Honouring The Veterans: Fighters of a forgotten war earn right to wear medal
From the archive, first published Monday 24th Jul 2006.
VETERANS of one of Britain's so called 'forgotten wars' are being encouraged to apply for their service medals.People who served a tour of duty in Borneo in 1965 and 1966 with the First Battalion of Durham Light Infantry are to be presented with the Pingat Jasa Malaysia by the Malaysian Government.This year marks the 40th anniversary of the regiment's withdrawal from the far eastern region.Tom Hudson, treasurer of 1DLI Reunion, wants as many former North-East soldiers as possible to apply for their medals before the annual parade at Palace Green next to Durham Cathedral on September 10.He said: "It does feel like a forgotten war but there were people who served out there and their efforts should be recognised."We want as many men to claim their medals and where them with pride."Thousands of British Commonwealth troops fought Communist guerrillas in the jungles of Malaya and Borneo.More than 500 British service men were killed and thousands more were struck down with malaria and other tropical diseases.Last year the Malaysian Government said it wanted to give the Pingat Jasa Malaysia to commonwealth veterans who served in the region between 1957 and 1966.But British fighters were initially banned from receiving the award by the Government which said Britain does not allow its Armed Forces to wear foreign medals.But a cabinet committee performed a U-turn after veterans expressed their anger.However, as the law stands they cannot be worn on the same side of the blazer as medals issued by the British Government.Frank Brannigan is chairman of the 1DLI Association Spennymoor and member of the Malayan and Borneo Veterans' Association, which is campaigning to change the law.Mr Brannigan said: "People are going to wear their medals anyhow but they would like to have the proper permission."People who fought in other conflict can wear their medals and we just want to be treated equally."
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