Memorial to Asia wars is unveiled

The memorial plaque remembers those who "fell for South East Asia"

A memorial has been unveiled to honour British, Commonwealth and Gurkha troops who died in a series of conflicts in South East Asia almost 40 years ago.

Around 350 veterans gathered for a remembrance service at St Paul's Cathedral in London where a plaque was unveiled by the Duke of Kent.

It is dedicated to those killed in Malaya, Borneo, Singapore and Brunei from World War II until the 1960s.

Veterans said the memorial, which is set in the crypt, was "long overdue".

Troops honoured

The memorial reads "Remember with pride and gratitude all those who fell in the service of the Crown and in the cause of freedom for the peoples of South East Asia."
Around 100,000 troops served in the Malayan Emergency between 1948 and 1960.
Nearly 2,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers died in the conflict which led to the emergence of the independent democratic nation of Malaya.
The 1962-1966 Borneo Indonesian Conflict was a small, undeclared war involving troops from Australia and Britain. Of the 30,000 who fought, about 500 troops lost their lives.

'Boy to man'

Thursday's ceremony was an emotional occasion for veterans who lost friends during the conflict.

It is very much a forgotten war but it was jungle warfare

General Sir Jeremy Mackenzie

General Sir Jeremy Mackenzie, 64, formerly of the Queen's Highlanders Regiment, described the conflict in South East Asia as "a forgotten war".
He said: "It was a wonderful time, we were all young soldiers.
"It is very much a forgotten war but it was jungle warfare."
General Sir Garry Johnson, 66, patron of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association, said he had grown from "being a boy to a man" during his service.
He said: "It's marvellous to have this memorial. Everybody is very proud and honoured to be here."
Gurkha captain Bhaktabahadur Limbu, 43, was at the ceremony to remember his father Rambadhadur who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Borneo Confrontation, when British Empire troops defended Brunei against Indonesian-backed rebels.
Enemy blitz
His father went to the rescue of injured Gurkhas on 21 November, 1965, and went on to attack the enemy single-handed.

I'm really very proud to be the son of a VC

Captain Bhaktabahadur Limbu

"He was the first leading section commander when they moved towards the enemy position, a strong enemy position of about 20 to 40," he said.
The Gurkhas came under enemy fire with three or four severely wounded in an enemy blitz.
"He reached out and recovered his comrades first.
"Then he took up the machine gun and crawled forward towards the enemy position and with grenades and machine gun he killed those in the first bunker and made the first foothold."

Malaya & Borneo Veterans unveil memorial at St Paul's 22/04/2005

Malaya & Borneo Veterans unveil memorial at St Paul's

The Unveiling and Dedication of the Memorial Plaque of the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association took place on Thursday, April 21 at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The 30-minute service was held in St Faith’s Chapel in the crypt of the Cathedral, and was attended by over 360 veterans from around the UK.

Also present were HRH The Duke of Kent, who unveiled the Memorial, the Lord Mayor and Mayoress, Sheriff and Lady and High Commissioners of Malaya and Borneo. They were welcomed into the Cathedral by a contingent of ten serving Ghurkhas who formed a Guard of Honour at the entrance to the Crypt.

The Association is part of a worldwide network that aims to bring together in true comradeship those who have served in Malaya, Borneo, Singapore and Brunei during the Second World War, The Malayan Emergency, The Borneo Indonesian Confrontation and in conflicts thereafter.

The plaque, made from Portland stone, reads: “Remember with pride and gratitude all those who fell in the service of the Crown and in the cause of freedom for the peoples of South East Asia.”

Patron of the Association, General Sir Garry Johnson KGS OBE MC, says: “Their fathers won the Second World War; the generation honoured by this memorial secured the peace.”

THE DAILY EXPRESS 22/04/05

At Last.... we honour the heroes of jungle wars

By David Pilditch

The heroes of "forgotten" jungle wars were recognised at last yesterday in an emotional service at St Paul's Cathedral, the first National Memorial to servicemen killed in action in South-east Asia was unveiled.
It follows a Daily Express campaign demanding the Government end its snub to veterans that fought there.
The Malaysian government wants to award the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal to all Commonwealth servicemen who were based in the region between 1957 and 1966.
Australia and New Zealand have accepted, but Britain has said it does not allow Forces personnel to wear foreign medals. The Malaysian High Commissioner was among guests at yesterday's ceremony to see the Duke of Kent unveil a plaque in honour of those who laid down their lives in Malaya and Borneo.
More than 350 veterans who travelled to London from all over Britain told what the memorial meant to them. David Neil. President of the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association, said, "It's a long overdue. It is a very emotional day".
General Sir Garry Johnson, patron of the Association, said, "These men are the new
generation of veterans following on from the Second World War. They gave a lot of countries their freedom and independence".
Some 100,000 British Servicemen and Gurkhas took part in the conflicts in Malaysia & Borneo. Nearly 2,000 were killed.
Gurkha captain Bhakta Limbu attended the ceremony to represent his father, who was awarded the Victoria Cross during the Borneo confrontation. He said "I'm really very proud to be the son of a VC. I'm very honoured to be here to commemorate those killed".
Veterans at the ceremony insisted they would continue the fight to be allowed to wear the Malaysian Medal.
Major Gerneral Corran Purdon, who commanded the Ulster Rifles in Borneo, said "If the Malaysians are kind enough to offer this medal we should accept it. This has been turned down by somebody who has never worn the Queen's uniform or heard a shot fired in battle".
Last night, Field Marshall Lord Bramall, Chief of the Defence Staff between 1982 and 1985, backed the Daily Express campaign and insisted the Government was wrong, "If these medals are offered, then a chap should be allowed to wear them," said the veteran of Malaya and Borneo.

Memorial Honours Fallen in South-East Asia Wars

By Alison Purdy, PA

A memorial plaque will be unveiled today to commemorate soldiers who fought and died in conflicts in south-east Asia.

More than 360 veterans from around the UK will gather for a service of dedication in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Thousands of men served in Malaya, Borneo, Singapore and Brunei during the Second World War, the Malayan Emergency and the Borneo Indonesian Conflict.

The Malayan Emergency lasted from 1948 to 1960. As a result of the 12-year jungle war, fought by British and Malay forces against the army of the Malayan Communist Party, the independent democratic nation of Malaya was established.

The 1962 to 1966 Borneo Indonesian Conflict was a small, undeclared war which came to involve troops from Australia and Britain.

The conflict between Indonesia and Malaysia resulted from a belief by Indonesia’s President Sukarno that the creation of the Federation of Malaysia was an attempt by Britain to maintain colonial rule behind the cloak of independence.

Among those attending today’s service will be the Duke of Kent who will unveil the Portland stone plaque.

The plaque reads: “Remember with pride and gratitude all those who fell in the service of the Crown and in the cause of freedom for the peoples of South East Asia.”

The Duke will be joined by the High Commissioners of Malaya and Borneo, Ivor Caplin, Minister for Veterans at the Ministry of Defence and the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of London.

A contingent of 10 serving Ghurkhas will form a Guard of Honour at the entrance to the crypt to welcome the group.

General Sir Gerry Johnson, patron of the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association, said: “Their fathers won the Second World War; the generation honoured by this memorial secured the peace.”

The 30-minute service of dedication will be held in St Faith’s chapel in the cathedral’s crypt at 11.30am.