The British Battalion

The British Battalion

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On 18th December 1941, the 2nd Battalion The East Surrey Regiment and the 1st Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment, paused at St Michael's Institution, Ipoh for a well- needed rest after an almost continuous withdrawal through Kedah and North Perak in the face of fierce attacks by the Japanese forces. They stayed until the early hours of 23rd December 1941. The Japanese had the upper hand in their onslaught as they had air superiority and tanks. The British did not have a single tank in Malaya.

While at SMI, the British troops were allowed by the Brothers to stay in the classrooms of the main block on all floors. At that time, the West wing and the East wing of the Main block did not exist. The armoured cars, bren gun carriers and lorries were lined up outside the school in front and under the trees at the back. The Brothers allowed the food for the soldiers to be cooked in the Brothers' kitchen. Brother Paul and the others were very accommodating and years later after the war, the soldiers still remembered the warmth of the Brothers and grateful appreciation noted by the soldiers who cherished the simple gesture.

Knowing full well that they would have to face the Japanese Forces in a bitter battle soon, the Reverend Henry Babbs held a service for the Anglican soldiers in the chapel. The Catholic chaplain, a Father Ward gave the Catholic soldiers a General Absolution as he there was no time to hear them individually.There was also a mass for them in the chapel. The chapel figured significantly for the Christian soldiers and for many of them it would be the last time in a christian sanctuary. One soldier who was not a catholic, asked Bro. Paul for a scapular. Bro Paul gave him a Sacred Heart scapular which he carried with him all the time and he still had it with him after the war. The soldier was Private Jock Perrin of the 1st Bn Leicestershire Regiment. He passed away at Portsmouth in 1983.

It was at this time,on the 20th of December 1941, that Lt. Gen. A.E. Percival decided to amalgamate the two badly depleted battalions into one battalion to be known as The British Battalion. It was the first time in modern British military history that two battalions were made into one, due to heavy casualties suffered in the opening battles of the Malayan Campaign . St Michael's Institution had the honour of witnessing this birth of the British Battalion which lasted until 14th of February 1942. This was an important part of British Military history and SMI will always be featured whenever the origins of The British Battalion is spoken of.

In memory of this historic occasion, a specially made brass plaque was donated by Jeffrey Liew to be placed in the school as a memorial to the British Battalion and the unique role that SMI played. This plaque was similar to the one at St Andrew's Cathedral in Singapore.

Unfortunately, the powers that be in the State of Perak five years ago, and certain officials, refused to allow this historic plaque to be installed in the school, on a matter of pride which could have been solved easily, by all parties concerned . Five years later in 2008, this plaque still remains to be installed in a place of honour at SMI.

Local war historian, 80 year old Mr Chye Kooi Loong is the custodian of this plaque and awaits the day when he can place it in the school for posterity.

It is hoped that this memorial will find a place in SMI, in this simple but historical note of appreciation. It is so unique and eternally part of SMI and Malaysia. In the Regimental Chapel, in London, a different plaque signifies the SMI role by the date, 20th December 1941.

It must be stated that the School had no objections to the plaque, in fact, they were excited about it when it was first mooted years ago. They had to bow to pressure from the powers that be and the plaque presentation was shelved.

For the reader, the plaque is here at the top, to appreciate the simple but eloquent memorial.

The plaque needs modification so as to be permanent. The Brass plate should be set in marble and permanently affixed to a wall in the school at a high spot at the entrance to the main block, so that visitors can look up and remember that day in history.

This writer can be contacted at morrismusic@gmail.com

Lest we forget.

1st btn FMSVF And Cadet Corps

Military link

SMI has had a long link with the military.

During the 2nd World War, one teacher, Mr Ernest Fitzpatrick was called up for war service. He was a member of the 1st Battalion (Perak) Federated Malay States Volunteer Force (1st Btn (Pk) FMSVF).

Mr Fitzpatrick was also active in the school's cadet corps with another FMSVF volunteer, Mr Teh Swee Kang, a teacher at SMI.

Sometime in late 1939 or 1940 when WW2 was raging in Europe, the Governor in Singapore, Sir Shenton Thomas, ordered all European volunteers to report for active duty. The Asian volunteers were exempted.

At that time in the 1st Btn FMSVF there were about 30 officers and 200 other ranks among the Europeans. There was a total of about 900 in the battalion, including Asians, in 1939.

Mr Fitzpatrick was a Pvt in the 1st Btn FMSVF and was detailed as machine-gunner. Very little infomation is available on the FMSVF exploits. What little there is, is from surviving members still living and documents in private hands. One such detailed list of Asian and European volunteer is being compiled by a researcher who is the son of a volunteer in the 2nd Btn FMSVF (Selangor).

It is known that that there were two platoons of 1st Btn FMSVF machine-gunners during the Battle of Kampar. One of them comprised of machine-gunners from Ipoh under the command of 2nd Lieutenant Bill Greetham. It is fairly certain that Mr Fitzpatrick was with this platoon.

2nd Lt. Greetham died of malaria as a POW in Changi prison. All records of his platoon were lost and non has surfaced since.

(We are trying to get info from the other MG platoon commander, Captain John Mackie, who is in his 90's and currently residing in NZ.)

Contrary to popular belief that Mr Fitzpatrick was killed in Kampar, it has been established that Mr Fitzpatrick survived the Kampar battle and was in the defence of Singapore right up to the surrender on February 15th 1942.

A contact of mine, Jonathan Moffatt, has been able to provide me with invaluable information that Mr Fitzpatrick was in a group of about 60 men remaining from the 1st Btn FMSVF fighting withdrawal. In February 1942, these soldiers were manning machine guns on Pulau Blakang Mati (Sentosa Island), guarding Keppel Harbour approaches. They were mixed with another 70 from the Selangor 2nd Btn FMSVF machine-gunners.

At least nine 1st FMSVF members made a successful escape from Singapore after the surrender.

It is believed that Mr Fitzpatrick and about 50 others from different services made their escape from Pulau Blakang Mati to Pulau Bintan in Indonesia. There, they were caught by the Japanese and massacred.

The massacre is well documented but not the names of those who died. Mr Fitzpatrick is believed to be one of those who perished. A number of them are recorded in the commonwealth war graves commission registry as killed, 15-2-1942, NKG (no known grave).

As there was a lot of confusion during February 1942, It must be stated that there is no certainty that Mr Fitzpatrick died on Pulau Bintan. He may have perished aboard the number of ships that left Singapore but were bombed by the Japanese with almost no survivors.

There is another account that claims Mr. Fitzpatrick was killed by japanese sniper fire on the 14th of February 1942.

Although there no one who is able to state with any certainty, which is the correct version, one thing is definite. Mr Fitzpatrick was killed in action and is recorded as such on the Kranji War Memorial. There is no known grave for him.

The name, Pvt Ernest Edward Fitzpatrick 1st Bn FMSVF, is recorded on column 392 at the Kranji War Memorial, Singapore.

Past photos of SMI events and pre-war Ipoh

Who are these students and teachers? Obviously they play hockey. The car in the background places this photo between 1935 to 1948. There is a sign on the building which reads as "Tuanku Abdul Rahman Club". The shingle type roofing with battens are typical of 1920's and 30's buildings. I have repaired this photo extensively but I have kept most of it as original as I see it.If anyone can identify the individuals and the event, please let me know.

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These are two photos of a sports day at SMI. The dignitary is obviously royalty and may be the Sultan. I believe these photos were taken in the late 1930's.

Any clues as to the boy below or the Brother above in the photos? The man, helping with the prizes, looks like Mr Fitzpatrick, a teacher at SMI. He was reportedly killed in action against the Japanese in 1941 while serving with the FMSVF 1st (Perak) Battalion.

Vintage 1920-1940

The Man, a vision, an edifice.

Rev. Fr Coppin

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Teachers of SMI from the 1920's and 1930's

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Back row: Bro , Lip Seng Onn, Teh Swee Kang, Fitzpatrick, Chai? Fook Choon , Bro. Edmund of Mary

Front Row: Bro Gabriel ?, Chai Kah Loke, Bro , Bro Finian, Toh Ee Boon, Bro , Tan Boon Kwee.

Footnote: It has come to our attention that Fitzpatrick was a volunteer in the FMSVF possibly, the 1st (Perak) Battalion FMSVF. He was killed in action during the war. The only entry in the casualty details at the commonwealth graves commission website, states a memorial reference at the Singapore War Memorial on column 392, grave, unknown.There is no service number. Anyone with any info on him or a photo of him in uniform, please eamil me at morrismusic@gmail.com

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OMA 1934

For a larger photo, click here