We've tried to ensure the information displayed here is as accurate as possible. Should there be any inaccuracies, we would be grateful if you could let us know at info@ipohworld.org . All images and content are copyright.
(Please click on the thumbnail for a bigger image.)
The First Battallion The Manchester Regiment: Part 1 - A Brief History And The Regimental Band In Tapah
The Manchester Regiment was a regiment of the British army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 63rd Regiment of Foot and the 96th Regiment of Foot.
Stationed in Singapore from 1938, the 1st Manchester’s saw action during the Japanese invasion of the island in February 1942. After bitter fighting, on 15 February, Lieutenant-General Percival signed the surrender of Singapore and all Commonwealth forces on the island.
The original 1st Manchester’s (the battalion would later be restored by the re-designation of another battalion) spent the rest of the war as POWs (Prisoner of War) and several hundred men from the 1st Manchester’s died in the camps.
In 1951 the Manchester’s returned to Malaya aboard the troopship Empire Hallande to play their part in the Malayan Emergency.
The 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment was divided into two companies:
A Company In 1953 in Dublin Estate, Kedah and Trap.
B Company 1951, Kroh Camp, Upper Perak.
In three years of service during the Malayan Emergency, 14 men from the regiment were killed in action.
From left to right the photographs show:
To go to Part 2, click here.;
To read about typical troopships used during the Malayan Emergency, click here.;
To read more about Tom Turnbull, click here.