42 Commando RM - Sarawak July - October 1963
by John A Bailey

With the initial Brunei Revolt successfully brought under control and a period of so- called Rest and Relaxation in Singapore. On July 1st most of 42 Commando RM found themselves embarked on HMS Albion once again bound for Sarawak. There had also been a change in command.  In May Col E.R.Bridges had departed Singapore for the Amphibious centre at Poole, ending a command which commenced facing Kassem at Kuwait and ended quelling the rebellion in Brunei. Under his command the Commando had made its mark in Mombasa, Hong Kong, Australia, Aden, Bahrain, North Borneo and the Thai border.

Major Richard Bavin, the Staff Officer Operations also left for the Joint Warfare School. Maj Darling became SOO and Major Alex Higson, took over K Company. Some of us knew Maj Higson when he was Adjutant at Eastney Barracks where he was often seen on horseback preceded by his Alsatian dog named Bismark.

Lt. Col B.I.S.Gourlay RM was now in command as we steamed out of Singapore on HMS Albion, wondering what the future had in store for us.  At least we now had 24  hours for some rest and relaxation albeit in our usual cramped bunk space area, or on the flight or weather decks. With that preverbal Tannoy message “Fuel danger flight deck no smoking on weather decks or gun sponsons” or “close all bathroom ejectors permission to open must be obtained from HQ1” where ever that was. The night life of Singapore and Nee Soon was passing into our distant memory.

 

We arrived in Sarawak on July 2nd and elements of K and M Companies were flow by helicopters to forward locations and into border ambush positions.  That night a patrol from 40 Commando and K company carried out a successful ambush and killed a known terrorist. The change over with 40 Commando RM continued using minesweepers and helicopters.  42 Commando’s task was to cover the 1st Division of Sarawak, being the most western part of the State containing a high population and the administrative capital of Kuching. The border with Indonesia is about 180 miles in length and whilst clearly shown on maps, lacked clarity on the ground. Land Dyaks owned houses and land in small clearings on both sides of the border. Behind these frontier Kampongs some larger urban areas existed containing large Chinese communities. Many of these communities were opposed to the formation of  Malaysia which was to take place on the 16th Sept 1963; perhaps fearing that the new state would threaten their race.

The Malaysia agreement dated 9th July 1963 was between the Federation of Malaya, the United Kingdom, North Borneo, Sarawak  and Singapore. It was agreed that there shall be federated the States of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore with the Federation of Malaya comprising the States of Pahang, Trengganu, Kedah, Jahore, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Selangor, Perak, Perlis, Penanug and Malacca, and that the Federation shall thereafter be called “Malaysia”.  The perceived fear related to the formation of Malaysia had been exacerbated by the communists who set up the anti government party known as the Clandestine Communist Organisation (CCO). The Unit was therefore faced with a threat on the border from Indonesian based terrorists, and possibly internally by an armed up rising by the CCO. With the creation of Malaysia, political and military antagonism between Malaysia and Indonesia developed and lead to what was known as the Indonesian confrontation.

42 Commando was deployed along the border with each rifle company having a large area of responsibility, as well as protecting the friendly border dwellers. Winning the Hearts and Minds of local people is always a major plus in jungle warfare and Royal Marines are unequalled in this field. Whether providing sweets from 24 hour ration packs to upset children, or by the Medical Officer (MO) or Sick Berth Attendants (SBA’s) providing a make shift “National Health Service” to needy mothers and children.

Conditions on the border varied in each area, however in most cases they consisted of fortified camps from which small patrols went out for several days on reconnaissance and ambushes.  By the middle of August one was getting to know the area and local people well. The occasional trip wire was triggered or beer cans rattled in the night. The cans having been attached to the perimeter wire for additional warning. No attacks were mounted on Unit positions until the latter half of August. In L Company’s Bau area, intelligence reports suggested that attacks were likely. Then Gumbang was attacked 3 times in quick succession, but on each occasion the attacks were beaten off without loss and casualties inflicted on the enemy. Whilst there was further evidence that the enemy had come over the border, they appear to want to avoid contact with our forces.

Dogs also played an important role and the first approved course for training RM dog handlers was completed at the end of June 1963. Alsatian dogs used by the unit on operational activities came mainly from the United Kingdom and Germany. They arrived quite inexperienced and were then trained by the No.2 War Dog Training Unit under the supervision of the R.A.V.C. which then had units in Cyprus, Kenya, Hong Kong and Germany.

We were lucky to have Capt C.C. Morgan RM as the Quartermaster, who quickly assessed re-supply issues realising that the rainy season would soon be upon us and could disrupt airdrops by grounding all fixed wing aircraft and some helicopters. He used various modes of transport and recounted a river trip on the launch ‘Burong Wara’ to his son in a letter back home which he later published. I recall him coming into the Intelligence Office in Semengo Camp after one of these journeys asking me to get him a Pimms No 1 from the Officer mess. Yes he knew they had it! We used to believe he could get anything!

One unusual helicopter seen in support at the time was the Westland Belvedere Mk 1. Whilst a Squadron had supported 99 Brigade in Brunei, a fatal accident in May 1963 caused a two months cessation to the Squadron’s operational flying but by mid- July three aircraft were flown onto HMS Albion for work in the Kuching area. All Squadron’s personnel were living with 42 Commando at Semengo Camp.  42 Commando RM’s Command HQ was at Semengo Camp near Kuching and the Commando was supported by 145 Battery RA. C Company 1/10 Gurkhas, C Squadron, Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars , 300 Border Scouts, and the Police Force. The Border Scouts were locally trained Dyaks who operated under Gurkha NCOs in sections of 10 men.

Cpl Cheshire RM and a group of us had to spend a couple of nights in a remote jungle spot protecting a crashed helicopter, before it could be lifted out in parts by other helicopters.

Whilst some free time was spent playing volley ball, we had several films shows, set to a programme personally supervised by RSM Deakin.  This was also the first time some of us had heard of the Beatles it was after all the 1960’s.  New personnel arriving from UK explained how good the Beatles were, as well as telling us what else was happening on the pop scene.  Later in Aden in 1966 I remember the Hussars often singing “we all live in a yellow armoured car” rather than a submarine, when on patrol and I often wondered whether they were the same Hussars from back in Borneo.  

At Semengo Camp their was separate film shows at the Officers, and Sergeants Mess as well as the other ranks canteen. The locations of Serian and Bau had two shows a week  whilst Lundu and Sematan had one.  Mne Wellstead kept the films running for the first month at Semengo Camp and then Mne Alland . In all 95 films were shown and 70 cartoon and newsreels.

During this time I also met two other Officers of 42 Commando RM - Lt Paddy Ashdown (Former Lib Dem Leader) and Lt Alan Hooper who later became Company Commander and 2 I/C respectively of E.Company 41 Commando RM in Belfast 1970 when I was 3 Troop Sergeant - Small world.  Malaysia Day took place of the sixteenth of September 1963 and the last Governor left Kuching and Sarawak, and in mid October we handed over once more to 40 Commando. Singapore later left the federation.  

The Unit also had the painful task of recording the tragic death of Second Lieutenant Graham Rolls on active Service at his troop location in Sarawak on 1st August 1963. He joined 42 Commando on 24th March 1963 and was posted to Lima Company on its return from Brunei and was given command of 4 Troop.  The loss of an officer of such character, charm and ability was felt by all of us, and in particular L Company and his troop who worked and lived with him. The Unit sent their deepest sympathy to his parents and relatives.

 

John A Bailey