Memorial service for fallen heroes
Jun 13, 2005, 14:53
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| ALL SMILES: Private Chandra Sunuwar from
the Royal Gurkha Rifles admiring the medals of Australian Allan Godfrey.
|
A memorial service for the British and Indian soldiers who died in
Malaysia during World War II was held at the Khalsa Diwan Malaysia (Guru
Nanak Institution) today.
They fought the invading Japanese troops in Kampar, Trolak and Slim River in
some of the fiercest battles in the Malaya campaign in 1942.
Both Japanese and allied forces suffered heavy casualties.
Among the units involved were the Jat/Punjab Battalion of the 16th Indian
Brigade, the Fourth and 19th Hyderabad Battalions and the Second and Fifth
Punjab Battalions from the 12th and 18th Indian Brigade, Second Battalion
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the Gurkha units from the 28th Indian
Brigade.
Prayers were recited at the ceremony.
Liaison Officer (International) National Malaya, Borneo Veterans Association
(NMBVA), R. Thambipillay, a retired superintendent of police, mooted the
idea of the memorial service to the Sikh Gurdhawara Sahib Kampar which then
agreed to host it.
"Many had died or went missing in the battle, especially in Kampar and I saw
it as a fitting tribute to the fallen heroes."
Thambipillay, who had served as the Tapah and Slim River police chief, said
the service was also to create awareness of the sacrifices and hardship of
the soldiers among the present and future generation.
President of Sikh Gurdhawara Sahib Kampar, Santokh Singh, said:
"The gathering is to pray for the souls of those brave and gallant men and
women."
Among the small group of people present were Phil Owen, a warrant officer
representing the British High Commissioner, liaison officer of NMBVA
Australia, Tom Turnbull, David Kent, David Hughes and Barry Sharman
presidents of the NMBVA of Queensland, Victoria and West Australia
respectively and former servicemen.
