V.I. Cadet Corps

Postwar Rebirth

Capt. M. Webber takes the salute for the V.I.C.C. at the second Merdeka anniversary celebrations at the Merdeka Stadium.
August 31st, 1959

It had become the pride of the school in 1920s and 1930s, with weekly parades on its home turf and its annual glittering Empire Day parade on the Selangor padang. Its constituent platoons vied against each other in musketry and other measures of military efficiency. Then in early 1942 it all ended rather suddenly when war came to Southeast Asia. Even after the three years of darkness were lifted in 1945, the Corps remained a memory while other more urgent postwar needs of the school and country were met. It was under the iron rule of General Sir Gerald Templer who had stepped into the shoes of his assassinated predecessor that the V.I. Cadet Corps was finally revived, even as an armed insurgency flickered in the jungles of Malaya. Herewith, seven consecutive reports from the Victorian documenting the resurrection of a V.I. icon.

he V.I. Cadet Corps which had a great reputation in the pre-war years was resuscitated in January, 1953, after a lapse of 12 years. It was decided to recruit boys from Std. 8 for the Platoon which the School was then permitted to enroll. There was no lack of volunteers as there were more than 80 applications for the 31 places in the Platoon. The applicants were examined for fitness by Lt. Col. S. McKenzie, Commanding Officer of the British Military Hospital at Kinrara and were all found to be fit.

Two parades have been held each week — on Mondays from 1715 hours to 1845 hours and on Thursdays from 1615 hours to 1815 hours. In addition, special classes for potential N.C.Os. were held on Wednesdays.

In February the Somerset Light Infantry became partners in the training. They spared no pains in their endeavours to mould the cadets into a keen, efficient unit.

By a happy co-incidence the Corps first appeared in uniform at the Coronation Parade.

The main feature of this year's training was a four-day camp, which was held in the school premises. It was a joint camp with the St. John's Institution Cadet Corps from August 8th to August 12th. It was the boys' first taste of military life and the morale throughout was high.

We were very fortunate in having the services of Sgt. Major Instructors from the Somerset Light Infantry and the Federation Military Academy.

The climax of the camp was a visit paid by H.E. the High Commissioner, Sir Gerald Templer. His Excellency inspected the parade and took the salute at the March Past. In his address to the two units, His Excellency praised the boys for their steady bearing and good progress made.

On that day the Malayan Film Unit spent many hours filming the boys at work, at meals and at play. All in all it was a day which will be remembered for a long time by the Cadets.

Thanks again to the courtesy of the Somerset Light Infantry, the boys had a shoot. The "grouping" results were most satisfactory. Training this year has been confined to Part I of Certificate "A". The syllabus has been covered and, at the time of writing, the unit is revising lessons learned in preparation for the Certificate A Examination on December 2nd and 3rd this year. There will be 62 candidates.

The Corps will be sending representatives to the Camp which will be held in the middle of December at Port Dickson.

We started off with one Platoon but now have two on the establishment which is as follows: —

The Corps has had many friends whose assistance at this initial stage of its existence has been most invaluable. The Corps acknowledges its gratitude to them all, especially to:-

(a) The Commanding Officer, Somerset Light Infantry.
(b) H.Q., Malaya.
(c) Staff Officer, Federation of Malaya Volunteer Forces.
(d) The Commanding Officer, Federation Military Academy.
(e) The Commanding Officer, British Military Hospital, Kinrai

CAPT. H. M. DE SOUZA
Officer Commanding, V.I.C.C.

t the beginning of this year, recruits from Form Three were enrolled, giving a total of eighty cadets, comprising three incomplete platoons. After a reshuffle in April, the number of men was reduced to sixty-four to form two complete platoons.

So far this year, we have had three ceremonial parades. The first was on the occasion of General Templer's farewell. The V.I.C.C. marched to the airport and lined the route there. It will be remembered that when the General came to inspect us last August, he was so impressed by us that he promised us every possible support. The second parade was on Sports Day. His Highness the Sultan of Selangor inspected the Guard-of-Honour formed by us. The last parade was on our Diamond Jubilee Speech Day. Again, we presented a Guard-of-Honour to His Highness the Sultan of Selangor.

Officer training at Port Dickson
(Left, clockwise from front): Hoe Woon Lin, Lee Choong Keet, Mok Sian Tuan, Tang Jan Chuen, Tang Lin Fook;
(Middle panel, top): CSM Choong Keet with Bren Gun and (right) back at the V.I. passing the skills to his men.

At both the camps run this year at Port Dickson by the Federation Military College, the V.I.C.C. was represented. At Easter, the V.I.C.C. sent three officers and two Non-Commissioned Officers to the Officers’ camp at Port Dickson. In August, one officer and ten NCOs were sent to a fifteen-day camp at the end of which the officer took an examination and the ten NCOs took their Certificate A, Part 2 examination. Our officer was placed second in his examination which tested officers from the whole Federation. The ten NCOs all passed with flying colours. The results are as follows:

Every member of the Corps had a shooting practice this year; the results were good. The only regret is that it has not been possible to arrange more practices.

The training this year was divided into two kinds. The first was for those who were preparing for the Certificate A, Part 2 Examination. This training was much more interesting than the training we did last year. Captain H. M. de Souza instructed us in fieldcraft, a subject in which he has specialized. Lt. Lai Nyen Foo instructed us on map reading while Lt. Chew Ah Kong, CSM Lee Choong Keet and Sgt. Tang Lin Fook, all having attended the Officers' Camp in April, instructed the Corps on the use of the Bren Gun. Forty-five Cadets undertook this training.

The Sultan of Selangor with the Headmaster Mr A. Atkinson and officers and men of the Cadet Corps.
(Founders' Day, July 30th 1954)

The second kind was for those who have yet to take their Certificate A, Part 1. This group made steady progress. The chief instructor was 2nd Lt. Lim Hock Han who was assisted by Lt. Chew Ah Kong and an instructor from the Light Infantry.

We plan to have a Certificate A, Parts 1 & 2 Examination in October. Much hard work has to be put into the training this term so as to prepare the Cadets for the examination. We also intend to recruit more boys from Forms Three and Two for a third platoon, permission for which we hope to obtain next year.

The present establishment of the two Platoons is as follows: —

The Corps owes a lot to many people who have rendered all possible assistance; we wish to thank them all, especially: -

(a) The Commanding Officer, Somerset Light Infantry.
(b) H.Q. Malaya.
(c) The Commanding Officer, Federation Military College.
(d) The Director of Education.

LEE CHOONG KEET
CSM, V.I.C.C.

owards the end of last year, our O.C., Capt. H. M. de Souza, left us to be the first headmaster of the new High Street School. Lt. Lai Nyen Foo took over the Command of the Corps. 2/Lt. M. K. Webber joined the Corps to take the place of 2/Lt. Lim Hock Han, who had resigned.

The end of last year saw the results of a year's training for the majority of the cadets when the Certificate A, Part 2 examinations were held. Twenty-three cadets sat for this examination, of which 14 passed. This number, in addition to the ten N.C.O.s who had passed in August, gives a total of 24 passes from the Corps — quite a record.

The Corps was left with hardly thirty cadets when school began this year. The majority of the old cadets who had formed the core and had raised the prestige of the Corps to its high level had now left school, on completion of their School Certificate.

The response to our appeal for boys to enroll as recruits was most disappointing but we managed to recruit about forty boys. Training is slow but steady.

The band platoon was formed from some of these boys, with Lt. Chew Ah Kong in charge. Instruction in music has been given chiefly by Lt. Chew Kong. We are fortunate to have recently acquired the help of Mr. Yap Chong Kuen in instructing the band platoon.

On February 1st, the V.I.C.C. was represented by thirty cadets at the Federation Day Parade at the Selangor Padang. On April 2nd, Pl. 1 went on an endurance march to the Kenny Hill district. This was something we had never tried before. We covered over fifteen miles in the few hours that we took and finally arrived back in school dog tired. On the whole the march was a success, and it is hoped that we shall have another one at the end of this term. As was usual, the Corps presented a Guard-of-Honour to His Highness the Sultan of Selangor on the final day of this year's Athletic Meet.

Seated 3rd from left: Mok Sian Tuan, Lee Choong Keet, Capt Lai Nyen Foo, H.M. Mr P. Roberts, Lt Chew Ah Kong,
2/Lt M. Webber, Tang Lin Fook, Chan Ah Moy

Recently, we were given the use of a 25-yard range at H.Q. Malaya and shoots have been made possible. Every cadet has had at least one shot. It is hoped that we shall be able to go for many more shoots.

Our present establishment is as follows:—

We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all those people who have so kindly assisted us in every possible way. We would specially like to thank:

(a) The O.C., Somerset Light Infantry.
(b) The O.C., Royal Army Service Corps.
(c) The O.C., Special Air Squadron.
(d) The O.C., Federation Military College.
(e) The Director of Education.

LEE CHOONG KEET
U/Officer, V.I.C.C.

he V.I. Cadet Corps was formed in 1901. It was disbanded with the advent of World War II. The Corps was re-established in 1953 with Capt. H. M. de Souza as O.C. Our original strength was three officers and sixty other ranks. Of this number, only one Officer and four of the Cadets are presently in the Corps.

The training this year has been done totally by our own officers and N.C.O.s. 2/Lt. Webber, C.S.M. Tang Lin Fook and Sgt. Mok Sian Tuan have been responsible for training the recruits, who were selected from Forms I, II and III at the beginning of the year. They are very keen and should be ready for installation by August.

The Band has improved greatly under the able instruction of Lt. Chew Ah Kong and Sgt. Chan Ah Moy.

Platoon 1, under 2/Lt. Lee, has been doing mainly Certificate A, Part 1 training, with some Part 2 work included. They are expected to be ready for the examination in November.

During August 1955 and in April 1956, Platoon I went on overnight endurance marches. It was split up into four squads, each setting out on a different route with the aid of a map and a compass. The Platoon reassembled at a marked spot in the Lake Gardens, where the men spent the night.

The Corps had a few shoots last year at the H.Q. Malaya Command Range. Every Cadet had at least two shoots. The results were very satisfactory. In July this year, the whole Corps went through an assault course. Everybody enjoyed it very much. The Cadets who completed the course in the best times were:-

The following left the Corps in August 1956 :-

Our present establishment is as follows :-

With the progress of the recruit platoons, the Corps should, by the end of the year, regain its former strength of two fully equipped Infantry Platoons, together with the band Platoons.

2/Lt. LEE CHOONG KEET
V.I.C.C.

n January 1957, Lt. M. Webber succeeded Capt. Lai Nyen Foo as the new Officer Commanding (the third in five years) in the reorganized Corps. The strength of the present company is one Commissioned Officer, three Under-Officers, one Warrant Officer and 141 other ranks. At the beginning of the year, some additions were made to the regular uniforms: white belts, light blue and dark blue lash yards replaced the old khaki ones and garters were introduced with the colours of the School.

This year the Cadets have renewed their training for the Certificate A examinations which should have been taken two years ago but were shelved for want of examiners. The training was divided into two divisions. The first division (Squad I) was for those cadets sitting for the Certificate A, Part 1 Examination in April, after which they will proceed to the Certificate A, Part 2 Training. This part of the training was done mainly by the King's Dragoon Guards, assisted by C.S.M. Leong Ming Tuck and Sgt. Kannan. On 2nd April, 31 Cadets sat for the examination and 22 passed. The President of the Examination Board, Major H. R. Howard, Officer Commanding, C Squadron, King's Dragoon Guards, was much impressed by the smart turn-out and results.

The results are as follows:—

The second division of training (Squad II) was for those Cadets taking the Certificate A, Part 1 Examination at the end of the year. Their training was done mainly by the King's Dragoon Guards, Sgt. Kannan and Sgt. Lee Kim Beng.

Boys from the lower forms were recruited to the Corps. Their training was undertaken by U/O Mohamed, Sgt. Lee Kim Beng and Sgt. Oh Kong Lum. They have shown keenness and interest and should be quite ready to join the regular Company.

The progress of the V.I.C.C. Band has been much hindered by the loss of their instructors, Lt. Chew Ah Kong and Sgt. Chan Ah Moy, but they are progressing steadily under the command of Drum-Major Shariff. The Band, however, is still lacking instruments and a Drum Band Instructor. This year the Band made four appearances: at the Laxamana Cup Game, the School's Annual Speech Day, the Corps' own Ceremonial Parade and the Annual Sports Day.

The Regular Company have had only three Ceremonial Parades so far, the first occasion being the school Annual Speech Day. His Highness the Raja Muda of Selangor inspected the Guard of Honour formed by the Company and the Band. His Highness was much impressed. The next occasion was 16th May, the Corps' own Ceremonial Parade. Lieutenant-Colonel W. N. Cairns, Officer Commanding, K.D.G., inspected the Corps, followed by the presentation of the Certificate A, Part 1 Certificates and awards. Silver Cups were presented to the following:—

The Corps also formed a Guard of Honour at the Annual Sports Day. His Highness the Sultan of Selangor inspected the Guard of Honour.

During the first term, the Squad II cadets had a number of shoots which they enjoyed very much. The results were below average as this was the first time any of them had fired a shot.

On 31st August and 1st September, 1957, selected Cadets took part in the Proclamation of Independence Day Parade at the Merdeka Stadium and the march past in front of the Secretariat the following day. These were memorable occasions for the cadets.

The present establishment of the Corps is as follows:—

C.S.M. LEONG MING TUCK
V.I.C.C.

n January 1958, the Corps was again re-organised. With the arrival of Lt. Cheong Pak Seong, the strength of the Commissioned Officers was increased to two; Cpl. Chan Jenn Kwang succeeded D/M Mohd. Shariff as Drum Major; Cpl. Oh Kong Lum succeeded Sgt. Lee Kim Beng as Sergeant of Platoon II. The 1957 recruits were promoted to join the Regular Infantry Company forming a third platoon of their own. The present strength of the Corps consists of two Commissioned Officers, one under-Officer, one Warrant-Officer and one hundred and twenty-one other ranks.

This year our Instructors, under the command of Major McClement, H.Q. Coy., 6th Bn. The Royal Malay Regiment to which our Corps is affiliated, left us to complete their six months retraining course and our training was taken over by the Federation Armoured Car Regiment under the charge of R.S.M. Crosbie. In May, the 6th Malay under the command of Major Khalid, M.B.E., resumed as Instructors to the Corps.

The training was divided into three divisions. The Squad I division consisted of ten N.C.O.s who were to further their training for the Certificate A, Part 2 Examination. This part of the training was performed mainly by the Officers and Sergeant Instructors of the 6th Malay and the F.A.C.R. The Cadets have almost completed their advanced training course and are expected to pass the Examination with flying colours.

The second division (Squads II and III) consisted of cadets sitting for their Certificate A, Part 1 Examination at the end of the year.

The newly promoted 1957 recruits made up the last Squad. They are also receiving their Certificate A, Part 1 training course. The Chief Instructors are Capt. Webber, Lt. Cheong Pak Seong assisted by C.S.M. Leong Ming Tuck and Sgt. Kannan Sivaraman.

The Corps have at the moment a small number of recruits. Their training was done mainly by U/O Mohamed.

The V.I.C.C. band has made vast progress under the instruction of Drum Major Shariff of the 6th Malay and his N.C.O.s, assisted by Chan Jenn Kwang. However, the lack of financial aid for the Corps has deprived it of more instruments and a ceremonial uniform. The band has so far made three appearances: the school's Annual Speech Day, the Telecommunication's Annual Sports, and the school's Annual Sports Day.

This year, the regular Infantry Company have had only two Ceremonial Parades. The first occasion was the school Annual Speech Day when the Corps provided the Guard-of-Honour for His Highness the Raja Muda of Selangor. The Corps also formed a Guard-of-Honour on the Annual Sports Day. His Highness the Raja Muda of Selangor inspected it.

The Corps together with the St. John's Institution's Corps have been asked by the Ministry of Defence to form a Guard-of-Honour at the Merdeka Stadium on 1st September, 1958, to be inspected by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The V.I.C.C. Band together with the S.J.I. Band will form a combined Band for that day.

The Corps have had a number of .303 Rifle shoots during the second term. Except for three Cadets who shot for the first time the results were above average. The Squad I cadets had Light Machine Gun practices in addition to the Rifle shoots and they did exceptionally well in both.

The following were unofficially announced as the ten best sharp-shooters:-

The present establishment of the Corps is as follows:—

C.S.M. LEONG MING TUCK
V.I.C.C.

he new year saw many changes. Lt. Cheong Pak Seong left to become O.C. Gajah Berang, Malacca Unit. U/Officer Leong Ming Tuck and Mohamed Embong completed their studies. 2nd/Lt. Hassaruddin joined the Corps.

Early recruitment was carried out and 29 were enrolled, making the infantry strength of the Corps to 89. So far this year the Corps had only one ceremonial parade; that was on the School's Annual Speech Day. A Guard-of-Honour was formed and the Minister of Education Inche Khir Johari inspected it.

The 6th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, under which the Corps was trained, left us at the end of the First Term. We are now attached to the 5th Battalion but training under them has not begun yet. The activities of the Corps were thus limited and most of the training had to be done by the N.C.O's from the Corps itself.

The Corps underwent an Assault Course on a competitive basis. The cadets were divided into two sections, the Senior Cadets and the New Cadets. The following were the results:—

Seventy Infantry cadets also went on an eight-mile route march to the Lake Gardens. It took us about 4 hours with a few stops.

The V.I.C.C. Band has made vast strides of progress under the training of D/M Chan Jenn Kwang. Although it was deprived of a large number who left on completion of their school career, early recruitment placed its strength at 40. Despite the absence of a Bandmaster it was able to carry on its training.

It was the enthusiasm shown by the recruits and older members that has made the Band the pride of the School.

VICC Band at the School Sports

The Band made its first appearance in its new ceremonial uniform on the School’s Annual Speech Day. It was later invited to play at the Bungsar Road School Sports, during Kuala Lumpur's Centenary Celebrations, the St. John's Ambulance Cadet Rally; the Pasar Road School Sports, the Telecoms Sports and the School's Annual Sports meet.

Plans are being made to enlarge the band. More recruits have been enrolled and instruments ordered. There is no doubt that the V.I.C.C. Band will yet see further improvements.

The present establishment of the Corps is as follows:—

C.S.M. OH KONG LUM
V.I.C.C.

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