Borneo Headhunters

[george.theshed197]

Afternoon Rizal,
A lot of those photographs of that period in my albums are beginning to fade and discolour I regret to say in particular some of those taken on operations and are totally unsuitable when scanned.
You are more than welcome to use each and everyone I have sent to this site, I will continue to look for others, my main regret being that I did not have the full names of each of the trackers concerned since my Roll Books disappeared long ago, someone has them that's for sure.
I have also been searching for the Platoon Office sign made for me by our Pioneer Sgt. Ted Widdowson as I am positive you would love to see a photograph of that - basically it consisted of an Eagle wings spread with the Union Flag in its beak and 'Iban Tuffs' above that, painted in brilliant colours on a piece of hardboard about A4 size and I have treasured it for many years now, I will continue to look for it, it has to be in the house somewhere.
Meanwhile as it is only 1315 here I will simply say Selamat Hari ( if my memory serves me rightly).

George.

[rizalbob]

........... '...rubbishing the system and powers that be in K.L. which prevented us from following up across the border into Siam.' That was the major problem in that corner of Negri Perak and why we had so little success in kills there.

George.

We were still burdened by the same problem right to the very day the CPM gave up their armed struggle in 1989. After ambushing our troops they would slip back across the border into Thailand and there was absolutely nothing we could do. By that time, time was also running out on them. Most of them were elderly. They couldn't recruit new cadres. The sustained operations to deny them the masses support were bearing fruits. They had to save face and called for a compromise.

Rizal

[george.theshed197]

OOOOPs, Advice please -- can anyone rotate this picture for me?
George.

[rizalbob]

Dear George,

Thanks a million for that precious photograph. It has shed a lot of light on the early beginning of the reformed Sarawak Rangers.

I have checked with the Army's records here in Kuala Lumpur and there seemed to be some records of the Rangers kept in the archive. Records of the Trackers, however, are not available.

Rizal

[george.theshed197]

My pleasure Rizal to have been of such help to you,
At least you have the picture whilst the folk elsewhere on this site will have to do a contortionist act to view it. I am still trying to work out what has happened because in my PC the photograph is perfectly ok and not standing on end.
I am also pleased to hear that Kuala Lumpur Army HQ has got some of the Ranger Records which will hopefully give you all the details of the Ibans in the two photographs ( adda banyak banyak bagus).
I will continue to look through my 'archives' and see what other, if any, gems I can find.
Take care and keep in touch.
George.

[rafboy]

Hope this helps.
Cliff

[rizalbob]

Dear George,

Can you name the officers seated at the front row of both platoons? Who are the gentlemen in white?

Thanks again.

Rizal

[george.theshed197]

Hi Cliff,
Many thanks for that rotation - I owe you one,
George.

[george.theshed197]

Selemat Datai Rizal,
The Officer in the centre of both photographs was Lt. Col (Dickie) BAIRD, an Australian from Tasmania I believe who had been appointed as Officer Commanding Sarawak Rangers (presumably by General Sir Gerald TEMPLAR who had been appointed High Commissioner (C-in-C) following the murder of the previous H.C.) The Officer from the Manchester Regiment on the first one was 2/Lt. SHWARZ, a N.S. officer acting as the Bn Intelligence Officer at that time. (Protocol, British Army, type, in those days - as Platoon Sgt I could take them into action with potential fatal results but I was not allowed to sign for them!!!) Ridiculous - however.
The W.O.II was from the Royal West Kents but I am not too sure of his name (might have been Bill WALKER)and the two gentlemen in white were I understand the Agents from Kuching involved in the recruiting of Ibans. Other than that I have no ideas at all - the photographs were sent to me a couple of weeks after I had picked the platoon up and although I wrote to Col. Baird asking for names, details etc I never received any response unfortunately.
Any other questions you may have I will do my best to try to remember and give you an answer.
Regards,
George.

[rizalbob]

Dear George,

Thanks. Your memory is crystal clear!

My suggestion to bring back the remains of the Trackers and Sarawak Rangers to Sarawak is now fully backed by the Sarawak State Government. I paid a call to the Deputy Chief Minister a week ago to brief him on what we have done and require. The State is picking up the case and will do what they have to do at the National level. You can read it in my blog: http://pgbwarrior.blogspot.com/

Rizal

[george.theshed197]

Hi again Rizal,
I have just read your latest blog update and am now printing it off to keep as my souvenier of events after my time with the Ibans.
I congratulate you on your progress to date and wish you every success in having got the backing of the Sarawak State Government to bring home the remains of those gallant Ibans who died in the conflict.
It is nice to see 'true democracy in fulfilling the wishes of the people' being carried out in this way.
I will continue with my searching for any other possible materials I may have that could be of interest to you.
Cheers for now,
George.

[rizalbob]

Thanks George. I would appreciate it very much.

Rizal

[george.theshed197]

Hello again,
Still not found the Platoon sign but am continuing the hunt, meanwhile here is another passible photograph of the First Platoon with Cpl. Adrian at the left of the centre rank on the rehearsals for the Passing Out Parade at Port Dickson.
I am still having problems handling photographs but at least you have copies of some of the earliest ones of the Sarawak Rangers now.
Take care,
George.

[rizalbob]

Dear George,

Thanks again for the precious photograph. Do you have close ups of the Rangers' cap badge?


Rizal

[george.theshed197]

Selemat Datai Rizal,
Unfortunately no - I will try to see if I can extract a beret and badge from one of the photographs and, if successful, will put it on here for you. As I said in one of my earlier messages, someone helped themselves to my beret and badge when I came home for my father's death, plus all of my personal gear including many local items that I had purchased to take home eventually. No one knew anything of course. However, that is all water under the bridge.
Surely someone out there must have an original somewhere. Mind you I seem to remember some years back that I wrote to a Militaria Dealer's address in Kuala Lumpour requesting one and never heard another thing from them. They must have been manufactured locally down in Malacca , maybe KL HQ might have some information on that score.
Take care,
George.