On 13th July twenty seven cadets and four school staff, supported by two regular soldiers from 2RGR arrived in Brunei. The main purpose of the first part of the trip was to experience jungle warfare – survival, tactics and fighting in the harsh environment. To this end, the first week involved introduction to platoon weapons, DCCT, issue of equipment, swim test and briefings on platoon tactics and contact drills as well as the mandatory health and hygiene in the jungle lectures. We visited the range where we got the chance to fire the LMG and the GPMG.
Our jungle experience started with stands on survival, food, traps, medicine, shelter and water. The nights in the jungle were filled with strange noises and the reflection of animals eyes as well as a torrential downpour on the first night that tested the bashas and hammocks – most survived! The jungle experience also included navigation, hacking through jungle and some military elements – CTR and contact drills. The jungle phase ended with a camp attack through dense undergrowth.
Cadets learnt valuable skills about personal administration, observation, leadership, self reliance as well as overcoming personal fears of bugs! Without the help and assistance of WOII Madan and Cpl Shyam as well as the support of 1RGR the jungle phase could not have taken place and we are extremely grateful to them.
The second phase was in Malaysia and involved marching part of the Sandakan – Ranau death march. In 1945 a series of forced marches from Sandakan to Ranau took place. Over 2,371 Allied prisoners took part, only six survived. There were 641 British POWs involved, all who died. We took part in four days of the ten day march, navigating and trekking through thick jungle, crossing rivers and climbing hills; grateful that unlike the original prisoners, we had clothing, shoes, food and a comfortable place to sleep each night. The trek included a final push up Quailey’s Hill in Sabah, dedicated to Alan Quailey who was killed at the top of the hill. We got an opportunity to shoot a blowpipe with a local Malaysian – Pak Zudin, who reportedly inflicted casualties on the Japanese during the war with poisoned darts and met Madam Domima, the “ring Lady” who fed six escaped prisoners, under threat of her whole village being executed. Both fantastic and emotional experiences.
The end of the trek included a visit to Jungle Camp Number 1 at Ranau and to Jungle Camp Number 2 – “the last camp” – where the last surviving POWs were killed, 12 days after the end of the war.
14 of the British POWs were from Kent – including Army and Air Force and we held a Service of Remembrance at Kundasang War Memorial to all those who died, especially the British and the 14 from Kent whose names were read out by the cadets.
The next phase was community. We feel it is important to give something back to the local communities that we visit. We stayed at Tenom and assisted a local community with the painting of its church – inside and out. Even though there were twenty seven cadets, it still took us four days, especially in the heat and having to stop to play sports with the young children! The village was extremely grateful for our efforts and on the last evening they put on a banquet and cultural display that we have never seen the like of – we were treated like royalty and partied the night away, taking part in local traditional dances. The experience of giving something to others is always rewarding and knowing that he have both helped a local community and given memories to the young children is special.
Having spent a long time fighting our way through the jungle, the emotional death march and service, helping the community, it was time for some R&R. We were fortunate enough to have attracted the attention of the local press and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment for Sabah – Datuk Masidi hosted a high tea for us so he could meet and talk to the cadets - a rare and fantastic opportunity.
28 days later, we returned to the UK, exhausted but having had the experience of a lifetime having gained confidence, leadership and knowing that we made a difference.
Without the support of the Ulysses Trust, the Berlin Infantry Bde Military Trust Fund (BIB MTF),1RGR, 2RGR these activities could not have taken place for which Sutton Valence School CCF are extremely thankful.
