Malaysia presents UK veterans new medal

5 Mar 07

UK Service personnel who served in Malaya, Singapore and Borneo in the 1950's and 60's have been awarded a new medal by the current Malaysian government.

UK service personnel received medals from the Malaysian Government at RAF Halton
[Picture: MOD]

Personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF helped the fledgling state of Malaya, a former British colony, suppress military skirmishes with communists after it gained independence in 1957, and then military confrontation with Indonesia until 1966.

British veterans of the campaigns were presented with the new medals, known as The Pingat Jasa Medal, by the Chief of Staff for the Malaysian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Dato Hj Sharhron bin Hj Ibrahim at a recent ceremony at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire.

The Medal Citation reads: The Supreme head of the Federation of Malaysia wishes to award medals to all those who distinguished themselves in chivalry, gallantry, and loyalty while performing their services.

On receiving the medal, one of the recipients, David Amies, now aged 65, who served with the Second Royal Green Jackets Infantry, said:

"We marched through swamps and were up to our necks in it. We were worried about the leeches and snakes, and ants that were as big as your thumb. "

Other recipients included ex-apprentices from RAF Halton. Current Chief of Staff at Halton, Wing Commander John Paulson, said:

"It was an honour for RAF Halton to be able to host this event in these superb surroundings. The ambience of Halton House made the occasion all the more unique for the recipients receiving the medal for an all but forgotten war. It was delightful to see members of RAF Halton's own staff taking part as recipients of the Pingat jasa Medal. "

Malaya became known as Malaysia from 1963 when the Federation of Malaya formed a new federation which included Singapore, and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Singapore left the federation in 1965.