THE SERVICEWOMEN HONOURED

This commemorative poster, titled "Four Women. Four Lives of Service. One Lasting Legacy," honors the four American women buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. 

The Servicewomen Honored

• Sgt. Delores M. Browne
• Pfc. Mary H. Bankston
• Pfc. Mary Jewel Barlow
• Unit: Members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (popularly known as the "Six Triple Eight").
• Significance: The 6888th was the only all-Black, all-female Women's Army Corps (WAC) unit deployed overseas during World War II. They cleared multi-year backlogs of mail for millions of American personnel in Europe under the motto "No Mail, Low Morale".
• Tragedy: All three women died in the line of duty during a fatal Jeep accident in Rouen, France, on March 12, 1945. 

• Elizabeth Ann Richardson
• Organization: An American Red Cross volunteer.
• Tragedy: She lost her life in a Piper Cub plane crash near Rouen, France, on July 1, 1945, while supporting military morale efforts following the Allied victory.

Artistic Legacy

This historical tribute was commissioned by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) as part of a series of vintage-style commemorative travel posters. It explicitly highlights their final resting place among the thousands of white marble Latin crosses and Stars of David overlooking Omaha Beach.

OTHER WOMEN WHO SERVED OVERSEAS IN WWII

During World War II, approximately 350,000 American women served in uniform. While the vast majority were stationed on the home front, thousands were deployed to overseas theaters—including North Africa, Europe, the Pacific, and the China-Burma-India theater. 

The Army Nurse Corps (ANC) & Navy Nurse Corps

Military nurses were the most heavily deployed group of women during the war. They served dangerously close to the front lines. 

• Deployment: More than 14,000 Army nurses served overseas. They landed with assault troops in North Africa in 1942 and operated field hospitals just miles behind combat lines in Europe and the Pacific. 
• Prisoners of War: A total of 68 Army nurses and 11 Navy nurses were captured by Japanese forces in the Philippines in 1942. Known as the "Angels of Bataan and Corregidor," they endured nearly three years of brutal internment at Santo Tomas Internment Camp while continuing to treat sick and starving fellow captives. 

Women's Army Corps (WAC) Detachments

Beyond the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, thousands of other WACs served overseas in non-segregated units. 

• The European Theater: WACs served as bilingual switchboard operators, cryptographic clerks, and photographic analysts under General Dwight D. Eisenhower at his Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF).
• The Pacific Theater: WAC units were stationed in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. They worked around the clock in tropical climates as administrative staff, keeping military logistics moving. 
• Military Intelligence & Translation: In the Pacific, the military deployed Japanese-American (Nisei) women assigned to the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). They served as translators and interrogators, breaking code scripts and translating captured enemy documents. 

The American Red Cross (ARC) Volunteers

Tens of thousands of civilian women stepped up to serve in international war zones alongside the military.

• Clubmobiles: Red Cross workers drove specialized single-decker buses, known as Clubmobiles, straight to active military camps across Europe and Great Britain. They provided American soldiers with a touch of home by serving fresh doughnuts, hot coffee, and playing music.
• Casualties: Like Elizabeth Ann Richardson, many ARC volunteers operated in active flight paths and war zones, suffering high rates of fatal accidents and illnesses.

Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Spies

The precursor to the CIA, the OSS heavily relied on women to execute highly dangerous espionage missions behind enemy lines.

• Virginia Hall: A legendary American civilian spy who operated in Nazi-occupied France. Despite having a wooden prosthetic leg, she organized sabotage operations for the French Resistance, mapped drop zones for Allied supplies, and trained resistance fighters. The Gestapo considered her one of the most dangerous Allied spies.
• Barbara Lauwers: An OSS operative stationed in Rome who specialized in "Morale Operations" (psychological warfare). She successfully created counter-propaganda that convinced thousands of German and Czechoslovakian soldiers to surrender to Allied forces.

(Note: While the famous Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) flew military aircraft—including heavy bombers and fighter planes—their transport flights were strictly restricted to the borders of the United States and Canada, and they were never officially deployed overseas.) 

Reference:

1. Marshall Foundation : The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
2. Wikipedia : Angels of Bataan
3. Wikipedia : Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
4. National Park Service : Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

12 July 2026: 10.28 a.m

CAWANGAN ANJING PERANG ATM

Ini merupakan pintu masuk ke Cawangan Anjing Perang (kini dikenali sebagai Cawangan Serigala), sebuah unit elit di bawah Pusat Latihan Tempur Tentera Darat (PULADA) yang terletak di Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia. 

Tugu hitam berbentuk anjing di atas tiang tersebut dibina sebagai dedikasi dan penghormatan khas buat Ben, seekor anjing perang baka Labrador yang sangat berjasa kepada negara. 

Kisah Pengorbanan Anjing Perang 'Ben'

• Misi Utama: Pada 18 April 1974, sekumpulan 30 anggota komando bersama Ben telah diaturgerak ke Hutan Simpan Kinta, Perak untuk memburu sisa-sisa pengganas komunis ketika era Insurgensi. 
• Serang Hendap: Pasukan tentera telah diserang hendap oleh pihak musuh. Menyedari kebolehan luar biasa Ben dalam menjejak dan mengesan pergerakan, pihak musuh menjadikannya sebagai sasaran utama. [
• Gugur di Medan Perang: Ben terkena tembakan bertalu-talu daripada gerombolan komunis. Walaupun dalam keadaan cedera parah, Ben dilaporkan sempat merangkak ke kaki penjaganya (handler) sebelum menghembuskan nafas terakhir. 
• Tugu Peringatan: Jasad Ben kemudiannya dibawa pulang dan disemadikan dengan penuh penghormatan di dalam kawasan kem PULADA. Tugu ini dibina agar pengorbanannya sentiasa dikenang sebagai wira tidak bersuara negara. 

Peranan Unit Anjing Perang PULADA

Kini, cawangan ini bertanggungjawab melatih pelbagai baka anjing (seperti German Shepherd, Malinois, dan Labrador) untuk kegunaan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) yang dikelaskan kepada tiga peranan utama: 

1. Anjing Pengawal (Guard/Attack Dog): Digunakan untuk kawalan keselamatan, serbuan, dan operasi tempur khas.
2. Anjing Penjejak (Tracking Dog): Mengesan kedudukan musuh di dalam hutan atau kawasan operasi.
3. Anjing Pengesan Bahan Letupan (EDD): Digunakan bagi mengesan bom atau bahan letupan berbahaya. 

Unit ini sememangnya memainkan peranan yang amat kritikal bagi memastikan keselamatan negara, sama ada dalam medan tempur mahupun ketika bencana alam.

Berikut adalah perincian mengenai baka anjing yang digunakan serta peranan besar unit ini dalam misi Mencari dan Menyelamat (SAR):

Baka Anjing Pilihan ATM & Sifat Khususnya

ATM memilih baka anjing tertentu berdasarkan tahap kecerdasan, ketahanan fizikal, dan deria bau yang tajam:

• German Shepherd
• Sifat: Sangat setia, berani, mudah dilatih, dan memiliki fizikal yang tegap.
• Peranan: Utama untuk tugas Kawalan, Serbuan Tempur (Attack), dan Penjejakan Musuh.
• Belgian Malinois
• Sifat: Mempunyai tenaga yang sangat tinggi, pantas, tangkas, dan sangat fokus bekerja.
• Peranan: Sering digunakan dalam Operasi Khas/Komando, serangan hendap, dan rondaan taktikal.
• Labrador Retriever
• Sifat: Sangat mesra, tidak agresif, dan memiliki deria bau yang luar biasa sensitif.
• Peranan: Fokus sepenuhnya untuk Pengesan Bahan Letupan (EDD) dan Misi Menyelamat (SAR).

Peranan Unit Anjing Perang dalam Misi SAR Negara

Walaupun tugas utama unit ini adalah untuk pertempuran dan pertahanan militer, kepakaran anjing penjejak ini sering dikerah bagi membantu agensi awam (seperti Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat serta Polis Diraja Malaysia) dalam situasi kecemasan negara:

• Menjejak Mangsa Terperangkap (Misi K9 SAR)
• Mengesan mangsa yang tertimbus di bawah runtuhan bangunan atau tanah runtuh.
• Memanfaatkan deria bau yang mampu menembusi lapisan tanah atau sisa runtuhan yang tebal.
• Mencari Orang Hilang di Hutan (Jungle Search)
• Membantu menjejaki pendaki atau penduduk yang dilaporkan hilang di kawasan hutan tebal.
• Anjing penjejak dilatih mengikut bau spesifik daripada barangan peribadi mangsa (seperti pakaian).
• Operasi Pasca-Bencana (Disaster Recovery)
• Membantu mengesan kedudukan mayat mangsa (Anjing Pengesan Mayat/Cadaver Dog) bagi mempercepatkan proses pemulihan selepas bencana banjir besar atau tanah runtuh.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

21 Jun 2026: 11.49 p.m

7TH BATTALION, THE ROYAL MALAY REGIMENT (1953-1968) - 2059 PW11 MAAMOR BIN SUDIN

A historical account of the 7th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment where my late father served from 1946 - the late 1960s.

The Royal Malay Regiment began in 1 March 1933 with a small group called the 1st Experimental Company with 25 young Men chosen from1,000 people who wanted to join. This company started in Port Dickson led by Lt.Col. G.Mc Bruce and Captain K.G. Exham, and the Regiment Sergeant Major (RSM) was A.E.McCarthy and E.Oldfield served as its Quartermaster Sergeant.

When my late father joined in 1946, the Malay Regiment was in state of "Reconstruction". After the Japanese occupation, the British began expanding the regiment from its original pre-war strength of two battalions. 

The 7th battalion was formed on 1 October 1953 in Port Dickson. The first Commanding Officer was Lt. Col. A. Gordon, M.C. However, Lt. Col. Khalid Mohammad Yasin was the first Malay to command this battalion.

From its establishment until the late 1960s, 7 RAMDs were based in the following locations:

1.  1953 - 1954 : Port Dickson, N.S
2. 1954 - 1955 - Pahang
3. 1955 - 1956 - Kluang,Johor
4. 1957 - 1961 - Taiping Perak (I was born here 2nd July 1961)
5. 1962 - 1963 : Bukavu, Congo, Africa
6. 1963-1964 : Kem Sg. Besi, K.Lumpur
7. 1965-66 : Kem Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
8. 1966 -      : Tawau, Sabah

The 7th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment (7 RAMD), today is known as Mechanized Battalion.

The Regiment was granted the "Royal" title by the First Yang DiPertuan Agong on April 9, 1958. 

MALAYAN EMERGENCY (1948-1960)

7 RAMD was involved in several operations during the Emergency in Malaya from 1948-1960):

• March 1954: involved in the operations at Sepang, Selangor
• 30 May 1955 : A platoon under Lt. Morris succeeded in killing a communist terrorist in Mengkarak.
• 6 October 1955 : Company B's subunit under Corporal 2876 Mohd Zain Ibrahim successfully killed a communist terrorist named Badur in Kajang, Selangor. He was awarded the Military Medal.
• 5 November 1955: Pte. 9469 Mohd.Sabu Mohd. Jusoh was killed in Action (KIA) at Sg.Pening Estate, Kajang, Selangor.
• 1 April 1956: Platoon 9 fought with communist terrorists in a swampy area where Pte. 7866 Jaafar was wounded.
• Throughout the Emergency, 7 RAMD successfully killed 4 communist terrorists, captured 2 and surrendered 2 more through operations conducted. The team lost one officer, 2 other ranks in 3 battles.

THE CONGO MISSION : GLOBAL RECOGNITION (1960-1963)

Shortly after gained independence in 1957, the 7th Battalion was selected to served under the United Nations in Congo (ONUC). They were sent to Africa to stabilise the country following the "Congo Crisis". My father and his comrades were some of the first Malaysian Soldiers to serve internationally. 

7 RAMD based in Taiping, Perak left the country on board the USNS Gen.R.M Blatchford on 17 February 1962 and arrived at Port Dar-es-Salam on 27 February 1962. The team was stationed in Bukavu, Congo.

The battalion was assisted by Malaysian military personnel from Squadron A, 1st Reconnaissance Regiment under the command of Major Harchand Singh.

During the service of 7 RAMD in Congo, the Battalion lost one member, Private 13560 Sionah bin Jantan, who died from drowning in the Bukavu River on 6 June 1962. The Battalion returned to the country on 8 January 1963.

17 February 1962 : passage to Congo

2059 WO2 Maamor Bin Sudin at Bukavu, Congo, Africa

The UN Medals received by my late father.

THE MALAYSIA-INDONESIA CONFRONTATION (1963-1966)

The Battalion were deployed to Tawau, Sabah during Confrontation to prevent incursions by Indonesian forces. 

The 7th Battalion was known for its expertise in long-range reconnaissance and deep-jungle patrols, skills honed during the decade-long Emergency.

Souvenir from a Gurkha soldier to my father when in Tawau, Sabah.

Khukri, a traditional Nepalese blade used by the Gurkha Army, was given as a souvenir to my late father during his tour at Tawau, Sabah. 

Photo collection from my father, provides a fascinating glimpse into the social life of British Officers and their families during the final years of colonial rule in Malaya. The image capture a "Grand Chritmas celebration" . 

Social gatherings like the one pictured served as a necessary psychological reprieve from the pressures of jungle warfare and the political uncertainty of the time.

British officers serving in the RMR were actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations against the Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA).

That's a brief summary of my late father's involvement with the 7th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment. Actually, there are many more stories he told me during his earlier life, memories of serving with the 7th RAMD.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

26 April 2026: 12.14 a.m

RAAF BUTTERWORTH IN PENANG

The history of RAAF Base Butterworth (now RMAF Butterworth) is a cornerstone of the post-WWII defense relationship between Australia and Malaysia. Located on the mainland opposite Penang Island, it served as Australia’s first and largest permanent major air base outside its own borders.

1. Origins and World War II

The airfield was established by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1939 as a "care and maintenance" strip.

• 1941: Officially opened in October to defend the Malayan Peninsula.
• Japanese Occupation: In December 1941, the base was bombed and quickly captured by the Imperial Japanese Army, who held it until the end of the war in 1945.
• Post-War: The RAF resumed control and used the base during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960) to launch strikes against communist insurgents.

2. The Golden Era of the RAAF (1955–1970)

In 1955, as Britain began scaling back its global presence, Australia stepped in as part of the Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve.

• Refurbishment: The RAAF’s 2 Airfield Construction Squadron spent over two years upgrading the base for jet operations.
• Handover: On June 30, 1958, the RAAF formally took control from the RAF.
• Squadrons: It became home to several iconic units, including:
• No. 3 and No. 77 Squadrons (Fighters/Sabres and later Mirages)
• No. 2 Squadron (Canberra Bombers)
• Role: The base was vital during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (1963–1966) and served as a logistics hub for Australian forces during the Vietnam War.

3. Transfer and the FPDA (1970–1988)

As Malaysia gained independence and built its own military, the status of the base shifted.

• 1970: Ownership was formally transferred to the Malaysian government, but the RAAF remained as a "co-tenant."
• Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA): In 1971, the FPDA (Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, NZ, and the UK) was formed. Butterworth became the headquarters for the Integrated Air Defence System (IADS), commanded by an Australian Air Vice-Marshal.
• Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB): In 1970, an Australian Army infantry company was permanently stationed there to protect the base during the Second Communist Insurgency.

4. Life in Penang: "The RAAF Way"

For decades, RAAF Butterworth was more than a base; it was a massive Australian community.

• The RAAF School: Located at Residency Road and later Hillside, Tanjong Bungah, it catered to over 1,000 Australian children at its peak.
• The RAAF Club: Situated on the coast at Tanjong Tokong, it was the social heart for personnel and their families, featuring a pool, cinema, and library.
• Radio RAAF Butterworth: The base even operated its own radio station (on 1445 AM) to keep the community connected.

5. Modern Day Presence

In June 1988, the permanent presence of RAAF fighter squadrons ended, and the base was renamed RMAF Butterworth (Royal Malaysian Air Force).

Today, Australia maintains a significant presence through:

• No. 19 Squadron: Provides administrative and logistical support.
• Rotational Deployments: RAAF P-8 Poseidon and F-35 aircraft frequently rotate through the base for exercises.
• Continued Training: Rifle Company Butterworth continues its 3-month rotational deployments for bilateral training exercises.

My meeting with 2 former members of RAAF Butterworth in Penang during the KD Lekir ship's visit to Sydney, Australia in 1991.

References:

1. Wikipedia : RMAF Butterworth
2. The Vibes: RAAF Base Butterworth: The Australian "Connection".
3. My Penang: Penang Stories : The Existence of the RAAF in Penang. 
4. Penang Heritage Trust : The Penang Story Lectures: A Brief History of the RAAF in Penang. 

C&P

13 April 2026: 8.06 p.m

SWANS: SINGAPORE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY NAVAL SERVICES

RSS Panglima, the first ship of the Singapore Navy

The Singapore Women's Auxiliary Naval Service (SWANS) was a pioneer volunteer unit that paved the way for women’s involvement in Singapore’s maritime defense. Formed during the transition from colonial rule to self-governance, they are often remembered as the "Swan Sisters."

1. Origins and Formation (1957)

The SWANS were established in 1957 as the women's section of the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (MRNVR), Singapore Division.

• Impetus: Following the success of the Singapore Women's Auxiliary Corps (established in 1950 for the army), there was a growing push to allow women to contribute to naval operations.
• Leadership: Early training and leadership were heavily influenced by the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) of the British Royal Navy, known as "Wrens."
• The "Swan" Moniker: Much like the Wrens, members of the Singapore unit were affectionately called "Swans."

2. Roles and Training

While the unit was auxiliary and primarily shore-based, the training was rigorous and designed to mirror that of their male counterparts.

Specializations: Swans were trained in critical technical and administrative roles, including:

• Radar Plotting: Tracking vessels and maintaining maritime situational awareness.
• Communications: Managing wireless telegraphy and signaling.
• Logistics & Clerical: Ensuring the smooth operation of naval bases.

Sea Training: Despite being an auxiliary service, members often participated in sea training trips, providing them with firsthand experience of naval life and the geography of the Singapore Straits.

3. Transition to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)

The SWANS played a vital role during the Konfrontasi (1963–1966), serving alongside the men of the naval volunteer reserve to secure Singapore’s waters during a period of high regional tension.

After Singapore gained independence in 1965, the infrastructure and personnel of the SWANS and the MRNVR became the foundation for the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (SNVF) in 1966. This organization eventually evolved into what we know today as the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

4. Legacy

The SWANS were officially disbanded as a separate auxiliary service as women were increasingly integrated directly into the regular armed forces. Today, they are honored as SAF Pioneers.

• "We had many more islands back then... what I miss most are the sea training trips."

- Leading/SWAN (Ret) Judy Foong Yee Moi, reflecting on her service in the 1960s.

Their history is a testament to the early breaking of gender barriers in Singapore’s defense, proving that women could handle technical roles like radar plotting and naval communications long before it became common practice.

References:

1. National Archives Singapore
2. Wikipedia : Republic of Singapore Navy

C&P:

13 April 2026: 5.22 p.m

OPS GUBIR 2 (20 APRIL - 3 MEI 1976)

Ingati Sejarah Pejuang Dulu

60 komando vs. 400 komunis (komando menang).

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐢 𝐆𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐫 𝟐 (𝟐𝟎 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 - 𝟑 𝐌𝐞𝐢 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟔)

Susulan kepada pertempuran dan serang hendap yang dilancarkan oleh pengganas komunis, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) mengambil keputusan untuk melancarkan serangan balas terhadap musuh di sebuah kawasan yang disyaki kubu kuat mereka.

Dianggarkan 400 anggota pengganas berkubu di situ berserta dengan 3,600 jerangkap samar yang telah dipasang sekitarnya.

Operasi dirancang berdasarkan maklumat SEP (Surrendered Enemy Personnel) yang dikenali sebagai Abdullah. Dia mengatakan yang dia telah dilatih di sebuah kem di kawasan pergunungan berhampiran sempadan Thailand.

Kem tersebut mampu menempatkan beberapa ratus pengganas komunis dan dilengkapi dengan generator elektrik dan juga mesin cetak. Bagaimanapun dia tidak dapat memastikan lokasi kem tersebut dengan tepat. Seorang pegawai tentera mengatakan dia pernah nampak kawasan kebun sayur seperti yang dikatakan oleh Abdullah dan mahu beliau mengikutnya untuk mengecam kawasan tersebut.

Bagaimanapun Abdullah enggan kerana khuatir akan keselamatan dirinya. Setelah berbincang, mereka bersetuju untuk melakukan tinjauan dari udara.

Formasi yang terlibat adalah seperti berikut :

1.  Markas 2 Divisyen Infantri - Mej. Jen Dato' Mahmood Sulaiman
2.  Markas 6 Briged Infantri - Brig. Jen. Dato' Arul Pragasam
3.  Rejimen Gerak Khas Malaysia (1 RGKM) - Lt. Kol Hasbullah Bon
4.  Markas Jurutera 2 Divisyen - Lt. Kol Mei York Chee
5.  No. 3 Skuadron Jurutera - Mej. Akhbar Khan
6.  Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM)

Kekuatan Pasukan Penggempur - X Skuadron, 1 RGKM (60 sukarela)

• Ketua Skuadron - Kapt. Sudirman Haji Ahmad
• Ketua Terup - Lt. Aziz Rashid & Lt. Azizan
• Anggota Lain - Lain Pangkat (LLP) - 57 orang

Kekuatan Detasmen Jurutera - Gabungan 1 & 2 Terup, 3 Skuadron Jurutera

• Ketua - Lt. M Basri (23 April hingga 25 April 1976) diambilalih Lt. M Mior Safian
• LLP - 18 anggota

Tugasan Utama Jurutera - membantu pasukan komando RGK

• membina tempat mendarat helikopter
• membersihkan jerangkap samar

Serangan Udara

Pada 16 April 1976, jet-jet CL-41G Tebuan dari No.6 Skuadron dan F5E Tiger II dari No.12 Skuadron TUDM telah terlibat dalam melakukan serangan udara.

Beberapa jet Tebuan dilengkapi dengan minigun dan roket manakala sebahagian lagi membawa bom-bom 500 lbs. Helikopter Allouette bertindak sebagai Forward Air Controller (FAC) untuk menandakan sasaran.

Serangan pertama tidak memberi banyak kesan kerana kawasan hutan tebal cukup memberi perlindungan kepada sasaran. Bagaimanapun serangan bertubi-tubi itu akhirnya berjaya membuatkan sebahagian besar pengganas komunis berundur ke sempadan Thailand melalui terowong khas yang telah mereka bina.

Laporan yang diterima keesokkannya menunjukkan terdapat kesan-kesan darah dikawasan sasaran.

Pendaratan Pasukan Penggempur.

Percubaan pertama gagal kerana mereka diserang terlebih dahulu oleh penganas komunis. Percubaan kali ke-2 diiringi oleh helikopter gunship Allouette.

Anggota-anggota komando Gerakhas (RGK) menggunakan 3 buah helikopter Nuri untuk masuk ke kawasan sasaran. Ini adalah satu-satunya cara 'insertion' kerana kawasan sekitar telah dipasang banyak jerangkap samar.

Helikopter ke-2 mula-mula menurunkan anggota, bagaimanapun teknik rapelling tidak dapat dilakukan kerana tali tersangkut dipokok. Kaedah winching (menggunakan kabel yang dijana mesin) kemudian digunakan. Bagaimanapun, kedatangan mereka disedari oleh pasukan musuh. Pengganas komunis menembak helikopter dengan pelancar grened M79 tetapi tersasar mengenai pokok.

Pertempuran berlangsung selama kira-kira setengan jam. Kedudukan tersebut akhirnya berjaya ditawan oleh RGK tetapi memakan korban dengan 11 anggota RGK terbunuh, manakala 22 pengganas komunis dapat dibunuh. Mereka meneruskan pembersihan jerangkap samar di kawasan laluan dan menyediakan Landing Point (LP) untuk pendaratan anggota jurutera yang akan meneruskan kerja-kerja memusnahkan jerangkap samar serta membuat penyiasatan dan kajian lanjut keatas terowong yang ditemui.

Dalam proses pengeledahan dan pembersihan 3 anggota cedera RGK telah tercedera terkena jerangkap samar, mereka ialah:

1. Sarjan Ahmad Jantan - cedera parah di kaki
2. Truper Yaacob Hassan - cedera parah di kaki
3. Truper Hussin Mahbeb - cedera parah di tangan

Pembersihan Dalam Terowong

Pembersihan di dalam terowong diteruskan pada 25 April 1976. Laluan dalam terowong yang telah dibersihkan dari jerangkap samar akan diletupkan.

Tugas ini dilaksanakan oleh Terup 1 dan Terup 2 dari 3 Skuadron Jurutera.

Ketika di dalam terowong, team yang diketuai oleh Lt. Meor telah berada jauh dihadapan. Lt. M Basri dengan ditemani L/Kpl. Abdullah pula menuruni 31 anak tangga didalam terowong tersebut. Mereka menggunakan lampu suluh kerana suasana di dalam terowong itu agak gelap.

Ketika itu Lt. M Basri terlihat satu guni beras yang diletakkan di sebelah kiri laluan dan mengesyaki terdapat jerangkap samar di situ. Beliau mengarahkan anggota-anggota lain mengikuti rapat di sebelah kanan. Sebaik saja Lt. Muda Basri melangkah kakinya ke kanan, tiba-tiba berlaku satu letupan kuat. Dia rebah dan senjata yang dibawanya terpelanting. Dia telah mengalami kecederaan di punggung. Ketika itu juga L/Kpl. Abdullah menjerit memberitahu bahawa dia tercedera di bahagian dada.

Sememangnya jerangkap samar itu dipasang pada ketinggian yang menjadikan jantung sebagai sasaran. Beliau diusung naik keluar dari terowong dalam keadaan parah dan setibanya di permukaan, beliau menghembuskan nafas terakhir.

Tragedi Nuri Ditembak Jatuh - 26 April 1976

Sebuah helikopter Nuri yang membawa bekalan peluru, bahan letupan (untuk memusnahkan terowong) dan juga 11 penumpang serta krew telah ditembak jatuh oleh pengganas komunis. Berikut adalah senarai mangsa yang terkorban didalam tragedi itu:

1. Lt. (U) Chung Ming Teck PTU, No.10 Skuadron, Kapten helikopter
2. Lt. (U) Wan Munsiff bin Wan Salim KPK, No.10 Skuadron, Co-pilot
3. Sjn. Leong Yee Heng PTU, No.10 Skuadron, AQM
4. Kapt. (U) Choo Yeok Boo PGB, No.7 Skuadron (Kapten)
5. Kapt. (U) Mustapha Kamal bin Mohamad Shafie KPK, No.7 Skuadron (Co-pilot)
6. Mej. Haris bin Rejab, MMLO Haadyai
7. Kapt Sulaiman bin Abdullah, 6 Briged Infantri
8. Lt. Ibrahim bin Zakaria, Batalion ke-3 Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (RAMD)
9. Sjn Kamis bin Dolmat, Batalion ke-3 RAMD
10. L/Kpl. Kamarulzaman bin Zakaria, X Skuadron Rejimen Gerakhas (RGK)
11. L/Kpl. Suandi bin Saim, X Skuadron RGK

Pada 27 April 1976, elemen jurutera dan sebahagian anggota komando dikeluarkan dari kubu pengganas tersebut setelah berjaya memusnahkan terowong dan bunker. Mereka bergerak menuju ke "extraction point".

Helikopter melakukan beberapa penerbangan ulang-alik sehinggalah ia disedari oleh sepasukan pengganas komunis. Penerbangan terpaksa dihentikan, baki 18 anggota komando RGK terpaksa ditinggalkan dan mereka diarah melakukan RV (rendezvous) disatu kawasan berhampiran LP (landing point) di mana sepasukan komando akan menanti ketibaan mereka untuk dibawa keluar.

The Great Escape

1 Mei 1976

Kumpulan 18 anggota komando itu diketuai oleh Lt. M Aziz Rashid (bersara Lt. Kol). Dianggarkan terdapat seramai 60 pengganas komunis mengepung lokasi mereka. Kawasan ini ditanam dengan anak pokok getah. Pengganas komunis datang dengan menaiki lori. Lt. M Aziz memecahkan anggotanya kepada 3 kumpulan. Mereka diingatkan tidak menembak musuh kecuali kehadiran mereka sangat jelas kerana hendak menjimatkan peluru. Anehnya mereka tidak diserang pada malam itu.

Beliau sempat menghubungi Z Skuadron dan dia dimaklumkan helikopter Nuri tidak dapat mengambil mereka kerana lokasi didapati tidak selamat. Seterusnya, beliau diarahkan untuk RV dengan sepasukan komando yang telah ditugaskan untuk menyelamatkan mereka.

2 Mei 1976

Markas Taktikal di Gubir telah menghantar 2 x helikopter Allouette (gunship) ke lokasi yang dilaporkan oleh Lt. M Aziz. Beliau telah mengarahkan Alouette tersebut menembak ke kawasan tertentu yang dipercayai ada pengganas komunis.

Setiap helikopter menghamburkan 200 butir peluru meriam 20 mm HE (High Explosive). Lt. M Aziz dan anggotanya bergerak keluar tetapi tidak mengikut "track" yang sedia ada dikhuatiri ianya telah dipasang jerangkap samar.

Dalam perjalanan mereka menemui sebuah kem pengganas komunis yang telah ditinggalkan secara tergesa-gesa mungkin untuk menyelamatkan diri dari serangan helikopter Allouette tadi.

Menyedari yang musuh akan terus memburu mereka menjelang malam, Lt. M Aziz mengarahkan anggotanya membuat "rumah batu" (hammock juga digelar Jungle Hotel - Jungtel). Ini bukan kebiasaan bagi anggota komando kerana mereka biasanya tidur berhamparkan ponco diatas tanah. Rupanya ini adalah umpan untuk mengelirukan pasukan musuh.

Mereka bergerak meninggalkan lokasi itu dan menuju ke kawasan tinggi untuk membuat serang hendap.Seperti malam sebelumnya, arahan jangan menembak kecuali kehadiran musuh jelas. Selain itu anggota diingatkan kemungkinan pengganas komunis akan memasang lampu suluh pada hujung kayu panjang dan menyuluh ke arah atas untuk mengelirukan penembak.

Sebagaimana yang dijangkakan, memang benar musuh menghampiri kawasan khemah (Jungtel) mereka kerana kelihatan cahaya lampu suluh menghala keatas.

3 Mei 1976

Menjelang pagi mereka turun semula ke Jungtel dan mendapati banyak kesan tapak kaki disitu, dianggarkan kira-kira 40 pengganas komunis telah menggeledah kawasan itu.

Mereka meneruskan perjalanan ke RV dan apabila tiba dikawasan sempadan Malaysia - Thailand terdapat tanda lakaran jerangkap samar yang dilekatkan pada 2-3 batang pokok. Memang pengganas komunis akan meninggalkan tanda jika sesuatu kawasan itu telah dipasang jerangkap samar supaya kawan-kawan mereka akan menghindari kawasan tersebut.

Bagi mengelak dari terkena jerangkap samar, mereka mengikat 3 beg galas (haversack) dengan tali dan melontar ke arah laluan di hadapan.

Kemudian tali akan ditarik perlahan-lahan sekiranya ada jerangkap samar yang meletup, itu tidak akan memudaratkan mereka kerana mereka berada dalam jarak yang selamat.

Proses ini diulang sehinggalah mereka selamat tiba di kawasan RV. Sepasukan komando RGK dari Y Skuadron yang diketuai oleh Lt. M Rajasegaran telah menanti mereka. Inilah kali pertama dalam beberapa hari mereka berpeluang mendapatkan makanan.

Seterusnya mereka bergerak menuju ke LP dan diterbangkan oleh helikopter Nuri ke Kem Gubir. Ketika disana, Lt. M Aziz telah dimaklumkan pihak atasan telah menyediakan 18 keranda seandainya mereka tidak dapat kembali dengan selamat.

*AL-FATIHAH BUAT PEJUANG TANAH AIR YANG GUGUR......*

sumber: Persatuan Veteran ATM Wilayah Persekutuan

C&P: 

2/3/3036: 7.19 p.m

DOWN MEMORY LANE : THE PENDAM BUNGKANG, KANOWIT, SARAWAK

Pendam Bungkang - Sarawak Border Scouts

Kanowit is a town and the capital of Kanowit District, Sarawak. It is built on the mouth of Kanowit River at the bank of Rejang River, approximately 174 km from the coast of South China Sea. It takes 45 minutes to reach the town by land transport and an hour by boat from Sibu. 

I still remember when stopping to rest in Kanowit town after days of patrolling the Rejang River,that there is a special monument built at Kanowit to honour the sacrifies of local-born heroes at Fort Emma Square. 18 Kanowit-born policeman, Armed Forces,Border Scouts and Sarawak Rangers lost their lives in the line of duty. They were ambushed by communists at Pendam Bungkang in Ulu Sungai Ngemah here on 27 August 1970.

The monument, topped with a hornbill statue, honors Malaysian police and military members who died fighting communist insurgents. Specifically, it commemorates those killed in an ambush at Nanga Bungkang, Sg. Ngemah, Kanowit on August 27, 1970.

The listed heroes include:

1. Kpl. Namba Ak Belon
2. Kpl. Lai Ak Ganggai
3. BS (Border Scout) Unau Ak Bung
4. BS Kanchin Ak Ligan
5. BS Gutan Ak Sator
6. BS Empu Ak Gurang
7. BS Serong Ak Bajai
8. BS Madon Ak Dampa
9. BS Jantom Ak Jalang
10. BS Jantom Ak Nyero
11. BS Bruin Ak Balit
12. BS Layeh Ak Jual
13. Kpl. Kong Siew Long

Maintenance and Significance Today

These sites serve as vital historical landmarks for both the local community and veterans:

• State Recognition: The Pendam Bungkang monument features the crests of the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian State, and the Malaysian Armed Forces, indicating its status as a formal site of national remembrance.
• Preservation of Memory: The inscription on the monument emphasizes that the sacrifices of these national heroes must be "honored and appreciated forever" (dihormati dan dihargai sepanjang zaman).
• Legacy of Service: For personnel like yourself who served in the Rascom area, these memorials anchor the history of the "brown water fleet" operations and the dangerous work of carrying supplies and troops to operational areas.

The structure would bear the insignias of Sarawak government, Armed Forces, Royal Malaysia Police and Rajang Area Security Command (Rascom), as well as the names and ranks of 18 Kanowit-born policemen, Armed Forces personnel, Border Scouts and Sarawak Rangers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Police corporals Kong Siew Long, Ngumbu Kele and Lat Gangga, together with Border Scout members Pantau Baro, Kanchin Ligan, Gelau Sumor, Emba Garing, Senang Bajai, Skudan Dampak, Jantom Jalong, Jantom Narok, Bryan Balit and Luyoh Jaul lost their lives after they were ambushed by communists at Pendam Bungkang in Ulu Sungai Ngemah here on Aug 27, 1970.

Warrant Officer II Lenggu China and Ranger Umok Ngumbang perished in another battle against the communists at Tanjung Batu Babi in Sungai Katibas, Song on Jan 20, 1971; while Sgt Mathew Medan was killed by Al-Ma’unah deviationists at Bukit Jenalik, Sauk in Perak on July 4, 2000.

Rangers Fabian Kanyau Tindin and Henry Ubong died in an unspecified battle in Peninsular Malaysia.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

ex-crew Riverine Craft

KD Sri Rejang, Sibu, Sarawak

(1983-84)

5/1/2026: 4.53 p.m

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

TASMANIAN NURSES AT MALAYA (1941/42)

Credit: AI Gemini Google

The images you’ve shared capture a group of Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) sisters in Malaya, 1941/1942, just before the fall of Singapore. These women are part of a legendary and tragic chapter in Australian military history.

The Tasmanian Connection

Several nurses from Tasmania served with the 2/4th Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) and the 2/13th Australian General Hospital (AGH) in Malaya. Key figures among them include:

• Sister Dora Shirley Gardam: Born in Ulverstone and trained at Launceston General Hospital. She was known for her musical talent and "sweet disposition." Sadly, she survived the sinking of their ship and three years in captivity, only to die of illness in April 1945, just months before liberation.
• Sister Jessie Elizabeth Simons: From Nunamara (near Launceston). She survived the sinking of the SS Vyner Brooke by swimming for 18 hours to reach shore. She endured 3.5 years as a prisoner of war (POW) and returned to Tasmania in October 1945.
• Sister Wilhelmina Rosalie Raymont: Another Tasmanian who served with the 2/4th CCS. She survived the initial attacks but died as a POW in 1945.
• Other notable Tasmanians: Harley Brewer, Mollie Gunton, Hilda Hildyard, and Maisie Rayner.

The Events of 1942

• Evacuation (February 12): As Singapore was about to fall, 65 nurses (including the Tasmanians) were ordered to evacuate on the SS Vyner Brooke.
• The Sinking (February 14): Japanese bombers attacked the ship in the Bangka Strait. It sank in 30 minutes. Some nurses drowned; others, like Jessie Simons, swam for hours to reach Bangka Island.
• The Bangka Island Massacre (February 16): A group of 22 nurses reached Radji Beach. After surrendering to Japanese soldiers, they were ordered to march into the sea and were machine-gunned from behind. Sister Vivian Bullwinkel was the sole survivor of this massacre.
• Captivity: The surviving nurses (32 in total, including Simons and Gardam) were reunited in POW camps in Sumatra. They faced brutal conditions, starvation, and tropical diseases for over three years.

The Images

The image shows the 2/4th Casualty Clearing Station nurses. You can identify Shirley Gardam (back row, far left) and Wilhelmina Raymont (back row, center). These photos are poignant reminders of their service and the "Grey and Scarlet" uniform they wore with pride.

Spotlight: Sister Dora Shirley Gardam (TFX 2183)

• Born in Ulverstone, Tasmania in 1910, Shirley Gardam was a key figure in this group. Her story is one of documented bravery and "sweet disposition" under extreme hardship.
• Pre-War: She trained at Launceston General Hospital alongside Jessie Simons before enlisting in the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) for service in Malaya.
• The Sinking: After the SS Vyner Brooke was bombed, Shirley was part of a group that managed to reach a capsized lifeboat. They successfully righted the heavy craft, and the nurses used parts of their own clothing to plug holes caused by machine-gun fire.
• Life in Captivity: During her three years as a POW in Sumatra, Shirley was known for her musical talents. She frequently played a piano found by the internees and gave lectures to the other women about her home state of Tasmania to keep spirits high.
• Final Days: Shirley survived several camp moves but succumbed to illness and malnutrition on April 4, 1945, at the Muntok camp on Bangka Island. She was 34 years old. Records note she was buried in a jungle clearing with a coffin made of wood slats, covered in the flowers she had always loved.

Sister Jessie Elizabeth Simons (TX6023)

Though not in the specific 2/4th CCS group photo (she served with the 2/13th AGH), Jessie Simons was another prominent Tasmanian from Nunamara.

• She survived the sinking and 3.5 years of internment.
• In 1954, she published her memoirs, While History Passed, which became a primary source for understanding the experiences of Australian nurses in Sumatra.

Sister Wilhelmina (Mina) Rosalie Raymont

Though she was nursing in Hobart, Tasmania at the time of her enlistment, Mina was originally from South Australia. Her story in captivity is one of resilience and high spirits despite severe illness.

• During Captivity: Mina was known for maintaining a positive attitude under harsh conditions. She organized "sing-alongs" and concerts in the Palembang and Irenelaan camps. On one occasion, during an impromptu fashion show in camp, she was selected to represent the year "1943," wearing a makeshift outfit of a top and shorts.
• The Guard House Incident: Archival accounts note a specific hardship where a Japanese guard accused the nurses of making holes in a barracks wall (holes that were already there). As punishment, Mina and another sister were forced to stand in the sun for an extended period. Despite the other nurses attempting to warn the guards of Mina's heart condition, they were ignored. She eventually collapsed and had to be carried back to the barracks.
• Death: Mina contracted cerebral malaria and lapsed into a coma, passing away on February 8, 1945, at the age of 33. Her fellow nurses gave her a military funeral, wearing their "carefully preserved" grey uniforms. She was buried at Muntok, though her grave was later moved to the Jakarta War Cemetery.

Sister Jessie Elizabeth Simons and the Liberation

Jessie Simons was one of the 24 nurses who survived the internment. She later wrote a memoir titled While History Passed (also published as In Japanese Hands), which provides a firsthand account of their ordeal and liberation.

• The Liberation (September 1945): After three and a half years of captivity, the nurses were assembled at the Lahat airfield in Sumatra. They were met by Colonel Annie Sage (Matron-in-Chief of the AANS) and Sister Jean Floyd.
• The Reunion: Witnesses described the nurses dropping their "tiny parcels of belongings" to rush and hug their rescuers. Despite their state of malnutrition—some nurses weighed as little as 30 kilograms—they had carefully kept their grey nursing uniforms and "Rising Sun" badges to wear for the occasion of their freedom.
• Return to Tasmania: Jessie returned to Tasmania in late October 1945. When interviewed by The Mercury upon her arrival, she reflected on the trauma of the camps, stating: "There were things you couldn't imagine, and I wouldn't want you to know... It seems 1,000 years since I left Launceston."

Summary of the 2/4th CCS (First Photo)

Based on the group photo you provided of the 2/4th CCS, the tragic toll of the unit is clear:

• Dora Shirley Gardam: Died in captivity, April 1945.
• Wilhelmina Raymont: Died in captivity, February 1945.
• Matron Irene Drummond: Killed in the Bangka Island massacre, February 1942.
• Sister Mavis Hannah: The only nurse from the 2/4th CCS shown in these records to survive and return home.

Sister Harley Brewer (TX6022)

Harley Brewer was part of the group of Tasmanian nurses who served with the 2/13th Australian General Hospital (AGH).

• Evacuation: In February 1942, Harley was assigned to evacuate Singapore on the SS Empire Star, one of the ships that left just before the SS Vyner Brooke.
• The Voyage: The Empire Star was heavily bombed and strafed by Japanese aircraft during its journey. Unlike the Vyner Brooke, the Empire Star managed to reach Batavia (Jakarta) and eventually made it to Australia.
• Fate: Because she was on this vessel, Harley Brewer avoided the sinking and subsequent internment that many of her colleagues faced. She returned safely to Australia and continued her service.

Sister Maisie Rayner (TX6021)

Maisie Rayner was also a Tasmanian nurse from the 2/13th AGH, enlisting from Launceston.

Service in Malaya: Before the evacuation, Maisie worked at St. Patrick’s School in Singapore, which had been converted into the 2/13th AGH.

Evacuation and Survival: Like Harley Brewer, Maisie was assigned to the SS Empire Star. She experienced the same intense aerial attacks on the ship but reached Australia safely in late February 1942.

Post-War: After returning, she continued to serve in the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) throughout the war.

Dora Shirley Gardam	2/4th CCS	SS Vyner Brooke	POW; Died in captivity, 1945
Wilhelmina Raymont	2/4th CCS	SS Vyner Brooke	POW; Died in captivity, 1945
Harley Brewer	2/13th AGH	SS Empire Star	Survived; Returned to Australia
Maisie Rayner	2/13th AGH	SS Empire Star	Survived; Returned to Australia
Jessie Simons	2/13th AGH	SS Vyner Brooke	POW; Survived and liberated

Compiled from Google Gemini

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

19/12/2025: 3.50 p.m