Rebuilding Hope: The Royal Engineers' Mission in North Borneo

Ref:  Photo provided by Anthony Catherall

• Their mission was to construct and repair infrastructure, including airstrips, bridges, and roads in Malaya and North Borneo.

Do you know I've only just noticed the Rolex, I bought in Borneo June 1960. with six weeks of our pay, and still got it - Anthony

During 1960s we as Royal Engineers were working hard in Malaya (Malaysia) to regenerate their country after being invaded by the Japanese in WW2. Our job was to build and repair the infrastructure of the country. (Malaya) - Anthony. 

11 Independent Field Squadron RE was to build an airstrip bridges and roads up at Malaya and North Borneo! In the 1960s, a group of dedicated Royal Engineers, known as the 11 Independent Field Squadron RE, embarked on a mission to rebuild and rejuvenate Malaya (now Malaysia) after the devastation of World War II. Among them was Anthony, a passionate and hardworking engineer, who, along with his comrades, was determined to restore the country's infrastructure.

The team faced numerous challenges as they worked tirelessly to construct airstrips, bridges, and roads across Malaya and North Borneo. The tropical climate, dense jungles, and rugged terrain tested their skills and resilience. Yet, their unwavering commitment to their mission kept them going.

Anthony often reminisced about the camaraderie and shared sense of purpose that bonded the squadron. They were not just building structures; they were laying the foundation for a brighter future for the people of Malaya. Each completed project was a testament to their dedication and a step towards healing the wounds of war.

As the years passed, the fruits of their labor became evident. The airstrips they built facilitated better connectivity, the bridges spanned rivers and valleys, and the roads linked remote villages to bustling towns. The Royal Engineers had not only rebuilt the physical infrastructure but also helped restore hope and prosperity to a nation rising from the ashes of conflict.

Our Squadron of Royal Engineers built this strip during this period and I have been fortunate to have re-visited CP with the blessing of the Malaysian I have great affinity with these aircraft, as I was fortunate to be able to fly in them and indeed parachute from one at RAF Seletar in Singapore. 

Anthony Catherall

 Biography

Anthony Catherall was born on 15th July 1940 in West Ewell, Surrey, UK. He joined the Royal Engineers in 1958 and underwent military training with the 6th Regiment RE in Cove, Hampshire. He was extended the opportunity to serve as a training instructor with the rank of Lance Corporal, but he graciously declined, aspiring instead for an overseas assignment. In 1959, he left Southampton with his unit for Singapore aboard the HMT Empire Fowey.

He was stationed in Malaya with the 11th Independent Field Squadron RE in Butterworth from 1959 to 1962. In December 1961, he qualified as a parachutist in Changi, Singapore. After serving in Germany for two years, he retired in 1964. Following his retirement, he joined the Surrey Fire Brigade in September 1964. Over the years, he was promoted and, by 1972, he retired as a Station Officer and Marketing Coordinator at the Surrey Fire Brigade headquarters in Wray Park International Training Centre, Reigate, Surrey. He fully retired from full-time work in October 1990. Additionally, he spent nine years working part-time with Age Concern Doncaster in South Yorkshire, focusing on the welfare of veterans.

In 1960, their unit was sent to North Borneo, based at Camp Paradise in Kota Belud. Their main task was to repair and build roads connecting Kota Belud and Tamparuli, as well as other areas. This was not easy due to the hilly and rocky terrain, and the winding roads caused several accidents, making it difficult to repair the bulldozers.

One unforgettable event was the tragic drowning of two British soldiers and a severely injured local woman, who had been attacked by her husband in Sayap village. On their way to Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu), they had to cross the Tamparuli Bridge, which was flooded at the time.

With no other route to Jesselton, the two British soldiers, Cooper and Hall, had to cross the bridge in a military Land Rover with the injured woman. Despite their careful and anxious efforts, a sudden surge of water swept the vehicle away. Cooper tried to save his comrade and the woman trapped in the back, but all three were lost to the raging waters. This heartbreaking incident claimed the lives of two British soldiers and a local woman.

Three days later, the soldiers' bodies were found, but the woman's body was never recovered. This tragedy, which occurred over 60 years ago, remains fresh in the memory of one of their comrades, now 80 years old. To honour and remember their service and experiences in Malaya-North Borneo, a blog is being written by Muhammad Suhaily and Anthony Catherall, a former British Army veteran (Ex 11 Independent Squadron Field RE), titled 'Surprise!'. In shaa Allah, this pages will be a valuable historical resource for future generations, capturing the essence of their journey and the tears shed at Tamparuli Bridge. Stay tuned for its release. In shaa Allah.

Sources: Mr Anthony Catherall

• 11 Independent Squadron Royal Engineer RE at Kota Belud North Borneo 1958-64