Diary of service - Donald Morrison, 1940 - 1945 - Part 10

Malayan Diary 

Captain N Morrison

Fortress Troops

1 Malaya Brigade Brigadier Williams

2 Loyals; 1 Malay Regt

2 Malaya Brigade Brigadier Fraser

1 Manchesters; 2 Gordons; 2/17 Dogras S.S.V.F.

Command Reserve

12 Indian Brigade Brigadier Paris

2A and S H; 5/2 Punjabs; 4/19 Hyderabads

Fed Malay States Vol Force - Brigadier Moir

111 Indian Corps Reinforcements

44 Indian Brigade Brigadier Ballentine

6/1; 7/8; 6/14 Punjabs

45 Indian Brigade Brigadier Duncan

4/9 Jats; 7/6 Rajputs; 5/18 Royal Garwhals

Malaya Reinforcements January 1942

18 British Division Major General Beckwith-Smith

53 Brigade Brigadier Duke

5 Norfolks; 6 Suffolks; 2 Cambridgeshires

54 Brigade 4 Norfolks; 4 Suffolks

55 Brigade Brigadier Massey-Beresford

1/5 Sherwood - Foresters; 1 Cambridgeshires; 5 Bedfordshires 
and Hertfordshires

Totals British 14

Indian 25

Australian 6

45

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Captain N Morrison
JOHORE WARMING UP
DECEMBER 1941 – MID JANUARY 1942

On 2 December, I went to Segamat by car with instructions for 27 Brigade, Major Shaw, OC
2.12 Field Company, came with me to find out about transport harbours at Kluang which
should have been ready but had only been recently started. The orders were given verbally to
Brigade Major Pond and contained modification of the Brigades action on the receipt of the
code word “Baffles”; which meant that the shooting had started. Instead of the Brigade
Groups moving direct to their deployment areas, they were to concentrate round the battalions
to whom they were allotted and there await further orders. I left Shaw at Brigade and pushed
on to Tampin to repeat the message to 2/15 Fd Regiment and 4 A TK Brigade had kindly
arranged for the CO of the latter to be there and thus save me many miles. I was to have my
evening meal at Tampin. The driver said that he knew the way but went the long way round,
through Jasin, instead of by Gemas, and we were an hour and a half behind time arriving at
2030 hours. An evening meal was waiting however, and the driver, Chris and I had a good
feed before getting to work. I picked up Shaw on the way back and eventually reported into
Johore Bahru at 0430 hours.

Warner Julius, whom I had met at Duntroon, was the Anti Tank Officer. His Battery was later
sent to the Muar front in support of 45 Indian Brigade and “Jule” was one of the many killed
when the Nips scored direct hits on the red house at the Bakri Road junction and practically
wiped out 45 Brigade Headquarters staff.

A day doing nothing and then back to Segamat again on routine work and then north again on
the Friday for something to do. I was able to report a little on the Jap convoy which was
cruising off Siam and I decided to stay the night as there was to be a CO’s conference the next
morning, Saturday 6 December and some query might be raised which would interest
Division, but, no. There was going to be a Brigade dance that night and I was very
disappointed that I cold not stay but duty called and I left after lunch.

As soon as I drove into Headquarters I could see that something had happened; there was an
air of excitement about the place and everyone was in a bit of a flat spin. I reported to Dawks
and found that “Raffles” had gone out; the show was on at last. I was to stand by ready to
move to Segamat again. With the help of Chris, I got my gear packed and sorted out and left
him to see it safely to Advanced Headquarters at Jemaluang. I went to the carpark and filled

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Captain N Morrison

Gertie up with petrol and oil. From now on the motor bike or “Gertie” would be my sole
means of transport, no more cars for me.

I left Headquarters at 1800 hours with verbal instructions that 27 Brigade would revet to the
original operation Order No. 9. Why I was not given a written order I cannot understand, even
now. However, the DAQMG decided to send it by Don R, but, what happened to it I never
found out. I reached Brigade about three hours later and handed over my orders. Advance
Headquarters had already left and Rear Headquarters were on the point of leaving for Kluang.
I was as hungry as a hunter and ate large quantities of the pre-dance dinner which of course
had been cancelled. It was served by a very shickered Murphy; everyone had a few under the
belt and was in the best of spirits.

I caught up with the stragglers of Brigade Headquarters about three miles out of Kluang and
trailed them for the rest of the journey. Just before we reached the battle station the ration
tipped over but no one was hurt. Communication with the battalions was established by 0600
hours and this I reported to Division just down the road; had a cup of tea and went to bed. I
was allowed two hours sleep and spent the remainder of the day on useless errands between
Division and Brigade to keep me out of the way but it was good riding practice.

The news the next morning, 8 December, was not so good. During the night the Japs had
landed at Kota Bahru. 8 Indian Brigade had made strenuous efforts to repel the invaders and
would have made a much better fist of it if the air force had been able to carryout it’s boast of
sinking 40% of any convoy approaching the coast. It was learnt later that they actually sank
0.125%. We lost the initiative that night and never regained it mainly because the
Commander in Chief Far East, would not risk an attack on the convoy off the north coast of
Malaya while it showed the barest semblance of peaceful intentions although he knew in his
heart that it was ready to attack Malaya with every possible means. The big bluff did not work
but the Commander in Chief did as told by Whitehall.

There was feverish activity for the day during which nothing of importance was done. That
night Singapore City was bombed and this was a very poor show. The bombers were picked
up in ample time for every active and passive defence measure to be taken but, through a
combination of inefficiency, unreality of the situation and lack of coordination, nothing was
done. When the bombers were overhead every light in the city was still blazing.

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At the same time news came through that Pearl Harbour had been raided and we were made
to realise still more fully what we were up against. Many wild rumours were flying around –
the Japs were here, there and everywhere – but these soon quietened and things returned more
or less to normal at the end of the day.

Advanced Headquarters at Jemaluang was quite a large affair with complete “G” staff,
Administration personnel and representatives from “A” and “Q” branches; also in the area
Signals, Artillery, Engineers, Anti-Tank, Provost and a few odds and ends. Everything was
very well laid out with electric light, “tongs” and ablution benches for washing, kitchens and
bore holes.

Early in the piece 22 Brigade began to demolish buildings in their area so as to improve their
field of fire. This demolition work could not be undertaken until hostilities broke out. The
British Government had an agreement with the Sultan of Johore whereby each rubber tree
removed or damaged by British or Australian Troops in the course of their training entailed
reparations of £5 (or was it 5 Dollars each). Damage to buildings etc was at a higher rate.

This demolition work led to a panic amongst the Johore Military Forces who thought it was
part of a scorched earth policy just before a Jap landing. Some of them threw down their
armsand and smashed the Coast Watching Station’s equipment. It was a bad show. The Sultan
of Johore was most annoyed when he heard that Jack Farley, Staff Captain 22 Brigade,
immediately disarmed the remainder of the JMF at Mersing.

For a week things were very quiet and I was used mainly as a runner about the place. It was a
bit boring with no definite job but, until 27 Brigade was actually committed I was at a loose
end. General Bennett returned from the Middle East on 13 December and as the Japs were no
further south than the Island of Penang off the cost of Kedah, decided to immediately recall
the senior members of his staff to Johore Bahru where the surroundings were more
comfortable. Gordon Butler went to live with 22 Brigade while I went a couple of miles down
the road to 27 Brigade where Chris got me a bunk with Pat Garde who was staff Captain.

My presence was a bit of a strain on the catering staff as I added about ten per cent to the
ration strength; the tucker was very light for the officers but Chris assured me that the men’s’
mess was very good. SAP Pond, the Brigade Major, welcomed me with open arms as an
addition to the duty roster. This entitled sitting by the phone in the office truck on half of each
alternate night to take written notes of all inward calls and to decide which calls and which

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messages should go to higher authority. It was while on duty here that I first met Fred Cross
who was then attached to 27 Brigade Headquarters. Later on Fred came over to the 2/29
Battalion. In my spare time I wrote large numbers of letters and read "The Bedside Esquire"
which Kathleen sent over.

Maxwell was very worried about the leadership of the 2/29 Battalion. Robertson did not give
the impression of being fit enough for the job, physically; he had no hope of keeping up with
any of the other CO’s on a Recce, which rather went against him. His barrack discipline
might have been better but his tactics were quite sound. Johnnie Lloyd was Robbie’s second
in command and was very efficient at his job and would go through hell and high water to
carry out letters of the order. But like many staff officers he had too little imagination. He was
very, very fit. Unfortunately they went to different churches and this in some cases leads to
biased treatment. Eventually it was decided to retain Robbie as CO and to send Johnnie Lloyd
back to Base. From a sentimental point of view it was a very good move.

One day Maxwell took me for a drive up to Kahang and Kluang. At the former, 2/29 Battalion
were in the throes of moving their Headquarters Commander in Chief from one side of the
road to the other. Just before the conference started, Johnnie Lloyd appeared and I think he
had on his person everything but the kitchen sink. Before he could sit down he had to move
some of his equipment. The situation was the more noticeable as the Brigadier was wearing
his red banded cap and carrying a walking stick. After a discussion on any problems we set
off for Kluang and on the way met Black Jack and his latest toy, an aerodrome defence
vehicle. We formed a convoy and moved off with a couple of Don R’s in pursuit. The
Brigadier and I made a stop at the Kluang Cool Stores to purchase some tinned food to add
variety to the Brigade mess before we made an inspection of the dispositions of the 2/30
Battalion. “B” Coy, 2/29 had rejoined their Unit at Segamat and had been replaced by the
2/30 Battalion which was not so much a case of a boy doing a man’s job. Black Jack’s
officers Mess could not be expected to cater for five unannounced bodies so the Brigade party
had a very nice meal at the local Rest House before returning to Jemaluang.

Life at Brigade was very boring with nothing definite to do and it was rather a relief to hear
on 16 December that Dawks wanted me for a job. I was given two letters each of which
contained the names of members of the Johore Military Forces who were suspected of being
fifth columnists and I had to deliver a copy to each of the two AIF officers attached to the
JMF, one at Kluang and one at Kahang, and to no one else; and believe me they took some
finding. Dawks was beginning to think that I had shot through as I took so long to report

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Captain N Morrison

back. Coming back I was travelling a little too fast when I hit a bump on the bridge over the
Sungei (River) Lenngor and found myself looking into the headlamp of Gertie the bike, with
my tail right up in the air; I thought that I was going to bite dirt that time.

I moved back to Division Headquarters on 18 December when the staff were further reduced,
this time to the status of a report centre. On the “G” side there were Butler, Metcalfe and
myself; Defence Platoon Couch; 2 Signals, 3 Engineers and 1 Provost, Jock Dole. We formed
a happy little mess until we were asked to pay 60 cents a day for extra messing which we did
not receive. Although very junior members of Headquarters mess we kicked up a stink. Those
back at Johore Bahru were able to purchase extras for their mess but that was no reason why
we should be asked to contribute towards the cost of their higher standard of living. Our only
extra was some pork which Jock Dole was arrested for disturbing the peace.

My sleeping quarters were very grand for these three weeks; I occupied the marquee which
was erected for the GOC. It had floor boards, electric light, carpet square and was double
hung with mosquito netting. Life was very quiet with four hours dayshift each day and every
third night was duty night but this entailed nothing more than having an office phone in the
tent in case something happened during the hours of darkness. One night, a landing was
reported at Marsing and caused quite a flap for a time but was soon found to be false. For the
next couple of nights everyone was on their toes.

Somewhere, around 20 December, Jock Dole and his men were very much put out. Up to then
they had the initials TC on their brassards; these stood for Traffic Control which was their
main duty. Then the brassards were changed to MP – Military Police – which hurt the men
very much as their duties hardly altered although their powers were greatly increased. All
through the campaign Jock’s men did a wonderful job directing the traffic particularly at the
crucial points such as the Segamat Bridge and the Causeway.

In order to give the AIF some idea of what they would be up against, Dawks had been sent
north and attached to 9 Indian Division as a Liaison cum Observer Officer. On his return, just
before Christmas, he delivered a lecture to a rather large assembly of officers who had
gathered at Jemaluang. The theme was “Explosion of the Japanese Myth” in which he said
that one Australian was worth five Japs; their bullets would not penetrate any reasonably hard
substance and would cause only a flesh wound and they had no tanks.

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If the statements made by Dawks had been facts as we were led to believe the Nips would be
driven back into the sea as soon as they met the AIF. It seemed strange that the British Troops
could make no impression on the southward advance, yet, the AIF were supposed to put the
enemy to route. We must have been daft colonials to believe such rot.

Part of my job was to take a daily stroll around the area to see that everything was under
control and I returned one day to find an Australian War correspondent going through the
messages file, obviously looking for a story, in the “G” truck. I ticked him off for abusing his
privileges, particularly as he had had a year or more of experience in the Middle East.
However, larger strips were taken from the hide of the duty NCO who was supposed to be in
charge of the truck during my absence. It was only a small incident but, showed that security
could be improved which was done by the Defence Platoon supplying a guard during
daylight. After dark the truck did not operate except for the duty phone.

Boredom got me once again and on 29 December, I set sail on Gertie for Kluang to see some
of the lads of the 2/29 Battalion. My visit coincided with the first air raid on that drome and
town and the AIF suffered its first battle casualties in Malaya when one of the Signals Olsen
was killed and two of “B” Coy wounded. Mel Johnson phoned a warning of the raid through
from Segamat but the planes were dropping their bombs before the siren could be sounded.
Several of our planes were caught on the ground and damaged while some of the buildings
were set on fire. This was my first air raid and I was a bit windy although no bombs fell very
close. Hospital Hill, where “B” Coy were, copped most of it and the above casualties
occurred there. The CO, who was holding an Orderly Room on the Hill, was very badly
shaken and never really recovered from the shock. After a decent interval I had a look around
the damaged area and tried to find out the number and size of the bombs dropped and then
went back to Jemaluang to report to the Brigadier.

The Comfort Fund Christmas Hampers arrived a day early but that did not matter. They
contained many delicacies which made the mouth water; preserved fruits and nuts etc. Those
items which would obviously be tastier when prepared in the kitchen such as plum puddings
were handed in and served en mass on Christmas day. My hamper was sent from Albury
which I thought was rather appropriate as I did my first AIF training at the Albury
Showgrounds. On the great day all ranks at the Report Centre sat down to a beautiful dinner;
fish, poultry, pork, peas, potatoes, plum pudding, fruit and Tiger beer. A week later the New
Year was ushered in with as much noise as possible and the men were in very good spirit. At

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0300 hours I was able to convince them that it was time to go to bed. After all there was a war
on and anything could happen that day.

From the war angle things had not been going so well. All this time 111 Corps had been
withdrawing down the West Coast and were in pretty bad shape as they had suffered defeat
after defeat. By 1 January, 1942 they were in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur and were about to
evacuate Kuantan on the East Coast. Every morning Sir Lewis Heath would draw a line on
the map beyond which there would be no retreat yet a couple of hours later the British troops
would have to fall back because the enemy were behind them, threatening to cut the supply
lines. Next morning another “No Retreat Line” and so an infinitum.

Another raid on Kluang early in the New Year destroyed nine planes on the ground; this was
just after some Glen Martin bombers had arrived from Java to help us. Luckily there were no
casualties. To give his Platoon an idea of what damage even small bombs could do Norman
Couch used to run excursions to see the damage. Gertie was in good trim all this time and I
was beginning to get a little confidence with my riding. Every day I would go over to Brigade
to see if there was anything I could do but on the days that the beer ration came in I made an
extra trip with a cold bottle for Pat Garde; when my finances permitted it.

27 Brigade had received a warning order to move north and were at an hours notice to move.
It was obvious that the AIF were going into action but no one at Jemaluang seemed to know
when or where. Two days after the warning order was received, on 9 January, Major Pond
asked me to go down to Johore Bahru and get some idea of the GOC’s intention. I told Dawks
what I had come for and he said that I could forget that little matter; I was just he man to take
a message to 45 Indian Brigade Headquarters at Jasin on the West Coast. It was going to be a
fairly long drive, about 250 miles, so Dawks arranged for a car to be available and I could set
out after lunch. I was quite happy to be driven for such a distance and did not mind leaving
Gertie in the carpark. Signals sent a message back to Jemaluang for me and I never saw the
Report Centre again.

111 Indian Corps had had it! They had been fighting a rear guard action since 7 December
and their morale was very low. It was proposed that they should pass right out of the picture
for the time being and have a well earned rest.

A certain amount of mucking about went on and it was not until 6 o’clock that evening that I
got away, headed for Headquarters 45 Indian Brigade last heard of at No. 2 Camp Jasin. I

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took with me the following order. “27 Australian Brigade on the right with 45 Indian Brigade
on the left were to hold the line Gemas – Muar. Combined Brigades to be known as
Westforce under command of Bennett. 45 Indian Brigade were to hold S.Muar from Kg
Lenga to Muar with one battalion north of the river and the other two south of the river.
Brigade Headquarters was to be established at Bakri and the Brigade to be in position by noon
on 10 January. A Liaison Officer was to report to Westforce at Yong Peng at 1600 hours the
same day”.

Four hours driving brought me to Jasin but not to 45 Brigade. In fact, no sign of anyone
except a sick sentry and we did not speak the same language. The driver and I hunted around
a bit and found a lone British Officer who told us, subject to our accepting his hospitality to
the extent of two drinks, that 45 Brigade Headquarters had left for the fleshpots of Malacca
two days ago. This would be one of the first examples of information not being passed on;
Headquarters AIF should have been informed of this move from Jasin.

It was a fairly short drive into Malacca and I found Headquarters in the Government school
on the foreshore. The duty officer took me round to the Brigade Commander who was getting
ready for bed; I don’t blame him as it was pretty late by this time and apologised for my
untimely arrival but explained the position. Brigadier Duncan and his Brigade had arrived
only recently in Malaya and his troops were young and only partially trained. He was not at
all keen on the idea; I think that coming under command Westforce hurt a bit and floored a bit
by the need for such speedy action. One of his battalions was still coming south; one was on
Coast defence work north of Malacca and the other was garrisoned in the town itself.

I admitted that it would be very difficult to get the Brigade across the Muar River and in
position within twelve hours but it was not impossible. The only means of making the
crossing was by ferry consisting of two barges towed abeam of a motor launch making a
diagonal trip across the wide swiftly flowing stream. We then went around to the Brigade
Major, dragged him out of bed and gave him the news. He was a much more forceful
personality and set about getting things done.

After the time honoured query of “Any questions” had been put and no further points raised,
the driver filled up with petrol and we headed south once more with a stop at Batu Phat to
pick up a screed before starting on the final leg to Division Headquarters. The last part of the
drive was very tiring and the driver and I had to relieve each other at the wheel every few
miles. Apart from the distance covered, nearer 360 miles than the 250 as originally estimated,

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the strain of night driving with “Brown Out” lights was very great. It was well and truly
daylight when I got back to Johore Bahru. I reported in to Adrian Curlewis who was Duty
Officer and then retired to my bunk for a bit of a sleep before breakfast. After a feed I moved
off with the other members of Division or Westforce Headquarters as it was no called to
Yong Peng. Chris Nestor with all my gear was at Jemaluang and he did not catch up with me
for another couple of days. On Gertie I could carry only the minimum of gear such as a spare
shirt, shorts, socks, shaving kit and underwear. Chris had no special space allotted to him in
the Division transport so had to scrounge for room for his own and my gear. All other batmen
travelled with their officers in their respective motor vehicles.

On the trip to Yong Peng I was continually falling asleep on the bike and had to dismount
several times and have a quick run around to wake myself up. The last mile or two was
through torrential rain with visibility down to a few yards. The main North/South Road was
one continual stream of vehicles heading south. These were the civilian population fleeing to
the safety of Singapore and taking with them on their grossly overloaded cars and trucks the
most valued of their possessions. Some were European and some were Native but most had
stayed on the job as long as possible, in the hope that the enemy advance could be halted. But
no, all they could do was pack up and get out, lose their life’s work and maybe start again
from scratch at some future date. Many unfortunates had run off the road, some being in
serious straits, but one could do nothing to help.

From a military point of view, these confusions of refugees were a confounded nuisance, to
say the least. Even the main roads in Malaya are not over wide and the northward movement
of troops was greatly hindered by the southward stream. Sometimes this latter developed into
panic flight with mostly civilians but occasionally troops at the wheel.

Headquarters was in the manager’s house of a rubber plantation while the various sub-offices
were scattered to the four winds in outbuildings and tents. It was not until a little later that I
realised that the GOC liked his home comforts and always made for the best house in which
to set up shop. Although, I was dog tired I had to stand by after Mess as a conference was
being held then and I might be needed. Gordon Butler was working between 111 Corps and
22 Australian Brigade on the East Coast so I had a bit extra to do but not enough to worry me
unduly. When I did stand down I went over to my quarters, put a blanket on the floor and did
not bother to take off my boots before going to sleep on the concrete floor.

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