Colonel Peter Edward Seddon (Ret) as Battery Commander 100th (A) Field Battery Royal Australian Artillery, Malaya 1957-1959, interviewed by Colonel David Chinn MBE (Ret)

Accession Number S02875
Collection type Sound
Measurement 56 min
Object type Oral history
Physical description 1/4 inch sound tape reel; EMTEC SM 911; 7 1/2 ips/19 cm.s; stereo; 10 inch NAB
Maker Australian War Memorial
Date made 8 May 2003
Access Open
Conflict Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960
Copyright

Item copyright: Status to be assessed

Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Seddon speaks of his service background of a Second World War posting to a Middle East experienced field regiment; retitling the battery (to 'A' Field Battery), ceremonial duties role of 'A' Field Battery, use of the Anti-Terrorist Operations Malaya (ATOM) pamphlet in training; training of 'A' Field Battery at the Jungle Training Centre (JTC) Canungra; his general perception of the British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (BCFESR) and the Malayan Emergency; liaison by letter with the battery already serving in Malaya (105th Field Battery); training and administration prior to embarkation; the transit to Malaya on MV 'New Australia'; the collision with the tanker 'France Stove' in the Torres Strait; 'A' Field Battery accommodation at Butterworth opposite Penang Island; clothing issues; artillery organisation, deployment, appointments of officers, cross-training of gunners, observation and prediction of fire on targets; visitors to 'A' Field Battery and conferences; the relevance, and application, of artillery to the insurgency commitment; effectiveness of artillery in dealing with communist terrorist (CT) targets, including harassing and interdiction (H and I) fire, and nomination of targets; artillery troop patrolling to protect gun bases; artillery communications by radio, situation reports (SITREPS); rations and water to troop bases, road security; security of arms and ammunition; battery commander administrative commitments; gun muzzle brakes; vehicle and gun maintenance; soldier ingenuity - a parasol shade; training - unit and individual, including major war training; discipline, leave, liquor, families; an unforgettable character - Lieutenant Delahunty; reflections on experiences as Officer Commanding 2nd Commando Company prior to the Malayan experience; appropriateness of accompanied postings to two year duty in Malaya; aspects of stress on 'A' Field Battery in the Emergency situation; overall battery view of the Malayan Emergency experience.

Related information