Had our car B1688 requisitioned by the Government. Promise to pay $2340 which is quite good. Cost $2200 in 1939. They also took over our lorry but paid nothing. So we took it back for our own use. Met Hector (customs) Richardson, Cuthbert Smith and several others. Some mail from evacue Post Office.
View MoreTold that Volunteers to go back to FMSVF at St. Patrick’s school. Richardson was not impressed “ Not an attractive outlook, for the Volunteers are always buggered about.” They all commenced leave. Worst raid on Asiatic quarters with over 1000 casualties (400 dead). Richardson was staying with a friend, J.C. Thompson, until longer term accommodation…
View More45 Japanese planes over Singapore 0915hrs. Pollock, Ross and Richardson were quite near the spot where some bombs fell. This was the first serious mass raid on the indigenous area of Singapore. Heavy casualties. Extraordinary attitude of European residents; they do not seem to realise there is a war and that the Japanese are not…
View MoreWent along to HQ AIF some 4 miles back and met Col. Kent-Hughes regarding joining up with AIF. Nothing doing yet because of our attachment to the Independent Company.
View MoreThese orders to disband were actually passed on by Malaya Command, and when the CO pointed out that the Company was part of Command Troops, and asked since when had Corps been given power to disband Command Troops, no little consternation followed. The CO had an interview with General Percival who instantly countermanded the orders…
View MoreA most unexpected and pleasant surprise to meet Doris like this. Doris and Grace (Harral) had brought the De Soto (car) down together with a little luggage; none of it Richardson’s. No news or orders for us in camp, so Richardson stayed at a friend’s house. Pollock, Ross and most of the British Other Ranks…
View MoreThe following are some observations by Major Fearon, Commanding Officer of the Independent Company, regarding road transport during the Malayan Campaign: Perhaps one of the most exhausting features of the Campaign was the almost continual movement (by road) by night without proper lighting. It was found that drivers would frequently go to sleep driving to…
View MoreFrom Richardson’s account, while still in BATU PAHAT, lots of mosquitoes and sandflies made sleep rather difficult. Japanese recce plane was fired on by ant-aircraft battery. A little while later 3 planes heavily bombed and mahine gunned anti-aircraft battery. believed two planes shot down. Battery forced to shift. About midday, sudden burst of machine gun…
View MoreResult of previous day’s engagement with the enemy: Platoon was heavily attacked by the Japanese with machine guns and other light automatics. Dobson killed, Gilchrist and Spencer missing, presumed dead. Pollock and Sgt. Collins have light flesh wounds as do two Gerwallis. Fairly heavy bombing and machine guns over anti-aircraft positions at Ind Coy HQ….
View MoreIncident near Minyak Beku As background, Fearon’s account for the 16th of January states: Just after dawn, a report was received from 1Platoon to the following effect. A large Chinese junk had crossed the mouth of the river moving south and had failed to answer recognition signals flashed by the Platoon. Following the junk were…
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