Honour for Malayan Emergency heroes
Deborah Linton
August 14, 2009
A VETERANS association is searching for the families of fallen soldiers eligible for a new military medal.
Hundreds of men from 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment fought in the Malayan Emergency in the early 1950s.
Many were killed in the guerilla war between Commonwealth forces and communist militia between 1948 and 1960.
The Malayan Veterans Association now wants to trace the relatives of 14 fallen soldiers from Greater Manchester eligible for the Elizabeth Cross.
The silver medal was introduced by the government last month in recognition of personnel killed on operations or as a result of terrorism.
It follows a tradition of monarchs who have given their names to military honours.
Recognition
Tom Rodulson, of the Malayan Veterans Association, said: "A lot of the young lads who lost their lives were national servicemen and until the introduction of the Elizabeth Cross and scroll there was no recognition of what they did while they were out there.
"Today we've got Afghanistan and Iraq and medals have been presented to all those who have served in those campaigns. The Malayan Campaign was not classed as a war and all they had in recognition was the general service medal.
"This new award acknowledges the fact that they gave their lives for king and country and we want to ensure those eligible are honoured through their families."
The association wants to arrange a presentation at the home of the Manchester Regiment in Ardwick next year. Mr Rodulson said they hoped the regiment's colonel or the lord lieutenant would attend.
The fallen soldiers of 1st Batalion the Manchester Regiment are: Max Woodhead Raingill, Jim Broadbent, Ian Edward Fitzpatrick, Thomas Henry Patrick Arrands, William Bailey, Eric Buckley, Alexander Cooper, John Grady, Malcolm Harrison, Kenneth Hiscox, Terrence Kelly, Edward McGibbon, Richard Henry Smith and Thomas Traynor. Relatives can contact Mr Rodulson on 01733 266 573.
