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Help in finding some information

Started by Tracy Timperley, August 19, 2016, 07:39:19 PM

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Tracy Timperley

Hello  :)  I'm not sure if I'm the right place,  this is my first attempt at trying to find some information about my father.  My dad served in the Manchester Regiment. His name is Frank Timperley and he was in Malaya 1951. He was shot and badly injured,  thankfully he survived.

I would be very grateful for some advice on how to get some details regarding his service etc. I would love to get this information,  his grandchildren and family would like to learn more regarding his service. He has never really talked about this, i can only guess it was hard for him to discuss the horrors of the day he was shot.

Would you be able to point me in the right direction.

Kind regards

Tracy Timperley

rafboy

#1
Hi Tracy
On the home page scroll down to "Photos and Postcards Project" Click on "Photos and Postcards by Battalion" then scroll down to and click on "Far East Photos" then Click on "1st Battalion Malaya" there are several photos which may be of interest. This link will take you straight to them:  http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?topic=627.0
I was there with my parents, my father had served in the 1st Battalion and had transferred to the Royal Army Pay Corps but was sent to Malaya with the Battalion. I went to an Army Boarding School in the Cameron Highlands. After being wounded your father would most likely have spent time in the British Military Hospital Tana Rata Cameron Highlands and possibly the leave centre there or in Penang.

As an aside I was brought up in Timperley until I was 7 then lived there from 15 to 20.

Cliff
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

Tracy Timperley

Thank you very much for answering my questions  :)  i say 1951 because on the back of his picture it says Malaya 1951 and underneath that it says Malaya 1851. I will get my son to look at his medals. I'm informed he spent 13 mths in hospital,  and his friends gave blood to save him, I'm also told his stomach etc was removed and put back again, and my mum informs me that he is in the medical records in some book at a teaching hospital in London.

All i can say is he had some amazing friends and the medics to. I'm sure without all the help he got he would of never come home. You guys are true heroes and my family would like to say a big thank you to you all.

Tracy Timperley

Thank you very much George and Cliff, any info i get is much appreciated!!

Robert Bonner

Tracey.
Your Father was wounded in an ambush which took place on or about 26th October 1951. The incident is fully recorded in Jungle Bashers published in 2002 but I'm afraid the book is now out of print.  However here is an extract from page 22 which should answer many of your questions.

Once again the terrorists were met by soldiers from (S) Support Company.  On this occasion a composite platoon mainly consisting of men from the Assault Pioneer Platoon went out in Police vehicles to investigate a report of terrorists having burnt some buses outside the village of Terap and who were now hiding in a nearby rubber estate. Lieutenant Dick Ballinger quickly formed a patrol of soldiers and moved off in the Police trucks. Before reaching Terap the group debussed and patrolled the hillside in case of any ambush but without result.  Driving into the village the small convoy was ambushed by terrorists standing up and firing at the trucks.  Fortunately the trucks had open sides and the soldiers opened fire vigorously on their attackers.

The drivers drove through the 'danger zone' of the ambush and when clear everyone debussed  and made a flanking attack on the site of the ambush.  The terrorists fled leaving behind a large amount of blood on the ground, from either a severely wounded or dead comrade.

2nd Lieutenant Noel Dobson, Corporal Murray, Privates Timperley 98, Taylor 63 and Griffin had all been wounded in the engagement.

Robert

artyhughes

Hello Tracy

I served with Frank in Malaya,unfortunately I cannot add to the information that has been posted by Bob,George and Cliff.Frank was a well liked soldier of the regiment and admired by his comrades and friends,great credit to the medics who attended to the wounded and the medical staff who cared for him,it is nice to know that Frank did not let his injuries dull his love of life.

Tracy Timperley

Robert and Artyhughes , I'm overwhelmed with grief and happiness at the same time, I'm sad he suffered but happy he was remembered. My father fought hard to fight cancer , sadly he lost the battle. He was a amazing husband,  father grandad and greatgrandfather, and a great friend to many. He did suffer through his injuries,  but never ever let us know he was suffering.

I shall get my hands on the book you spoke of. His grandchildren are in awe what my dad went through,  and we are so proud. I cannot express how much I'm grateful to you guys , thank you for remembering my dad . I wish i would of done this whilst he was alive, he would be like me overjoyed everybody cared and remembered.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart xx

rafboy

Hi Again Tracy

You may be able to borrow a copy of Jungle Bashers from your local library  but may have to wait a long time to get it.

It looks as though there are 2 used copies here but at a price of £86.09 : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jungle-Bashers-Battalion-Emergency-1951-1954/dp/1873907125

Product details

Hardcover: 152 pages
Publisher: Fleur de Lys Publishers; 1st edition (1 Nov. 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1873907125
ISBN-13: 978-1873907122


Check out second hand book shops you may get lucky.

Let us know if you manage to find a copy.

Do you know if your father was a regular or National Service?

You should be able to get his service records, the information etc on how to get them is here : https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/overview

Cliff 

Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

Tracy Timperley

Hi Cliff,  i have found the book on Amazon,  they are roughly around the £80-£90 , i have  looked at the library ref and it's in the Manchester Library :) going to go my local library in Oldham, and see if i can either read online or have a trip to Manchester.

I am so grateful you gents have helped me  :)  My mum and me feel very emotional today,  i can't express enough how thankful i am. My wonderful dad is looking down upon us and i know he will be chuffed you gent's have remembered him. I have the highest respect for all Servicemen past and present. Lest we forget and forever grateful.

Kindest regards

Tracy and family

Tracy Timperley

I forgot to add i shall ask my dads sister knows if he was a regular or national service.  I am going to get his service records, i have looked into that and i shall be sending for them.

Once again i thank you :)

Robert Bonner

Tracy.
As you live in the Oldham area I suggest that you pay a visit to the Local History Library in Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne where you will be able to read a copy of Jungle Bashers.  Speak nicely to the archivist and she will make you a photostat copy of page 22.

Whilst there you will be able to buy a copy of 1st Battalion the Manchester Regiment 1945 - 1958. (Price £18) This book covers the period that your Father served in Malaya but does not give any detail regarding the ambush. Telephone beforehand to check the library opening hours - 0161 342 4242.  I think that you and your family will find it of great interest.
Robert

Tracy Timperley

Thank you Robert,  i shall visit the library and i will definitely speak nicely :)  My son is very interested in reading all about Malaya . My son has been in the Duke of Lancs, he joined because of my dad.

I would like to say i am so glad i joined this site,  you have all be so nice and helpful,  i now know about my dad and his army days. It means alot to me and my mum, we now know what happened. He did speak about his army days (  he always told my son " if you can survive living in the jungle you can survive anything " ) but never mentioned the struggle he had. I have always admired him and was truly blessed having him as my dad.

Thank you for helping me each and everyone of you :)

rafboy

Tracy
Further to George's reply, I have scanned the page but I think the file is too large, it wont post here. It is not great definition as it is so I don't want to reduce it. I have sent you a PM with my email address.

Cliff
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

sphinx

#13
Hello,

If the photo is in Roberts book, the original will be in the Regimental Archives within the Local Studies at Ashton so you can always see the original.

If you are lucky it has already been copied onto microfilm and is available to buy from here:-

http://www.manchester-regiment.org.uk/

There are two Malayan period photos on there with a "Timperley" on there.  Take a look you may recogniose him.

regards

sphinx

George,

I am not replying to you? ???

I am replying to the originator of this thread, Tracy.

regards