Review by Roy Henry
(Colonial Police - Malaya, Sarawak, Fiji, Hong Kong - 1948-1967)
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'Chequered' aptly describes William ('Jock') Mathieson's career which he records
in diary-like precision. After serving in the army in India, Malaya and Indonesia
from 1944 to 1947 he was demobbed in the rank of Colour Sergeant and then joined the
Malayan Police as a Police-Sergeant, An eventful seven years was spent mostly in
anti-terrorist operations, and included promotion to Assistant Superintendent and being wounded in an ambush. In 1955 he was transferred to Tanganyika and he recounts in
detail his seven years Police service there. By the time Tanganyika was granted independence
he had been advanced to Senior Superintendent and, under the policy of
'Africanisation' he retired and returned to his native Scotland. There followed a new
career with the Ministry of Defence and then as a Security Manager for a North Sea
terminal.
This is a well documented account of a varied occupation. It will be of particular
appeal to those interested in post-war policing in Malaya and Tanganyika.
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Author
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W. P. Mathieson
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Published
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1993
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Pages
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208
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Publisher
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Janus Publishing Company
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ISBN
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185756135X
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Availability
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Abebooks
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