ONCE again the newspapers gave a moving tribute to the remembrance of our dead on November 11/12.
The rightful tribute was given to the men and women that took part in those dreadful wars. For the first time ever, the Korean Veterans were given the recognition for 'The Forgotten War', as it is generally known, but not once in any parade, memorial, or broadcast, did the Malayan Veterans get honoured or mentioned.
The Government still deny that this 'war' ever took place, and it was quite a shock to them when the TV did a documentary a few years ago. But, while the Korean 'war', was on, and a few other little 'incidents' were taking place, young men of 19 and 20 years of age, with no fighting or jungle experience, were thrown piecemeal into a situation that saw them die rather cruelly. There are still men unaccounted for lying somewhere in the Malayan jungles and there are still no real figures of the casualties. It has been the policy to 'sweep under the carpet' any inquiries as to the real figures, but it totals somewhere in the region of 3000, and not the 1000+ as is rolled out each time by the MOD officials.
The graves of our comrades in the cemeteries are forgotten and in disrepair. The headstones are crumbling because of inferior materials. The graves are being left unattended and, if it wasn't for the Perak Planters Association in Malaya, a lot of graves would disappear under the vegetation. The Malayan campaign was designated 'a non-war' and, as such, the Government wash their hands of any responsibility to the men and women that died. It lasted for 12 years, more than the Korean and Vietnam Wars, more than Bosnia, the Falklands and the others, but you won't see our dead honoured as they are. After all, we are 'Non-People' aren't we, the same as this was a 'Non-War' and, until the rubber plantations are in danger again, we always will be.
Our Association now spans the world. We have over 6,000 members since beginning in 1994, and everywhere else but this country honours the fallen of Malaya. There are 20 branches alone in the UK. Within the next year, it is hoped that a plaque will be placed in Westminster Abbey to commemorate the young men who died in the campaign. WHY are we so ignored? WHY do the politicians cringe each time the Malaya campaign is mentioned? WHY aren't the widows treated the same as war widows? Why are the graves left unattended and their headstones crumbling like chalk? Not long ago there was uproar when the Government threatened to cut the wages or certain people who attend graves of World War One and World War Two, but, believe it or not, there is no such regulation for the graves of the Malayan dead, so they don't get tended on a regular basis by the local native labour. If you don't believe any of this, check for yourselves and be ready for a shock. You will also get a lot of denials from this Government.
If you want a cause to fight for, fight for our dead heroes who lie forgotten in the Malayan cemeteries with weed-choked graves to lie in. They should be given the same honours as the ones that are feted every year, but then, they are dead aren't they? Who the hell cares? Do you?
John W Martland
Assistant National Secretary
National Malaya & Borneo
Veterans Association
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