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John B. Mackie
The information in this entry is a summary of John Mackie's time in Malaya based on his 'dossier' on the 22 graduates of the former Otago University, School of Mines who were in Malaya before World War 2. The 'dossier' was addressed to the Vice-Chancellor's Office of the University of Otago.
Born in 1910, John Bullamore Mackie left for Malaya to take up the position as Field Engineer with the Anglo-Asiatic Mining Corporation Ltd. early 1935 and worked on prospecting operations in Kedah, Pahang and Selangor. In July the following year, he was posted as the District Inspector of Mines, Kuala Lumpur upon joining the Colonial Service. Subsequently, he also joined the Selangor Battalion, Federated Malay States Volunteer Force (FMSVF) as a private.
In mid-1941, he was posted to other northern districts including Kuala Kubu Bharu, Tapah and Batu Gajah where he was eventually promoted to become the State Inspector for Perak. In the meantime, he had been commissioned in the FMSVF and was made a Lieutenant.
Shortly after the Japanese Invasion of Malaya, he was posted temporarily to make up the strength of the battered, amalgated remnants, from battles further north which became known as the British Battalion. He was also involved in the Battle of Kampar and other actions in the Peninsula. Upon arrival in Singapore, he was returned to the FMSVF but was eventually posted as an Intelligence Officer to the 18th British Division for the Battle of Singapore.
He was then taken prisoner as the British surrendered Singapore to the invading Japanese forces. He spent a year in Changi's POW (Prisoner of War) camp and another two and a half years in the Batu Lintang POW camp near Kuching.
After recuperating in New Zealand, he returned to Malaya as an Assistant to the Chief Inspector of Mines in the position of Technical Advisor on the rehabilitation of the gravel-pumping mining industry which produced about half of Malaya's tin. He then resigned from his position in 1947 for personal reasons.
Photos:
1) The first photograph in this entry is that of the staff and students of the Otago School of Mines, 1934. John Mackie is seated in the front row, the first from the right.
2) The second photograph is that of the staff and students of the Otago University Mining Faculty taken in 1931, John Mackie is standing in the second row, the fourth from the left.
3) Last but not least is that of the farewell for Bill Dunne, likely taken in 1934 where John Mackie is the third from the left in the front row.
To read about John Mackie's autobiography, Captain Jack, click here.
To read about John Mackie's account on the Japanese attacking Ipoh, click here.