In April 1955, then prime minister Robert Menzies announced Australia's continued commitment to the conflict. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels would be part of the new British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR).
Between 2 July 1955 and 31 July 1960, 13 ships of the RAN served with the FESR in the waters of Malaya and Singapore (now Malaysia, the Republic of Singapore and Brunei Darussalam).
Two aircraft carriers:
- HMAS Melbourne
- HMAS Sydney.
Four frigates:
- HMAS Quadrant
- HMAS Queenborough
- HMAS Quiberon
- HMAS Quickmatch.
Seven destroyer-class ships:
- HMAS Anzac
- HMAS Arunta
- HMAS Tobruk
- HMAS Vampire
- HMAS Vendetta
- HMAS Voyager
- HMAS Warramunga.
The Australian warships were attached to the FESR for periods of up to 6 months. They took part in patrols and exercises with other Commonwealth vessels in the region. Many of the Australian ships served in the FESR more than once.
Australian warships were directly involved in the Malayan Emergency on several occasions. On 29 September 1956, HMA Ships Anzac and Tobruk bombarded a guerrilla campsite. On 22 January 1957, HMAS Ships Queenborough and Quickmatch fired on suspected guerrilla positions south of Johore. On both occasions, an Auster spotter aircraft directed the Australian naval gunfire, which was reported as having been ‘most effective’.
Tobruk also engaged in offensive shelling on its third tour in August 1957.
Two members of the RAN lost their lives in this period.
R51381 Cook Alan Campbell Cooper of HMAS Anzac drowned on 26 December 1957 in Singapore Naval Base.
R51381 Able Seaman Robert William Spooner of HMAS Tobruk was killed at sea in Malayan waters. He was struck by a Star Shell fired by HMS Cockade during an operational training exercise.
