Brigadier John Francis White OBE (Rtd) as the lieutenant colonel Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment, Malaya 1957-1959, interviewed by Colonel David Chinn MBE (Rtd)

White speaks of the selection of officers for 3 RAR's service in Malaya; the usefulness of his previous posting to Headquarters Far East Land Forces Singapore to commanding 3 RAR in Malaya; impressions of 3 RAR on assuming command; 3 RAR perceptions of the Far East Strategic Reserve role and the role of the Security Forces in the Malayan Emergency; emphasis in training on health, hygiene and weapon handling; the role of the company headquarters of the un-manned D Company in training and the employment of Support Company; the training of 3 RAR prior to deployment to Malaya; the voyage on the MV 'New Australia' to Malaya, 3 RAR being accompanied by many families; the training of 3 RAR at the Far East Land Forces Training Centre at Kota Tinggi, Johore State with an emphasis on the enhancement of fitness and acclimatisation and a more sensible policy on water consumption; the handover between 2 RAR and 3 RAR, including ground locations 'A' Field Battery and 2nd Field Engineer Troop; the District War Executive Committee at Sungei Siput with 3 RAR's participation; assimilation into 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade; handling the VD problem; 3 RAR's initial reaction to the operational situation, including its communication difficulties and the communist terrorist (CT) threat; operations highlights - Ducker's tracker team attack, Garland's plantation ambush; rest, retraining and training for the Strategic Reserve role; attachments and detachments; sport and platoon strengths; patrolling policy and procedures including resupply, medical evacuation aspects and malaria prevention; associated Security Forces - Police Field Force, Home Guard; 3 RAR family administration and problems - preference for unaccompanied duty in Malaya; the 3 RAR Leave Centre for single soldiers; value of the Malayan experience to the Vietnam commitment.