DOWN MEMORY LANE: THE NANGA GAAT MEMORIAL, KAPIT , SARAWAK

One of my memories while carrying out river patrol duties on the Rejang River around 1983-84, when I was assigned to the River Patrol Boat, KD Sri Rejang, was that I often saw this memorial at Nanga Gaat, Kapit from my boat at that time.

The Nanga Gaat Memorial is a stone monument located at the confluence of the Gaat and Baleh rivers in Sarawak. It was erected in mid-June 1965 to honor members of the British security forces who lost their lives while serving at the Nanga Gaat forward operating base during the Indonesian Confrontation.

History and Significance

The memorial serves as a tribute to those who served at Nanga Gaat, which was a critical forward base for infantry battalions and naval air squadrons from 1963 to 1966.

• Design and Inscription: The memorial features inscriptions in four languages—English, Iban, Malay, and Chinese. The English panel explicitly lists the names of the fallen.
• Community Effort: The monument was a collaborative effort, with contributions coming from squadron personnel, the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, and local Iban communities. Two local Iban chiefs, Penghulu Kumbong and Penghulu Jimbong, were among its supporters.
• Land Ownership: The site is located on land belonging to the Linggi family, descendants of the famed Iban leader Temenggong Tun Jugah.

Tragic Incidents at Nanga Gaat

The memorial was primarily motivated by a series of tragic accidents in late 1964 and early 1965:

• November 17, 1964: Acting Petty Officer Michael Parry died when his longboat capsized.
• March 4, 1965: A Wessex helicopter engine failure resulted in the deaths of six men from the Royal Malay Regiment and one aircrewman.
• April 12, 1965: The most significant incident involved two Wessex 1 helicopters that collided in mid-air and crashed into the river while returning to base. This tragedy claimed the lives of both pilots, several members of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), and a medic from the Royal Army Medical Corps.

The Nanga Gaat Memorial is a solemn tribute to 16 members of the British and Malaysian security forces who died while serving at this remote forward base between 1964 and 1965.

Individuals Honored on the Memorial

The names on the memorial represent several different units, reflecting the multi-force nature of operations at Nanga Gaat during the Confrontation.

The Wessex Mid-Air Collision (April 12, 1965) The most significant tragedy involved two Wessex helicopters from the 845 Naval Air Squadron that collided over the river:

1. Lt R. Robertson, RN (Pilot)
2. S/Lt J. C. Hapgood, RN (Pilot)
3. NAM A. Rothwell (Aircrewman)
4. 2nd Lt C. J. Johnson (2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment)
5. Sgt P. McNeilly (2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment)
6. L/Cpl W. H. Murray (2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment)
7. Pte R. G. Green (2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment)
8. L/Cpl W. J. Jack (Royal Army Medical Corps)

The Engine Failure Crash (March 4, 1965) A Wessex 1 helicopter (XP108) suffered engine failure at Ulu Sungai Puro, killing seven men:

1. REA A. J. Williams (Aircrewman, 845 NAS)
2. Six soldiers from the Royal Malay Regiment (Askar Melayu DiRaja).

Other Casualties

1. Acting Petty Officer Michael Parry (Nov 17, 1964): Drowned when his longboat capsized in the river. He was originally buried in Sibu before being moved to the Cheras Road Commonwealth War Cemetery.
2. Lt J. A. C. Morgan, RN (April 9, 1965): Killed when his Hiller helicopter crashed shortly after take-off due to a tail rotor failure.

Maintenance and Current Condition

The memorial is unique because it is located on private land belonging to the Linggi family (descendants of the legendary Iban leader Temenggong Tun Jugah), who have acted as its guardians for decades.

• Refurbishment Efforts: The memorial has been refurbished multiple times by visiting veterans and active-duty units. Most notably, in March 2013, members of the 845 Naval Air Squadron (the "Junglies") returned to Nanga Gaat to clean and restore the stone as part of their 50th-anniversary celebrations.
• Current State: The monument remains standing at the confluence of the Gaat and Baleh rivers. While the jungle environment is harsh, the stone's inscriptions in English, Iban, Malay, and Chinese remain a point of pilgrimage for "Junglie" veterans.
• Local Connectivity: As of 2025/2026, infrastructure projects like the Nanga Melipis ferry ramp are improving access to these remote areas of Kapit, making it slightly easier for heritage groups to visit and maintain such sites.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

ex Riverine Craft crew

KD Sri Rejang (1983-84)

5/1/2026: 1.57 p.m