"Reg and I joined up with the same squad at Deal to start our training, and was a good oppo. We were in 'M' Company, 42 Commando RM, on exercise up country in Malaya. We camped on the beach at Terengganu and all jumped into the surf for relaxation but Reg misjudged the wave and hit the sea bed head first resulting in serious injuries to his neck. He was placed in the back of a 3 ton truck to take him to the nearest hospital a number of miles away. We were later informed that Reg died on route to the hospital"