1965



Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean which was a British Colony. It was captured from the French in 1810 by a squadron of Royal Navy frigates commanded by Captain Nesbit Willoughby, RN. By 1965 the 70% of the population consisted of Indians and the remaining 30% consisted of a mixture of French, Creoles, Chinese and British.
 
Whilst the 2nd Bn was in Aden, it was tasked by HQ Middle East Command to provide a company to test plans for dealing with possible Internal Security problems in the Colony. This task was allotted to No1 Company which was commanded by Major the Hon H.E.C.Willoughby, who coincidentally was a distant relative of Captain Nesbit Willoughby RN.
 
The Indians were generally in favour of independence whilst most others were against it. This led to violence and murder and the Governor declared a State of Emergency and called for reinforcements.
 
Major Willoughby was due to fly to Mauritius on 12th May to make a reconnaissance, but the night before the Company was placed on four hours notice to move. Whilst his plane was still airborne he received a message saying that his company was also airborne and following him; thus his recce turned into a one-man advance party!
 
Major Willoughby landed during the afternoon of 13th May, and the remainder of the company landed that night. The first night was spent at the Royal Navy Leave Camp at La Chaland, and the next morning the police handed over their vehicles and the company deployed. Two platoons remained at La Chaland and two platoons moved to the capital, Port Louis.
 
During the first three weeks foot and vehicle patrols were mounted during the day in likely trouble spots. They were generally well received and were never attacked, and they never had to use their weapons. At night the police took over and the troops returned to barracks. By the end of the month the situation had improved enough to allow the whole company to concentrate at La Chaland, although patrols were still sent all over the island. The number of patrols gradually decreased until there was just one platoon guarding HMS Mauritius, a naval communications centre. The remainder occupied themselves with training, sports and entertainment.
 
The company finally left Mauritius and returned to Aden on 18th July, 1965.