Hi again Simon,
I am not doubting your Grandfather's writings BUT we did not wear '37 pattern webbing in Malaya only 44 type; I do not recall seeing any of those WWII type 'sangars' anywhere in Malaya (they were a feature of most UK barracks); the Manchester Regiment were never based in Kuala Lumpur, our H.Q. was i) Selerang Barracks, Singapore for a month or so Mar/April 1951 then for the remainder of the tour ii) Minden Barracks, Georgetown, Penang, until the Bn returned to Selerang Barracks,Singapore around about March/April 1954 prior to returning to the UK and May/June 1954 Harrington Barracks, Formby, Lancashire.
The General Service Malaya is a silver medal - ribbon has two purple stripes with a green one between and the clasp is inscribed Malaya. Around the rim is inscribed his number, rank, name and regiment.
We all regret at some time or another 'not listening or asking' so just join the club and we will see what we can sort out for you.
As rafboy, Cliff, mentioned earlier one there is a book called 'Jungle Bashers' available from the Museum of the Manchesters in Ashton which gives clear information on how and what we did during our stay out there if you wanted to learn more about that period. As a Regular his full service Records would be available to his NOK ( see the Veterans Agency website for details)his widow or your father.
Otherwise we will have to see if anyone else comes on the site who might have known him, moreso now that there is a photograph to go off,
Regards, George.