FLIGHT LT JACK ROCHFORD MAULDEN (R33-38)

He was born on 12 July 1922 and is the cousin of John James Maulden (G45-50) , a former teacher at the College. He spent his childhood at 14 Market Hill, Framlingham.

On leaving the College he joined the RAF as an apprentice, qualified as a pilot and was commissioned.

He served in WW2 in the in the Middle East and subsequently flew Dakotas in the Berlin Airlift of 1948. He was then involved in the Malaysian Emergency in 1954, as a helicopter pilot on 194 Squadron during the campaign against the Communist Terrorists. He was reported missing whilst flying a reconnaissance mission over the jungle near Kuala Lumpur, . On Thursday 21st January 1954, prior to a strike by Hornets from RAF Butterworth, he flew as an observer to Sgt Pilot J Perry, in Auster VF604 of 1903 AOP Flt of 656 Squadron. They were to conduct a weather recce of the area for a follow-up crop-spraying operation. Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed and a subsequent four day search failed to find any signs of the wreckage. However, several months later the wreckage was eventually found, and he was presumed to have lost his life on 21 January 1954 at the age of 31.

He is buried in the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cheras Road, south of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in Row 23, Grave No 1188. The following picture was supplied by Bob Holland (R57-65) who lives in Penang.

His memory is preserved in the Annual Prize given on College Speecg Day, which bears his name.

At the 3 March 2000 Framlingham Town Council Meeting, the following was discussed and agreed :-

“Mr Maulden had written to request that the Town Council consider adding the name of his cousin Flt Lt Jack Maulden to the town . Flt Lt Maulden served in World War II, and was killed on active service in Malaya in 1954. The Clerk had consulted the local branch of the British Legion who had discussed the proposal at a recent meeting and replied to the effect that they were unanimously in support of the idea. The Council

discussed the proposal and concluded that they would accede to the request. However, the following action needs to be taken:

• publicise the case locally so that any other potential names of local people killed in military action since 1945 could also make similar requests. • name(s) should be added on the fourth (currently blank) panel of the monument with an explanation to the effect that those named had been killed in other conflicts than those designated by the term 'The Great Wars'.”

He is now included on the Framlingham Town War Memorial – see photo below. DJE Mann (R56-63) is also an OF – see separate entry for him.

On http://www.roll-of-honour.org/Suffolk/Framlingham.html it provides the following additional information :

Flight Lieutenant 55510, 194 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died accidentally in Malaya 21st January 1954. Died accidentally - Failed to return. Found 12th March 57. Auster Mk6 VF 604 - Pilot 868075 Sgt Perry J. RA/GPR 14 Flight, 656 Squadron. Buried in Cheras Road Christian Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Row 23. Grave 1209.

On 12 October 2007 the Queen opened the new National Armed Forces Memorial at in Staffordshire. This lists all service personnel who have died since WW2 and includes Jack Maulden – see http://www.forcesmemorial.org.uk/roll-of-honour/roll-of-honour-profile.asp?profile=84801