Tribute to the heroes of the Far East

SO PROUD: Geoffrey Hill with his medal

SERVICE men and women who fought communists in Malaya, Singapore and Borneo came together in Weymouth to collect a medal awarded by the Malaysian Government.
Personnel from the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force served in the region from 1957 to 1966 after the former British colony of Malaya gained independence.
More than 300 veterans of the campaigns were presented with the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal, at a ceremony in the Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room.
The National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association was formed in 1994 to form ties between Malaysia and British veterans.
The group arranges, publicises and distributes the prestigious award and organised yesterday's presentation.
Colonel Tajri Alwi, defence adviser at the Malaysian High Commission in London, was on hand to present the medals.
The event brought together men and women from all the services and many old friends were reunited for the first time in 50 years.
David Thompson, 68, of Westcliff Road, Portland, who served as a corporal in the Royal Marines in Borneo, said: "This medal means quite a lot.
"I feel extremely honoured for us all to be singled out by the Malaysian Government, in recognition for what our chaps did for them.
"I met up with two chaps who I hadn't seen for 40 years, and we had a good old chinwag."
The Queen has graciously given her consent for veterans to accept the medal but the British Government has not formally given permission for people to wear it.
Ex-servicemen and women are still campaigning against this decision and intensive lobbying to reverse it continues.
David Heap, 64, of Ringstead Crescent, Weymouth, who spent two years onboard a submarine in the region, was delighted with his medal.
He said: "I think it's very good the Malaysian Government has been so good to do this and I'm very proud to receive it.
"I shall be proud to wear it and I intend to wear it on Sunday for the remembrance parade.
"I've been to the ceremony in Weymouth every year for the last 20 years."
Charles Thompson, 75, of Fraser Avenue, Weymouth, served with the Royal Navy in Malaya.
"It was a very enjoyable time," he added.
"This event brought back many, many happy memories of service in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, places like that.
"I always found the Malayan people to be very, very friendly."