Rogue Elephant Hunt

Whilst in the company lines major Barchard called me over to meet a civilian. This civilian turned out to be Mr Jack Leonard game warden of Gemas. Jack informed me that a rogue elephant was coming out of the jungle and causing thousand of dollars worth of damage. He then told me the local council members wanted Jack to take 26 Malays as escort to the hunt party. I asked Jack how many men did he need, he replied 3 Royal Welchmen will suffice. I then asked the nearest men if they would volunteer for the job as escort. Fus John 19 and Fus Baker 84 said yes I made the up the 3 rd man. After discussing our weaponry Jack said he would send for us as soon as the elephant was sighted. In a couple of days we had word from Jack to meet up and enter the jungle to kill the elephant. Jack and his gun bearers took 2 high powered elephant guns, I took an M 2 0.300 calibre modified carbine with a 30 round magazine. Fus John and Baker took the mark 5 S.L.M.E. 303.We caught up with the elephant and Jack fired a shot in to the animals chest cavity and either a heart or lung shot downed the elephant and Jack delivered the kill at close range. We then cut the tusks out. But we had to bury them as it poured down and as a consequence we re entered the jungle later and brought the tusks out Picture shows Fus John a gun bearer with me and the tusks

News paper cutting of the hunt

• Photo of left l /Cpl John 19 and R B Donovan with the tusks after reclaiming them from the site of the kill 

• Letter from the game warden Mr Jack Leonard

4 members of the hunt party