The 1st Battalion, returns to Malaysia 55 years since Charlie Company secured Butterworth air base

A 1RAR sergeant has taken a trip down memory lane, retracing the steps his father and grandfather took during their own service. Watch the soldiers in action in the Malaysian jungle.

Slogging through the same muddy water ways and firing through the same dense jungle, an infantry company from the 1st Battalion have marked a historic return to Malaysia more than five decades since it arrived to counter the re-emergence of the communist insurgency.

Quarterly rotational force, Rifle Company Butterworth has a long standing significance in Malaysia since Charlie Company from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australia Army was sent to secure the Butterworth Airbase 55 years ago.

While the rotation of Charlie Company back to Malaysia marks its own significant occasion, it hits closer to home for Sergeant Josh Taylor whose family has a long history of service in the country.

“It’s got a bit more of a personal meaning with my grandfather being a part of the advance for the Malayan emergency at RMAF Butterworth,” he said.

During the 1950s, the Malayan Emergency was declared after three European estate managers were murdered by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP).

Sergeant Josh Taylor from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment during Charlie Company's Rifle Company Butterworth Rotation to Malaysia in 2025. PHOTO: CAPT Brittany Evans

The Australian Defence Force assisted the British in their fight against the MCP and as a result, 39 Australian servicemen were killed in Malaya and 27 were wounded.

“It's a huge personal journey for myself. It’s been a significant amount of years since he was here, I’ve had family members who were actually born in this location,” Sergeant Taylor said.

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment conduct jungle during the 147th rotation of Rifle Company Butterworth in PULADA, Malaysia. PHOTO: SGT Dustin Anderson

“My father also did a RMAF butterworth rotation as a junior RAAF officer and now to be here as a 1RAR platoon sergeant it’s a bit of a family tale for myself.”

Officer Commanding of Charlie Company Major Lindsay Pritchard said since Rifle Company Butterworth originated 55 years ago, Australian Defence Forces have rotated through to maintain a training presence and continue international engagements with our pacific partner.

“The initial deployment of Charlie company 55 years ago was in the operational environment; since then we’ve transitioned to a training and partner engagement activity,” he said.

“Now we use this opportunity to train soldiers in the jungle, an environment that’s not necessarily available in Australia as well as engage with our partners from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei and other areas in the region.”

Lance Corporal James Windsor from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment conducts a company assault during the 147th rotation of Rifle Company Butterworth in PULADA, Malaysia. PHOTO: SGT Dustin Anderson

The soldiers will conduct training in jungle and urban environments and work alongside the Malaysian armed forces.

Lance Corporal James Windsor said it was a fantastic opportunity to apply their soldiering skills to a variety of conditions and environments.

“Compared to Townsville, the jungle in Malaysia is unforgiving, from insects to torrential rainfall,” he said.

“The section attacks can be chaotic, trying to keep the section in line and all situated while everyone’s blood is pumping and hearts are racing; it requires a lot of awareness on the ground to get the job done.”

“A lot of these boys are very new to the battalion so it’s definitely been a highlight for their career so far.”

Originally published as The 1st Battalion, returns to Malaysia 55 years since Charlie Company secured Butterworth air base