HUNDREDS of "forgotten" war veterans gathered on Wearside for an emotional
medal presentation ceremony.
The brave men and women had waited up to 50 years for their heroic war efforts
in Borneo to be recognised.
At the weekend 207 ex-servicemen and women from across the North East met up
at Sunderland TA Centre in Dykelands Road to be presented with their Pingat
Jasa Malaysia Medal.
Old soldiers, sailors and airmen who had fought in the jungle campaigns were
joined by civilians and volunteers who had worked alongside them to collect
the medals.
The Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal is being bestowed on the veterans by the
Malaysian Government as a sign of gratitude for their bravery during the
conflicts from 1957 through to the mid 60s.Neil McKenzie, from Ryhope, was one
of the veterans who was presented with his medal during the ceremony in
Seaburn.
The 65-year-old, who served as a cook in the RAF at Borneo in 1964, said he
was proud to be getting the medal.
The Smith Street man said: "It has taken a long time, but eventually they have
decided it was a war and we all deserve some recognition for what we did."
Gordon King, secretary of the Tyneside branch of the Malaya Borneo Veterans'
Association, helped organise the Sunderland ceremony.
He said: "Being able to do this presentation is a big, big thing for us. It's
taken quite a lot of organising."
It wasn't until January this year the British Government
finally gave the go-ahead for the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal to be awarded
to British veterans.
But, although they can own the medals, the veterans are still not allowed to
wear them on official parades.This has angered the veterans who are proud of
their involvement in the fight against terrorism and communism in the South
East Asia region.
Gordon, who served in South East Asia from 1952 to 1955 and 1963 to 1965, said
the association is fighting for the rights of ex-servicemen to wear the medal.
The 73-year-old said: "We are very bitter about it.
"The Australian, New Zealand and Fijian lads are all allowed to wear them.
But, the British forces have been stopped. It is disgraceful really."
The Ministry of Defence says a General Service Medal was awarded to all the
servicemen involved in the conflict, and the decision was taken to preserve
the integrity of that accolade.
