Our staunch supporter from Oz, Ivor Rich, has kindly sent us some images from his days in the Royal Navy in the Far East.
When sending them he said: "In February 1963 during operations in the Alice Channel off Sabah, Able Seaman Alan Sutherland from the Barrosa was killed when boarding a suspect boat. Although it was before my time on the Barossa, it made us realise what a fragile environment we served in."
Yes, it was a fragile environment, but Commonwealth forces eventually prevailed over those who used force and aggression to try and prevent Malaysia from being independent and from enjoying future prosperity, and that is why the Malaysian Government presented Ivor with his PJM. Australia understood that and was pleased to accept the Pingat Jasa Malaysia for wear by its eligible citizens. The UK government, led by the nose by a handful of civil servants, see it differently and view our service and the PJM as not up to a standard and are trying to prevent it being worn by UK citizens! I wonder what AB Sutherland and his family would make of that.
So, having got that off my chest (not a sea chest - I was army!), put the kettle on, or pop a cork, and meander down memory shippping lanes once again. Go to our Memories pages and, in particular, Ivor's new page at http://www.fight4thepjm.org/memories_navy_3.htm.
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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia