The Royal Navy
The Navy (Australian, New Zealand and British) played a key role in the Far East and we'd like to show more images and publish more stories on this page that we have dedicated to them.
HMS Lincoln - a ship that he served on in the seas around Malaya, Singapore, Brunei and Borneo in the period 1962-1963.
HMS Lincoln - a ship that served Malaysia
Pete Swann's Service
Pete has kindly sent us three images from his PJM days in Malaya-Borneo. These are wonderful, evocative, 'shots' of the critical Operations at Sea ... (Ed: I'm ex-Army ... these images are a timely reminder that it didn't all happen on land!)
HMS Ickford before going out to the Far East. She came out of mothballs in '64 and was transported as Deck Cargo on the RFA's.
Focs'le shot of crew under the 40mm Bofor Mounting. 17 crew including Officers. CO Lt. Essinghigh RN., later Admiral.
Engaging an Indonesian Kumpit containing infiltrators. Self (LRO(T) P. Swann) & AB Dickie Wyatt manning twin Vickers.
Your turn now!
If you would like to comment on this page, please click here and send us your thoughts.
And here are some comments we've received:
Subject = About Us
Comment =I was 17 years of age when I served aboard a warship in Malaya and Borneo waters from 1962-1963.
Receiving the GSM Borneo, we should have the same rights to wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal as can our Commonwealth friends.
(Geoffrey Green, UK - contact details supplied)
Subject = Operations at Sea
Comment =I left UK in September 1964 for the Far East on HMS Zest a Z Class Destroyer converted to a Type 15 Frigate with Cdr John Fiddian-Green RN in Command. We spent the next 14 months operating out of Singapore on patrol in the Malacca Straits weeks in and weeks out and for a change of scenery patrolling the waters of North Borneo around the Island of Sebatik and supporting our gun boats going up river from Tawau.
Delighted to learn that my small contribution has been honoured by the King and Government of Malaysia which I shall wear with great honour alongside the GSM Malaysia and Borneo Clasps.
No doubt the HD Committee concerned will Court Martial me!
(Hillmoore, UK - contact details supplied)
Subject = Operations at Sea
Comment =I served on HMS Ickford and saw the dirtier side of the confrontation in 1964, both in the Singapore Straits and Borneo. Please let those who gave life and limb wear their medal with pride. We had the task of bringing the above mentioned vets home to safety. A job that was not pleasant.
(Pete - contact details supplied)
