KOSB veterans on Malaysia trip

By Bert Houston in Malaysia



VETERANS of a ‘forgotten war’ have paraded with pride nearly half way round the world as a senior British diplomat praised the part they played in ensuring the independence of Malaysia.

Fifty veterans of the former King’s Own Scottish Borderers were led by a piper as they lined up for a special ceremony in Kuala Lumpur in which they were presented with specially commissioned badges marking their time there 55 years ago.

Boyd McCleary, the British High Commmissioner, was a guest speaker at the ceremony and referred to the contribution by the National Servicemen with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the 12 year saga which cost 519 British lives as well as many Commonwealth comrades.

He told the veterans: “The Malaysians are very much aware of the contribution you and your colleagues made and this is something that has been brought home to me during my time here in the past three years.

“The memory of those who served and those who fell those 50-odd years ago is still very much alive.”

And he stressed: “It’s a very strong reminder that Malaya, or Malaysia, and Britain stood together against the communist terrorists and it was a great success -- perhaps the only major success ever against insurgency.”

He praised the part they played in ensuring the independence of Malaysia.



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