MALAYAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION
(Inc)
Originally formed as the Malayan Servicemen's Association
around 1967 in Palmerston North for the purposes of Reunions and get togethers.
The first Reunion was held in 1968 and the second in 1971 both in Palmerston
North.
These Reunions were generally patronised by members of the
1st and 2nd battalions NZ Regiment. At this time it was decided to have Reunions
every two years in the odd number and move around the Country for everybody's
benefit.
The intention was to include all Service personal from
the three Armed Services hence the choice of logo that represents the
Association to this day. A triangle split evenly three ways into smaller
triangles, the colours of these are; Red - Army, Light Blue - Air Force, Royal
Blue - Navy, each triangle superimposed and linked by a silver 'M' denoting the
common phrase 'M Force'. About this time a change of name to "Malayan
Services Association" came about allowing for the fairer sex to join the
membership.
REUNIONS
Reunions continued as at their timed date, 1973 - Rotorua,
1975 - Auckland, 1977 - Whangarei, 1979 - Wanganui, 1981 - was to be
Christchurch, which was postponed so a mini Reunion was held in Tauranga who
again held the next Reunion in 1983. 1985 - Rotorua, 1987 - Auckland, 1989 -
Tauranga, 1991 - Wanganui, 1993 - Kaitaia with 1995 the much awaited Reunion in
Christchurch. 1997 - Napier, at this Reunion another Name change, "Malayan
Veterans Association" more in keeping with other Veterans Organisations.
1999 - Whangarei, with the 2001 Reunion in Hamilton and 2003 again for
Christchurch, 2005 has a bid from Tauranga, with Taupo in 2007.
Projected – Trentham Camp 2009, Waikato 2011,
Wanganui 2013
QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
A point to remember about the qualification for Membership
is that if you live in New Zealand or overseas and have served in the following
countries designated borders, waters or airspace you have the right of
membership with proof of that service.
The Countries are; Malaya or Malaysia, as it is now known.
Borneo, 1st and 2nd Division, Sabah and Brunei, Singapore as part of Malaya or
in this Country's Independent state.
Malayan/Thailand border including "Freedom Road
Construction" in Thailand.
Time is not a barrier either, if you served in any of these areas in the Second World War, during the Emergency or Confrontation eras or based in Singapore at GHQ Tanglin or in the 70s and 80s as Garrison Troops. You may have been working in ANZAM, ANZUK, 28 Commonwealth Brigade, 17th Gurka Division & 99th Gurkha Brigade Group or other like affiliations, camps, bases, ships or stations or another Nations Armed Services, you are welcome to join this Association.
BRANCHES
There have been Branches set up throughout New Zealand
some being active and others in abeyance
but contact with the following may rekindle interest for those and renew vigour for others.
| Far North, Kaitaia | Mrs. Lillian Wells | PO Box 380. Kaitaia | 09 408 1384 |
| Mid North Kaikohe | Mrs. A Newton | 5 Orrs Road. Kaikohe | 09 401 0403 |
| Whangarei | Mr Bill Mayor | 25 High Street Otaika Whangarei | 09 438 0431 |
| North Shore | Mr Joe Bregman | 5 Ngataringa Road. Devonport | 09 445 9256 |
| Western Districts | Mr Red Hooper | 33 Mt Roskill Road. Mt Roskill | 09 620 5092 |
| South Auckland | Mr Trevor Dean | 39 Christmas Road. Manurewa | 09 2666 511 |
| Thames/Coromandel | Mr Tu Andrews | 1069 East Coast Road Kaiaua via Pokeno | |
| Tauranga | Mr Paddy McFarland | 113 Townhead Cresent. Tauranga. | 07 578 1948 |
| Waikato | Mr Bryan Sherbourne | 9 Priscilla Cresent. Hamilton | 07 843 7627 |
| King Country | Mr R Goodwin | 41 Morero Terrace. Taumaranui | |
| Rotorua | Mr Russell Byrne | 35C James Street. Rotorua | 025 6001031 |
| Napier/Hastings | Mr Peter Gibsone | 56 Le Quesne Road Bayview Napier | 06 836 6787 |
| Wellington | Mr Les Coutts | 106 Coutts Road Kilbirnie Wellington | 04 387 2363 |
| Wanganui | Mrs. D Simmons | 64 Fitzherbert Avenue. Wanganui | 06 344 2323 |
| Marlborough | Mr Peter Callahan. | 12 Logan Place. Blenheim | 03 578 5995 |
| Canterbury | Mr Muka Mayes | 21 Dickson Crescent Hornby, Christchurch | 03 3495988 |
| Mid Canterbury | Mr Jim Tate | 1 Shearer Street. Tinwald Ashburton | 03 308 3261 |
Please feel
free to contact any of the above or
National Headquarters -
Address - PO Box 88-028 Clendon. Manurewa. Manukau City. or
| Veteran dies at ANZAC service |
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Former platoon commander who'd just led a company of soldiers to Auckland's ANZAC Day services collapses and dies |
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25 April 2006
There has been a tragic ending to the ANZAC dawn ceremony at Auckland's War
Memorial Museum this morning.
A veteran soldier has died, after collapsing on the parade ground. He was a
former platoon commander who had just led a company of old soldiers to the
Cenotaph. He collapsed just as The Last Post was sounded.
Medics were unable to revive him.
It has been reported in the NZ News that Sidney
MaQuire Secretary of the Auckland Branch collapsed and died at the Auckland
ANZAC memorial parade on 25 April 2006. Sid was 62 years of age. He received his
PJM at Wellington on 31 March this year
Photos
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Pingat
Jasa Malaysia Award [Malaysia Honour Medal]
- Recent
During 2004, the
Malaysian Government offered a medallic award through the New Zealand
Government to all New Zealand military personnel in recognition of
their service in Malaya during the Emergency and Confrontation. This
also includes all members of Civil Servants, Police and the Armed
Forces under the Commonwealth. Meanwhile, the Australian Government has approved the medal and applications are now being processed for presentation of the Award by the Malaysian Government.
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NEW ZEALAND
New Zealanders eligible for Malaysian military medal
8 Sep 2005
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that the Queen has given her
approval for eligible New Zealanders who served in Malaya / Malaysia to
wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal.
Helen Clark said the Malaysian government wishes to award the PJM medal to
those who served in Malaya / Malaysia for at least 90 days, between 31
August 1957 and 31 December 1966. This also includes service in Singapore
up to 9 August 1965.
"New Zealand and Malaysia enjoy a long-standing and valuable defence
relationship. The Malaysian government's offer of the PJM medal is an
acknowledgement of the contribution made by New Zealanders to the security
of Malaysia, and the region," Helen Clark said.
Defence Minister Mark Burton said while the PJM medal is a foreign award,
it would be administered by the New Zealand Defence Force. The medal
recognises certain service in Malaya, Borneo, and Singapore between 1957
and 1966.
"The NZDF will act as the agent for the Malaysian government in the
administration of the PJM award. However, in all possible circumstances,
senior representatives from the Malaysian government will present medals
in person to recipients, including the next of kin in the case of
posthumous awards," Mark Burton said.
Application forms should be sent to: Medals Office, Headquarters New
Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
Once the applications have been verified, they will be forwarded to the
High Commission of Malaysia, in Wellington, which will undertake the
approval and presentation of the PJM medal to eligible veterans.
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ELIGIBILITY
Two categories of eligibility will be assessed by Headquarters New Zealand
Defence Force for the award of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal.
Category One:
a. Those members of the New Zealand Armed Forces who were on the posted
strength of a unit or formation, and who served in the prescribed
operational area of Malaysia and Singapore, in direct support of
operations in Malaysia, for 90 days or more, in the aggregate, as follows:
(1) Malaysia during the period 31 August 1957 to 31 December 1966
inclusive; and / or
(2) Singapore during the period 31 August 1957 to 9 August 1965 inclusive.
Service between 12 August 1966 and 31 December 1966 will only be
aggregated as qualifying service if a member was posted for operations to
Malaya or Malaysia on or before 12 August 1966.
The prescribed operational area of Malaysia and Singapore is the landmass
of East Malaysia (that is: the States of Sabah and Sarawak on the Island
of Borneo), the Malay Peninsula, and the Island of Singapore. The
prescribed operational area also includes the sea area of Malaysia.
b. Those members of the New Zealand Armed Forces who were on the posted
strength of a unit or formation outside of the prescribed operational area
detailed in paragraph a. above, but who served in a secondary role in
indirect support of operations in Malaysia for 180 days or more, in the
aggregate, during the period 31 August 1957 to 31 December 1966 inclusive.
The secondary role is in respect of service with RNZN ships patrolling
outside of the prescribed operational area whilst allocated to the
Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve.
Service between 12 August 1966 and 31 December 1966 will only be
aggregated as qualifying service if a member was serving on a RNZN ship
allocated to the Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve on or before 12
August 1966.
c. Those New Zealand citizens who served in a civilian law enforcement
capacity (police, home guard or security services) in the prescribed
operational area of Malaysia only, in direct support of operations in
Malaysia, for 90 days or more, in the aggregate, during the period 31
August 1957 to 31 December 1966 inclusive.
Service between 12 August 1966 and 31 December 1966 will only be
aggregated as qualifying service if a person was posted for operations to
Malaya or Malaysia on or before 12 August 1966.
Notes:
1. Sorties from bases outside of the operational area as prescribed at
paragraph a. above do not count as qualifying service towards the award of
the PJM medal. Only service by those on the posted strength of bases
located in Malaysia and Singapore, and in cases where the sorties have
been mounted from those bases, will be counted as qualifying service
towards the award of the PJM medal. Only the first sortie from inside the
prescribed operational area on any one day will be counted as qualifying
service.
2. Service may be aggregated in relation to paragraphs a. and b. above.
This is calculated on the basis that:
a. Service of one day in the operational area counts as one day towards
qualification for the medal.
b. Service of two days in the secondary role is calculated as one day.
c. All service counts towards an aggregate of 90 days.
For example, a person who has 10 days' service in the operational area,
and 160 days' service in the secondary role, will qualify for the medal on
the basis of 10 + (160 ÷ 2) = 90.
Category Two:
Those members of the New Zealand Armed Forces, or those New Zealand
citizens, who had their period of service in the operational area
terminated by death, or by evacuation due to illness or injury or other
disability due to that service, during the period 31 August 1957 to 31
December 1966 inclusive, and before the completion of the period of
qualifying service prescribed in Category One.
General:
There will only be one award of the medal to a person unless otherwise
advised. Should the medal be lost or destroyed, it will not be replaced at
public expense.
Individual applications made directly to the Government of Malaysia for an
award of the medal will be referred to Headquarters New Zealand Defence
Force, for the assessment and verification of the individual's service.
The start date for the medal is 31 August 1957, because this is the date
that Malaya / Malaysia became an independent nation.
ORDER OF WEAR
The PJM shall be worn immediately after the Korean issued War Service
Medal and ahead of the INTERFET Medal if either is already held. If not
it shall be worn as a foreign award
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RNZN deployments eligible for the PJM medal
The following 16 RNZN deployments are eligible for the PJM medal:
HMNZS Royalist 31 August 1957 to 18 June 1958
HMNZS Rotoiti 22 May 1958 to 11 March 1959
HMNZS Pukaki 6 June 1959 to 15 March 1960
HMNZS Rotoiti 17 April 1960 to 15 February 1961
HMNZS Royalist 22 February 1961 to 12 July 1961
HMNZS Pukaki 9 July 1961 to 23 May 1962
HMNZS Taranaki 18 May 1962 to 12 March 1963
HMNZS Otago 5 June 1963 to 25 November 1963
HMNZS Taranaki 15 December 1963 to 20 August 1964
HMNZS Otago 15 October 1964 to 10 May 1965
HMNZS Royalist 20 May 1965 to 29 October 1965
HMNZS Santon 10 April 1965 to 25 November 1965
HMNZS Hickleton 12 April 1965 to 27 November 1965
HMNZS Taranaki 3 November 1965 to 23 April 1966
HMNZS Santon 26 November 1965 to 20 May 1966
HMNZS Hickleton 28 November 1965 to 30 July 1966
Personnel who served on two or more of the following five RNZN deployments
may be eligible for the PJM medal, if their total number of days of
qualifying service (as indicated in barracks) is 90 days or more:
HMNZS Royalist 25 March 1959 to 10 June 1959 (53.5 days' qualifying
service)
HMNZS Otago 23 February 1962 to 26 March 1962 (27 days' qualifying
service)
HMNZS Royalist 14 March 1963 to 26 June 1963 (75.5 days' qualifying
service)
HMNZS Royalist 19 May 1964 to 17 July 1964 (33 days' qualifying service)
HMNZS Otago 29 April 1966 to 2 September 1966 (67.5 days' qualifying
service)
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Veterans who consider they are eligible may now make application.
Applying for Your Own Medals
If you are an ex serviceman or woman who has not previously been issued
with the medals to which you are entitled, or you do not know what you are
entitled to, the process is very simple.
Write to:
The Medals Office
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag 905
UPPER HUTT
You must include the following information to assist the Headquarters
staff to locate your file:
Surname
Full Given Names and any other names you are known by
Date and Place of Birth
Service Number
Rank and Service (Army / Navy / Air Force)
Regiment / Battalion / Unit / Ship
Period of Service
Next of Kin, Address and Occupation at time of Enlistment
Don't forget to include your current Address and Phone Number in the
letter.
Applying For Deceased Family Members' Medals
There is a growing interest from many families in the military service
given to the nation by their deceased relatives. If the medals to which
your relative was entitled have never been issued, it is still possible
for family members to claim them. To do so you should write to Staff
Officer Medals (see above address) and provide as much of the above
information as possible to assist the Archives staff to locate your
relative's file: Most importantly, you must provide documentary proof of
your relationship to your relative and a copy of their death certificate
or funeral notice.
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| Decorations and Medals of New Zealand |
The New Zealand Governor-General, Dame Sylvia Cartwright, acknowledged
the award during a five-day official visit to Malaysia in late
September 2004. This acknowledgment is published on the