Hello, I've recently "discovered" some pics my late Dad took during his time in the REME in Malaya. He was a regular, joined in 1947 and coming out in 1953. He never spoke of his army service, I don't think it was the happiest time of his life. I'd love to find out what he did and if I could track down his mates (or their families) to share the photos and see if they have anymore. I do not know what unit he was with so am sending for his military records, but any help in the meantime if some of the the photos "tell" anyone anything would be much appreciated. He's the chap with spectacles! Early doors cap badges - REME? LAD 81. Deployed with??? Does the 623 061 mean anything? (Don't know this chap) Same again (don't know this chap either) New berets and badges. Does anyone recognise these please? Better pic of the cap badge and a nice doggy! (Don't know this chap) What's the painted regiment thing above the car? Dad ended up as a Lance Corporal so must have done something right! He always said you could tell his vehicles, they had front and rear lights and b*gger all else! I hope you enjoy these, and anything they tell you clever peeps would be very much appreciated. I think this is a great board and really appreciate the chaps that have helped me so far (after posting in the wrong place!) and encouraged me to put these on here. Thank you. Lucy PS His name was Cliff Greaves if there's any old soldiers out there who think they recognise him! PPS ETA: These are the only place references on the photos: 1949-50, Muar, Malaya Dec 1948, Tanjong - near Malacca Dec 1948, Tampin Camp There's nothing on workshops.
On the table (picture 2) were signs of 40th Infantry Division (based in Hong Kong) and crossed kukries (should be) 17th Gurkha Division (but this is disputable as all three brigades from this division used same sign but with different background colour). Sign on the right side of the truck (pictures 3 and 4) is sign of the Malaya Command. Soldiers on the photos 5 and 6 belong to the Seaforth Highlanders. I don't think that it was 81 LAD, I'll see if I could find anything.
List of REME units in Malaya, Singapore and Malaysia REMEunitsMalaysia 81st Company RASC was based in Hong Kong during this period and maybe its LAD was at some time sent in Malaya (even though list above doesn't mention it). This is just guess. Sorry but I can't help with tactical signs.
In the 1944 and 1952 tables, 81 was the unit serial number for the senior Brigade Headquarters in an infantry division, so it could be their LAD? 26 Gurkha Bde (mentioned on p7 of this) was the senior brigade of 40 Div in Hong kong before it went to Malaya. 1 Seaforth were in Malaya and Singapore 1946-51, so that overlaps nicely with the period of the photo. I wouldn't like to guess which formation this match might represent as there was a lot of chopping and changing as the Malayan Emergency went on.
Gentlemen, very many thanks for your information and thoughts. I have sent the paperwork off to Glasgow for his records this weekend too. My brother says they were with the Seaforth Highlanders for some time (how he knows this I don't know!) so that stacks up. We're not aware of him being in Hong Kong. I have no internet at the moment (am doing battle with BT!) so am on a friend's computer briefly so if I don't reply quickly I'm very sorry. I appreciate everyone's help.
Glasgow have written back saying it will take ages for them to respond so any further help much appreciated! If you'd like any other pics please shout. I have one with an aircraft "landed" upside down.....!
In the first pic the cap badges could very well be the new REME badge, which was first issued in 1947. PS will also look through craftsmen of the army when I get time over next couple of days, it is a history of REME and may shed further light on pics.
well nothing much to add that's not already been said, except that Muar was a garrison town with REME workshops. The truck in picture three looks to be a Dodge 1Ton. A website click here has a story of REME in Malaya in early fifties and gives a general account of life in the army at this time. And another of the seaforth highlanders in Malaya click here.
The regiment thing in pic 7 looks like crossed swords with kings crown? can't make out the writing below, but could this be a Headquarters?
