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Auction: 23002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 29

The General Service Medal awarded to Lim Cheng Khuan, Civil Liaison Corps, who were better known as Ferret Force during the Malay Emergency

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (FF1345 Lim Cheng Khuan C.L.C.), very fine

Ferret Force was formed in mid-1948 to act in the jungle against terrorist guerrillas. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Walker, a distinguished Burma veteran, it was composed of European civilians, British, Gurkha and Malay troops, backed up by Chinese liaison officers, and Dyak and Iban trackers from Sarawak all led by former Officers from the Special Operation Executive's Force 136.

Each group would be split into four sections, commanded overall by a European who knew the area well and, more often than not, had a fund of invaluable local knowledge, sometimes even of jungle lore. Each group had four teams of twelve soldiers and one civilian (a Chinese interpreter). Dayaks (head-hunting tribesmen) flown from Borneo also enhanced the unit's tracking capabilities. In case support was needed, each group could rely on conventional Quick Reaction Forces (QRFs) with Gurkha battalions being a favourite.

During its short period of existence, Ferret Force discovered twelve permanent guerrilla camps and proved what even a scratch force could achieve. The success of Ferret Force, albeit brief, demonstrated that the most effective military operations were by small units of platoons, sections and even sub-sections undertaking deep-penetration patrols into the jungle. It paved the way for other units who would take on the terrorists on their own ground. Many members of the Force later joined the S.A.S. in Malaya.

Several awards for gallantry were made to the Force, including the M.M. to Sergeant Kambersing Rai, 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles (sold in these Rooms in November 2021 - Hammer Price £7,000). Major Richards, seconded to the 7th Gurkhas, gave insight in The Kukri - Journal of the Brigade of Gurkhas regarding their operations during Operation 'Rugger':

'An area of approximately 200 square miles, largely hill jungle, was to be our playground and initially, no other troops were to operate in this area....We slipped into the jungle before first light and, avoiding paths, moved east, until a suitable base was found.'

The Force were to begin their operation by destroying enemy camps and disrupting their lines of supply and communication. After some 14 days of being drained by leeches and harassed the enemy, including a number of costly engagements, Phase 2 was to begin after returning to the Rear HQ. A larger attack on the squatter bandit camp in the 23rd Mile Village area. Sweeping in, the Ferret Force, with support from the Seaforths and the 2nd Gurkhas, several bandits were killed in the first forays, whilst the remainder of those in the village were checked, with the help of the interpreters. By nightfall some 80 bandits had been shaken down and arrested. The village was burnt, much to the pleasure of the local Planters and workers, who knew that it was the centre for local Communist activity. Ferret Force were moved out to Port Dickson some days later and disbanded. So closed this chapter on the Malaya campaign. It was the fine work of the Ferret Force, Lim Cheng Khuan included, and the lessons learnt, that surely led to the re-forming of the Special Air Service.


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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£320