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first thing - lotsa soldiers, like my old man, who fought through 6 years of ww2 refused t take even the campaign medals because they were just trinkets. Second - these "communist insurgents" were the same guys and gals who were the heroic resistance (the CP entirely and in all occupied countries were the only people who put their lives where their mouths where and formed resistance movements). after the war the good old brits an americans didnt want commies in charge and so the resistance suddenly become the enemy (does this seem familiar to you taliban readers?) Some of the very brave brit soldiers and officers in places like burma never forgave them selves for turning the guns on their similarly brave allies. I just hate this flag waving cr*p.

history man. You are entitled to your opinion but just remember IT IS YOUR OPINION and not one that has been forced on you. This freedom that you enjoy is there because some people put their life on the line to protect yours. So go back to your armchair and switch on your TV and watch the free news and read the free press because we do not need you.

Dear 'History Man', I don't know what induced you to choose such a name as that, you dont seem to have a clue about the history of Malaysia. It is the people of Malaysia themselves who did not want the commies, and is why they award this medal to those who helped repel them...It would be nice if those men and women who received the medal were allowed to wear it, but against a statement by HM the Queen in the London Gazette, who gave her permission for it to be worn, the Civil Servants say it is they who rule the country so we cant !

'History Man'?....I think not!....let me point out to 'History Man' the significant fact that if his 'old man', along with those many others, had not served their country in it's WWII time of need, then it is quite possible that the flag waving over his head right now would be one emblazoned with a large black Swastika...

History man my a**e. You don't even know what you are talking about and just because YOU do not agree with parades and the 'flying of the flag' does not make them wrong. Ever heard of the Rape of Nanking, or the prisoners of war who were beheaded by their captors, or the rapes and murder which took place at the fall of Hong Kong, or the cowardly attack on Pearl Harbour by those you refer to as brave allies in Burma. Also CT's in Malaya started it all off by murdering three British planters then they started on the Malayan people. Men, women and children were brutally murdered to force the population to help and assist them through fear. I agree with your right to express your opinion but I do not have to agree with it, so get your facts right.

Jock Fenton should remember that whilst the Burma jungle warfare was regular army, WWII was the factory workers who filled the ranks of fallen soldiers. It is ordinary Jocks who liberated this nation from the threats of HM's relatives. History Man makes a very good point about our past and present political wars still being fought by men led by donkeys.

There were 519 guys that never made it back to Blighty, many of them Scots, let us honour those that defended Malaya and Borneo, for it is those nations that are ever grateful of their sacrifices. Lest We Forget.............

thanks everyone for the replies I see some insults (of course from people who declare that everyone has a point of view) but no reasoned argument to convince me that I am wrong. ps the malaysians didnt liberate themselves although the communists resisted they fascists. The country was however beaten. mainly it was the british chindits while the might of the americans couipled with the huge sacrifice of the russians pushed the axis over. and you know that!

oh Andy and jock, i suggest you nip into the mitchell and ask for ajp taylor's history of ww1 and 2. Andy, it might be a terric shock to you but the fascist imperial army invaded china and bombed pearl harbour. Like it or not the resistance in europe and the east was largely the left. doh, i know lots of ordinary working class guys like my old man (why put that in parenthesis?" fought but he and other who actually risked their lives unlike you, didnt need trinkets or wanky flags!

Scotland, my Scotland, has more than it's fair share of rabid lefties. If it were not for the Scots, Labour would never have been elected and yet most Scottish Labour Party groups have form for corruption as long as your proverbial arms. Get off your high horse History Man and go to Russia if that is your want, if not, shut up.

History Man as a Veteran I apologise to you for the reaction to your comments by others. You are absolutely right in your summation, Chin Ping was our darling when he was fighting the Japanese’s, we even gave him an MBE and invited him to the Victory Parade in London. However once he started the war of the running dogs then he became enemy “numero unno”. Was it not ever thus, one mans terrorist is but another’s freedom fighter? You are absolutely correct in saying that your fathers generation did not fight for Medals or other such rewards. This week Harry Patch, who is the oldest living WW1 Veteran, visited Flanders Fields to see where his comrades died all those years ago. He tells how he never spoke about the War for 80 Years and it is obvious that he was neither a medal hunter or glory seeker. The young soldiers who are today fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan are not doing so for a Medal nor are you likely to hear them bragging about their tales either. I wish the same could be said for a small but vociferous minority of so called veterans who are involved in the PJM. If you dig deeply you will find that, unlike your father or Harry Patch, they have never been in real action anywhere. They may have had some role in very rear area or sea area in Malaya and now use the cover and company of truly brave veterans to imply that they are something they clearly are not. They are truly without shame.

I see that some correspondents (Historonics and Allwind - both aka Tom?) continue their sad stalking of Malaya Borneo veterans. Which serves only to underline their inadequacies and the dignity of the veterans whose success they find so compelling. Malaysia is free. That's what matters - the only thing that matters.

Allyyd Williams. History Man is entitled to his opinion but you have no idea what you are talking about. May I suggest you go to a site called "Britains Small Wars" also go to National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association web site and look at the role of honour. Also remember we did not go in search of a medal from the Malaysians they offered it us. If you want to slag me off go ahead I'll let men of honour be the judge.

Mr Alders, I am not slagging you off and am well aware of the price that the Commonwealth Forces paid for Merdeka. My point is simply that a very small minority of Veterans are using the PJM to greatly enhance their own past. They are not reflective of the vast number of PJM recipients who are all honourable men. It is this selfish minority who tarnish the image of Harry Patch and History Mans Father.