Mark Lax - Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation: 1950-1966

Appendix 1

ROLL OF HONOUR

This roll of honour lists those airmen who died during the Malayan Emergency. They are recorded on panel 2 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial.

BROWN, Warrant Officer Heathcote Byron
(1907-1953)
A31167

Born in Penguin, Tasmania, 2 November 1907
Died in Perak, Malaya, 9 April 1953
Buried in Kranji Military Cemetery, Singapore
With No 1 Squadron

Heath Brown enlisted in the RAAF in October 1938, initially as a cook, before remustering as a drill instructor a year later; in March 1940 he was appointed Warrant Officer Disciplinary (WOD). During World War II, he served with No 78 Squadron in New Guinea and Borneo and was Mentioned in Despatches in May 1945. After two years with British occupation forces in Japan, he was WOD at Sale and No 2 Aircraft Depot at Richmond before going to Singapore with No 1 Squadron in July 1950. Returning to Australia, he spent a year with No 5 Airfield Construction Squadron at Bankstown, Sydney, before going back to Singapore. He was enjoying Easter leave with friends at Melim Nawah, Perak, when he suffered a heart attack on 8 April 1953. Although rushed to Batu Gajah General Hospital, he died the next day. His body was taken by helicopter to Kuala Lumpur, then by Lincoln bomber to Singapore, where he was buried in Pasir Panjang Cemetery. When this cemetery was closed and cleared in 1973, his remains were removed to Kranji Military Cemetery for reburial.

Source: NAA file A12372, A31167

DUFFY, Leading Aircraftman William Patrick
(1939-1959)
A218384

Born in Islington Newcastle, 4 April 1939
Died in Butterworth, Malaya, 26 July 1959
Buried in Western Road Christian Cemetery, Penang.
With Base Squadron Butterworth

Was serving at RAAF Base Butterworth when killed in motorcycle accidenthe was pillion passenger on a bike driven back to base by LAC John Lawson from a dance in Penang at 2.30 am, when machine ran off the road and crashed into two guide stones. The two airmen were thrown on to the road and died on the spot.

Source: Straits Times, 30 September 1959, p. 6

HALL, Leading Aircraftman Derek John
(1925-1959)
A312847

Born in Worcester, UK, 4 November 1925
Died in Butterworth, Malaya, 4 March 1959.
Buried in Western Road Christian Cemetery, Penang.
With No 3 Squadron, No 78 Wing

Drowned in the sea off Butterworth near the swimming pool most likely the night before he was found. Suspected suicide.

Source: NAA file A705, 163/120/2440

LAWSON, Aircraftman John George

(1938-1959)
A312178

Born in Yallorn, Victoria, 2 October 1938
Died in Butterworth, Malaya, 26 Jul 1959
Buried in Western Road Christian Cemetery, Penang.
With Base Squadron Butterworth

Was serving at RAAF Base Butterworth when killed in motorcycle accidentriding back to base from a dance in Penang at 2.30 am, with LAC Duffy as pillion passenger, when machine ran off the road and crashed into two guide stones. The two airmen were thrown on to the road and died on the spot.

Source: Straits Times, 30 September 1959, p. 6

McDONALD, Pilot III Gordon John

(1925-1950)
A22152

Born Inverell, NSW, 24 July 1925
Died at sea, 31 August 1950, Age 24
No known grave
With No 38 Squadron attached to No 110 Squadron RAF

Died in a flying accident flying RAF Dakota Mk.IV KN240 between Changi and Saigon on a Hong Kong courier. Aircraft hit the water in the South China Sea. Body not recovered.

Source: NAA A705, 166/26/1260

MURPHY, Leading Aircraftman Michael
(1919-1956)
A51076

Born in Cork, Ireland, 3 October 1919
Died in Singapore, 3 December 1956
Buried in Kranji Military Cemetery.
With No 1 Squadron
Died in a motor vehicle accident at Singapore.

Source: NAA file A12372, R/51076/H

OATES, Flight Lieutenant Dennis St. George Greaves
(1929-1959)
O52768

Born in Hyderabad, India, 11 November 1920
Died in Hong Kong, 10 July 1959
Cremated in Hong Kong
With Base Squadron Butterworth Detachment A
Died from illness in Hong Kong.

ODonnell, Corporal John Marcus
(1929-1957)
A32323

Born in Ballarat, Victoria, 6 August 1929
Died in Penang, Malaya, 17 March 1957
Buried in Western Road Christian Cemetery, Penang.
With No. 2 Airfield Construction Squadron
Served with No 77 Squadron in Korea
Died as result of a motorcycle accident in Penang. Head-on collision with a truck.

Source: NAA file A705, 166/31/501

ROWE, Leading Aircraftman Colin John
(1937-1959)
A217227

Born in Carinda, New South Wales, 5 April 1937
Died in Penang, Malaya, 18 September 1959
Buried in the Western Road Christian Cemetery, Penang.
With Base Squadron Butterworth

Rowe enlisted in RAAF in May 1955 as a motor transport mechanic. He had already served at Darwin, Richmond and Williamtown before being posted to the Base Squadron at RAAF Base Butterworth in February 1958. His death occurred as the result of a road accident while off duty.

Source: NAA file A12372, A217227

TAIT, Warrant Officer George Robert

(1910-1951)
A197

Born in South Shields, UK, 16 September 1910
Died in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, 22 April 1951
Buried in Cheras Road Christian Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur
With No 38 Squadron
Enlisted in RAAF June 1940, from Rockhampton, Queensland
Died of illness (heart attack) at RAF Station Kuala Lumpur.
Source: NAA file A12372, R/197/P

Confrontation 24 December 1962 to 11 August 1966