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21st December to 1st January 1942
Perak River Patrol
For the first 15 days, between the 6th and 21st of December, Walter Pollock fought with the 1st Independent Company.
Walter notes in his diary for the 21st of December that he has joined the Perak River Patrol with five other Volunteers form the Independent Company. This is where he met James Richardson, another Volunteer, who fought with Walter Pollock from 21st December 1941 until their capture in Singapore and whose diary has provided a valuable, detailed, description of Walter’s involvement in the Campaign against the Japanese. this part of their from whose diary much of the description of events is taken.
The Perak River Patrol, an offshoot of the Independent Company, was put under the command of Lieutenant John Harold Proctor of the 2nd Loyals.18 It undertook three sorties along the Perak River between the 21st December 1941 and 1st January 1942 during the Malayan Campaign.
The objective of this River Patrol was to obtain any news possible regarding the advance of the Japanese. Also to destroy river craft so that they wouldn't fall into Japanese hands.19
On Sunday 21st December, James Richardson was given sudden orders to join 11 other Volunteers (in Ipoh) who were detailed for the River Patrol, but were not told what the job was to be at first.
The Volunteers were split into two parties of six each. The group which Walter was part of consisted of:
C.S.M. O'Callaghan,
Cpl Richardson,
L/Cpl Pollock,
L/Cpl White,
Pte Ross,
Pte Gilchrist.
Richardson said that this Volunteer party was well provisioned with tinned foods and liquor.
Convoy arrived in Telok Anson at 2000hrs through flooded roads. One accident when two lorries collided, one injury.
Monday 22nd was spent hanging about, when at 1900hrs a conference with Major Fearon and staff re orders for River Patrol which were to obtain any news possible re advance of the Japs; also to destroy river craft thus denying them to the enemy.
 Google Map - Created for this period, primarily based on the dates and places written in Walter’s diary, with significant additional material taken from the diary of James Richardson.
23-24th December - 1st Patrol
25-26th December - 2nd Patrol
27-31st December - 3rd Patrol
Reference
18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyal_Regiment_(North_Lancashire)
19 Richardson diary p99.
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