Ben Rooth
8/ 6/2007
MANY years have gone by since they fought for the freedom of a country thousands
of miles from home.
They were soldiers, called upon to show great courage, often in jungle conflict.
And now their bravery has been officially rewarded - with help from the M.E.N. -
by the country whose democracy they battled to save.
But sadness for lost comrades mingled with pride for the 165 veterans of the Malayan, Brunei and Borneo emergencies when they were presented with the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal at the Norman Road TA Centre in Rusholme.
The Malayan Emergency and the Indonesia-Malaysia conflict saw around 35,000
British troops and RAF personnel posted to south-east Asia between 1957 and
1966.
They secured the continuing independence of Malaysia and later became embroiled
in a conflict over the future of the island of Borneo between British-backed
Malaysia and Indonesia.
After decades of campaigning by the National Malaysia and Borneo Veterans'
Association, Malaysia finally decided to award British service personnel the
Pingat Jasa medal in recognition of their `distinguished chivalry, gallantry,
sacrifice and loyalty' in 2004, but some veterans took time to trace.
John Simcock, president of the Manchester branch of the veterans' association,
said: "It is has taken a long time to secure this medal for the veterans.
"During those particular conflicts - which in many ways were the forerunner of
today's war on terror - we helped secure the ongoing independence of a Muslim
country.
"At the front of all of our thoughts during the ceremony were memories of the
many friends we lost during that conflict. But it was also wonderful to meet up
with so many old colleagues."
Mr Simcock also paid tribute to the 42nd Royal Signals TA Squadron who hosted
the event, during which the veterans received their medals from Malaysian
defence attaché Colonel Tajri Alwi.
The National Malaysia and Borneo Veterans' Association has campaigned since the
end of the conflict for participants to be honoured in this way - and more than
1,000 veterans contacted Mr Simcock after an article in the M.E.N.
Anyone who thinks they might be eligible for the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal
should call Mr Simcock on 0161 291 1193.