 Bringing the History and Honour of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service to a wider audience, recording the deeds of the Service and the people who have served in it.
We hope that you enjoy reading about some of the rich history of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service, its ships and the men and women throughout the 104 years of it’s existence.
We will endeavour to add more for your enjoyment, as and when it becomes available, but would like to ask you, our audience for stories from your time at sea, remember, your story of today’s RFA, is tomorrows history and we would like to record as much as possible, so this site is perpetuated for future generations. |
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The Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal Information |
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RFA Historical Society
The Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal
 In 2005 the Government of Malaysia approached the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office seeking approval to issue a new medal, the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal to British Veterans and others who had served in operations in Malaya/Malaysia between the 31st August 1957 and the 12th August 1966. At the time the Ministry of Defence considered that this was not a matter for them as the medal was considered to be a commemorative medal, though qualifying veterans could apply for the medal to the Malaysian authorities.
After intense lobbying of the Government from a number of veterans groups Her Majesty the Queen gave permission for this medal to be worn on the 8th August 2007.
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RFA HISTORICAL SOCIETY's THANKS |
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The RFA Historical Society is very grateful for all the support, information and images it has received from it's members, current and former members of the RFA, relatives of RFA seafarers and veterans and the general public in general for supplying items to include on this web site.
The Society regrets, however, that a very limited number have refused or have ignored direct requests for help. As such, there are some gaps in the data and the Society is therefore unable, at this time, to publish in totality the History of the Service.
The Editors will continue their research and material found will be published as regularly as possible in accordance with the Society's editorial policy.
Should anyone have material or images which they would like to donate to the Society please contact the Editors via the 'Contact Us' link on this page. |
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The “Wave” class of 21 ships (20 to be RFA’s) were built to a standard 1943 wartime design with slight variations in layout and complied with the builder’s normal construction plans and details. The designs changed and differed across the three builders and the actual equipment and the amounts of ferrous and non ferrous metals available changed as manufacturing ability and priorities changed during the war.
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Replenishment is a dangerous business |
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RFA Bishopdale arrived at San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf in the Philippines in the early part of December 1944, to join the British Pacific Fleet Train that was beginning to assemble there, in preparation for the push by the Allies across the Pacific to the Japanese homeland.
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Medal for Suez Canal Zone 1951 to 1954 |
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RFA Personnel who served on ships directly in support of the Suez Canal Conflict may now apply for the Naval General Service Medal 1918-62, with the ‘Canal Zone’ clasp.
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A correspondent of the Glasgow Herald in October 1953 told his readers that Admiral the Earl Mountbatten, the Fourth Sea Lord, had described the ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as ‘Fairy Godmothers of the Fleet’. The Admiral went onto say – ‘It is, of course, appropriate, for the Fleet could not operate without the faithful RFA’s which work silently and efficiently, and are largely unknown to the public.’
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In 1982, during the Falklands Conflict a plan was hatched in Argentina to destroy British ships in Gibraltar harbour. This plan was approved by Admiral Jorge Anaya, who kept it secret from the Junta.
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A little oil on troubled waters |
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Back in the 1950’s some of the RFA’s fleet of tankers were hired out to commercial companies on charter. RFA Wave Emperor was one such tanker which was chartered to the Esso Standard Oil Company, and engaged in freighting oil from the Caribbean to various ports on a fixed term contract.
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RFA Reindeer and the loss of the Airship R38 |
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In June, 1918 the Admiralty made plans for an air ship to be built which would "be required to patrol the North Sea for six days without support, as far as 300 miles from a home base." It was to have a combat ceiling of 22,000ft, and was required to carry enough fuel for 65 hours at full speed of 70.6 mph. It was agreed that the air ship would be classed as "Admiralty A Class" and was to be designated as the R38.
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The following exchange of signals it is reported have taken place: -
From: HMS Cossack To: RFA Maine
RPC Cocktails 1945 tonight =
1400K
From: RFA Maine To: HMS Cossack
Your 1400K. MRU. Have just received a case of leprosy =
1406K
From: HMS Cossack To: RFA Maine
Your 1405K. Bring it over, we drink anything here =
1415K |
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