Unveiling of the memorial to PoW and Repulse.

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys,
Just thought of letting you know that our local modelling society has been invited to help with a small display of our models related to the invasion of Malaya and the sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse the following weekend. The event is to unveil a memorial for HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales at Telok Chempedak Kuantan by His Majesty the King who is also the Sultan of Pahang organised by the state and with British involvement also ..... the British High Comm and a Royal Navy 2 star will attend. The grand daughter of Captain Leach is being contacted to attend as well. The RMN is also participating and part of the unveiling with personnel from HMS Spey in attendance. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency ball room and the entourage will adjourn to the memorial probably at the hotels beachfront at Chempedak.
Will get some photos when ready.

Cheers,
Wabble

[Waspie]

It's really nice to hear such events are still occurring so far from home and those lost aren't forgotten.
When is the event taking place Richard?

[Airborne01]

Very respectful Richard - look forward to your tribute
Steve

[rtfoe]

It's really nice to hear such events are still occurring so far from home and those lost aren't forgotten.
When is the event taking place Richard?

Very respectful Richard - look forward to your tribute
Steve

It's a privilege to be part of the ceremony in remembrance of an event that happened so catastrophically near our shores signalling the end to the battleship era with the lives of many sailors lost and the emergence of air power.

[boatman]

YES Richard very good of you all in the rememerance to all those guys that died on these big battle ships well done when you do sir
Chrisb

[rtfoe]

It's really nice to hear such events are still occurring so far from home and those lost aren't forgotten.
When is the event taking place Richard?

Doug, I forgot to answer your question. Its happening next week on the 10th of Dec exactly 82 years after the ships were sunk off the coast of Kuantan.
The family often holiday at my Grandfathers home in Kuantan and often go to the beach not knowing of this sea and air battle and the tragedy.

Cheers,
Wabble

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys, I'm back and exhausted from the event which was a success that garnered good praise from His Majesty the King and both the British and Japanese guests as well as military attaches from other countries in attendance. You'll need some pictures and I'll try to add captions to them.

The team setting up the night before...

This is the Programme...

More pictures to come...

[rtfoe]

Hi,
Unfortunately I wasn't at the unveiling ceremony as I was at the ballroom preparing as in the last minute we were being tasked to chaperone the royal guests through the displays if we were called to. Palms were sweating but we had some practise with early guests while awaiting the arrival of the dignitaries.
But before that here are close ups of the displays...


Well prepared we waited...more pictures to come...

[rtfoe]

Before it all started me and my room mate member had our photos taken...

The guests arrive and were drawn to the exhibits so the team took care of individual groups and walked them through the exhibits. I don't know if you'll spot me with my animated hand gestures talking to a group of British and Australian navy crew.



I had a chat with a Japanese Naval Officer and he was visibly impressed mentioning that one of our exhibits the IJN Kongo was built in Britain by Vickers while her three sister ships were built in Japan following plans of the Kongo...

Then His Majesty arrived and was greeted by the organiser who presented mementos to His Majesty including one from us built by our lead member and presented by our Society President.
The mementos...

And ours...

Which he inspects...

More pictures to come...

[Tworrs]

What a rare honour to be involved in such a memorable occassion Richard, well done, and many thanks for posting those wonderful pictures of the event.

[scottie3158]

Very well done to you and all those involved. You did the memories of those who came before proud.

[rtfoe]

Thank you guys, it was a team effort.

Lucky for us it was His Majesty that needed a chaperone to guide him through the exhibits which was done by our team leader. My partner and I were assigned to the Regent which was not needed so he waited for his father to finish and then proceeded to the banquet table together. We got away from protocol duties...phew. The Queen though came up to the display and was curious if there were anymore sunken wrecks in the area...I'm sure there are as its a big ocean but mentioned we only have knowledge of the two capital ship wrecks. Here are more event pictures and will try to show even more closeups of the displays.

These next were from the Armed Forces facebook page...

While the guests had luncheon we mingled and continued our duties...

Then the signing of placards...

More pictures to come...

[Airborne01]

Thank you

[rtfoe]

When the Royals had left, many of the delegates and guests seated at the royal table asked if they could come round later for a close look of the displays. This was where we had the opportunity for one on one conversations and to exchange experiences and knowledge of the occasion.

Rear Admiral Andrew Betton builds models, so I heard from a member and it showed when he commented on how detailed the models were. He gave compliments to the IJN Haruna in the Kure harbour diorama saying 'thats a beautiful build'.

He is here with His Majesty...

Having a photo taken with my fellow member partner...

Discussing the chronological event from October to the 10th of December 1941.

Highlighting the missed surface battle between the two battle groups had they not turned in opposite directions. It happened because the initial bomber group mistook the heavy cruiser IJN Chokai as Force Z and proceeded for a bomb run with the leading aircraft dropping flares to light up the target. Chokai on seeing this identified itself, Force Z also saw the flares and thinking that the surprise had been lost decided to turned back. Simultaneously the Japanese force did the same avoiding contact. They were 5 miles apart and never saw each other.

Rear Admiral Betton noticed a photo of Captain Leach and Admiral Sir Tom Phillips and asked if Mrs Henrietta Wood had seen it.

Our member speaking Mr Nicholas Wood, husband to Henrietta, granddaughter of Captain Leach of PoW.

Mrs Henrietta Wood signing a placard for us. I had a chance to speak with her whilst walking her through the display and shared some recollections of her father and grandfather. She thanked us very much for a wonderful display.

Couldn't resist a group photo could we...

I was told later that R A Betton was wearing a pair of original socks issued to the PoW crew monogrammed HMS Prince of Wales for this occasion.
There will be more close up pictures and a short story of the last dinner between a son and father.

[boatman]

AN VERY well done wabble on this an yes bet you was nervous but all your club memebers look very smart an handled this event in a supbre manner VERY WELL DONE SIR an all
chrisb