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As members of the Royal British Legion Thailand we are well used to attending Remembrance Services on the 11^th November every year, however we should also remember that there were other smaller conflicts where young men and women gave their lives and blood just as they did in the first or second world wars. One of these was the Malay Emergency, starting on 16^th June 1948 when 3 Communist Terrorist shot and killed 3 planters, Allison, Christian and Walker. This led to a 12 year intense jungle war fought by British, Commonwealth and Malay forces against the army of the Malay Communist Party led by fanatic Chin Peng. It cost the lives of 6710 Terrorists, 2478 Civilians (with 810 missing), 1346 Malay Troops and 519 British. It came to an end when the newly formed Malaysian Government declared the Emergency over in July 1960 the Chinese Year of the Rat!!. So why an Emergency and not a War well that was down to the fact that had it been a War the Planters and Tin Miners would not have received insurance, however as far as those young men fighting in dense jungle were concerned it was a War just like any other and one that they won. This was our second visit to Malaysia but the first under the banner of the Legion, we attended 4 parades, lowered our Standard 4 times and listened to prayers in 4 faiths Christian, Hindu, Islam and Buddhist, we met friends old and new and even found time to visit the Cameron Highlands for Tea and Scones (along with a few beers!!). I did not serve in Malaysia but my Regiment did so it was an Honour for me when the Coldstream Guards asked me to lay a wreath on their behalf, many of those who served are now unable to attend, perhaps through age, illness or costs so as members of the Legion we were proud to represent them all.

The Kohima Epitaph reads “ When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow we gave our today “. That today in Malaysia see’s a thriving, prosperous and stable country fast becoming the tourist hub of Asia. We sampled this ourselves in Penang for “Duty’s Done” it was now time to relax and remember those young lads as they would like to be remembered; with a few more beers. We had 2 days there and were welcomed wherever we went with open arms as indeed we were throughout Malaysia. We will return next year and maybe add a day or two on the agenda for once again we must never ever forget.