Malaya

Formation of The British Battalion

Adjutant C O'N Wallis.

At Ipoh there was a brief rest, and it was here that on 20^th December 1941, the British Battalion was formed from the remnants of the 2^nd Bn The East Surrey Regiment and the 1^st Bn The Royal Leicestershire Regiment. The latter had suffered severe losses in the earlier fighting, particularly at Jitra, and was less than 150 all ranks strong. Here, too, the respective Brigade Headquarters were amalgamated to form the 6/15^th Indian Infantry Brigade which now consisted of the British Battahon the 1/14^th Punjab and a combined battalion of Jats and Punjabis.

The British Battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Morrison MC, the redoubtable commander of the 1^st Leicesters. The Surreys provided the Adjutant, Major Wallis, the Carrier Officer, Lieutenant Bingham, the Quartermaster, Captain Gingell, Captains Bruckmann and Vickers, commanding C and D Companies respectively, and a number of platoon commanders. The strength of the British Battalion was made up to War Establishment of 760 all ranks, but there was a shortage of light machine guns and mortars.

After a few days rest at lpoh, the 6/15 Brigade was ordered to take up a defensive position at Kampar, about 40 miles to the south. The Bntish Battalion spent the last week of December 1941 in preparing the position by digging, wiring and clearing fields of fire.

In spite of the urgency of the situation, Christmas Day was not overlooked. The Leicesters' Regimental History records, "Captain Gingell, the Quartermaster, worked wonders on Christmas Day, and everyone got a ration of beer as well as turkey and other sorts of livestock. The Battalion Chaplain visited the Battalion and held a short service". It was the calm before the storm.

East Surrey Officers Who Served in The British Battalion

Battalion Headquarters
Adjutant		Captain C O'N Wallis
Quartermaster		Captain W G Gingell
Headquarter Company
Captain E A L Andrews		Captain A C A Cater
Captain WAG Edwards		Captain E A F Howard
Captain A J H Martin
Lieutenant J T Barnard		Lieutenant L P B Bingham
Rifle Company C
Captain PAC K Bruckmann		Lieutenant B F Boothby
Lieutenant R P Cave		Lieutenant R H Cross
Lieutenant M G D Edmonson		Lieutenant G B Falkner
Lieutenant R C Humphries		Lieutenant R J Randolph
Lieutenant H P Sharland
Rifle Company D
Captain W G Vickers		Lieutenant S S Abbott
Lieutenant R H V Bobe		Lieutenant T R Bond
Lieutenant J D Carter		Lieutenant R H Colis
Lieutenant D H Leage		Lieutenant R D O'C Thompson

 

In addition, the following East Surrey officers were serving in Malaya on the staff or at extra-regimental employment in December 1941.

Appointments are believed to be as shown.
Major R A Chidson		Adjutant, 7 Malaya Reinforcement Camp
Major F J Crafter		HQ Malaya Command
Major FA H Magee		DAAG, HQ Malaya Command
Major D F Orme		OC Rest Camp, Penang Island
Major C E Poole		GS02, HQ Malaya Command
Major M C Russell		DAQMG, HQ ABDAC at Lembang
Capt F M J Halliday		Staff Captain, HQ 2 Malaya Inf Bde
Lieut S C A N Bishop		HQ Penang Fortress
Lieut W M Smith		Adjutant Malaya OCTU

 

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