War veterans finally receive their medals

john.morgan@cambridge-news.co.uk

From left, Raymond Brighton, David Alexander and Rex Beach of Huntingdon.

VETERANS of a "forgotten war" have picked up medals for their service in an emotional ceremony - but they still do not have official permission to wear them.

Around 250 Cambridgeshire veterans who fought in the jungles of Malaya and Borneo in the 1950s and 60s were presented with medals by the Malaysian Government in a ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford yesterday (Thursday, 15 May).

Despite a long struggle with the British Government for the right to receive the medals - honours awarded by foreign authorities cannot normally be accepted - the veterans are not officially allowed to display the medals.

Keith Ridley, 62, a veteran who lives in Offord Darcy, said: "Some of the guys and some of the widows came out with a tear in their eye. It was impressive the way it was done - it was a real ceremony."

The event, organised by the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Association, saw veterans presented with the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal by a member of the Malaysian High Commission.

Around 35,000 British troops fought Indonesian Communists in Borneo and Malaya between 1957 and 1966. Of those men, 509 were killed.

Mr Ridley was 18 when he served aboard the HMS Albion in Brunei.

He said: "You feel a sense of pride that you did your bit. Whether you are Army, Airforce or Navy, we all relied on each other. We were a team."

Although retired veterans can wear the Pingat Jasa as private citizens, Mr Ridley believes the Government should officially recognise the medals.

He said: "The King of Malaysia put his blessing on it, the Queen said we could receive it, and they still won't climb down.

"But I don't think what happened will be forgotten to the same extent it was before. The ceremonies have brought it to the fore."