 |
| Interpretative
Centre Level 1 - Gallery 1 |
 |
| Askar Melayu |
|
 |
| History
of the Malay Regiment Askar Melayu or The Malay Regiment. The Regiment's crest was designed with a pair of tigers, supporting an Oriental Crown. Within the circle of the crest are a kris and a scabbard with the Regimental motto "Ta'at Setia" written in Jawi, meaning "Loyal and True". Major G. McI. S. Bruce and Captain K.G. Exham, the founding officers of this Regiment, designed the crest. Formed on 1st March 1933 in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, this Experimental Company started with 25 recruits. It was designated 'Experimental' because at this stage, the "Company" was only an attempt to ".find out how the Malays would react to military discipline." Major-General G. Mcl. S. Bruce, O.B.E. M.C. (retired). (Excerpt from article "Trying it out with No. 1 Squad" in Pahlawan, Vol. 1, Kuala Lumpur, 1952.) The Experimental Company was established and trained by men specially selected by the Colonial Office. Major G. McI. S. Bruce of the Lincolnshire Regiment was the first Commanding Officer. Just after six months of training, the recruits showed marked changes in their physique. Most recorded an average six pounds weight increase; some soldiers even grew taller! The Malay Regiment soldiers did not take long to prove themselves to be highly disciplined and credible fighting men. On 1st January 1935, the Experimental Company became The Malay Regiment with a complement of 150 men. Recruitment speeded up. With another 232 recruits, two rifle companies were started and a HQ wing that included a Vickers machine-gun Platoon, a Signalling Section and a Corps of Drums. |
 |
 |
|
NEXT >>
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Copyright © 2002. National Archives of Singapore. Last updated January
2004. 1 Canning Rise Singapore 179868.