In 1979, police superintendent R. Thambipillay stumbled upon a Christian ceme- tery in Batu Gajah, Perak, which had been neglected and vandalised.

The graves include those of Australians who were killed while serving with the Commonwealth Armed Forces, expatriate police officers, planters and tin miners who had been involved in the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to 1960.

“In April 1980, while serving as the Kinta district police chief, I organised the restoration of the 116 graves and the cemetery was called God’s Little Acre,” said Thambipillay.

He was also responsible for organising the first remembrance ceremony at the site in May 1980.

In recognition of his contributions, Thambipillay was yesterday appointed an honorary member in the General Division of the Order of Australia, for service to Australia- Malaysia relations.

The Order of Australia medal was presented to him by Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, James Wise.

Speaking to reporters earlier, Thambipillay said that it was magnanimous for a foreign country like Australia to recognise his contributions.

“This award came as a surprise and I am happy to be able to make Malaysia proud,” he said.

Thambipillay, 76, served the police for 36 years before retiring as deputy OCPD of Ipoh in 1984.

“While serving 10 years with the Police Field Force, North Brigade, Ulu Kinta, I had two contacts with terrorists, once in Betong in South Thailand and again in Rajang Security Command (Rascom) in Sibu.”

Although he is retired, his interest in the Malayan Emergency prompted him to write a book God’s Little Acre 1948 to 1960.

“The book is a tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives,” he said.

The book was launched in 1998 by the former Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Seri Yuen Yuet Leng on behalf of former Inspector General of Police Tun Hanif Omar.

“Although I am no longer in the force, I will continue to serve the nation. I am now involved with several NGOs like the Intellectually Handicapped Home for special children and a day care centre to rehabilitate mentally sick women.”

He is also a Perak Welfare Association council member.

In June last year, Thambipillay organised a remembrance ceremony for 27 Gurkha Military personnel killed during the Malayan Emergency and buried at the second Royal Regiment Syed Putra Camp in Jalan Tambun, Ipoh.

Last year, Thambipillay was invited by the National Malaya Borneo Veterans Association to be their international liaison officer.

Also present at the ceremony were Thambipillay’s family, Yuen, Hanif and staff of the Australian Embassy.