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| Life & Times of Maj Gen Dato' Selvarajah. |
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| I was happily enjoying my work as a Police Inspector when I saw the advertisement for volunteers to be trained in UK as officers for the Federation Regiment. The temptation of going to UK over powered the substantial reducition in pay and when I arrived in Port Dickson for the interview there was no shortage of candidates (pic right) for the 12 "Superb Man" to be selected. The lucky 12 were Victor Nelson Stevenson, Lakhbir Singh Gill, Tong Chee Sin, Ng Boon Hwa, Lai Chung Wah, N.Selvarajah, Gui Poh Chui, Leong Siew Meng, Khong Kim Kong, Asna Mohd Sutan, Abdullah Samsudin and Amiruddin Mustapha Albakri. |
| The ambush and murder by the CTs of Sir Henry Gurney the High Commissioner of Malaya saw the arrival in 1952 of his replacement Gen Templer. Life style and "tempo" changed. Briggs plan was effectively put into action. Red tapes were cut.off. Officials dragging their feet were removed. Apart from relentlessly working towards the elemination of the CTs there was also indications that he was preparing for the independence of Malaya. One of the indications was the creation of the multi racial Federation Regiment. |
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| Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. |
| Duke of Kent. Prince Edward. |
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| Though I was selected as one of the 12 "Templers Superb Man", unfortunately some "hitches" caused by the Singapore authorities had to be overcome by Gen Templer before I could go to PD for training. In the mean time the remaining 11 went on a months publicty tour and more cadets were recruited. When training started there were 2 platoons. On completion of pre OCTU training we left PD by trucks and boarded the train in Seremban for Singapore. When we got to the Johore Bahru railway station I felt very happy for Rokuni was there to see me off. When we got to Singapore, we embarked on the troop ship Empire Orwell and it took 3 weeks to reach Southampton..At last we had set foot in UK. We spend the first fews days with the Lancashire Fusiliers in Formby before going to Eaton Hall. |
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| One of the most memorable events happened when I was in Eaton Hall. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Like thousands of others went to London and after waiting for hours on the procession route (pic right) saw the colourful procession. |
| Of all the dignitaries it was Queen Sall0tte of Tonga in her open horse drawn coach who got the most "thunderous" cheers |
| When we got to Eaton Hall in Chester it was a bit of a suprise for it looked nothing like a military training set up. It was an impressive castle with a beatiful garden. (Pic left - I am seated 4th from left). For the next 4 months it was our "home". Whilst the training was tough and time was scarce, I did manage to see a bit of Chester. It was an unsual town with its history dating back to the Roman days. It has galleried streets known as "The Rows". Shops open onto balustrated walkways which have to be reached by steps from the street. |
| On finishing my course at Eaton Hall I was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. From there I proceeded to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and my status reverted to Officer Cadet. The post World War ll RMAS was reputed to be one of the best, if not the best military institutions in the world. I was in intake 14 and was posted to Alemein Company. On our first day we were assembled on the parade square in front of the Old College and addressed by the RSM of the Academy Mr. J.C.Lord. His very first words were "Gentlemen, my name is J.C.Lord. J.C does not stand for Jesus Christ. He is Lord up there (pointing to the sky with his pace stick) and I am Lord down here (pointing to the parade ground). I will address you as "Sir" but I won't mean it and you will also address me as "Sir" but make sure that you mean it. |