Malayan Volunteers Group

Membership is not a requirement for posting relevant messages on this website however those who join MVG will also have their messages more widely circulated with our regular newsletter with a readership which includes families and veterans who don't use the internet.

If you wish to enquire on the website about a relative or particular Volunteer please here.

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Information re. 13534 Corporal Roy Alexander MOULTON  FMSVF 

Any information regarding Roy Moulton in Changi Prison or on Burma-Thai Railway. Roy died Friday 28th April 1944 aged 34. (Note:- Also a Photo of Grave / A Cross with date 28/2/44 ). I have some basic information about his life in Malaya prior to War, but very little after that except photos of the grave at Kanchanaburi and a photograph of his unit, the FMSVF. 

 Roy.G. Moulton

 rcmoult@bigpond.com

 Aaron Victor Cohen, Tapah, Perak 1920s.  

Can you help me I have been researching my family tree, I cannot find my uncle Aaron Victor Cohen, born in Manchester 1901. He always used the name Victor or Vic. It was said in the family, that he went down with his ship. After many searches this was found not to true.  I have now found a photograph of him in tropical white suit with this address on the back,

TAPAH, PERAK F.S.M. (dated 6th October 1921)

Could any of your members help? They might have known him or know  what happened to him.

Norma Nurney 

norma.nurney@talktalk.net

John Dickenson

I am trying to trace my Great Grandfather John Dickenson who was a Tea planter I'm not too  sure where we think Burma between 1890-1940. The surname Dickenson could have been spelt Dickinson or Dickerson.  I haven't got much more information and would be grateful for any help.

 Karen Allan

 mj.a@blueyonder.co.uk

Reginald de Payen DALLIN  

I have a medal in my collection to a Lt Reginald de Payen DALLIN. His WW1 medal index card shows that he was a Pte in the Malaya Volunteer Rifles (Reg No. 1502). Later Commissioned in to Durham Light Infantry. He was a planter in Negri Sembilan.  How can I find out about his service in the Malaya Volunteer Rifles? 

Thanks, David Jones

dajones258@btinternet.com

Rupert Faulkner (Mick)Vaughan

I am looking for information on my great great uncle who was captured by the Japanese in North Borneo(Kuching).  He was an accountant with the British Borneo Timber Company, Sandakan. He must have been a fair age by the time he was released ( I have been told that he had a local girlfriend who use to feed him through the wire at the prison camp]. After the war he visited his sister Mrs Wheeler in New Zealand but returned to Borneo. Any information about him would be good

Jill Erridge

jill.bruce2@bigpond.com

George 'Ginger' Anderson KVF

Could anyone please assist us. We are trying to trace details of George (Ginger) Anderson, a rubber planter of Kuala Muda Estate, Sungi Patani, Kedah, who fought against the Japanese until his capture. He subsequently survived the Burmese Railway, and after the war, returned with his family to the estate. We believe he was a member of the KVF. He was married to Margaret (Meg) Anderson  who, we believe, was evacuated from Singapore on the SS Duchess of Bedford Any news or comments would be greatly appreciated Thank you 

Michael & Eileen Jowett

emjhardy@gmail.com

Evacuees in 1942from Singapore to Bombay:  Le Cain and Kronenburg 

I am writing the biography of Errol Le Cain, the illustrator and artist, who was evacuated with his mother, grandmother and maybe his aunts just before the Japanese invasion of Singapore, in February 1942.  Errol was a baby of 11 months. If you remember Minnie Le Cain or her mother Mrs Kronenburg, I would be very grateful to hear from you. We do not know the vessel, though it might have been the FELIX ROUSSELL. They landed in Bombay and went on to spend the war years in Agra. Thank you very much.

Denyse Tessensohn

puterim@gmail.com

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Webb Family 

In 1942 I was evacuated to a manor house[the hostel] in Bilborough, Yorkshire, where fellow evacuees were a Mrs Webb, daughter Dawn and son Tyrone from Malaya.Two older sons went to Australia, one called Lance. Mr Webb, manager of a tin mine, [likely J.P. Webb of Kepong Tin who was interned in Changi] stayed behind. Any news of this family. After the war I went with my family to Australia where I still am. Pleased to hear from anyone on this.

Regards 

Tony Maw

amaw8@bigpond.com 

OPIUM PACKING PLANT, SINGAPORE 1933

This photo was sent in by Caroline Goulden. Her grandfather, J.R. 'Dicky' Pyper MC is seated 4th from right. Any other identities welcome.

Certainly two of the Europeans are very likely to be Percival Wilbraham & John Salter who were Engineers at the Opium Packing Plant 

 

Caroline also sent in this photo of HM CUSTOMS STAFF, PENANG staff 1938. Again, any comments or identities welcome. 

 

Wilson Home Morrison [1882-1973] seen at the back of this late 1920s family photo, came to Malaya from New Zealand as a Surveyor, but by 1907 was Acting Manager, the Pulai Syndicate. Ipoh and went on to numerous tin mining appointments & consultancies in Malaya, Siam & Burma. He also managed various rubber estates.  He was Proprietor Planter, Gunong Panjang  Estate, Perak from 1912 into the 1950s, living at 140 then 54 Gopeng Rd, Ipoh. He must have been the oldest Malayan Volunteer POW, serving as a L/Cpl in 45 Reserve MT Company FMSVF. He survived the Thailand Burma Railway and returned to Malaya until 1953.

His granddaughter would welcome any information about him and particularly relating to his first wife Florence Mary who was killed by bandits in the 1920s.

Joe Giles [1920-1944] came to Singapore in 1938 to work for Singapore Cold Storage, Orchard Rd. He joined the Singapore Royal Artillery Volunteer Battery. In 1940 he became a rubber planter [Bukit Asahan Estate, Malacca] and married Hetty Butler-Madden. He joined the Malacca Volunteers [4SSVF] and was a Colour Sgt HQ Wing. He was a POW in Singapore then he was sent to  Batu Lintang camp, Kuching, Borneo with E Force in March 1943. Hetty & baby daughter Patricia [born 1941] were evacuated on the Felix Roussel to India. Joe was in the POW group sent to Labuan in June 1944. There were no survivors from this group. Joe died in captivity 6.8.1944 aged 24. 

His daughter Patricia would welcome any recollections of him.

Joseph & Hetty Giles 

This photo was sent in by MVG member Peter Windsor. It includes his father, Major [later Lt Colonel] E.P. Windsor [front row, 5th left with walking stick]. The photo was taken at Port Dickson c.1940 and we think shows the Officers of 3FMSVF. Any identities welcome. 

Penang Volunteers

 

MVG member Marsha Anson sent us this late 1930s photo of a section of 3SSVF Volunteers including her father, P.F. Kavanagh who is holding up the sign.

Although the sign states no.7 section, we believe the photo shows B [MG]Company, no.6 platoon, No.6 section: Ptes A.M.R. Currie, E.G. Gardiner, P.F. Kananagh, E.M. Scoular & J.C. Matheson. The Sgt is presumably Platoon Sgt H.F. Clements. Any confirmation of identities would be welcome.

FMSVF Volunteers at Port Dickson 1940

Perak Volunteers at Port Dickson Camp 1930

Steve le Fleming kindly sent in these two excellent photos. His father appears on both photos Any other identities welcome.

Are you on this photo?

Click here for further photos of Malacca children's parties 

Singapore Children's Party 1938: Eithne Dunne and Ruth-Jean Aaron identified. Any others?

Scottish Company ISSVF: any identities?

Photo Contributors

• Rhona Goodfellow
• Graeme Hunter

The photos on the website have created considerable interest. The photo on the homepage, courtesy of John Mackie, shows himself (centre) with fellow FMSVF Volunteers Philip Paxton-Harding and Jack Brown.

We are indebted to the following MVG members for the photos on the History page:
Roger Barrett, Penny Dembrey, Mary Harris, Stephanie Hess, Merilyn Hywel-Jones, John Mackie, Ian Stitt and Susan Whitley.

The photo below (courtesy of Mason Nelson) shows officers of the Singapore Volunteer Corps 1930s 2nd row, 3rd from the left is his father, Captain David Nelson. Again, any identifications welcome.

Enquiries

Contents

A.H.Proctor
allan.proctor@orange.net

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PM Leckie  FMSVF Field Survey Company

My Grandfather was Captain Peter Martin Leckie, a surveyor in Malaya for many years. I have many of his photos from his time in Malaya from 1920 to 1942 [see MVG Website Gallery photos: Peter Leckie Collection], some I need to identify if possible.

Elizabeth Leckie

emlchen@optusnet.com.au

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John Roland (Peter) Rutty FMSVF

Hi I came across your website whilst undertaking research and found it very interesting. I am doing research on my great uncle John Roland (Peter) Rutty. John Roland was his given names but he was widely known as Peter as his father was also John and it became a way of differentiating between the two. He went out to Malaya from Australia (he was Australian) in the 1940's to help run a rubber plantation. During WW2 he joined up with the forces in Malaya as an FMSVF Volunteer. He was captured and went to Changi and then to the Thai Burma railway camps. After the war and a brief time back in Australia, he returned to Malaya around 1947 to take up an assistant managers role on a rubber plantation in Kuantan. He was subsequently killed by insurgents in 1947. There are no records of him a the Australian War Memorial in Canberra as either an enlisted soldier or as a POW. Where would I go to find some information on him? - British sources, Malay sources? Is there a register of all POWS of all nationalites for Changi?? Any help you could offer for this interesting man would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Tom Nursey

tomnursey@optusnet.com.au

Andrew Hwang
ac_hwang@yahoo.com

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Flying and Living

G'day from Australia, Have been thinking of coming to South East Asia to learn to fly and live for sometime now. I am a 52 year old retired ex-RAAF chap, with Electrical,Mechanical and Administration experience, with very keen interest in Aviation. So the objective of this email is to try and make contact with people who are in Cambodia, Malaysia or Thailand who are doing the same thing. Thank you in advance

Wes Bennett

weseagle@iprimus.com.au

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Bob & Anita Gent



Does anyone recognise either Bob Gent (Australian Imperial Forces?) or his wife, Anita Edna Gent (nee Reis)? I have difficulty in identifying which unit Bob was in. Long lost family friends and relatives are trying to locate either or them or their children/descendants. Anita's last known address in 1989 was at:

Wesley House Community Aged Care Packages
324 Military Road,
Semaphore Park
Adelaide SA 5019
Australia.

Please contact Andrew Hwang at ac_hwang@yahoo.com or at mvg.malaysia@gmail.com if you have any information.

Thank you & best regards,

Andrew

Daniel Lee

daniel.lfs@gmail.com

Alan Overall was born in Manchester in 1915, he was an engineer who went to Malaya during the 1930s.
I was told he had married in Malaya. He served in the FMSVF Light Battery and died on the Japanese ship Rakuyo Maru 14 September 1944 aged 29 years.  Did anybody know him, was he married? Who did he work for and where did he work before the war? I would be delighted with any information available as I was born in 1939 and named after him; he was my fathers younger brother.

kindest regards

Alan Overall

alanoverall@btinternet.com

Does anyone have knowledge of my father, David Alexander.He was a member of an armoured car division and was a POW in Changi. My mother, Margot Alexander, and I escaped to South Africa by boat from Singapore in early 1942. We lived in Kuala Lumpur. After the war we lived in Singapore and I went to the Tanglin School in Singapore and the Cameron Highlands.My father worked for Guthries both before and after the war.

Christine McCouat

cmmccouat@westnet.com.au

JEFF LITTLEDYKE & WALTER DRINNAN

Has anyone heard of Walter Drinnan who escaped in a 15 ft boat from Blakang Mati with my father Jeff Littledyke? My father and Walter found a fishing boat abandoned on the beach and under the cover of darkness escaped with only the clothes they stood in and a very small amount of food and successfully sailed to Sumatra (despite being closely investigated daily by Japanese bombers flying overhead). My father was a member of the Federated Malayan States Volunteer Force and joined the Australian Warship the Hobart and taken to Columbo and then to join up with the Indian Army in Bombay. Does anyone remember as it would be nice to try and locate some Drinnan family members? My wonderful father died in 2007 aged 94 years. He gave me a detailed diary of his experiences and it makes interesting reading if anyone is interested.

Sheena Bransgrove
sheena.bransgrove@bigpond.com

Flying Officer S J Beattie

We believe Flying Officer SJ Beattie of the MVAF was also a surveyor for the Singapore Improvement Trust and lived in 18 Adam Park before leaving Singapore in 1941. According to the Changi records he was on leave in New Zealand possibly in Canterbury. Can any of your members confirm these facts or know what happened to him or just provide more information?
Regards

Jon Cooper

The Adam Park Project Project Manager
jonalicooper@googlemail.com

During World War 1, a number of Chinese volunteers from Malaya were sent to France as mechanics and support crew for the Mark 4 tanks of 6th Royal Tank Regiment. Does anyone have any information or photographs of these men?

Andrew Hwang

ac_hwang@yahoo.com

Battle of Kampar: Greenridge, Kampar, Perak, Malaysia

I work with a group of volunteers to help preserve the battlesite where the British Battalion and the Perak Volunteers held off the Japanese for 4 days during WW2. We are clearing a small part of the ridge to build a memorial dedicated to all servicemen who fought there. A small ceremony hopefully will be held in the near future attended by the High Commissoners of the Commonwealth. Will be grateful for any stories or pictures regarding the battle. If any of you are visiting Malaysia and would like to visit Greenridge, please do email or contact me at 019-5155224.

Daniel Prakash James

d_warmonger@yahoo.com

We would be interested to hear from anyone with information about my father, James Rowland Gardner (Tiddler), who was a member of the JVE. Prior to the invasion he had been a planter, possibly in Ipoh. He was a POW on the Burma Railway and was later transported to Funatsu, Japan, working, I think, in an iron foundry or possibly a shipyard. Up until today - 13 Jan 2010 - we were unaware that he had been in the JVE. It was only by chance that, googling his name, I discovered that his Efficiency Medal had been sold last year in London - see http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctionarchive/searchcataloguearchive/itemdetail.lasso?itemid=68467 After the war he returned to Malaya working on plantations in Ipoh and Rasa and eventually returned to the UK in about 1966. Any information whatsoever would be most welcome. Many thanks

Judy Wild

mikew@chelmed.co.uk

Mrs Anne Champie Connelly

Mrs Connelly, the wife of  Sgt Andrew Connelly 2A&SH, and a Thai national, was evacuated, aged 34, from Singapore with 1 year old son Ian on the Duchess of Bedford to Liverpool. Before her marriage to Andrew in 1940 she was a nursery nurse working for a family who lived in Meyer Mansions, Coleman Street, Singapore and visited England with them in 1937. Champie kept a photographic record  of her time in Meyer Mansions but we still don't know which family she worked for and would welcome any information.

Click here to see some of Champie's other photos.

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Relative. William Stanley Robinson, Padang Gajah Estate

I have an old photograph taken in 1919, with the inscription on the back: 'taken at Padang Gajah Estate in October 1919, Malaya'. There are four men in the photograph, Athorne, Dudley, Mortimore & Robinson. William Stanley ROBINSON is my Great Uncle, brother to my late Grandmother Dorothy Venetia HYDE (nee' Robinson) I have very little information on my Great Uncle Robinson. although in the CWGC he is listed, Rank: Lieutenant, Regiment/Service: General List, Secondary List: Seconded to Force 136, Age 45, Death; 15/09/1943. Any information about him and/or the others above would be much appreciated.

Best Regards
Nick Hyde
nicholas@n-hyd.demon.co.uk

Neil George Ferguson

I am looking for any information on my grandfather, Neil George Ferguson, Engineer with the Public Works Department and Captain in the 3SSVF [Penang]before the war, Changi and Sime Road internee from 1942 to 1945 and then PWD engineer in Malaya and North Borneo after the war until his retirement at the end of the 1950s.

Jenny Davies
jennydavies11@yahoo.co.uk

John Charles Nauen 1903 - 1943

Any information regarding the above would be gratefully received. He was born in Coventry in 1903. He worked at Kew Gardens in England before going to Bermuda then in 1935 to Singapore where he took up a position at the Botanical Gardens as Assistant Curator. By 1941 he was Curator, Waterfall Gardens, Penang. He joined the Penang Volunteers [3SSVF] and died in 1943 as a POW at Tanbaya. 

With thanks
Anna Golden
anna@golden2755.fsnet.co.uk

Perak Chinese MT Company RASC

I would like to hear from anyone with information on the  47 (Perak Chinese) Reserve  M.T Company R.A.S.C from 1941 to 1945

Marion Donald

mariondonald@ifb.co.uk

Brian Frank Tyson, Malayan volunteer

Would you have information on Brian Frank Tyson who died in Malaya in World War 2 as a member of No.9 Stay Behind Party.
I would be particularly interested to know of any awards received; any photos; the type of radio he used and any information of his role and his fellow operator who survived the war. Did his partner write a report of
their work?
Susan Vandijk

susanlvd@ozemail.com.au

John Allen Harvey MCS & Officers on Duty in Selangor (August 1945 - December 1946)

Greetings. I am trying to get in contact with the family of the late John Allen Harvey, British Administrator in the Cocos-Keeling Islands and later Comptroller of the Royal Household of Pahang. I am conducting some research on the evacuation of some officials from Selangor to the Cocos-Keeling Islands between August 1945 - December 1946. Similarly, any details on the whereabouts of the family or next of kin to Theodore
Samuel Adams, former British Resident, Selangor, would be much appreciated. Any leads on this will be very welcome and duly acknowledged. Terima Kasih Tuan-Tuan dan Mem-Mem. Radford.

R Cross

radfordcross@gmail.com

Escape from Singapore

Identified on this photo are Malayan veterinary surgeons George Rocker (back left) & William Orr who successfully escaped from Singapore in February 1942, crossed Sumatra and eventually reached safety in Ceylon. Can anyone identify the others on the photo? Perhaps fellow escapers.

William Orr, George Rocker, Ronald Wright

Marriage records

I wish to know where to search for marriage records of a Gustave Adolphe Frederik Altmann to a Elise Rose Van Neer, married in Penang 1933. Thanks for your help and/ or advice to my query.

Elza Altmann

elzaaltman@hotmail.com

My Father : A S Hogan served in 2nd Selangor Bn, FMSVF

My father served in 2nd Selangor Battalion. He and his father were rubber planters. He never spoke about his experiences. Would anyone have heard  of him ?

Rory Hogan
roryhogan@eircom.net

Captain A.F. Hayward, Malay States Volunteer Rifles

I am trying to find information about the life of Alfred Francis Hayward, a British Army Boer War veteran who for 18 years was Armourer to the MSVR retiring in 1931. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Susan Winter

smarywinter16[at]tiscali.co.uk

I have been writing the family story for many years and I want to discover what happened to my cousin, George Robertson, born Melbourne, 1907, who died in Mergui on 25. 7.1945 according to information on a cable recently come to hand. Before that POW cards came from No.1 Camp and No. 2 Camp Thailand early in 1944. George worked as an engineer for the Hume Pipe Company, Singapore in the 1930s then for the Drainage & Irrigation Dept, Johore. He lived in Muar and joined the JVE.

I would be grateful for any information as George was the only son, unmarried without issue, of a single mother and I don't want him to be forgotten.

Amy McCoy

amymuriel[at]homemail.com.au

My family: Samuel Cecil Yeomans (also Keyt family & George Dickinson)

My great grandfather Samuel Cecil YEOMANS was born in 1876 at Ashby le la Zouch. Educated at Oundle & Christ's College, Cambridge, he first came to Malaya with the FMS Civil Service then planted with United Rubber Estates Ltd, Carey Island and also became a journalist In 1902 he married Helen Minnie, daughter of Mr Thomas Keyt, retired Perak Civil Servant. The Yeomans later lived at 36b Teluk Blangah Rd, Keppel Harbour, Singapore and Samuel was interned by the Japanese in Changi, room 4RC3.then Sime Road Camp. He died in Durban, South Africa in 1949.

My mother, Anita Elaine was born in KL in 1932, the daughter of George Dickinson & Samuel's daughter Hilda (Peggy) Yeomans. My mother told me that George Dickinson, who died in 1940 in Singapore, was a rubber planter and editor of a Malayan newspaper. My mother and her mother and sisters were evacuated from Singapore.
Any additional information on my family would be most welcome.

Thanks

Nikki Archer-Waring

archer.waring[at]btinternet.com

 

I would be very interested to know if anyone can identify (a) the man .with the long sleeved shirt: (he may be from Straits Trading senior staff) [b] the woman (believed to be a Singapore Nursing Sister, Dorothy....known to smoke cigars from time to time!..where was she from?). Also on the photo is my father Robert John Trotter, a Straits Trading Co. senior engineer, killed in a bombing raid in February 1942 after the smelters on Pulau Brani were put out of action: Whose house were they in.?..i.e. is the side portrait recognisable? Any clues welcome. Thank you

Audrey McCormick

Replies via website

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Lt.Col Sir John Campbell

I'm trying to find out information on Lt.Col Sir John Campbell who was involved in Tin Mining in the state of Perlis, Malaya in 1930 - 1942. He and his wife were reportedly captured by the Japanese and are believed to have died in Indonesia. Lt.Col Sir John Campbell was a very well decorated officer and was an advisor to the colonial government and also held other important positions in government. Could anyone with any information kindly contact me at shekar.sc@gmail.com. if you have any leads or photographs of this person. Thank you.

SC Shekar 

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Brass Cap Badge - 1950-60 Federation of Malaysian Engineers

I am trying to track down a brass cap badge worn by the soldiers of the Federation of Malaysian Engineers on behalf of a friends father who served there and who has been trying to find one for many years.

Thankyou

Linda Johnson

ldudzi[at]live.com

 

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Malayan States Volunteer Rifles in the First World War Period

Guy Scoular sent in this marvellous company photo.

[click to enlarge]

Only one individual is identified: Noel Fisher. Can anyone add to our knowledge of this photo?  

L/Sgt Frederick Walter Westworth 1SSVF

Edward Mulligan PWD D.& I. /SRE[V]

Evacuation and Repatriation - How was it for you?

In 2008 I published a book entitled, Stranger in the House, that looked at the effect of men returning from war on women's lives. Now Simon & Schuster have asked me to write another book about returning evacuees.  This is a marvellous topic because it concerns something that lots of today's children learn about in school.  I think all three of my sons have been to ‘Evacuee Day' at some time in their school careers.

I am only too aware, however, that the public's perception of Evacuees is limited to pictures of grubby little children leaving London stations with gas masks around their necks and luggage labels on their wrists.

This book will seek to redress that balance and deal with the far greater range of the evacuation during the Second World War, including those who were evacuated from Singapore, Malaya and Hong Kong.  I realise the experiences of those who were evacuated from these places was very different from the children sent from London, Liverpool and Glasgow to the countryside.  What I am seeking are stories from anyone who was evacuated in the Far East.  I would like to hear where you were sent to, how long you were away, what you found when you came home and whether you remained in the Far East or came back to Britain.

As with Stranger in the House this book will comprise a mixture of oral history, information from diaries and letters and research that will place the stories in their historical, social and to some extent economic situation. 

If you would like to share your memories with me or find out more about how I plan to use information I gather, please do contact me either via email: julie.summers00@googlemail.com or by letter:   Julie Summers, 17 Abberbury Road, Oxford OX4 4 ET

If you wish to find out about my other books please visit www.juliesummers.co.uk

Japanese Propaganda Photos

In April 1945 my father was taken with a number of other POWs to the Singapore Swimming Club and forced to pose for propaganda photos at tables laden with drinks and cakes, intended to show how well the Japanese took care of their prisoners. Does anyone know if these photos still exist in a collection somewhere? Please contact me, thank you.

Private T.J. Johnston, 13411, 1 SSVF.
“Taken by Jap Forces Photographer at Singapore Swimming Club April 1945 unknown to me, and passed on.”
On 16th April 1945 prisoners were taken to the Swimming Club and made to pose for Japanese propaganda photographs, seated at tables with drinks and cakes (which were afterwards removed).

Click here to view T.J. Johnston's other photos.

Ian Johnston

A.V.L. Davies

Aubrey Davies was born in 1882 in Brixton, He became a barrister in 1906 and arrived in  Singapore in 1929

setting up in practice with the later well known Singapore lawyer C.C. Tan [Aubrey Davies & Co., Bonham Building  Singapore] and after a short time at Changi Gaol died in Japanese captivity in April 1942 at Miyako Hospital.

Any information about Aubrey Davies or about the 1930 photo taken at Raffles Hotel with Mrs Struse & daughter [who were they?]

Thank you.

Alan Tuckey

Alan[at]tuckey.demon.co.uk

website: http://www.tuckey.biz/family/ppl/a/a/aa75943c46a120e9aaf.html

Does anyone have information on Sally Tooke who lived in Batu-Gajah, Perak?. She (and I) were born in June 1941 at Batu-Gajah Hospital. We both returned to Malaya after the war was over. Her mother was called Nancy and her brother was called Robin. Her father worked for the Geological Survey Department. Thank you

Christine Edmondson (nee Bean)

edmomike44[at]aol.com

William Wight Perak LDC + Wife Helen

Any other information on the Wights welcome. Is Mrs Wight's uniform MAS?

enquiryreplies[at]malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk

Straits Settlements & Malayan Volunteers

My father Leslie K. James (1905-1996) was a Private in "B" (M.G.) Company, Penang & Province Wellesley Volunteer Corps in 1935-36 and in the Singapore Volunteer Force in 1936-37 while serving with the Chartered Bank in Penang and Singapore. After serving with the Bank in Kuching, Sarawak, where he met my mother, they married in Singapore in 1940 and returned to the UK. One of the witnesses at their marriage was W. Somerville. This may have been William Somerville, Gunner in FMS Volunteer Force who died 25 Aug 1942 as POW aged 41 (according to Commonwealth War Graves Commission records). If anyone has any information on W. Somerville or photographs that depict him or my father in the Volunteers, I should be most grateful.

A. William Hamilton / Penang Volunteers/Chinese Labour Corps 1917-1919 

I just discovered that my great grandfather served in the Penang Volunteers during World War 1, from 1915-16 and then with the Chinese Labour Corps In France 1917-19.  I have been at a loss until now to find out where he served.

Any information or suggestions on sources of further information would be greatly appreciated.

He was born in Milford, Co. Armagh, Ireland in 1870 and was a schoolmaster at Penang Free School, Straits Settlements from 1892 until 1928.

Regards
Jill

jfham1[at]gmail.com

David Warnock Harvey/David Harvey

My uncle David Warnock Harvey worked as an assistant manager at Bradwell estate Negri Sembilau and was in the FMSVF. He was taken from Changi in April 1943 and was part of F Force. He died at Kanchanaburi in December 1943. My grandfather was in Straits Steamship Company, retired before the war,but previosly a Master Mariner with them. He died in Penang Hospital in 1942.

Would anyone have any information about either my uncle or grandfather?

Jane Mackie

jfmackie100[at]hotmail.com

Jane is also seeking any information on her great grandfather John Campbell who died on 20th September 1915 aged 61 and is buried in Penang. He was a ships engineer and may have been involved in the events surrounding the Emden raid on Penang Harbour.

My father, Robert Lindsay McFarlane in the Singapore Volunteer Corps

I have a photo of my father in a group of men in uniform--on the back it says " SVC GOC inspections 3/4 Oct. 1931." I also have his pin for the "Singapore Volunteer Corps".

If anyone can add anything to this information i would appreciate it.

thanks,
Jean Bodlak
jeanhb[at]shaw.ca

Old Photos of Malaya

I am the creator of the Pengerang Battery website http://www.razcollection.com/pengerang/index.html and I am looking for more period photos of buildings, or street scenes from Malaya.

I am currently tracking down abandoned or empty pre war and post war buildings to photograph and research and looking for leads on other possible locations to follow up on, if they still exist that is.

This is my website for the project: http://www.razcollection.com/urbex/start.htm

I'm also planning a "before and after" gallery from period location photos which could turn out to be interesting.

So if you've anything to share please drop me a line.

best wishes
Raz

pengerang[at]hotmail.com

Sub Lt Charles Fittock, Malayan Royal Navy Vol. Reserve 1942

My Grandfather, Sub Lt Charles Fittock, Malayan Royal Navy Vol Reserve, after escaping from Singapore on HMS Grasshopper was last seen in Padang, Sumatra mid to late February 1942. He gave his Rolex watch to a person unknown in Padang and said "Please give this to my wife, Kuching, and tell her I will see her in Colombo".

If there is any person who might have heard of or even met my grandfather in Padang in late Feb 1942 can they please contact me.

Any information would be gratefully recieved.

Background information : Charles Fittock was a manager for Carreras in Singapore, he was also a member of The Tanglin Club in Singapore. He was able to evacuate his wife, Kuching and daughter Susan on a troop ship to Colombo shortly before the invasion of Singapore by virtue of the fact that he was a Sub Lieutenant in the Malayan Royal Naval Vol. Reserve.

Charles Hallinan

charlie.hallinan[at]gmail.com

Seeking information on Peter Stephens

MVG membert Bill Vowler is looking for childhood friend Peter Stephens whose father O.L. Stephens was PWD Malacca and elsewhere pre-and postwar. Peter was born c.1929 and returned to Malaya with Bill in 1940 on SS Sarpedon from Glasgow. We think this may be Peter Rowland Owen Stephens who was later in Malaya & Singapore through the 1950s. He had a younger sister, Shirley Ann.

Any information gratefully received by Bill at ww.cavowler[at]verizon.net

Richard [Dick] Bower, Johore Volunteer Engineers / Tanah Merah Estates Ltd, Johore

My great Uncle, Dick Bower was a UK national, (civilian) working on rubber plantations in Malaya prior to WW11. He became a POW of the Japanese, surviving the war and staying on to manage rubber plantations after the war. Can anyone help with information or ideas about where to go for information. Many thanks.

Bryce Dyer

dyerfamily[at]slingshot.co.nz

Baptism photo 1938 Klebang

This photo appeared in a 1938 edition of 'St Andrew's Outlook' the Presbyterian Church of Malaya magazine. It shows the baptism party of Malacca planter Aden McLeod's daughter Alison. We believe the Minister is Rev.Stephen Band who must have come up from Singapore for the baptism. Alison and her sister Rhona are particularly keen to establish the identity of others on the photo. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Morag Broomfield in Aberdeen very kindly supplied copies of 'St Andrew's Outlook.' Does anyone else have copies of this substantial and significant publication? More photos from Morag - daughter of CSM W. Carruthers FMSVF will soon appear on the Website.

Jonathan Moffatt

JonathanMoffatt[at]aol.com

British Military Railways in Singapore

Peter Chan in Singapore is doing a project on British Miltary Railways in Singapore. He would like contact with anyone who has knowledge on the subject or has old maps or photos of British military bases, camps or military railways in Singapore. He is particularly interested in a place called Tanjong Belayar where there was a pier for docking.

Please send any reponses to tb.brown[at]blueyonder.co.uk

Vera Ardmore of the Singapore Morning Tribune

Does anyone know what became of Vera Ardmore, the 'People & Places' social & personal columnist of the Singapore Morning Tribune? I understand she married an RAF officer called Stumm and was evacuated to Java in January 1942.

Any leads welcome.

Jonathan Moffatt

JonathanMoffatt[at]aol.com

Birth Certificate & Beyond

Many thanks to all who wrote to me, John Hay, about birth certificates in Penang. I have tried to reply to you all. Due to this help, the birth certificate problem seems to be on its way to a solution. This has produced a bigger problem. Am informed by consular authorities that I lost my status of British-by-birth in a 1983 act, thus my children born later than that have no rights to citizenship. This seems to mean that all those MCS families on duty, whose children were born in Penang (and Malaya? and Hong Kong) could not pass on their citizenship rights after 1983. Those whose children were born on leave, if back in the U.K., were not so deprived. Does anyone have experience of, or comments on, this remarkable disparagement of service in the MCS?

John Hay

johnhay50[at]yahoo.com

If anyone suspects they may also have lost "by-birth" status in 1983, they can find out by checking on their status at NGEnquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk They will receive a quick, if not sympathetic, answer.

An Appeal for Material

I am a military/social historian (Ph.D., St. Andrews) and I am currently gathering material for an academic study of the day-to-day lives of POWs and Internees of the Japanese. Would it be possible to make an appeal for material - personal accounts/letters/diaries/artworks - through your organisation? I would be happy to respect the confidence of anyone who might wish to remain anonymous. I fear that the academic community has made very little contribution to this topic. I feel time is of the essence, and all sorts of information can make an important difference in a study of this nature, so I would be grateful for any assistance.
Yours Faithfully,
(Dr.) Chris Brown.
Kennoway, Fife, Scotland

the_lighthouse[at]btinternet.com

James Alexander McQueen, Penang Volunteers

My father went out to India as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1917 then served in the the Colonial Auxiliary Forces.Penang & Province Wellesley Volunteer Corps May 1926/1930. In the Second World War he was in India and Ceylon where I think he was a Major. He died in 1948 so I really didn't get to know him. Is there anyone out there who served with him and can give me any information about him? I also believe he had something to do with te plantations and rubber while in Penang. It would be lovely to know more about him.

Mrs Anne Campbell

Rann1[at]btinternet.com

First Aid Nursing Yeomanry

My Mother was a member of The Princes Royals Volunteer's known as First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (F.A.N.Y.)

On the surrender of The Japanese in the Far East she was sent with others of her unit to assist in the medical needs and repatriation of P.O.W's. They were some of the very first into Changi in Singapore. The Unit Headquarters in London has many records of the European Operation, but the record files of those on the Far East operation are empty, except for Name, date of joining and date of leaving !!!

Does anyone have any information on the F.A.N.Y unit in the Far East especially in the Singapore or at any of the Railway Camps?

Should you wish to view the web site you can find it by going to http://www.fany.org.uk/

Capt. John Bax. M.N. Ret.

Ixion[at]sympatico.ca

"Sunday Man"at the Pudu jail, Kuala Lumpur

My father was Constantine Roderick Martin. He was of Eurasian background and resided in Kuala Lumpur with his family before, during, and after the Japanese occupation. He worked at the Selangor Turf Club with a Mr. Ken Archer who was the administrative Secretary of the Club and a member of the FMSVF.
While Mr. Archer and other British POWs were confined at Pudu Jail, my father becsame their "Sunday Man" bringing them BBC news clandestinely, and other sustenance including a hidden radio that the prisoners were later able to take to Burma with them. He met up with some of them after the war ended.
Also he was recognized with commendations by the British government for his actions.
My father passed away in 1955.
I would like to know if anyone is still alive or if there are families of those prisoners who remember him. Just to contact and share memories.

I live in Tallahassee, Florida now.
Thank you.

Penny Young

youngpenfl[at]comcast.net

My father Capt HJ Kitchener (Jack)

I believe my father served in the FMSVF & Dalforce and would like to find out more about his service. He passed away 20 years ago and of course we rarely had time nor the inclination to talk about his service in Malaya. I would love to hear from anyone who knew him or heard of him.

Brian Kitchener

brian.kitchener[at]tiscali.co.uk

James Longwill WO II Signal Battalion FMSVF

As far as I know, my father, James Longwill, was in the Signal Battalion of the FMSVF and was serving in Malaya & Singapore from 1939 to 1942. Any information on his time in Malaya / FMSVF service welcome.

James longwill

james.longwill[at]btinternet.com

Fay Hamilton's dancing girls [2]

Any information on these girls or there present whereabouts most welcome.

Seated L-R: Jean Purvis, Donna Faber, Frankie Edmonds, Linette Hilton, Shelagh Harvey, Thelma Squire, Eithne Dunne Standing L-R: Audrey Trotter, Margaret Bill, Delvine Vines, Jennifer Joubert, Elizabeth Huggins, Joan Chester, Ruth-Jean Aaron, Janice Andre

Responses to Stephanie Hess shess[at]worldonline.co.za

Birth Certificate Problems

I would be extremely grateful to anyone who has suggestions for a problem with a lost birth certificate. My father was Malayan Civil Service and I was born in Penang, in 1938. My father died in a Japanese POW camp. The Colonial Administration office tells me that they have searched all the relevant registers and do not find me, that they cannot help any further, and that I should contact the Malayan High Commission. I have done so but so far have not received a reply. The birth certificate is urgently required both for passport renewal and for registration as British subjects for family members. Has anyone dealt with a similar problem?

John Hay,

johnhay50[at]yahoo.com

P.O. Box 252
Davenport, CA. 95017, U.S.A.

Rolls Royce Armoured Cars in Malayan Service?

I am researching Rolls Royce armoured cars and came across information online mentioning Rolls Royce armoured cars in Malayan service.

I read the excellent article on your website regarding the Singapore Volunteer Armoured Car Company, but it does not mention the use of Rolls Royce armoured cars. Did this unit, or any other unit operating the the region, use Rolls Royce armoured cars?

Thank you,

Mark D. Cowan

Mark.Cowan[at]thc.state.tx.us

Captain Alfred Webb, 2FMSVF

Does anyone have any information or photographs of Captain Alfred Webb of 2 FMSVF? He was the padre of 2 FMSVF and before that, a minister of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Selangor. He was in Changi and Chungkai POW camps and survived the war but did not return to St Andrew's.

Andrew Hwang

ac_hwang[at]yahoo.com

Photographs of Kuala Lumpur and Surroundings

I am seeking any photographs which show the terrain near Kuala Lumpur, especially the hills. I am commissioning a painting by a well-known aviation artist to depict the air battle over Kuala Lumpur on 22 Dec 42 and am keen to ensure the background geographic details are correct. Any assistance would be gratefully received.

Kind regards,
Mark Haselden
mark_rae[at]msn.com

Captain Cho Siow Lim / CQMS Tan Kim Tee, Malacca Volunteers

Andrew Hwang in Malaysia is seeking information on two relatives particularly in relation to the events of December 1941 to February 1942.

Both Captain Cho and CQMS Tan served in the Chinese Company, that is B Company 4SSVF.

Captain Cho, [who appears on the 4SSVF officers photo, stood 5th from left] was in civilian life the Manager of Bukit Kathil Rubber Estates Ltd. We now believe that he was killed by mortar fire on Cluny Hill, Singapore on February 13th 1942 and that CQMS Tan was a victim of the massacres of Chinese Volunteers on February 28th 1942.

Both Captain Ho and CQMS Tan appear in a much earlier photo - that of the Tay family on the MVG Website Gallery.

Any further information most welcome. Please send to Andrew at ac_hwang[at]yahoo.com

Miss Griff, staff and Tanglin School children 1932

Mason Nelson in New Zealand sent in this photo posted to him in later years by Miss Griffith-Jones.
Any identities welcome.

enquiryreplies[at]malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk

Singapore Cricketers on SCC steps 1946

Can you help with identities and name the trophy?

enquiryreplies[at]malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk

cricket

CSM CHARLES HENRY CRABBE (1SSVF)

CSM Crabbe died at Wampo POW Camp on the 4th of January 1943. We have heard stories about him but never found anything about him in the SSVF. If there is anyone out there with any information on the 1st Battalion SSVF or any photographs of them, please can you mail them to me.. We have built up quite a picture of a man who was well liked and very much a do'er. We know of one particular feat in which he escaped from the Jap camp and got some pills for the medics without being caught but unfortunately we do not have the full story. He also worked for Fraser & Neave (Tiger Beer) and was also a prison warder at one point.

If anyone knows of any pictures we would be so grateful.

Darren Standen

dazza_stan[at]yahoo.co.uk

Mrs. Doris Eileen Mary Toms. nee Doris Eileen Mary Ironside Bax.

Princess Royals Volunteers, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. (F.A.N.Y.) Service No 19385

I am looking for any information regarding my Mother's service in the Far East and in particular in Thailand/Singapore at the time of the release and repatriation of P.O.Ws from both Thailand camps and Singapore. My Mother married H.J.C.K.Toms who was a P.O.W. Details of him can be seen on a separate posting on this site.

The H.Q. of the unit has no records of any of the personnel who served in the Far East at the time of Japan's surrender and who were involved in the well being of the released P.O.Ws The only information available from their service files is the date of joining and the date of leaving together with their service number.

If you can assist I would be very grateful to know a bit more about the personnel from this unit who went down through Thailand/Burma and Singapore. We know they were there as they show up in camp records.

My Mother was originally in the ATS and from there went to Princess Royals and from there as a volunteer to F.A.N.Y.

We have them in Rangoon and it is also believed they were the only batch sent to Burma and then went on down through the Thai railway Camps ending up in Singapore and was one of the first through the gates at Changi. We know Harry Toms Ex POW both came back to U.K. from Singapore on one of the repatriation ships to U.K.

It's quite possible she met him at the camp of Kanchanaburi as medical teams were moving in there in September 1945....... but how did she keep Harry Toms with her all the way down and back to Changi?

If you can assist I would be very grateful, anything, however slight that may be connected with them or the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (F.A.N.Y.) is of interest to me. I was serving in the Merchant Navy (Blue Funnel Line) when she passed away, so by the time I got home at was all over and the information I am seeking now was gone.

Please contact me at Bluefunnel[at]sympatico.ca.

Capt John Bax. Retd.

H.J.C.K. Toms. Straits Steamship Company. Singapore.

TOMS H.J.C.K. [Henry John Cecil Kelway] �Harry� born 1901 Loughborough. Joined Mansfields 1928. Manager/Marine Superintendent Mansfield's/ Straits Steamship Company. Lieut. Singapore Royal Artillery. (Volunteer) P.O.W. (Changi) on 15th February.1942

Employees of Straits Steamship Company that had volunteered to stay behind were H.J.C.K. Toms (Marine Superintendent) and F.S.Gibson. R.F.W. Leonard and D.Richardson.

Upon his release and after recovery from internment and working on the Burma Railway he became Chairman of Straits Steamship Co. Organized rehabilitation of the Company; built Somerville Flats, Holland Rd for Straits officers. Played a leading part in founding Malayan Airways. Left Singapore for London 1955 to work for his old firm of 1919, Mark Whitwell [Shipbrokers] Ltd. Also a member of Advisory Council, Overseas Service.

He died 28.4.72 Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading.

Somewhere along the line between his release and repatriation possibly on repatriation ships Tegelberg/ Nieuw Holland or Cilicia to U.K.from Singapore or possibly at Kanchanaburi Camp, he met my Mother who was serving with The Princess Royals Volunteers . The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (F.A.N.Y.) who will be the subject of a separate enquiry on this web site, so please read on.

Any information, however slight, that, you feel may be related to Harry Toms, or any other members of staff that volunteered to stay and thus became P.O.W's.will be greatly appreciated.

Please contact me at Bluefunnel[at]sympatico.ca.

Thank you.

Capt. John Bax. (Member MVG.)

Ex: Blue Funnel Line and Straits Steamship Co,

Charles Sharkey, Singapore Volunteers

I am trying to find out information on a Charles Sharkey whom was a Lieutenant in the Singapore Volunteer Regiment. I have no other details apart from that he had a son Charles Terence Sharkey who was born around 1922 and who got married in Carlisle in the 1940s.

Unfortunately I don't have any other details which makes it difficult to search.

Jackie Mctaggart

jacquelinemctaggart[at]yahoo.co.uk

Rubber Planter George Park Barnet

My grandfather George Barnet was a rubber planter in Negri Sembilan/ Selangor/Segamat area, Johore Malaya before World War 2. He married my grandmother, Ebba Herlin a Swedish Masseuse in Malaya and had 3 children, John Harold, George Patrick and Eleanor Kathleen, all born at the European Hospital In Kuala Lumpur, Malaya.

If anyone knows anything about this family I would love to hear. George was taken prisoner by the Japanese during the war and spent most of the war in a concentration camp [Changi < Sime Rd internee].

Helen Messenger

helen.messenger[at]btinternet.com

Lt Harold Lewis Page [1907-1943] 4SSVF Malacca

Harold, my father was a planter and a member of the Malacca Volunteers. He was a prisoner at the Burma Rangoon Railway. I would like to know what happened to him. Please advise me by email. Thanking you in anticipation.

George G Page

gpage.perth[at]ljhcommercial.com.au

Singapore Royal Artillery (Volunteers) postwar

I would be grateful for any information on the Singapore Royal Artillery (Volunteers) c. 1952 particularly relating to Lt Guy Edmund Thompson who served at this time.

Norman Grantham

normang[at]tiscali.co.uk

OCTU Malaya 1941?

Malcolm Read sent in this photo which includes his father and appears to be an OCTU course or similar. A number of the staff are identifiable Argylls and Gordon Highlanders including Major Denne, CO OCTU Malaya which was based at Changi. Note white trimmings on the men's caps. Any information/identities welcome.

enquiryreplies[at]malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk

TANGLIN SCHOOL CHILDREN 1947

Ian Stitt sent in these photos of Tanglin children 1947. Any identifications welcome.

enquiryreplies[at]malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk

1007 Sgt D.A. David, Kedah Volunteer Force

I'd welcome any information on my father D.A. David who served in the Kedah Volunteer Force, and I am interested to know if such a unit did contribute during the Japanese invasion on Malaya? I have some buttons of the unit My father was working at the Harvard Estate when he was called to serve.

Thank you.

Jothy David

jothydavid[at]yahoo.co.uk

FAY HAMILTON SCHOOL OF DANCING

My aunt, Eithne Dunne, was a pupil at the Fay Hamilton School of Dancing in the late 1930s till the end of 1941. I wonder does anyone know or remember anything about the school and it's owner Fay Hamilton (Mrs. F.C.H. Smith)?

I would also be very grateful for any information about the little girls named in the cutting taken from the Singapore Free Press.

Stephanie Hess

shess[at]worldonline.co.za

Alfed Edminson Dick, Planter

I would be interested to know if you have any information regarding my great grandfather who was a planter pre-1914 and at the Golden Hope Plantation, Klang, Selangor in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1914, aged 32, he enlisted in the Australian Light Horse Brigade and was a L/Sgt.

Family history implies he enlisted in the Straits Settlements Police, but I am not sure when of if this is correct.

Any direction/help would be gratefully appreciated.

Many thanks.

Suzanne Arnold

suzlee[at]leearn.wanadoo.co.uk

Captain Richard Aubrey Witham 2FMSVF

My grandfather Richard Aubrey Witham was in 1941 a planter at Bukit Raja Rubber Estate, Klang and formerly at Ulu Remis Estate, Layang Layang, Johore. He was a 2nd Lt and later Captain in FMSVF and a POW in Singapore and Thailand. We know that he was at Nong Pladuk in September 1944. He survived the war but was killed in an air disaster at Amsterdam 14.11.1946.

Any information about him or photos would be gratefully received.

Thank you
Regards

Offy Hawk

offyhawk[at]yahoo.com

James O'Dowd Egan, Planter & FMSVF 45 Reserve MT Company

James O'Dowd Egan was a private in the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force who died while held prisoner and is buried at the Chungkai War Cemetary.

His wife was Sylvia Doris Egan of Marylebone, London. She was evacuated on the Empress of Japan.

Any information on either one of these two people would be greatly appreciated.

Michael Egan

mjoegan[at]shaw.ca

JOHN HOWARD TYTE MSVR

Whilst researching my family history I have found reference to "John Howard Tyte officer commanding Malay States Volunteer Rifles". Do you have any information on him? He is my 1st cousin twice removed.

Many thanks

Eve Mills

eve[at]yjmills.wanadoo.co.uk

Penang Volunteers WW1?

I have marvellous photos of my grandfather William Charles Daniel in his uniform in Penang from c. 1910-1914. He was a hotelier, but apparently in whatever they were then. Territorials? Volunteers? Can you help?

Gwyneth Daniel

scavenge[at]ntlworld.com

Tracing my Grandfather

All I know of my grandfather was that he was a British planter based in Perak and was captured during WWII. His name was Frederick Boucher. I was told that he worked on the Burmese Railway and was evacuated to Perth immediately after the war, but died due to his bad condition. Details may not be accurate.

Any information about this is much appreciated.

Thanks.

D. Boucher

douglas.boucher[at]gmail.com

Phillip Holmes Glover / Changi

Hello, I am enquiring about some information on my father who was Pte P Glover of the FMSVF Reserve MT Company. He was captured and spent time in Changi. Do you have any information on him? He also spent time as a POW on Blakang Mati.

Ric Glover

sabbruzz[at]bigpond.net.au

Cpl Roy Alexander Moulton MM FMSVF Armoured Cars

I am presently attempting to gather information relating to 13534 Corporal Roy Alexander Moulton M.M. 25th.March 1910 - 28th April 1944. Fitter and Winchman. Southern TronohTin Dredging Ltd Tg. Tualong. Perak. Joined F.M.S.V.F. Armoured Car Unit. D Battalion POW Singapore to Thailand 12.10.42. Badly wounded (Shot through both Hands ???); responsible for saving live of commanding officer and others (hence M.M.) Little else known at this stage. Any information would be of great help.

Roy G.Moulton.

rcmoult[at]alphalink.com.au

FMSVF Railway Operating and Maintenance Company

I am a retired third generation railwayman from Peninsula Malaysia and in the old days, this would be known as British Malaya.

I am now writing a book on railway life and work. One of the chapter deals with the railway sappers. In the present day context, these railway sappers are associated with the Malaysian Army's Engineering Corps and is purely a volunteer Force made up railway staff. Whilst researching, I only managed to find out that a railway volunteer Force was raised in 1915 called the 'Railway Institute Platoon' but it was disbanded in 1917. No reasons for its disbandment were given. But I also understand that there was a railway volunteer force called the 'Railway Operating and Maintenance Company' between the two world war years. They were mobilsed in the final days of the Japanese invasion of Malaya and the went out of existence when the British surrendered in Singapore.

I would appreciate any information that you may be able to share with me.

Louis Vincent

vlvl5056[at]yahoo.com

William Charles Blair

I am tracing my partners family history but we only have a photo of his father dated Sept.1941 when he was serving in the Royal Engineers, Malaya.

He was also a Japanese prisoner of war. Can you help me in any way to trace more information on him.

Regards

Carol Drew

caziedrew[at]aol.com

Joe Speelman 1904-1991

Roberta Ward in Australia writes:

I am seeking more information on my Great Uncle, Joe Speelman, who was born in Russia in 1904 and became a British Citizen in 1933. He was a cellist in the 'Raffles Hotel Orchestra' and was also a member of 'Nick's Dance 6'. He was in the Singapore Volunteers Unit and was a POW with the D Battalion on the Thai-Burma Rail. He survived the 'Rakuyo Maru' sinking and was in Japan at the end of WWII. From 1953-1971 he was the Secretary/Manager of the Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur and also taught at Taylor's College in KL in the 1970s. He died in Kuala Lumpur in 1991

Any replies through enquiryreplies[at]malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk

Joe Speelman 1904-1991

FMSVF Light Battery photo

Does anyone recognise these Gunners? We only know that stood back right is Sgt Michael Stephens.

enquiryreplies[at]malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk

Sgt Reginald Sydney Missen 4FMSVF

What information do you have about my relative who was either killed in action or killed whilst a POW of the Japanese in WW2:

Reginald Sidney MISSEN is listed among the Commonwealth War Dead between 03/09/1939 and 31/12/1947 while serving as a Sergeant with the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force, 4th (Pahang) Battalion.

Although he is Australian, he is recorded in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as nationality of the United Kingdom, and hence he does not appear in any records of the Australian War Memorial. In fact I can�t find him in any records anywhere, and he deserves more than that.

Any help that you can give is greatly appreciated.

And importantly from a personal family point of view, any information that you can provide about his service, why he was in Malaya in the first place, and any information about his death, is greatly appreciated.

Harold Peacock

hazz[at]bigpond.net.au

FMSVF Light Battery

Does any one have any information about the Selangor, Section, of the FMSVF Light Battery? Names of Officers & Gunners, or photographs?

I was Gunner 18435 and received a Mention in Despatches. On the fall of Singapore I returned to KL and later joined Force 136, and would like to make contact with anyone who served with me.

George Hesse

geohesse[at]bigpond.net.au

Anyone for Cricket?

Can anyone shed any light regarding this photo? Maybe Penang? Who and when?

MVAF Aircraft

I'm researching the use of aircraft by the MVAF throughout the Malayan campaign 1941-42 and the retreat into the NEI.

This interest has been prompted by my restoration of a 1935 vintage Avro Cadet. The machine is the oldest of its type and of the 13 worldwide survivors it now make 4 that are airworthy. My machine is an ex-RAAF trainer but a number of the type were used "on ops" by the MVAF. I intend to put together a book pertaining to the history of the Cadet, and I believe that there is a major untold story about the MVAF yet to be told.

Any data pertaining to the MVAF, particularly recollections and photographs would be welcomed.

Little did I know that during my RAAF service (Penang / Butterworth in the 1980's) that I would have a "recurrent connection" with the location twenty years later!

Regards

Darryl Hill
Senior Training Captain
Cathay Pacific Airways
Hong Kong
hillyhkg[at]netvigator.com

2nd Lt. Richard Peall 2FMSVF

I'm hoping someone may have some information about my Grandfather Richard 'Dick' Peall who was a 2nd Lt. in the Selangor Battalion of the FMSVF and was killed on the 15th February 1942 near/in Singapore. If anyone has any information please drop me a line. My mother who lives in Western Australia will be making a visit to UK in May 07 and is hoping to do research about her father while she is over.
Thank you.

Jacquie Mackay

jacquiemackay[at]yahoo.com.au

Sgt Robert Chan

I am trying to discover whether my wife's grandfather, Sergeant Robert Chan (1896?-1941) served in the Malayan Volunteers. According to the family he was in the British Army and travelled to France in the First World War. I have also seen a service medal for Iraq.

Thanks for any help or pointers

Bruce Macfarlane

bruce.macfarlane[at]tvu.ac.uk

Malayan Hospitals & Clinics c.1957

I am a medical doctor currently working with the Malaysian Ministry of Health. I am interested to find out more on the life and experiences of medical doctors working in Malayan Hospital and Clinics circa 1957. I intend to write it up and publish it in the Malaysian Family Physician in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th Independence Day this year.

I will be very grateful if anyone can provide me with information, contacts, personal accounts and photographs.

Mimi

drmimiomar[at]hotmail.com

Vernon Walter Trevethan MVAF

Val Trevethan val-t[at]bigpond.com writes: My father Verner Walter Trevethan, pilot, died in action 18 December 1941 at Ipoh. I have located a memorial to Verner and others at Kranji War Graves Cemetry. On the same plaque is the name F/Sgt Cleaverly. I too was a driver airframe for about 34 years and to the best of my knowledge never had a shot fired at me.

I have the details of the aircraft that my father perished in. It was a De Haviland DH89a, VR-SAV, c/n 6360 Dragon Rapide in I believe, ambulance markings based in Singapore. I have never been able to establish the truth of his death. Friendly fire aided and abetted by a Japanese bombing raid runs a popular first.

During my 15 years in the RAAF I had friends and associates based at Butterworth make trips to Ipoh in vain attempts to find a burial site. I thought perhaps that you may be able to shed some light on this issue.Information on Verner may not be easy to find. He had a very short RAAF career, operated Junker tri motors in PNG for a period then he joined the Malayan Volunteer Air Force. From what I remember as a child my mother received no war widow assistance from the British or Australian governments. I guess his various histories were too short to create an issue.

Any information on Verner Walter Trevethan most welcome.

Uniforms of Volunteers

Here are several references to colours for FMSVF units in the summary history. I would appreciate any information on MVF uniforms and any guidance as to source material. Were colours actually worn by the volunteers e.g. patches?

I am trying to illustrate as many Empire/Commonwealth volunteer units and the Malayan area is not well covered in available texts. Thank you for your consideration and an excellent site.

Sean Ryan

semibrde[at]yahoo.com.au

Tanglin Cameron Highlands

MVG member John Warden writes: "I attended Tanglin Cameron Highlands for about 2 years before it closed in 1941 and would be very interested to hear from any contemporaries. My particular friend was Graham Hodgkins (Hedgehog). Others I remember were John Arbuthnot, Ian Pierce, Anne Steed and Audrey Waters. Group photo below."

Henry Price Wales H.P. Private 3SSVF

My uncle was a member of the 3rd (Penang & Province Wellesley Volunteer Corps) Battalion Straits Settlements Volunteer Force in Singapore. Service # 4810.

He is listed on the Singapore Memorial as casualty type: Commonwealth War Dead with a date of death of 6/8/44. Age 29.

My father died when I was very young from brain cancer and I never knew my Uncle. Any information that I could obtain about this particular unit would be very special to my sister and I. Even if it has nothing to do with my Uncle.

I understand that my grandparents were never able to find any information about his death or, circumstances and then they also lost their second son (my father). This was pre-internet so it is our hope that we can track down something, anything to connect us with him.

Thank you so very much for anything, no matter how small you could share.

Giselle Wales

giselle[at]aga.net

Vowler family / Tanglin School, Cameron Highlands

I was born in 1928 in Malacca and was only just 12 in February 1942 when I left with my parents. My Father "Tim" Vowler was manager of Batang Malaka Estate from 1926 and MVC. My parents retired to Malacca, Klebang, in the early 1950s We spent the war in South Africa _ Durban. I would be fascinated to find out more of my contemporarys __ mid 1930s when I was in Tanglin school in the Cameron Highlands __ Miss Griffith-Jones. We were evacuated on the Empress of Japan. My Brother, young "Tim" was in Changi __ FMSVF POW. Also if there are any contemporary's of my parents, or Tim's I would love to make contact with them. I now reside in Oxford, Maryland. USA.
I was known as "Billy" in my early school days.

Very sincerely, Bill Vowler.

ww.cavowler[at]verizon.net

Harold Edwin MacKenzie

Harold was my uncle. Arrived in Malaya in 1926. In Johore from 1928. Rubber planter at Ulu Tiram Estate. Between 1930-40 was with Johore Volunteer Engineers. Between 1940-42 was South Johore Group Commander. I know he later in 1951 became Dato and left Malaya in 1955. I'm looking for any info on him. Did they wear uniform ? Did they have a cap badge? Where can I obtain one ? (to put with his other medals (WWI with the A&SH ) and Decorations?) His wife Margaret is now in her late 90's.

MacKenzie

germanica[at]tiscali.co.uk

Dudley Griffith Owen JVE

Can anyone provide any information on Dudley Griffith Owen irrigation engineer Malaya, member of the Johore Volunteer Engineers No 1214 captured Singapore.

Any information would be appreciated.

Robyn Aitchison

robyn[at]thedowerhouse.co.uk

Fitzpatrick 1st Bn FMSVF

I'm doing research for my website on St Michael's Institution, Ipoh. This a boys school and I came across a mention that one teacher, Mr Fitzpatrick was a volunteer in the 1st Bn (Perak) FMSVF. He was reported killed in Kampar during the Battle of Kampar. I can't find any mention of him except one that names a Earnest Edward Fitzpatrick on the Singapore Memorial in the commonwealth graves commision website.

You will find him in a photo of the school staff on my page here http://quisutdeus.bravehost.com/photos.html

I would be happy if someone can shed some light as to what happened to him. My intention is to write about him on a page to commemorate him on a page within my website. As a teacher, he saw it fit to fight in the war and it would be good history for the school to remember him as a hero, someone they can relate to as being a teacher in a their school.

I would appreciate photos of him, if any.

Thank you very much.

Anthony Morris

morrismusic[at]gmail.com

Alexander William Miller, Johore Volunteer Engineers (JVE) Sapper 998 born Lambeth, UK 06.03.04

Prior to the War, Alex Miller worked as a Vehicle Licensing Officer, Batu Phata, Johore, starting about 1937. His wife Marie "Merlin" Mahon died of cancer in Muar 19.02.41. Colleagues at the Johore Licensing Office include J.H. Keen and H.G. Brooks. J.H. Keen was also in the JVE, but died 15.05.43 incaptivity.

I seek:

1. Information and history of the JVE;
2. Information on Alexander William Miller before, during and after the War;
3. Information on H.G. Brooks, his wife Betty Brooks and their daughter;
4. Information on J.H. Keen, his wife Caroline and children Irene or Allan;
5. Contact information for possible living survivors from JVE.

I have photographs of Miller and Brooks, plus a group photo taken Christmas 1938 probably at 14 Straits View, Johore Bahru, Johore, Malaya.

Thank you in advance.
Scott E. Hayes, Amateur Historian, Oregon, USA
smhayes8888[at]msn.com

CAPTAIN SIDNEY BADDELEY, Straits Steamship Company

Any recollections or information regarding Sid Baddeley most welcome. He was a prisonaer in Sumatra and Japan. We are particularly keen to locate a report he wrote in 1945.

Any information to Philip Baddeley

philip[at]baddeley.com

THE GREETHAM FAMILY

My parents (George and Elizabeth Bean) of Batu- Gajah, Perak were friendly with the Greethams and the Dons before the War. In fact the Greethams were present at their wedding in Ipoh on 7.2.1940 - Margaret Greetham was a witness and I think that their daughter, Jennifer Greetham was a bridesmaid. I have a photo of the wedding and would be happy to send a copy to any member of the Greetham family.
I'm not sure but it's possible that my mother and Anna Don shared accomodation in Rockingham, Perth, W Australia in 1942/3 together with myself and Anna Don's daughter.

Any information of this family welcome.

EDMOMIKE44[at]aol.com

Christine Edmondson

Searching For A Book

I am trying to obtain a copy of Mary Thomas' "In the Shadow of the Rising Sun" published by Maruzen Asia in 1983. The ISBN number is 9971-954-14-1. I would be very grateful for any help.

shess[at]worldonline.co.za

Stephanie Hess

ROBERT GUY YOUNG

Robert Guy Young was my great Uncle. He returned to Malaya with his wife Margaret Davidson and had a son.

We cannot find any information about them after the war but family history says they escaped to Australia and that there son was killed in WWII and he was in the Air Force but again I cannot find anything about him. He may be R.G. YOUNG JP Planter Manager, Karak Estate ,Bentong and Sungei Engun Rubber estate, Pahang - 1931,1933,1935 and 1940 Directories and may have been in the Malayan Volunteers but as he was an officer in the RAF in WWI the Private in the MV may not be him. Any guidance would be appreciated.

macdhaibhidh[at]blueyonder.co.uk

Drew Davidson

JOHORE VOLUNTEERS

I would be glad to have any information re Volunteers in Johore and their role, especially since one of, if not the, last battle on the mainland was fought on and around my father John Harper Ball's rubber estate at Mengkibol, Layang Layang.

ros.henry[at]btinternet.com

Ros Henry

SSVF Norman Bigelow no.5415

Hello,
I am seeking more information on the SSVF and my Uncle, Norman Percival Bigelow (born Bright, Victoria, Australia 1907). He enlisted under the SSVF, 3rd Battalion (Penang & Province Wellesley) service no. 5415 as a Gunner. He was an engineer, and I believe he was working for a general merchant house in Penang called "Henry Waugh & Co". Any information would be appreciated.
Regards, Anthony

anthonybigelow[at]hotmail.com

Federated Malay States Volunteer Force

My late father, Ho Pan Thong, was a member of the 8th Platoon, B Company, FMSVF Perak. He died during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Understandably, any evidence of his volunteer status was dangerous to his family and I thus have no memento of his volunteer service. If any reader of this note has any group photo of my dad's platoon, I'd be so appreciative if they would email it to me and I would see if I could spot my dad in it.

ivanho284[at]gmail.com

Ivan Ho

Federated Malay States Volunteer Force

LT COLONEL BERTIE J. EATON OBE

Richard Morris, grandson of Colonel Eaton of Kuala Lumpur and the Selangor Volunteers is seeking any information on his grandfather who was a Director of the Rubber Research Institute and left Malaya in 1935. Richard can be contacted at MORRIS1856[at]aol.com