N John CURRIN
David Humphrey in the firing line of Indonesian ‘Konfrontasi’
Written by Alan Wood
on April 19, 2023
In 1965 David Humphrey flew into Singapore at a time of real conflict to be part of a Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) response to attacks on the island from Indonesia.
Indonesia’s left-leaning President Sukarno launched “Konfrontasi” in 1963. This undeclared war included military incursions into areas including Singapore and East Malaysia.
Sukarno, like many Indonesians, believed the creation of a Malaysian federation was unwarranted. New countries like Singapore were emerging as a period of British colonialism in the Far East came to an end.
David, who had already served in the Naval Volunteer Reserve as part of his compulsory military training, was commissioned and flew into the conflict zone for a period of nine months, during 1965-66.
“I saw an opportunity to go to sea in the Far East because they were short of officers. I was a radio operator and I was commissioned, and I was a sub lieutenant.”
David points out the confrontation was real. Singapore experienced a series of bombing incidents in which people were killed as a result of devices planted by Indonesian saboteurs
In August 1965, the Malaysian Parliament voted to expel Singapore from Malaysia, leaving Singapore as a newly independent country.
“We were there (because of) the Indonesians. They were causing disruption throughout Singapore and SouthEast Asia,” David says.
“We joined forces with K D Malaya (naval base)… we weren’t there on holiday.”
Part of his navigation officer role was on board a mine sweeper HMNZS Hickleton, a ton-class coastal minesweeper, that started operations in the Far East in April 1965. This and other minesweepers, including some from the Royal Navy, patrolled at night on set patterns. These operations were the RNZN’s last large-scale operation with the Royal Navy.
David says the ships would tend to leave port at 4pm and be back into Singapore by 8am, as part of an effort to stop Indonesians get into British territory. At night the ships were kept darkened while they kept an eye out for enemy incursions.
The Indonesians tended to be on motorised-sampans, and gunfire was often exchanged. Minesweeper crew members were injured by shrapnel, but David says he can’t remember any deaths on Hickleton.
The Hickleton, together with her sister ship HMS Santon, carried out hundreds patrols, with dozens of incidents involving intruding Indonesians, and with some taken as prisoners.
“We challenged them, and opened fire on them if they didn’t respond.”
Even then Singapore was a big city, he says, and offered rest and recreation for the periods of time outside Sembawang naval base located 14 miles to the north of downtown. “We used to hop in the car and drive down to Singapore… many nights.”
David, who had been given a leave of absence from his work place, flew home and was soon back with Victoria Insurance Co. in Dunedin as an insurance assessor.
His naval reserve work continued for many years.
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HMS Philomel c1927
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Former St Peters College (Gore) student to command HMNZS Te Mana
It’s not often a Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) engineer is told, “you have the ship”, but it’s a role Commander Chris Bone is more than ready to take on.
Commander Bone, who grew up in Gore, recently assumed command of RNZN frigate HMNZS Te Mana, and will lead the ship through an extended maintenance period at Devonport Naval Base to prepare it for future deployments.
It’s relatively familiar ground for Commander Bone, who was the Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) for HMNZS Te Mana between 2020-2023, leading the engineering department through the ship’s regeneration following the Frigate Systems Upgrade in Canada.
HMNZS Te Mana. Photo: NZDF
He was also the Assistant MEO on HMNZS Te Kaha following its Platform System upgrade in 2013-2015.
These experiences have set him up well for this command.
“This posting for me is an opportunity to put the knowledge I’ve gained through being part of two regeneration cycles across both frigates to the best use for the organisation” Commander Bone said.
HMNZS Te Mana is normally crewed by up to 178 sailors that are trained in operating in peacetime environments and conflict. Commander Bone says frigate time and culture definitely make an impression.
“The culture, team environment and camaraderie that comes with a frigate – whether it be within your messdeck, department, mess or across the whole ship – cannot be understated.”
“Every ship in our Navy develops this, but on a frigate you live and work together in such close confines, deploy for longer periods, and train for operations where the possibility of damage is that much more real – that team environment is amplified, and the satisfaction and sense of achievement from your time on the ship, as well as the friendships you make, stays with you for life.”
Commander Chris Bone (right) holds his Command Directive, presented by Acting Chief of Navy Commodore Andrew Brown. Photo: NZDF
Commander Bone joined the Navy straight from finishing at St Peter’s College.
He attended the University of Auckland, obtaining a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), before undertaking the Systems Engineering Management Course (Marine Engineering) at HMS Sultan in the United Kingdom.
Commander Bone has served on HMNZ Ships Te Kaha, Te Mana, Endeavour, and Aotearoa, as well as the Royal Navy’s HMS Illustrious.
Highlights of his career have included the centenary celebrations of Anzac Day aboard HMNZS Te Kaha during the multi-national sailpast of Anzac Cove, sailing up the Thames in London aboard HMS Illustrious, and his time in Canada with HMNZS Te Mana which enabled him to get some great North American skiing in during his downtime from ship.
“I am looking forward to ensuring that the Ship’s Company of Te Mana are able to enjoy their work and workplace, and to take their ship from maintenance in drydock, and through a regeneration cycle, ready to deliver on whatever tasking the government and NZDF leadership put in front of them – and in achieving this I hope that all of the team on the ship can feel the sense of accomplishment that will come with it.”
