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Pte Malcolm Harrison 19030370 19 June 1952

Started by AB64, January 24, 2014, 08:37:41 PM

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AB64

Hi,
I'm looking for any information Pte Harrison, from the following thread http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?topic=5803.0 it gives a good account of what happened but any more information would be most welcome, also could anyone tell me what kind of scout car accompanied the patrol?

Thanks in advance

Alistair

george.theshed197

Hi Alistair,
I remember the incident very well. I lost five good friends that day, in actual fact that item came into existence by my response to a query from Kingo (the writer) relating to the Ambush and to my surprise he had written the article as a result.

Since that time I have aged and with age came problems of my heart etc including a couple of stroke in recent years one if which resulted in my complete loss of what is called 'RECENT MEMORY' - a strange situation - I can remember back to possibly back to just BEFORE the first stroke BUT  not a single bit since other than day to day.
Sorry to drivel on there but trying to explain items.

Go onto Google and look for British Army Scout Cars - 1950 if my memory serves me right I think they were called FERRETS. - the smallest type carrying driver and gunner/signaller with a mount for twin Brens or Gas/op Vickers with internal caliper control (360 degree).

The item as printed in our Forum is the only report anywhere, it is taken from Capt. Bonner's book 'Jungle Bashers'.
At that time I was a Cpl. in B Company and we went overland (on foot) attempting to make contact with the Terrorists on their way back into Thailand to their base, but despite having crossed their trail we missed them and in those days we were not allowed to cross the Border.

All the best, if you go into the Forum Photographs of that period their is at least one shot of Charlie Sheffield's Ferret Scout Car 'KOHIMA' on a village search around 1952.

George.

george.theshed197

#2
Thanks to friends of the Forum - here is the photograph in question.

Re: 1st Battalion Malaya

« Reply #27 on: July 01, 2011, 02:38:28 PM »
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Charlie Sheffield and his 'Tin-Can' on the Screening Op.
 




* Charlie Sheffield's Tin Can.jpg (45.45 KB, 664x434 - viewed 2 times.)


 George.

PS. Please note - this is not the Scout Car that was on the Ambush !!!

AB64

Hi George,
Thanks for getting back to me.

I collect militaria and have a real interest in Army Book 64's, the Soldiers Service and Paybook - I have just got hold of Private Harrisons book, hence my interest in him, hopefully I can treat it with the respect it deserves and finding his story to keep with it is a good start.

I don't think it would be a ferret, I was thinking a Daimler which I believe "Kohima" to be.

From looking about the forum I had the impression "Jungle Bashers" would be useful to my research but hadn't any luck online trying to find a copy.

Ideally I can find a photo showing Private Harrison.

Thanks again

Alistair

george.theshed197

#4
Hi Alastair.
All due respect. if I remember rightly You could in fact be referring to the Larger Version. Daimler. known as 'Staghounds' they were the ones that were used by  'The Lancers etc and similar formerly Cavalry ' covering the road up to the Cameron Highlands on the daily convoys up and down the 'Black Road' (under which catergory it came under).

Another of the Mods 'Rafboy' could tell you all  about those, he used to go to the School at Cameron Highlands and covered that journey many many times escorted by the Staghounds, - his father was a close friend of mine in the Battalion, one time a POW with the Japs taken prisoner in Singapore, was on the 'Death Railway' along with many of the Regiment, survived fortunately and  re-joined the Bn in Wuppertal and transferred to the Pay Corps and was ultimately posted back to his original Bn The 1st Bn The Manchester Regiment.

George.

PS. My research shows that they, the Ferrets ,were ALVIS. ;D ;D ;D Sorry.

PPS. You will have some difficulty trying to find a copy of 'Jungle Bashers' but I wish you well in your venture.

artyhughes

Hi again George,Dingo is the small armoured car I think,the crew consisted of a driver,wireless op,commander/gunner,armoured with either a single LMG or twin LMG's

AB64

Hi,
I think I was mixing up my scout cars earlier - I now think it may have been a Humber http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humber_Scout_Car but that's just a thought, I believe Ferrets and Staghounds had turrets and the write up of the ambush mentions a remote controlled Bren rather than a turret mounted and these seem to have been used on Humbers - also the Ferret seems to have used a 30 cal and the staghound a 37mm. I like seeing armoured/scout cars but don't really know much about who used what and when, plus I get the names mixed up.

Regards

Alistair

rafboy

Yes George I certainly do remember that ride up and down the road to the Cameron Highlands in those lovely comfortable coffins NOT.
I am attaching photos which are in the Photos by Battalion (Far East Photos (1st Bn Malaya)) section of the forum.  As you will see we had a mixed escort, not sure which type they were.  This is the link to KOHIMA's photo. http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=627.0;attach=12264
Also a link to another one named CAMBRAI.  http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=627.0;attach=14500
Cliff
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

mack

it was most likely a daimler MkIII[dingo]in the report,it says they were able to drive away,that sounds like this vehicle,it had "run flat"tyres which enabled it to perform when the tyres had been damaged by gunfire.

mack ;D

george.theshed197

#9
Thanks for that (Cliff and Mac) lads.
George,

PS. My son ,Sean, has just reminded me - the smaller Scout car such as we had were called DINGOS.
Whether the tyres were Run-flats or not Mack I don't know but  from the photos I saw from Bert Blundell in Kroh 'they were definitely in 'Shreds' but again on reading the article and the statement from Cliff Holland the Driver of the S.C. the vehicle did not have to travel back to the ambush very far away.