Info : The Sarawak Rangers were a para-military force founded in 1872 by the second Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Anthony Johnson Brooke. They evolved from the fortmen which were raised to defend Kuching in 1846. The Sarawak Rangers were commanded by a former British Army Officer, Sir William Henry Rodway, and were highly skilled in jungle warfare and general policing duties, being equipped with various western rifles, cannons and native weaponry.They were based in a number of forts constructed at strategic locations in towns and riverheads. Aside from protecting Sarawak's borders, they were used to fight any rebels and were engaged in a number of campaigns during their history. In times of emergency or war, they could depend on the support of the local population and tribespeople.The Sarawak Rangers were disbanded for a few years in the 1930's, only to be reformed and mobilised for the Second World War in which they attempted to defend Sarawak from Japanese invasion in 1942 at the start of the Pacific War. After the abdication of Charles Vyner Brooke in 1946, the Sarawak Rangers became a colonial unit under direct British control and saw action in both the Malayan Emergency and the Borneo Confrontation. In 1963, after the formation of Malaysia, the Sarawak Rangers became part of the Royal Ranger Regiment. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarawak_Rangers
Indeed the camaraderie of men who have served together, especially in times of war, is a bond that runs too deep for those who have never had similar experiences to fully comprehend. It is this bond that drove Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Robert Rizal Abdullah (http://pgbwarrior.blogspot.com/), in his quest to see that a fellow soldier be given the proper resting place he so deserves.
The comrade in question was the late Lance Corporal Ungkok Anak Jugam who died in action, on Feb 13, 1955 during the Communist Insurgency. His grave, marked by a simple tombstone was located at Jalan Langgar, Alor Star, Kedah. The years of development and neglect by authorities saw the grave of a fallen soldier turn into nothing more than a milestone by the side of a road. - www.mmail.com.my/Re-burial_for_one_of_our_brave.aspx
“But we in it shall be remembered – We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother...,” so said Shakespeare's King Henry V.
No comments:
Post a Comment