Hundreds of Scottish veterans of an oft-forgotten war have at last been recognised almost half a century after the brutal conflict ended.
Troops who served with the British Army in Malaysia between 1957 and 1966 were honoured during a poignant ceremony in Perth on Wednesday.
More than 100,000 troops served in the war-torn far eastern country fighting rebel forces in the bloody battle for independence. Over 2000 lives were lost.
In 2005 the Malaysian government approached the Foreign and Commonwealth Office seeking approval for its plans to present the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal to all who took part in the dangerous operation. A year later permission was granted and the UK Government decreed the medal should be worn “during the celebration of Malaysian independence.”
The daunting task of distributing more than 28,000 medals across the length and breadth of the country fell to just three couples.
Mike and Bev Warren, both 66 and from Blackpool, dedicated themselves to contacting the 600 eligible Scots in a task that took four years.
All that hard work came to fruition on Wednesday as survivors and relatives were invited to a ceremony at the Salutation Hotel in Perth.
A member of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Association himself, Mr Warren spent a number of years serving in the country with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
“It has taken a huge amount of effort to ensure all soldiers get the recognition they deserve but it has been worth it,” he said. “Many old friends who have not seen each other for 50 years are being reunited in Perth.
“The widows and children of those who are no longer with us are also attending to receive recognition on their behalf.”
Mr Warren was delighted to be able to raise the profile of the conflict.
“Conditions in Malaysia during that time were terrible but it is a war few people know about,” he said.
With hundreds of Scots eligible, Mr Warren explained why Perth was chosen as the most suitable venue.
“People were planning to travel from as far as Dumfries and John O’Groats so we needed a good central location,” he said.
The event was also attended by several diplomats and dignitaries, among them Brigadier General Othman Jamal, defence attache with the Malaysian Embassy.