard to come by. It is NOT our intention to ignore any unit which served.  We wish to get the facts correct and produce a accurate list of all the units who served. If you find your unit is not mentioned below please take a moment to fill out the form below. We wish to get the facts correct.
 

Royal Armoured Corps

Infantry

Artillery

Royal Engineers

Signals

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Royal Marines

Other Units

17th Gurka Brigade, 1st battlion kings own yorkshire light infantry kuala nerange north malaya) (1st battlion gordon highlanders,tapah, (d company c.o. maj wilson. sgt maj. dawson) hopetoun cameron highlands
26 Gurkha Infantry Brigade
28th Commonwealth Independent Infantry Brigade Penang, moved to Butterworth in 1955.
63 Gurkha Infantry Brigade Serrmbam, Kuala Lumpa,. Muar.
   35 ind.inf. bde.O.F.P. R.A.O.C. Unit formed at 30BTN. R.A.O.C. in Singapore 1955. Attached to 63 Gurkha Inf. Bde. at MUAR, finally KLUANG. Thanks to Ray Gipson for this entry.
Royal Armoured Corps

1st King's Dragoon Guards Served in Malaya 1954-5 stationed at Jahore baru
4th Queen's Own Hussars
    A Squadron, Ipoh Raub Hong Kong.
    C Squadron, on active service in Malaya 1948-1951.
11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own)
12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales) Stationed at Ipoh (there were also squadrons at Taiping, KL, Port Swetenham). Oct 1950 to September 1951. Commanding Officer Colonel Horsburgh-Porter. Thanks to Jim Harvey for this entry.
13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own), Ipoh north Malaya and Neesoon Singapore in 1959-60.
   REME attached to 13/18 Hussars , B squadron. in IPOH north Malaya , July 1959-Dec:60.
1st Royal Dragoons located in ipoh, perak,malaya 1960.
15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars 15/19th Hussars served in Malaya from 1954 to 1957 we were under the command of lt-colonel Wyldebore Smith until 1956 hq and one sabre suadron were at Ipoh the other squadrons were based at Taiping and Raub.

Infantry

3rd Grenadier Guards
2nd Coldstream Guards
2nd Scots Guards
1st Battalion The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd of Foot 1954-1957
1st Battalion The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment
   C Company, 1st battalion royal lincolnshire regiment. April 1957 c company moved to taiping to join the battalion for retraining, under the comand of major pawlett,who was gratefull for the accompient of pte jackson company clerk. notes to this can be found in the regimental news letter no 117 april 1957.
1st Battalion The Devonshire Regiment
1st Battalion The Suffolk Regiment
1st Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's)
1st Battalion The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Own) 1st battalion served in Malaya from 1953 to 1955. Support company stationed in Kampar, Perak
1st Battalion The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own)
1st Battalion The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment
1st Battalion The Royal Scots Fusiliers, stationed at Colombo Camp, Ipoh, Perak. but 'B'Coy was camped about 12 miles outside Ipoh.
1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment
2nd Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers   1954-1957
B Company, Royal Welch Fusiliers,(6 platoon)
1st Battalion The South Wales Regiment
1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)In 1951 1st Cameronians CO Lt Col Henning DSO, B Coy CO Maj. P K Bryceston, M.C. Platoon Sgt. Jackman DCM.
1st Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment
1st Battalion The Royal Hampshire Regiment
1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), stationed in Khata Tingi Barracks, Bhatu Pahat, Ipoh, Chaah, Johore Bahru 1957-1959. During 1959-1960, the regiment was stationed at Burma Camp, Johore Baru and then moved to Selarang Barracks, Singapore in 1960.
1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) based at Columbo camp, Ipoh, 1957-1959.
1 Platoon, A Company; Based at Ipoh(Colombo Camp) Cpt.Sutton. Also J.D.Rose. 1957-1959 Malaya & Hong Kong.
1st Battalion 3rd East Anglian Regiment (16th/44th Foot) based at Ipoh, Malacca.
1st Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Kuala Lumpar, Bentong, Pahang. 1951-1954. The regiment travelled on troop ships Devonshire and lancashire. One of these ships broke down in Bay of biscay during 1950 or 1951.
1st Battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
2nd Battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
1st Battalion The Kings Own Scottish Borderers August 55 - August 58.
1st Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's)
1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment
   A Company In 1953 I was in Dublin Estate, Kedah and Trap. Major Simpson was the company commander.
   B Company 1951, Kroh Camp, Upper Perak, Malaya C/O Major Roberts, CQMS Bellis, Sargeant Johnson.
B Company Ist Battalion Manchester Regiment Stationed at Kroh Northern Malaya January 1953 O/C Major Baker MC, then Dublin Estate Kedah, Trepe, Kedah,until 1954, Regiment returned to UK.
1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-Shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)
1st Battalion The Gordon Highlanders
1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princes Louise's)
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Ipoh Perak.Malaya.1947-48, Alastair Mclean C/O.
[Advance Party], drafted to Singapore in December 1955 and to meet up with 1st Battalion returning from the Korean War. Stationed at Selerang Barracks and did our jungle training at Kota Tingi, As we had no officers on the advance party we were under the command of a Major in the KOSB's when we were in Singapore and Kota Tingi. The unit was in Singapore for approximately 3 months before before the 1st Battalion arrived from Korea. However before the Regiment could take up duties in Singapore the battalion was re-routed to Aden arriving in Aden around April/May 1956.
The Independent Parachute Squadron
1st/2nd King Edwards VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)
   1952-3 REME Attached to 1st/2nd Gurkhas, Kuala kuba baru
2nd/2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles 1951 to 1953,the officer commanding the 2/2nd Gurkha Rifles(Sirmoor Rifles) was Lt.Co.Cruickshank.
1st/6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles.
2nd/6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles, stationed at Kluang and then moved slightly further North to Segamat both in Johore Bahru 1952-1954. Many Thanks to Brian Fairgrieve.
2/6th in 1956 at Seremban, in 1957 they moved to ipoh.
1st/7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles
2nd/7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles
1st/10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles
2nd/10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles
1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
22 Special Air Service Regiment Location: Patan, CO Major Calvert Major De La Billiére, Throughout emergency - 52-58, Telok Ansan Swamp.
Independent Parachute Squadron
The Royal Sussex Regiment
1st Battalion South Wales Borderers 3 Years deployment, Kluang, area including Segamat, Kotta Tinghi, Johore Bharu, Singapore. Commanded by Lt Col. Myers.Bn consisted of mainly N.S. soldiers. Also was involved with riots in Singapore 1956. Was stationed at Selerang Barracks when I embarked on the S.S. Nevassa October 1957, I was a Regimental L/Cpl signaller. Commanding Officer Colonel Miers, based in Segamat/Johore from 1955-1958. Thanks to M.G.Pearce. ISM. for this entry.
1st Battalion The King's African Rifles
2nd Battalion The King's Own African Rifles
3rd Battalion The King's African Rifles
GHQ 26th Gurkha Infantry Brigade location-Kluang-Bukit Betong-Bidor-Kuala Pilah-Seremban. 3yr tour. Mixed regts-units. Brig Charlie Howard commander. Unit walked from Kuala Pilah to Seremban Rasah Camp 1953-55.
The Sarawak Rangers
The Malay Scouts
The Royal Malay Regiment
   5th Battalion The Royal Malay Regiment Based Alor Star-Kedah-March 1953-Sept 1954.

Royal Artillery
2nd Field Regiment Main part of Regt were stationed in Tampin with one independant battery near Ipoh.
4th Field Regiment later became 26th Field Regiment. C.O. Lt Col. Lyons, Adjutant Captain Allsop. I was a 2/ Lieut Troop Commander and officers mess secretary. I was later posted to Seremban (HQ) as Staff Captain `A` (Legal) under Lt. Col. A G L McLean and Brigadier Mc Donald, Commander South Malaya Sub-District. Thanks to Michael Moore for this entry.
11th Independent Searchlight Troop, Based at Batu Catonement, Kuala Lumpur. OC Capt Knott BSM Boorman.
18th Battery 6th Anti Aircraft Regiment
25th Field Regiment 54th Battery until May 1951, then 93rd Battery. 93rd Battery was stationed at Tampin Nr K.L support to 42 Com & RWKents. Thanks to ex Bdr Ron .Robinson (butch) for this entry.
   Troop, Royal Corps of Signals.attached to 25th Field Regiment Royal Artillery. Departed Hong Kong early 1955 for Malaya. Based at Kuala Kubu Bahru, Selangor until 1956 when 25th Field Regiment R.A. returned to U.K.
Can only remember name of Royal Signals O.I.C Lt. Gerry Boast.
Thanks to Terence William Slattery for this entry.
26th Field Regiment, Colonel T.W.R. Hill was the C.O. and Bob Proudlock was his adjutant. We converted the regiment into a jungle warfare unit. The 26th initiated the counter CT activity starting in November 1947 before the Emergency was declared! Many thanks to Bob Proudlock for the detailed information. Additional information: The regiment returned to Malaya around the end of 1960. Name of the adjutant was Capt. Crow and the regimental Sgt. Major was WO1 Callaghan. 16 and 17 batteries went, with 159 battery going into suspended animation and being replaced by 101 Field battery R.A.A. Many Thanks to ex LBdr. 23573868 Crow ( Fred) for the additional information.
34th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Based in Minden base barracks, Penang
39th Field Regiment
45th Light Regiment, stationed at Sol-Ma Ri lines, Terendak camp, Malacca 1963-66. With attachments of 102 Field battery RAA, 2 Mortar Locating Troop RA.
48th Field Regiment
93 (Le Cateau) Field Battery Stationed in Tampin, Negri Sembilan and sharing a barracks there with, initially,the Green Howards and latterly the Gordon Highlanders, 93 Battery was detached from 25(?) Fd Regt RA in Kowloon.
95 Independent Field Battery, Location was Bidor and Batu Gaja in Perak State. Part of 17th Gurkha Division. Supporting 2/6 Gurkha Rifles amongst others such as 2 Royal Malay Regiment 1957-59. Battery comprised 3 Troops: "Charlie Troop" "Dog Troop" and "Command Troop".
1st Singapore Regiment
11th Independent Mortar Troop RA

Royal Engineers
General Survey Section, RE Map Depot.
1 Independent Field Squadron, the squadron was redesignated just before arriving in Singapore about October 1948 as it was the only RE field squadron in an active service area. The unit was originally 561 Field Squadron and was redesignated prior to embarkation on HMT Dunera to 561 Independent Field Squadron RE during the voyage, becoming 1st Independent Field Squadron RE before disembarkation. Spent 10 days at Nee Soon transit camp to acclimatize. Moved to Kuala Lump by rail then to Batu Caves by road. Thanks to Michael Mabbs and Wally Ellis for part of this entry.
   HQ Troop 1st Independent Fd Sqn Royal Engineers HQ troop was based at Batu Caves. Just north of Kuala Lumpur, SSM Billy Smart, SQMS Woolgar, MTNCO Johny Tigh. Storemen L/Cpl Bill Huyton and W Ellis. Thanks to Wally Ellis for this entry.
2 Troop, 1st Independent Field Squadron Royal Engineers. CO was Captain Attenbourgh, the troop operated mostly in the highlands attached to the Scots Guards at one time. The troop set up ambushes, patrols, built roads and brigades before being sent to Hong Kong after about two years. Thanks to Gerald Harris for this entry.
2 Air Survey Liaison Section, RE 1946-1952.
10 Transportation Squadron, RE According to RE Corps History Vol X this unit arrived in Singapore in April 1956. Note also: 11 Indep Fd Sqn arrived in Malaya in 1956, 74 Fd Pk Sqn formed Singapore 1955 and moved to Malaya 1956.
11th Independent Field Squadron 11th Field Squadron was reformed in 1948 in the UK. Commanding officers were Major Tog Cochrane OBE MC RE, and later was Maj Bill Cooper later to become Maj Gen Cooper MC CBE. 1 troop was commanded by Capt Symonds RE for a time, 1 troop Sergeant Jim (Paddy) Woods. The squadron constructed the Kemyan Road {South Pahang), Naka Road (Thai Border} which was finished at Sik in 1959 at a final length of 64 miles. Repaired Fort Chabai Airstrip. The Squadron build one of the last forts in Malaya, Fort Tapong in 1960 with the participation of a Digger troop.
Converted Asian Camp to European Camp for the Loyal Regt at Sipputeh (Batu Gadger), Part Disposal of Japanese Torpedoes & Bombs in Tunnels on Penang Island from WW2. Thanks to Alan Leech & Richard Clarke for this combined entry.
50 Gurkha Field Engineer Regiment
51 Field Squadron (A), Royal Engineers
55 Field Survey Squadron Changi, Singapore 1954-1956
74 Field Park Squadron
84 Field Survey Squadron Royal Engineers The squadron was located in Batu Cantonement in 59, but later, about 1961 moved to Singapore. Field parties of sometimes only 2 sappers spent days , weeks and sometimes months in the ulu mapping for military purposes. There were many detachments, some of which were in Temerloh, Ipoh, Malacca, Sarawak and Hong Kong. In 1959 the OC was Major Ben Burrows, his son is presently(2005) CO of 42 Survey Engineer Regt RE.
305 Engineer Stores Depot, Royal Engineers The Depot was located in Batu Cantonment 1955/56, the cantonment was within Kuala Lumpur Garrison.
410 Independent Plant Troop
Co Capt F Ford, Location Sungei Besi, 1953/1955, OC CAPT.MALITZA 1955-1956, C.O. Capt. Van Dan.1957-59., (C.O. Capt. F, Ford  Sunge Besi Kualar Lumpar). Minden Barracks 1958.
'59 / '63, Nami, Kampong Gula, Penang Att 11 Fld Sqdn Borno. OC Capt Vann TSM WO 2 Ron Blake People I remember, Steve Hall, Toots Toase, Brummy Pearce, Kieth Orrell Taff Roberts.
554 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers
570 Map Reproduction Troop RE. Based in Singapore Col.Johns, Capt.M.P.Henshaw, Lt.Dean.
890 E&M sqdn Royal Engineers later hq works sqdn then malayan engineers
890 plant troopbatu caves 48 then hq works sqdnkl a troop were at taiping b troop ipohc troopkluang etc.
Engineer Training Centre Kluang, Johore State 1948 - 1951.
I was with ETC Kluang between 1957-1959. I was an instructor in plant operations. I worked with Royal Australian Engineers during this time. An australian guy nicknamed Yippee was one of my group.
Engineer Store Depot CO Maj Turtle, 2i/c Capt P J Glibbery. Location 5 miles north Kuala Lumpur.
Garrison Works Office. Kluang. Johore Garrison Works Officer was a Major Smith RE 1961-62, I was a Military Clerk of Works [Construction] at the time. Thanks to John C CARBIS for this entry.

Signals
GHQ Signal Regiment
17th (Gurkha) Signal Regiment
18 Independent Infantry Brigade Signals Squadron Located at Kuala LLipis, Pahang 1952-56 Commanding officer was Major Jim Boyland, followed by a Major Howat.
19th Air Formation Signal Regiment
24th Independent Group, Signals WRAC 1950-1952, Tanglin barracks, GHQ FARELF Singapore. C/o Maj Farlow. Thanks to Muriel Parr for this entry.
28 Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, Signal Squadron. The Brigade HQ was at Butterworth, approx 3/4 of the way between the town of Butterworth and RAF/RAAF Butterworth. I served in the Sig,Sqn Orderly Room from about 9/55 to 2/57. CO was Major Ferguson (R Signals) Adjutant Capt Trost (Royal Australian Signals).
Relocated to Taiping, Perak. Commanding Officer was Major Phipps, Royal Signals.
65 Gurkha Inf Bde Gp Signals Troop HQ Seremban, Rasah Camp. I was attached to 1 Green Howards at Kuala Pilah Approx June 1950 to early 1951. 63 Bde Sig Tp supplied rear link radio operators to all 63 Brigade Gp units. We were part of 17 Gurkha Div. Royal Signals trained Gurkha soldiers took over from us late 1951. I was attached to 13/18 Hussars aT Kluang and then Johore Bahru. I regret to say I cannot remember my OCs' name. I only met him once or twice as I was stationed at Kuala Pilah until my move to the 13/18 Hussars.
201 Signal Squadron 201 sig sqdn, located Singapore (ck2 for ops centre) and 201 sig sqdn detachment in Penang at Batu Uban. Colin Cattanach was part of parent unit being 101 sig squadron located in Queensland.
208 (Commonwealth) Signal Squadron It was 208 (COMWEL) Signal Squadron when I served with it in Taiping from August 1960 and remained with that title when it moved to Terendak, Malacca in October 1961. I left in Augusr 1962 and it was still operating under that name. The (COMWEL) in its title indicated that it was one of the very few "fully integrated" units in the brigade with troops from the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
230 Signal Squadron, Paroi Camp near Seremban 195?/1960. I was stationed there from 1959 till 1961, when we were all transferred to 18 Signal Regt. in Singapore. Thanks to Clifford Beardsell for this entry.
I served in 230 squadron which was based at Seremban but i was detached to a smaller unit at Wardieburn camp, Kuala Lumper which had Ssgt "black jack" Walker in charge .A unit of about 12 signalmen who carried out train despatch service to singapore and penang on a rotating basis. served from Jan 1961 until about feb 1962 when the Squadron was disbanded and the duties taken over by gurkha soldiers of !7 Gurkha Regt at seremban.
I was then posted to 18 Signal regiment in Singapore. The camp at wardieburn was governed by medical corps and was opposite a small detachment of Senoi Praak , malayans who patrolled the Thailand border.
Thanks to Frank Connnor for this entry.
Malaya Command Signals Squadron
Malaya Signal Regiment,
   2 Sqdn Malaya Signals, Taiping, April - July 1949 - oc Major Sinnock
   3 Battalion Malays, Kota Bharu, July - October 1949
   BMH, Taiping, Oct.- Nov '49
   2 Sqdn MSR as above, Nov - Dec '49
   1 Sqdn Malaya Signals, KL - Dec. '49 - April '51
   3 RTR, Gurun, April-May'51
   2 Sqdn MSR as above except that oc Mjr. Downs, May 51- Feb 52
   Also attached 2/2 Gurkha May-June '29, and at Singapore Sigs June 51. Many Thanks to Aubrey ( Taffy ) Davies for the detailed information.
   Air Support Signals Troop ASST was attached to Malaya Signals Regiment. Tentacles at Ipoh and Seremban. The unit directed Lincoln bombers from Tengah on Singapore Island on night ops against the terrorists.
   Malaya District Signals Regiment Mejidee Barracks, Johore Bahru, Malaya 1947 to 1949 with 1st Battalion 10th Gurkha rifles.Also at Kluang and Kota Tinggi Malaya with 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling fusiliers. Signals C.O. was Major Jack Tidey.HQ call sign was JQMA. HQ of Malaya District Signals Regiment was at Kuala Lumpur. At Kluang Malaya we were also attached to 1st Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders for a time. Thanks to John Friel for this entry.
Regimental HQ based in Kuala Lumpur. Out squadrons in Seremban, Taiping and Mentakab. Commanding Officers F.J. Heap, D J Goldsmith ? Thompsonduring 1948 -53.
I arrived in Malaya in Sept 48 with 212 Medium Wireless Troop under Lt. J Agar, later a Lt.-Col I believe, from the Suez Canal Zone as a special unit to try and establish a communication network in that country operatiing from 3-ton vehicles. We were based with Malaya Signal Regiment at GHQ Malaya Command, Rifle Range Road, Kuala Lumpur.Trials were held, not successful and 212 Med Wireless Troop was almagated into Malaya Signal Regiment (or Malaya District Signal Regiment as it might have been at that time).
In addition to normal functions serving a GHQ, a courier service was operated on the night mail trains every night to both Singapore in the south and Penang in the north, dropping off mail etc. at military units stationed near those routes. These night mail trains were escorted by armed patrols, quite often Gurkha troops travelling on a bogie ahead of the train. These couriers went down one night, back the next and then a day in barracks.
I myself was with this Unit from September 48 until June 53, serving as Regimental Orderly Room Sergeant under three Commanding Officers, namely Lt-Cols FR.J. Heap, D.J. Goldsmith and ? Thompson, Adjutants Captain A.R.Wythe and Captain W.R. Macdonald.

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
2 Infantry Workshops, REME, Taiping, Perak. Major Thomas/Thompson, provided LAD to Singapore Regiment Royal Artillery in Taiping.
3 BOD RAOC LAD REME , 23492704 Craftsman James Alexander Keenan REME June 1957 / Sept 1959. stationed at 3 BOD LAD Alexandra Barracks attached to 3 BOD RAOC.
10 Infantry Workshop, 40 Base District Workshop, Ayer Rajah, Singapore.
12 Infantry Workshop, Unit formed at Warminster September to October 1948 C/O Major Taylor-Thomas R.E.M.E. Embarked Southhampton on troopship Dunera. Disembarked Singapore stayed at Nee Soon holding camp then moved by road Kuala Lumpur Coronation park where 2nd Guards Brigade was supported. In May 1951 the unit moved to Batu Lima and used accommodation in a camp with the 4th Batt Malay Regt. To this point the CO. was Major Stirling-Baker. Major Sline then took command until late in 1953. The unit then moved into a Rubber plantation under canvas.
Before moving to Batu Lima Camp, Mentakab, the Wksps was located in tented accommodation beside the main road at the Mentakab Town Board Limit. They then moved to Batu Lima Camp Mentakab which was occupied by the 4th Bn The Malay Regt. (not the 5th). The Wksps occupied garage space opposite my MT lines. They moved again to Semantan Estate under canvas (where 4/Malay had previously had a company detachment) located about half way between Batu Lima Camp and Mentakab town. While at Semantan Estate 12 inf Wksks tragically lost a Cfn who was electrocuted when lightning struck a rubber tree and ran along lighting cable into a tent.
1955 in atap bashas, at Gunong Panjang Camp, Ipoh to (Jan 1957?) - moved to corrugated iron 'godolphins', at Lubok Bandan Camp near Jementah, Segamat, Johore with detachment in tents, at Malacca, supporting Royal Engineers constructing Malayan Army camp. Disbanded in Jan 1958?. Commanding Officer was Major J A Stewart (a hurdler), Captains Clarke, Dodds, Warren. Part of 26 Gurkha Infantry Brigade, 17 Gurkha Infantry Division (Headquarters in Seremban). Unit later re-formed in Germany.
13 Infantry Workshop 13 Infantry Workshop REME was based first in Kluang, Johore and Tanjong Rambutan, near Ipoh in 1956. It was disbanded in 1961. Commanded by L/C Butler, at Ipoh.
Duration of my tour was 18 months. We were attached to the Manchesters, Gordon Highlanders in Tapah. We then moved to Ipoh where we were LAD to the 48th Gurkha Brigade. Thanks to Pat Hulm for this entry.
14 Infantry Workshop Embarked to Malaya 1948, Stationed in Kluang. Returned to UK 1951.
22nd Malay infantry worshops, REME, Kluang 1956-58 (at least) In the Museum at Arborfield hangs a picture of the whole Unit in the Mt Hangar taken Christmas 1956 - about 3 weeks before I arrived. We also had the only vehicle recovery unit in S. Malaya. Two Scammels anda Diamond T.
I was a Tels/Mec grade 1, and most unusually we shared a Naafi and cookhouse with a RASC unit - on excellent terms. It was a "Mixed" Worksop, with BORS and assorted Chinese, Tamil,Indian,and Philipino troops. Also local civilian labour.
Lived in wooden huts, battery of 25 pndr.s behind to liven up the nights!
Very full range of repairs carried out, up to but excluding Base Workshop jobs.
Was stupid enough to vounteer for "ambush parties", as I'd been a Signaller in the ACF.
Invalided out (much to my disgust)in March 1958.
Cannot remeber many names. MT WO was "Q" Moss, my fellow telsmecs were Cpl Tom Cox and a Deighton.Came home in Sept 1957 on the old "Empire Fowey".
26 Gurkha Inf Bde LAD located at Rhasa Camp 1956 moved to Sigamat In Jahor Bahru Where it was disbanded after Medeka. It served the whole of 26 Gurkha Inf Bde.
75 Ac Wksps REME, Located at Kluang.Malaysia, with an MSRD in Brunei and an FRT in Kuching. The Commanding Officer in 1966 was Major Henry Tomkins; 2i/c Capt George Southon, ASM Paddy Fraser. Thanks to Frank Miller (ex CPO RN) for this entry.
221 BVD R.A.O.C. 1958-61, Officer Commanding Major Wally Hammond REME.
based in Johore Bahru from 1951-53. The CO then was Lt.Col Brown, with Major Martin as 2nd/ic. My immediate officer i/c Parks was Capt. Seth, with Lt. Thomas and Lt Clough. I was in charge of the Parks Office as Corporal, and vehicle movements in and out of the unit were busy. 'C' vehicles were mainly handled by CSM Paddy Reid smashing guy. The actual Park was based in Tebrau. REME was then based in Pandan, down the road.
I served in this unit from Sep 1955 until Oct 1958, we were accommodated in Majedee Barracks Johore Bahru then moved to Kenya Camp, Khota Tinggi. The CO was Lt.Col AJ Luke,the 2i/c was Major JH McCulloch, the OC Parks Coy was Capt A Faulds,the OC Maint Coy was Capt Munday I worked in Parks Office with Sgt Nighdu,Pte Guest,Pte Armstrong,Pte Jones,myself Pte Kenyon,the WO2 was SQMS Power,then replaced by SQMS Price.
REME District Workshop, based at District Workshop Singapore, from November 1948 to November 1949. Major Rogers commanding.
District Workshop Singapore, it was at the side of Singapore Base Workshop on Ayer Raja Rdbothe units billited in the same camp. Also the 1st Singapore Regt RA was stationed on Blanka Mati now Santosa we also did a stint at Kluang. In 1952 one Malay L/bdr lost his right arm in an ambush at the air strip.
Base Workshops REME/FARELF Base Workshops REME was located on the Ayer Rajah Road, Singapore. Its function was to maintain and repair a vast collection of military vehicles which were then supplied to units throughout the far east. The vehicle depot for storage of this mass of vehicles was located in Tebrau, Johore. One of the units claims to fame in the fifties was the creation of the Bedford 'Pig'. A makeshift APC which looked like a steel garden shed on wheels. During the period 1949-1952 Colonel Kennedy was OC of the workshops. Col Salt was OC troops, he replaced Col Winter. The RSM was WO1 Harvey (enough said). The accomodation was Rowcroft Lines which stood overlooking the Ayer Rajah Road and the W/Shops. Rowcroft Lines was shared with District W/Shops and the Training Unit. At the rear of Rowcroft Lines stood what is now known as the Kentridge. It is the historically significant area where the Malay Regiment stood aginst the Japanese Army in 1942. Thansk to K.B.Orrill for this entry.

Other Units
Army Catering Corps
Corps of Royal Military Police
Royal Army Chaplins Department
Royal Army Educational Corps
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
   22 air maintanance platoon R A O C, stationed with 55 air dispatch cumpany R A F Station kula lumpa malaya
   30 Battalion, RAOC
103 Army Photographic Intelligence Service O.C. Major Brehaut. York & Lancs Regt. Unit billeted a few miles from KL @ 656 AAC. I was a clerk on detachment from APIU (FE) RAF Seletar 1957/58. Both these units specialising in aerial photographic intelligence/interpretation. Thanks to L/Cpl Paddy Cox R.A.S.C. for this entry.
   28 Commonwealth Independent Infantry Brigade Group Ordnance Field Park RAOC Based at The Old Convent, Taiping, Perak, Malaya, between 1957-59. Commanding Officers Captain B J Beattie RAOC (to 1958) and Captain S G Styles RAOC from 1958. Thansk to John Flashman for this credit.
   99 Ordnance Field Park RAOC Stationed on the Island of Labuan. In tented area along side the main runway from August 1962 to June 1964
   221 Vehicle Battalion RAOC LtCol R.A.J.Wiggins O.B.E C.O. 1953-55
   443 Base Ammunition Depot RAOC Kranji Singapore 1949-1958, Major W.H.Chapman. CO 1956-early 1958 was Major Cavendish.
From March 1949 to March 1950, Lt.Col. Norman Fisher was the commanding officer.
   Printing division C.COY. 30. BN. ROAC 3 B.O.D. Singapore.
   Gurkha Records Office, GHQ 2nd Echelon, FARELF Officer i/c Major Willis-Gurkha Rifles,
Officer 2i/c Capt Watts-Gurkha Rifles
I was attached to 2/6th battn at Kuala Lumpur and 2/7th battn at Seremban between 1948/9.
Royal Army Pay Corps
Garrison nee soon singapore and jungle patrols at ersing malaya september 1950.
Royal Army Veterinary Corps

Royal Army Medical Corps
   8 Field Dressing Station ex 16th Field Ambulance Commanding officer Major R. Brenchley R.A.M.C. 1957-1959, stationed on Penang island, also on detachment at Butterworth and Sungei Patani with Gurkhas.
8 fld dressing split from 16 Field Amb at Minden Barracks Penang. It then became 8 BGMC under Capt J williams and then under Lt Col AL pennyfather. In February 1960 it moved to Wardiburn Camp KL. Later, I believe to Malacca.
   16 Field Ambulance. Commanding Officer Lt Col T. Conway Wardiburn Camp, Kualar Lumpar. Attached to the Suffolk Regiment & The Royal West Kents, later The Somerset Light Infantry. Part of the 2/7th Gurkhas. Many Thanks to Ray Crawley for the information.
CO was LT. Col Derbyshire in 1951, 2IC was Maj Rea, RSM "Heaney.
   16 Commonwealth Field Ambulance Taiping, Perak. Attach 28 commonwealth brigade taiping brigader mogg 1959-1961we won the garrison cup the same year around late september also runners up in the cricket finals played at 17 gurka div seranban
   19 Field Ambulance. Taiping, CO was Lieutenant Colonel van Reenan, Malaya 1951 onwards.
r.a.m.c. 19 field ambulance sungei patani north malaya per/attached (a company 1st battalion kings own yorkshire light infantry) kuala nerange. (posted to 1st battalion gordon highlanders tapah, permenently attached to d company hopetoun cameron highlands c.o maj wilson. sgt maj w.o.dawson.
   21st. Field Surgical Team Att. section 16th. field Ambulance. Stationed in Mentakab Hospital Pahang
   34 Company, British Medical Hospital Kinrara Selangor. Location, 9th milepost Kinrara Selangor. C.O. Lt Col MacKie-Dick. Company officer was Capt. Harmer in 1957.
served from 1954 to 1956. in qm stores. co major frank whittle. and corparol bill frasier.
   39th Field Ambulance. Stepak, Kuala Lumpur. The 29th Field Ambulance (RAMC) was at Wardiburn Camp just outside Kuala Lumpur. The CO was Col Jackson-Smyth with various 2 ics. The Adjutant was a Capt Mullins. It was part of the 2/7th Gurkha Regiment. RSM Webberley was also at camp. RASC and REME were also on camp. Many Thanks to Allan Clark
   Military Hospital Terendak The Hospital was situated in Terendak Camp Malacca as part of 16 Commonwealth Brigade. This was a separate unit from 28 (Commonwealth) Field Ambulance. It has its own organisational command of CO, QM, Matron and Chief Wardmaster. The Commanding Officer of BMH in 1966 was Lt Col. Ferrie. His replacement in 1967 was Lt. Col. Paton. Thanks to David Froud for this entry.
   British Military Hospital Kamunting, Taiping Commanding officers - 1950 LtCol Phelan, 1951 LtCol Clarke.
   British Military Hospital Kluang
   British Military Hospital Kinrara
   Numbers 1 & 2 MMR (Mass Miniature Radiography) BMH Kinrara. This was a unit comprising 2 articulated mobile X-ray vehicles and 2 mobile 15kVa mobile generators.
We were under the command of the senior radiologist at BMH Kinrara. Only one team was ever (to my knowledge) out on the road at any one time.
The team comprised a corporal in charge, a private radiographer, a clerk and 2 RASC drivers.
We travelled all over Malaysia from the Thai border in the North to Singapore in the South taking chest X-rays at the many Army bases.
I was corporal in charge from 1957 to 1959.
Thanks to Peter Latham for this entry.

Women's Royal Army Corps

Royal Army Service Corps
   GHQ 2nd Echelon, Nee Soon.
   No.1 Supply Depot, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur. Based about 7 miles outside of Kuala Lumpur and a mile from Batu caves. It was built on the site of an old Japanese ammunition camp. CSM was Jim Parsons, the depot supplied everything from P.O.L. to 24 hour rations packs, bread, meat and fresh food and supplied all compo and fresh rations to 55 Air Despatch Company. Many Thanks to Roy Gilbert for this entry.
   No.2 Supply Depot, Located at Taiping, Perak, North Malaya, OC Major Graham, 2i/c Capt Turner. Mixed BOR/MOR unit. Usual Rations(Supplies) & POL, Including Live Sheep on Hoof for Gurkha tps. Sheep by ship & Rail from S. Africa tour 1955-1957.
   3 Company (T)
   6 Company CSM James, Major Boyldue. Located at HMS Sembawang Neesoon.
   LAD REME attached to 6Coy RASC(MT) Singapore Malaya
April 1956 our LAD was under canvas at Tanjong Berlayer opposite Ayer Rajah Road, we spent a couple of weeks with 25Coy REME base wkshops Our ASM was Bill Olford, a true gentleman, latterly we moved to HMS Simbang Sembawang RASC CO was Major Boyldieu (?) spelling. We were att. 6 Coy RASC (MT) 106 QL Bedfords, we had mobile/stores/workshops and old faithfull 6x4 Scammel Recovery beast! Thanks to Eric Geoffrey Adams for this entry.
   17th Ghurka div RASC Kluang garrison. 1958/1960, C.O. Lt Co. Elliot, Adjt. Capt Baines, Maj Howe, Maj Compton, Ghurkha Maj Prembahadur Ghale
   24 Company HQ Kluang Malaya. CO Major Ralph. Spent a couple of months in the workshops, running repairs to vehicles and driving the water tanker. Later transferred to A Platoon detachment in Johore Baharu, the emergency was imminent. The Company went on a few operations with the Gurkhas, seeking out bandit outposts.
   27 Company. Ampang Rd, detachments worked with the SAS and Royal Artillery and lost several men killed.
   27th independant infantry company RASC attached to 3 brigade marine commandos. CO Major Timothy O'Conner.
   29 Company. Coy HQ + 2 Pltns + L.A.D. at Taiping, 1 Pltn on detachment at Penang. O.C. Maj. Ted Poole. Mixed B.O.R./Malayan soldiers. From at least 1949-52. Garrison transport for Taiping and moving squatters into new villages. Penang detached pltn for leave centre etc. and tippers for Sungei Patani camp. Thanks to John Wrake for this entry.
   37 Company. During the emergency. the water transport company was 37 Coy. RASC (WT) stationed on Pulau Brani.
It was, apparently, renamed 986 Co. sometime afterwards. Thanks to C.Blackshaw for this entry.
   55 Company AD, Air supply missions over hostile territory in Malay and south Thailand. Several casualties and fatalities were suffered. Worked closely with 22nd SAS and various infantry units. Flying from Sungei Besi airport in K.L. Malaya with the RAF. Many Thanks to Paul Barker for the detailed information.
   61 Company RASC LEP
   74 Company RASC
   986 Coy R.A.S.C. Water Transport Stationed on Paula Brani, O.C. Major Pearman

Royal Corps of Transport
   3 Squadron RCT 28th Commonwealth Brigade Terandak Camp Malacca, 3 Coy RASC 28th Commonwealth Brigade Terandak Camp Malacca. The RASC ceased to be on the 14-07-1965. From 15-07-1965 the RCT was formed and 3 Coy RASC became 3 Sqn RCT. I served with 3 Sqn RCT from 23-07-1965 until the 02-02-1968.

Queen Alexandria's Royal Army Nursing Corps
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Royal Army Dental Corps
Intelligence Corps.
   Field Security Wing Malaya Intelligence Corps, HQ in KL OC Maj Masterson 2ic Capt Hanscombe Nov 1955/56. FS Detachments all over the country; JB, Kluang, Seremban, Ipoh, Kuala Lipis, Malacca, etc. Thanks to Tom Cannon for this entry.
Army Air Corps
7 Flight AAC Taiping
11 Flight AAC 656 Army Air Corps Sqn, Kluang. Johore, Malaysia. CO Major Foy
14 liaison flight, 656 light aircraft squadron attached to 28 commonwealth brigade 17 ghurka division, 1960-62.
Air Support Signals Unit (ASSU), Unit provided ground control for air strikes. Based near Malaya Signal Regiment and the air strip used by the AOP Flight. Div Sign was a Red Hand on the signals blue and white halved background.

HQRA 17th Gurkha Division.Seremban I was RAA attached to Gurkha's for 15mths 1962/3.CO Maj.Gen. Walker.2i/c Brig. King-Martin.RSM Morris (rtd to NZ). Thanks to Terence C Dell for this entry.
Gurkha Military Police
17 Gurkha Division Provost Company, Formed at about the same time as the Gurkha Signals, Gurkha ASC and Gurkha Engineers. Company HQ at Rasah Camp Seremban alongside HQ 17 Gurkha Div. Detachments with 63 and 99 Gurkha Bdes at Kluang and Johore Bahru. For short while in 1955/56 used in infantry role operations as additional rifle company attached to Royal Hampshire Regt(?) Company commanders Major Boniface and Major R Maxwell. Gurkha Military Police disbanded some time after Brunei/Indonesian operations. Thanks to Mike Parish for this entry.