By Admin1 (admin) on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 5:42 pm: Edit Post |
Friends of Malaysia honor Royal Marines who saved PCV from terrorists in 1962
By Patricia Taylor Bader on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 9:40 am: Edit Post |
I remember Fritz as an instructor for our Malaysia 9 group in Feb.-April 1965, but have no recollection of us being told this story of his capture and rescue. Was this part of the "confrontation" between Malaysia and Indonesia which restricted our travel in parts of Sarawak?
By BRIAN DOWNEY on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 5:22 pm: Edit Post |
I was one of the Royal Marine Commandos at Limbang. That was the start of a four year war against communism in Borneo,The brunt of the fighting was carried out by Royal Marines Commando Units and the Ghurka Battalions. Both organisations had a continuous presence in Borneo throughout Confrontation. The U.S.A. had a tandem war going on in Vietnam.I served with several fine officers and S.N.C.O s from the U.S.M.C. who served on detachment with the Royal Marines. I spent some time as a jungle warfare instructor with U.S. Special Forces in the late 1960's. Several of my friends left the Royal Marines and joined the Australian S.A.S. in order to serve in Vietnam.
My great great grandfather, an Englishman, served as a doctor in General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army. After the Civil War he returned home to England.
I wish the Peace Corps workers the best of luck for the future may I wish you all Good Fortune, if you need help without doubt a bunch of lunatics wearing Green Berets will appear, do the business and promptly vanish!
By Rick Fidler on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 3:39 am: Edit Post |
Patricia:
This event was a precursor of "Konfrontasi." It was part of the "Brunei Rebellion" of December 1962, lead by a disaffected Brunei Malay politician named Azahari. In addition to the Limbang incident (Limbang, you'll recall, is sandwiched in between two parts of Brunei), the rebels also occupied the Brunei airport, doing so one-half hour after I flew out of it with a group of visiting North Borneo (Sabah) highschool students; it was in rebel hands by the time my flight landed in "Jesselton."
Azahari was Very Upset that the Brunei government (then a British Protectorate) did in his very popular political party. Upon the arrival of the British & Gurkas, Azahari retreated to Indonesian territory (Kalimantan), where he was absorbed into Sukarno's "confrontation" attempt to gain control of "Kalimantan Utara,' which lasted until your times.
Rick Fidler North Borneo I 1962-1964
By Gary Geoghegan (garygeo) on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 9:04 am: Edit Post |
Thaine,
You are to be commended for leading the belated thanks to the rescuers of an RPCV. Bravo.
Gary
By johndsias on Thursday, January 16, 2003 - 10:52 pm: Edit Post |
Thaine and Rick Fidler:
After Fritz left the Hilo Training Center I joined the staff. On several occasions we had the opportunity to talk with Fritz about those difficult times. I was very surprised to learn just how difficult his experience had been. I was stationed in Tawau at that time. Since Tawau ws on the Indonesian border, we were blessed with groups of Ghurkas and the British Army in the town. No doubt their formidable presence was why we were able to think of this Incursion as something out of The Mouse That Roared. Fritz certainly disabused me of minimizing it. I am sorry to learn of his passing. He was a man who made an impact.
John Sias, North Borneo/Sarawak I, 1962-1964
By malaysia13 on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 2:30 am: Edit Post |
I trained in Illinois and Hawaii for Malaysia 13, we were told Fritz's story while in Hawaii. I never realized it was not officially recognized. I never did get to Borneo but was in Indonesia right after to coup against Sukarno.
By RAUL NAZARIO on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 1:42 pm: Edit Post |
YES, I THINK THIS IS GOOD. MY NAME IS RAUL NAZARIO, RPCV, MALAYSIA XV, 1966 TO 1968. I DID NOT KNOW FRITZ, WHEN I WAS THERE I HAD HEARD 'STORIES' ABOUT DANGERS TO PCV'S SUCH AS VIOLENCE AND BEING KILLED IN TRAFFIC. I VOLUNTEERED IN SUGAI PELEK, SELANGOR STATE AT A SMALL NATIONAL TYPE SECONDARY SCHOOL. I TAUGHT INDUSTRICAL ARTS.
YOUR STORY MOVED ME EVEN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.
THE MARINES DESERVE TO BE HONORED!
RAUL NAZARIO
PS; IF FRITZ WENT IN JUST OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL HE MIGHT BE THE YOUNGEST PCV EVER. I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS ME., I WENT IN AT 18.
By John H. Murray, jr. on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 12:16 pm: Edit Post |
In May of 1969, I received my Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, my BS in geology and my acceptence into the Peace Corps. I was assigned to Malaysia and ended up with the Malaysian Geological Survey. I lived in Kota Bahru, Kelantan, but spent most of my time mapping in the jungle. I was very aware of the inherent dangers of the jungle and of the comunists that were operating in the jungle. Although I had never heard the story of Fritz, I am not surprised of the incident.
Please pass on my appreciation to the Royal Matines and my condolences to the families that lost loved ones in the action to help Fritz.
By Alan Shoubridge (ctb-cache1-vif1.saix.net - 198.54.202.2) on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 1:26 pm: Edit Post |
I was a machine gunner on the MMGs at the Limbang raid - that day will last forever
My good wishes to all the guys that took part and to the brave hostages - their courage was an example to us all.
By james keenan (host217-40-153-233.in-addr.btopenworld.com - 217.40.153.233) on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 10:06 am: Edit Post |
from an ex duke of boots; having found the grave of derek powel in bradford 2yrs ago and visit him often to pay my respect; it was only on the 25/4/2004 that i traced the reason for his very sad death,to his old comrades be assured that i will continue to attend his grave.
By Ryan (82-37-41-37.cable.ubr02.brom.blueyonder.co.uk - 82.37.41.37) on Sunday, December 05, 2004 - 5:22 am: Edit Post |
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
By pennyformoy (popl-cache-3.server.ntli.net - 62.255.64.6) on Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 6:00 pm: Edit Post |
IN MEMORY OF MY UNCLE RONNIE,ROYAL MARINE RONALD FORMOY WHO DIED IN ACTION ON DECEMBER 12TH 1962.I WAS A TEENAGER WHEN HE WAS KILLED,THE FAMILY WAS DEVISTATED,HE WAS MY FATHERS BROTHER AND I REMEMBER HIM AS BEING A GREAT BLOKE.HE LEFT BEHIND A BABY HE NEVER GOT TO SEE.ALSO IN MEMORY OF HIS BRAVE FREINDS WHO DIED ALONG WITH HIM.GOD BLESS YOU ALL........Albert Robert Formoy
By Carol McCallum (host86-130-206-79.range86-130.btcentralplus.com - 86.130.206.79) on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 6:43 pm: Edit Post |
Where is Grace Decker, Peace Corps Volunteer Kuala Trengannu Malaysia 1964-6?
Last heard of in Detroit
By Anonymous (88-107-71-234.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com - 88.107.71.234) on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 10:39 am: Edit Post |
In memory of my cousin, Royal Marine Fred Stewart Powell, killed in action during the Limbang raid 12th December 1962.
By Anonymous (cpc3-seve1-0-0-cust776.popl.cable.ntl.com - 82.2.231.9) on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 5:23 pm: Edit Post |
In Momory of Ronald Formoy,also my beloved Husband Albert Robert Formoy (his newphew)who died 9/4/06.He often spoke with pride of his favourite uncle who died a hero.I hope they have met up in heaven,which is where they both(all) deserve to be,God bless you both and all the brave Marines who died along side Ron on 12 December 1962..
By Reuben J (203.82.79.102) on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - 11:08 pm: Edit Post |
In memory of Corporal Kim Huat, who fought gallantry and died defending others to live in Limbang 8 December 1962.
This year, 2009 I turn 47. Ironically it was in 1962, I was born, the year my father in-law, Corporal Kim Huat was gunned down sacrificing his life defending others to live. And after 47 years I finally 'met' my father-in-law. May him and others like him rest in peace.
My mother-in-law, Corporal Kim Huat's wife, Salmah bt Baei, passed on in 2005. Both of them left behind one son, Bujang Kim Huat and daughter, Hasnah Kim Huat. Bujang is currently an engineering professor in one of the top university in Malaysia and Hasnah, my wife, a top banker in Kuala Lumpur.
Overwhelmed over come me to discover that with only a bunch of policemen, they were confronted by 200 gunmen. My mother-in-law used to tell me that, Corporal Kim Huat was off-duty that fateful day but due to the sickness of one of the policeman, Corporal Kim Huat has to cover his place. According to my mother-in-law again, normally Corporal Kim Huat would normally bring along his son, Bujang, then two-year old, to the police station, however, on that day, Bujang did not come along. Hasnah was then one-year old.
They did not die in vain. As for Corporal Kim Huat, he left behind 2 very successful kids and grandchildren. I married his daugther, Hasnah and we have 3 grown up boys. Hasnah, simply a very humble person. Her father legacy lives on.
We shall not forget.
Reuben J