Thank you for sharing that special moment with us, Richard.
BTW, those models on display are really top quality!
BTW, those models on display are really top quality!
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Thank you for allowing us to share the occasion with you, Richard.
John.Comment
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Thank you John, Chris and Andrea, and yes Doug, it's stated on the programme that he was an FAA Observer early in his career.
Now here are the close ups...
More pictures to come...Comment
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A big thank you Richard to you and those who helped make the occasion happen. It means a lot to the service fraternity that those who were lost are not forgotten. Their memory continues thanks to events such as these.
I thank you all.Comment
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Hi, in the earlier set of photos featured planes involved in Malaya except the Veelderbeast, Albacore and Boston. You'd be surprised to see a Zero. They were navy but land based in Vietnam that covered the landings at Kota Bharu. There is also the Catalina, the first British plane to fall to the Japanese just before the landings and a Blenheim whose pilot won the first VC against the Japanese.
Here's the rest of the close ups...
Some of our placards showing the movements and hits on both the capital ships...
Our hotel next to the memorial at sunrise and late afternoon...
That's all I think...will show a little trivia in the next post.
Cheers,
WabbleComment
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Thank you Doug, I will share this with the team.
This wouldn't have happened if His Majesty hadn't suggested it.
Cheers,
WabbleComment
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Superb Richard, in the circumstances I shan't award the Dogs as normal as it would seem disrespectful .
Well done .Comment
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No problem John and thanks. The whole team deserve the Dangglies for their displays and efforts and would have loved hanging them around their neck.
Here's the trivia taken from an interview with Mrs Henrietta Wood...
"KUANTAN: It was a poignant moment for Henrietta Wood when she attended the unveiling of a memorial for two sunken British warships – HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales – at Teluk Cempedak here today.
Eighty-two years ago today, her grandfather Captain John Leach, who was the Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales, went down with his ship along with 840 others between both the British warships.
The mother of two described the memorial as being built at the "best" location which is some 61 nautical miles off the coast of Kuantan where both the warships sunk on Dec 10, 1941.
"It is extremely honoured to be here (for the unveiling event) to witness the stunning memorial. We are at the most appropriate place to have the memorial which is not far away from the sea (South China Sea)... my grandfather was on that ship (HMS Prince of Wales).
"Being part of this unveiling of a memorial to those brave men is a huge privilege and a very moving experience for me. I cannot thank Your Majesty (Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah) enough for making today happen.
"While it is, therefore, a very personal occasion for me, I hope that I can also be here for the families of both those who died and those who survived," she said in her speech after the unveiling ceremony.
Al-Sultan Abdullah had earlier graced the unveiling of a memorial stone overlooking the South China Sea which is dedicated to the sailors of two sunken British warships.
When met, Wood said she had never been to the site where the ship sank but had seen the photographs of wreaths laid over the war graves of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.
"We are lucky to have salvaged the auxiliary anchor (taken from one of the warships) as I was told that some parts of the ship were damaged.
"This memorial is a reminder of the sacrifices made in war and is also a symbol of the bond between both our countries. It will be special to come back here during the anniversary every year," she said.
In her heartfelt speech earlier, Wood said exactly 82 years ago today, two British ships were attacked and sunk just off the coast from here.
"Eight-hundred forty men lost their lives… 513 from HMS Repulse and 327 from HMS Prince of Wales. My grandfather was among those who did not survive," she said.
Reminiscing the past, Wood said her father Henry Leach (later known as Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach) was a midshipman based in Singapore in December 1941 where he had met up with his father (John Leach).
"My father had (then) recently celebrated his 18th birthday. They met each other several hours before the incident and that was the last they met. On the evening of Dec 10, after the sinking of the two warships, my father went to the quayside in Singapore to try to get news of his father.
"After much frustration, he went back to the wardroom where he was told about his father's death by an exhausted first lieutenant of Prince of Wales who had miraculously survived the ordeal. Losing his father at such a young age and such devastating circumstances, I believe contributed to my father's determination to do his absolute best in the Royal Navy," she said, adding that her father ended his career in the Royal Navy as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.
Prince of Wales, the pride of the British Royal Navy, and Repulse sank on Dec 10, 1941, two days after the Japanese invasion of Malaya.
Both were tasked with intercepting a Japanese invasion fleet at sea. Sailing without air escort, the ships were vulnerable to attacks from Japanese bombers and torpedo aircraft."
This concludes the my experience at the event. Hope you enjoyed the photos.
Cheers,
WabbleComment
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What a wonderful tribute Richard. Superb models and an experience you'll remember for ever. All those involved must feel very proud to have been part of this very special event.Comment
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Richard. Would you object to me sharing this thread on a RN forum. (Navy Net aka Rum Ration). I know many of the old timers, (even older than me), would like to see how the crews of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse have been remembered.Comment
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I think its alright from me Doug as the event is also on the RMN FB page. It'll be great to confirm if RA Betton has building models as one of his hobbies perhaps in his younger days. Never occurred to ask him when I was explaining the displays. The socks was only revealed to one of the organisers and would be his personal collection. Perhaps I should say that all models on display were made by members of Scale Modelers Malaysia (a non profit society that shares their passion for the hobby) and some of the placards were referenced from the net for the event.
You may need to check with John and the moderators if its okay as well. I'm checking my side to see if the Society and members are okay with it and get back to you. I don't see the problem as it would be great for many younger generation to know of this as well.
Cheers,
WabbleComment
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Okay, got the green light on my side Doug.
Cheers,
WabbleComment
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Hi,
I made some corrections on the near miss surface ships encounter as I felt odd as to why undercover of darkness would the Japanese Fleet expose their position. Most likely the lead Japanese attack planes dropped flares to illuminate their target thus creating evasive action for both the opposing fleets yet unaware of each other to alter their course avoiding contact.
Cheers,
WabbleComment
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