Malay States Guides (2) Perak

Malay State Guides shooting at Bisley for the Kolapore Cup, 1908

Malay State Guides ( MSG) 1902 - 1919

Most were sepoys who served in the Indian Army and the European Officers came from the British & Indian army. Native Officers were commissioned by the Governor of the Straits Settlements.

Maxim machine guns were equipped and a battery of 150 gunners and 50 mule handlers , gunned with 7 pdr mountain guns with two 15 pdr field guns were formed. The gunners wore dark blue uniforms and turbans

Early years, the Imperial Defense Committee in London rated the unit as efficient.

1902 – Walker was Lt Col as commandant of the Malaya States Guides and retired in 1910

1910 – Col Murray from the 89^th Punjab Regiment was commandant till 1912

1913 – Col OHB Lees from the 53^rd Sikh Regiment was CO and led the unit to Aden in 1915

Problems with MSG

- The force did not belong to the Indian nor the British army

- Nor was it a police force

- There was no real true purpose as too much time drilling and little time training for war. Peace, ceremonial soldiering and lack of purpose have sap the regiment’s morale.

Proposed to send MSG overseas on active service was declined as War Office view the MSG as Local Constabulary.

1914 – Was sent to Singapore to embark for service in East Africa. MSG refused as contract obliged them to serve in Malaya. Possible reasons were reports of high casualties in Africa, reluctant to leave businesses built in Malaya during spare time and anti-British sentiments in the ranks.

- Infantry returned to Taiping whilst battery remained in Singapore to bolster defenses after withdrawal of British Battalion.

1915 5 Feb – 5^th Light Indian Infantry shared same issues as MSG and mutinied.

1915 – MSG helped to suppress native revolt in Northern States of Kelantan and agreed for overseas services with new contracts in fear of losing livelihoods and careers in case of disbandment.

1915 Sep – MSG joined the Aden Field Force with 900 officers and men, and Tamil laborers.

1919 – MSG returned with 500 men – the death toll was due to sickness rather than battle casualties as most were stricken with diarrhea and dysentery.

Late 1919 – MSG was disbanded due to forgotten theatre in Aden, doubts about their value and CO’s recommendation. Mainly, the men were worn out by Aden’s harsh conditions and decided to return to India. Those remained joined the Federated Malaya States Police Force.

Bibliography : Forgotten Regiments by Berry Renfrew and Google search