The Malayan Emergency

Above: L-R Warrant Officer Class Two Balsillie with Craftsman Finney - Sergeant Bommer Brown Vehicle Mechanic (replaced Sergeant Goodhew in 1960)

By 16 June 1948 Malaya had become yet another of the world’s trouble spots where RAEME personnel would be deployed. On that day, three estate managers were murdered by guerrillas of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) in Perak State. Two days later, the Malayan Government declared a state of emergency which became known as the Malayan Emergency and was to last for almost 12 years. During that time, the Malayan Government supported by the Armed Forces of the British Commonwealth conducted counter-insurgency operations against the MCP. Australia’s involvement in the Emergency began with the deployment of an advance party of No.38 Squadron RAAF to Changi Airfield, Singapore on 19 June 1950. The Australian Army’s main involvement commenced during April 1955, with deployment of 2 RAR with artillery and engineering support. However, RAEME troops were on the ground, during the Emergency, as early as November 1952. At that time three RAEME members were with No. 2 Station Workshop at Kluang and one RAEME NCO was attached to HQ 63 Ghurkha Infantry Brigade. While insignificant numerically, the Corps played an important role throughout the Emergency. During the larger Australian commitment, RAEME support comprised a Light Aid Detachment (LAD) of one officer and 12 Other Ranks. A further six tradesmen were attached to the Battalion and a section of tradesmen formed part of 28 Commonwealth Independent Infantry Brigade Workshop.
By 1959, 105 Field Battery, RAA with LAD had been replaced with 101 Field Battery and attached LAD. They were based at Malacca on the west coast of Peninsula Malaya and busily engaged providing support to the Battery and other units as required. Of particular interest is the cohort of RAEME tradesmen who comprised the LAD at that time. A twist of fate brought together a unique group of men who over the next decade went on to influence the future of the Corps. The RAEME tradesmen of 101 Field Battery’s LAD were:

ASM Warrant Officer Class Two Andrew John (Jack) Balsillie, enlisted in the Permanent Army in 1945 as a Workshop Apprentice. As an ARA member he rendered operational service in Malaya and South Vietnam. Other postings included 26 Field Regiment, Melbourne Area Workshops, 3 Base Workshop and HQ Battery, 4 Field Regiment. He retired with the rank of Major in 1985. Jack had a strong interest in military history and also worked for the Australian War Memorial (AWM). In 1970 Jack Balsillie’s work at the AWM was recognised with the award of the MBE (Civil).

Craftsman Armament Fitter Richard (Dick) Finney enlisted in the ARA in 1953. He rendered operational service in Malaya and in South Vietnam as a Sergeant with 101 Field Battery LAD, 1 Fd Regt20 from 19 June 1966 to 10 June 1967. Dick retired from the Army in 1984 as a Warrant Officer Class One.

Sergeant Vehicle Mechanic Robert (Bommer) Brown enlisted in the Interim Army in 1945 and the ARA in 1947 and was discharged as a Warrant Officer Class One during 1974. As a Corporal attached to 3 RAR, he rendered operational service in Korea from 16 December 1951 to 28 February 1952 and with 9 other RAEME soldiers as a member of the 16 British Commonwealth Infantry Workshop from 12 March 1952 to 14 January 1953. The balance of his service was in support of RAA22 units.

Craftsman Electrician Colin Fogarty enlisted in the ARA in 1955 and served at 3 Base Workshop, 101 Field Batty LAD, 26 Field Regiment, and 1 Armoured Regiment. In 1964 he took discharge and joined the police force. In 1967 he enlisted in the CMF, again serving in RAEME, and rose to the rank of Captain retiring in 1978. In 1985 he was awarded the Australian Police Medal.

Sergeant Vehicle Mechanic James (Jim) Goodhew enlisted in the Militia in 1941 and transferred to the AIF in 1942. At the end of World War II he transferred to the Interim Army and in 1947 to the ARA, serving continuously from 1941 to 1970, his postings included 26 Field Regiment, HQ Northern Territory Command Workshop, and Western Command. He took discharge from the Army in 1970.

Corporal Vehicle Mechanic Dusty Miller enlisted in the ARA in 1954 and spent the majority of his service as RAEME attached to Artillery units. He took discharge in 1981 as a Sergeant.

Corporal Vehicle Mechanic Don Cook enlisted in the ARA in 1955. He rendered operational service in Malaya and in South Vietnam with 5 Coy RAASC from 27 November 1969 to 26 November 1970. He took discharge from the Army as a Sergeant in 1983.

Corporal Armament Fitter Laurie Hancock enlisted in the ARA in 1952. After deploying to Malaya, he saw service with 26 Field Regiment LAD, 4 Base Workshop and 4 Field Regiment LAD. He was posted to the RAEME Training Centre as a Warrant Officer Class Two and later promoted to the rank of Captain, serving at 1 Field Regiment LAD and 1 Base Workshop. He retired from the Army in 1979.

Corporal Vehicle Mechanic Neville Smith enlisted in the Australian Army Supplement in 1953 and prior to operational service in Malaya he served at 3 Base Workshop, Melbourne Area Workshop and 1 Armoured Regiment LAD. From 1961 to 1965 he served in a number of RAEME postings and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. From 14 May 1966 to 04 May 1967, he rendered operational service as a Warrant Officer Class Two with HQ 1 ATF25 in South Vietnam. He also served in Singapore and Melbourne before retiring as a Warrant Officer Class One during 1976.

Craftsman Fitter & Turner Dale (Gabby) Hayes enlisted in 1955 as a 10th Intake Army Apprentice and retired in 1985 as a Warrant Officer Class One. He rendered operational service in Malaya during 1959 with 101 Field Battery LAD and at Butterworth Airfield in Malaysia26 with 111 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery during 1964. Gabby rendered further operational service in South Vietnam as a member of the 1st Australian Logistic Support Company from 17 September 1965 until 18 April 1966 when he was severely injured requiring medical evacuation to Australia. His numerous postings included Army Office, DGEME (Materiel Branch) and the Malaysian Armed Forces Manufacturing Workshop.

Craftsman Storeman Harold James Holmes enlisted in the ARA in 1952 and rendered operational service in Malaya during 1959 and South Vietnam from 28 May to 22 December 1966 as a Warrant Officer Class Two in 101 Field Workshop. In 1967 he was appointed QM/ADJ at RAEME Training Centre and promoted to Captain. He was promoted to Major in 1974 and retired in 1977

Craftsman Recovery Mechanic Don McKenzie enlisted in the Regular Army Supplement in 1952. He rendered operational service in Malaya with 101 Field Battery LAD and he also served with 26 Field Regiment LAD. He took discharge in 1964. Craftsman Vehicle Mechanic Douglas (Mel) Myers enlisted during 1954 as a 9th Intake Army Apprentice and was discharged as a Warrant Officer Class Two during 1969. He rendered operational service in Malaya, Borneo and in South Vietnam as a Sergeant with 17 Construction Squadron Workshop from 11 April 1966 to 22 April 1967.

Craftsman Vehicle Mechanic George Wood served in the ARA from 1958 until 1966. He rendered operational service in Malaya and Defence service in a range of postings. Craftsman Vehicle Mechanic Barry David (Ben) Goddard enlisted in 1955 as a 10th Intake Army Apprentice. His operational service was in Malaya with 101 Field Battery and 103 Battery LAD, South Vietnam. In Australia he served at 2 Base Workshop. He was discharged in 1964.

This is an impressive record for a detachment with an authorised strength of just twelve men.

The above article is an extract from the Corps History Book 'With Skill and Fighting - Craftsmen of the Australian Army 1942 - 2014'