The British Battalion
For a larger photo, please click here
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.
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.
