Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

The superb Second War 1941 ‘South West Pacific - Malaya campaign’ immediate M.M. group of four awarded to Bandsman R. E. Taylor, 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - ‘The Jungle Beasts’, who under the command of Lieutenant Colonel I. M. Stewart fought a valiant rearguard action covering the withdrawal of the 11th Indian Infantry Division through Malaya and into Singapore, suffering horrendous casualties in the process. Taylor, along with the other survivors from the Battalion, was taken prisoner of war by the Japanese at the surrender of Singapore, 15 February 1942. He died in captivity at Changi Jail, Singapore, 15 January 1944

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2966508 Bdsmn. R. E. Taylor. A. & S. H.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (4) £3,000-£3,600

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M.M. London Gazette 23 January 1942:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the South West Pacific.’

The following short recommendation (from a number of awards to the 2nd Battalion) was listed in The Straits Times, 30 January 1942:

‘His great devotion to duty during bombing and machine-gun attacks was an example to all. At the height of activity he was exposed to great danger in carrying casualties to the ambulances.’

Reginald Edward Taylor was born in September 1900, and was a native of Walworth, London. He served during the Second War with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the Malayan Campaign of 1941-42. Taylor is recorded in Moon Over Malaya - A Tale of Argylls and Marines by J. Moffat and A. H. McCormick as distinguishing himself at Salak Village, Perak River, 23 December 1941:

‘23 December was a day of general and confused withdrawal. Japanese reconnaissance planes flew ridiculously low as if to show their contempt for possible attack. They were followed by low-level air attacks and a further artillery attack on the Argylls’ transport near Salak on the Perak River, which caused twenty-five casualties including Rations Sgt Percy Evans and L/Cpl Michael Friel who lost a leg. Four Argylls and two mess boys were killed. Pte Stan Roberts remembers: ‘We didn’t see any of our planes. Theirs flew in at 300 feet high - you could see the pilots.’

Bandsman Robert [sic] Taylor distinguished himself that day and was later awarded the Military Medal. The citation reads:

‘His great devotion to duty during bombing and machine-gun attacks was an example to all. At the height of activity he was exposed to great danger in carrying casualties to the ambulances.’‘

The Battalion covered the withdrawal of the 11th Indian Infantry Division through Malaya and into Singapore, suffering very heavy casualties as a consequence. Taylor, and other survivors from the Battalion, were taken prisoner of war by the Japanese at the surrender of Singapore, 15 February 1942. Bandsman Taylor died aged 42 whilst in captivity at Changi Jail, Singapore, 15 January 1944, and is buried in Kranji War Cemetery.

Taylor is recorded as assisting in composing the popular Argylls song of the time Moon Over Malaya:

‘Palm trees are swaying in the moonlight
Casting their shadows o’er the sea
What then will greet us in the morning
Just stay a while and listen here to me.

For a moon is shining on Malaya
Stars twinkle down from up above
Girls in their sarongs and kabayas
In their kampongs they sing their songs of love.

You can hear Terrang Bulan and old Sarino
Songs their mothers sang in days gone by
From Penang to Ipoh and Malacca
You can hear those enchanted lullabies.

For the guitars they are strumming in the moonlight
And the echo of those kronchongs never die
There’s a moon shining brightly on Malaya
And to think someday we’re going to say... Goodbye!

Later, in the prison camps they would add the words: ‘And thank Christ we’re going to leave it by and by!’ 2nd Lt. Gordon Smith recalls the song being composed and played at Tyersall Park by the Dance Band section of the Regimental Band. Cpl James Greig, possibly assisted by Bandsman Reg Taylor, created this song. They never said ‘Goodbye’ to the Far East for they both died in captivity, Greig in Thailand and Taylor in Singapore.’ (Moon Over Malaya - A Tale of Argylls and Marines by J. Moffat and A. H. McCormick refers)