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PROUD ... veteran Derek Lord displays his medal for serving in Malaysia.
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Medal wait is at last for jungle soldiers
by Alice McKeegan and Rebecca Dawson28/ 8/2007
TWO former soldiers have been belatedly awarded medals for their service with the Army during the fight against communism in Malaysia.
Having already completed three years’ service with the Parachute Regiment, the Lancashire Fusiliers and the King’s Own Royal Regiment, Michael Blackman, now of Hollingworth Lake, re-enlisted in August 1959 as a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps.
In October of that year, he was posted to Ipoh in northern Malaya, serving in the country until September 1962.
Forty-five years on he was presented with the 'Pingat Jasa Malaysia' medal at the TA Centre, Stockport, in recognition of his service to Malaya by Colonel Tajri Alwi, a defence attache.
Also there was Derek Lord, of Rawstron Street, Whitworth, who spent 18 months in Malaya as a National Serviceman with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
The presentations were part of Malaysia’s celebration of 50 years’ independence and veterans’ associations and MPs had staged a lengthy campaign for ex-service personnel who were involved in the 1957-1966 conflict to be honoured.
Mr Lord remembered it being extremely difficult to leave home for a foreign country at the age of 21.
He spent 18 months in Malaysia and said: "I knew two people from Whitworth and Bacup who were in the regiment before I left for Malaysia and this made it a lot easier but nothing could prepare me for the jungle.
"It even took six weeks just to get there because the Suez Canal was blocked off so we had to travel around the Cape of Good Hope."
On demob he worked for A Train and Son, a joinery company in Whitworth, and stayed there until his retirement.
Mr Blackman of Hollingworth Lake said: "I was very privileged to receive the award. I loved being in the armed forces, I’d go back tomorrow if they’d have me."
He completed 37 years service in May 1991 retiring with the rank of warrant officer.
The 71-year-old father of four and grandfather of 10 said: "It was difficult leaving the Army and re-adjusting to life as a civilian.
"In the forces, you get used to always having someone to look out for you and you look out for them. I miss the comradeship, you don’t experience that in everyday life."
He and his family travelled all over the world and his son Darryl is an instructor on aircraft avionics with the RAF.
A widower – his wife died in May – he still retains an interest in military matters.
He is involved with the Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion and has been the branch secretary since April 2002.
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30/08/2007 at 03:20
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