The SAS were disbanded after WWII, but soon a need for their skills re-emerged, and the Malayan Scouts, formed by ex-SAS Brigadier Mike Calvert grew in size, and by the end of 1951 had changed their name to 22 SAS Regiment. The 22 SAS operated with distinction throughout the Malayan Emergency.
A/Sgt Dennis (Danny) Walter Cross is shown above with a 44 pattern belt, with AF0286 compass pouch, AF0100 machete, and AF0101 sheath, and smoke grenade attached.
He is wearing an AF0210 watch strap, as he ponders the air evacuation of a wounded trooper from the Ulu Keneboi jungle in early 1953.
Dennis Walter Cross enlisted into The Welch Regiment at 18 years of age in March 1941
After training, he then served in No1 Commando in India from November 1943 until September 1944 followed by time in Ceylon and Hong Kong.
He was then posted Home until December 1946 when he was released to Class Z(T) Reserve.
In July 1950 he re-enlisted in The Kings Own Border Regiment and from 1951 served with the Malayan Scouts and the SAS Regiment in Malaya until 1956.
He then returned to serve with The Kings Own Border Regiment until his final discharge in 1972.
He is shown on the extreme right carrying the stretcher across the river, on the cover of the book “Re-enter the SAS : the Special Air Service and the Malayan Emergency” by Alan Hoe and Eric Morris.
The troops are seen below awaiting the airlift of the injured trooper, with Danny Cross at left.
All photos courtesy of the book above.
The SAS trained themselves and then made hazardous parachute jumps into the canopy of the jungle, where, if they were uninjured, they lowered themselves to the ground.
They were resupplied by airdrops, and made helicopter landing zones where necessary with explosives.
Here is Danny Cross during parachute training, with his A.F.0210. watch strap.
He was mentioned in despatches for distinguished service in 1954.
