Iban Trackers & Sarawak Rangers --- The Memoir

[artyhughes]

Cliff
If I remember correctly the FUP for the transit to the Cameron Highlands was Tapah,I remember escorting one such convoy accompanied by a troop of The 12th Royal Lancers.Keep well,Roy

[rafboy]

Cliff
If I remember correctly the FUP for the transit to the Cameron Highlands was Tapah,I remember escorting one such convoy accompanied by a troop of The 12th Royal Lancers.Keep well,Roy

That's correct George. I would travel by ferry then train from Penang to Ipoh then by road to Tapah where all the children going to Slim School met to join the convoy . I remember that the 12th Royal lancers were our escort on one or more trips to school.

[george.theshed197]

Good morning Roy and Cliff,
Indu Sarawak Magdelene will be pleased by your comments re the journey which the students travelling to The Slim School up in the Cameron Highlands for those youngsters  it must nave been quite an ordeal but then again as youngster's they may have considered that as being as an exciting adventure - the joys of being young.

[rafboy]

Good morning Roy and Cliff,
Indu Sarawak Magdelene will be pleased by your comments re the journey which the students travelling to The Slim School up in the Cameron Highlands for those youngsters  it must nave been quite an ordeal but then again as youngster's they may have considered that as being as an exciting adventure - the joys of being young.

We all thought it was a big adventure and great fun. I loved that school, cant say that for some of my other ones though.

[autgoc]

Dear Apai Tuai George & Cliff,
Indeed it is interesting to see more and more information surfacing as this topic slowly makes progress. I apologise for my silence.

I have been otherwise occupied firstly with some personal matters regarding a situation one of my friends has found herself in and secondly I have been researching other Regiments' Veteran Associations for recollections of the Malaya days and of course their contact with the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers. To date I've been able to note that a few of the comrades in arms have been reunited.

It is now gone midnight so I must try to get some sleep; although my brain is more interested in work my eyes are defeated!


indu Sarawak Magdelene

[george.theshed197]

Selamat datai Indu Sarawak Magdelene,
Once again it is my delight  to speak to you again and also to learn that you are finding yet more information daily from other Veterans from other regiments. I am sorry to learn also that your friend is still having problems and trust that you will be able to solve her difficulties.
As yet it would seem that to date there is no further information seemingly as to potential locations for the second platoon of Sarawak Rangers and I find that slightly alarming, primarily because as you and I  know that  there was a second one already being developed at Seginting and I cannot help wondering what on earth happened to it. Perhaps we will never know.
Give our regards to Mark and your daughter, and take care.
Apai Tuai George

[autgoc]

Selamat Lemai Apai Tuai George,
(Good Evening...)

Yes indeed regarding the 2nd platoon. Do you think it is safe to speculate that following the fate of the 1st Platoon it was sort of "dispersed" into the various regiments? I would imagine that was what had happened to it. I mean if it could happen to the 1st one when it was officially commissioned and received in the manner that it had been received, why would it seem a wild idea that it probably suffered similar fate as its predecessor?
This is where recording more recollections from various other regiments is key to piecing together this puzzle. I am also going to interview more Trackers and Rangers when I return to my homeland this Jan/Feb 2017. So much has surfaced in this 18months Apai Tuai George, I have a gut feeling that we will learn a great deal more.
I am planning to attend The Scottish Veterans Association meeting which is some time in November. Marc will be back in UK again by the 3rd week of November so I shall once more be free to "roam" (I can just see the twinkle in Alice's eyes at the word "roam"...)
My Lil One has gone off to a sleepover birthday party leaving Mummy to put her feet up with a glass of wine in hand attending to matters pertaining to her manuscript! Bliss...!!! Hahaha :-)

This is me for now Sire... I bid you and your good lady (and all present behind the curtain of internet obscurity) a fond goodnight.
Until perhaps tomorrow ;-)


indu Sarawak Magdelene

[george.theshed197]

Selemat datai Indu Sarawak Magdelene,
Yes indeed, that is a very safe speculation and one that is something that I myself have also been giving some careful consideration; if ever you come across one of the Rangers you have mentioned previously namely Gundah akak Ader , 900305 who signed up on 25.3.1953 and terminated 28.3.1955 may well be able to confirm that possibility as his service would have  ended well after the 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment had returned to UK and in fact by September 1954 would have been firmly established in Berlin B.I.B  so it might well be worth while making enquiry's on that line. It is a very definite possibility.
So having quaffed your wine and had a good nights sleep I too will say adieu for today.
Take care, Apai Tuai George.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

[george.theshed197]

Sorry Lads,
 Threw a  'wobbler' this a.m; Spent the morning at QA.
16 Manchester Regiment Lads + Cpl. Adrian anak Tangdang - Sarawal Rangers. 1951 - 1954 - Malaya.
May You All Rest In Peace
Apai Tuai George.

[autgoc]

Dear Apai George and All
I apologise for my long long silence. No I have not gone to Alaska as the lovely Alice speculated with regards to my absence hahaha...
I have however been very busy researching and also making contacts with Malaya veterans in Scotland. In fact I shall be travelling up to Inverness after the festivities to visit Fort George. More on that after my visit.
I shall return soon with more updates! Interesting ones too!!!


indu Sarawak Magdelene

[george.theshed197]

Hi there Roy,
I did respond to your recent Query re "AWOL" - but it would seem that it may have gone astray; hence this reminder for you.
I did mention my eye problem (I think)  I am having difficult and following a  trip to Specsaver,s they have advised me that I have a cataract problem and following further tests I will be having it sorted next Friday 31st March at St. Mary,s Hospital, Portsmouth and that hopefully that the other one will  be dealt with in due course and then I will be like Nelson for a couple of days - Aye Aye -sir.
Trust that yourself and Jean are both OK,and that I should be available again in a couple of weeks or so .
Take care and hopefully may try to sort out where  ibu Sarawak Magdelene may  have disappeared to ?
Regards to all at the Forum who presumably are just as curious as I am.
George and Alice.

[autgoc]

Nama rita Apai Tuai George?

Here's hoping all is well.
A very quick note just to say I have resurrected from the depths of the unknown...
I was out in Sarawak in April 2017.
Much to relate.

Indu Sarawak Magdelene xx

I miss you and Alice tremendously. Shall call soon for a telephonic conversation!

[george.theshed197]

I am currently struggling trying to respond to your message, will try again later.
 Apai tuai George

[autgoc]

Please Apai Tuai George...

There is no need to put yourself under unnecessary strain to respond to me on here. It is very good to hear yours and Alice's voices again after such a long time. My project has spiralled out of the proportion I had anticipated. It had, has and I know will be an emotional journey. As the days go by it is more apparent that I am fated to do this job.

I shall be putting pen to paper and have a letter sent down to you next week with details.

In the meantime...
Take care of yourself my one and only Apai Tuai George xx
My Love to both you and Alice xx


Indu Sarawak Magdelene

[autgoc]

Happy New Year 2018 Apai Tuai George, Alice and Everyone
I hope All's well. I'm truly truly sorry I've been absent!
I'll come back on tomorrow.

Indu Sarawak Magdelene x