A Fife veteran of a forgotten war has been recognised almost 45 years after the conflict ended.
David Goddard, who served with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in Malaysia between 1964 and 1967, was honoured at a ceremony in Edinburgh.
The 64-year-old, from Chance Inn near Cupar, was among more than 100,000 troops sent to the country to fight rebel forces during the battle for independence. More than 2000 lives were lost.
The Malaysian government approached the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2005 seeking approval for its plans to present the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal to all who took part in the operation.
Permission was granted and the UK Government decreed that the medal should be worn “during the celebration of Malaysian independence.”
Mr Goddard spoke of his “pride” following the recognition.
“I was absolutely thrilled to get the medal,” he told The Courier. “It was a very proud moment… I think it was very thoughtful of the Malaysian government to remember us in this way.”
During the ceremony, Mr Goddard was able to rub shoulders with many other veterans of the conflict something that meant a lot to him.
“Everybody had a smile on their face, we were all just so chuffed to be remembered,” he said.
Although the skirmish ended 44 years ago, Mr Goddard remembers it well.
“I found the jungle itself to be fine once you were actually in it,” he said. “However, I remember once being sent to ride shotgun on a convoy delivering supplies from Borneo.
“I was sat on the back of this three tonne truck with my weapon and … everywhere I looked I could see potential places from which to ambush us.
“This journey wound through the jungle … and by the end of it I think all my hair had turned white,” he joked. “It was an extremely scary trip.”
As he relaxed at home with his new medal, Mr Goddard paid special tribute to Mike and Bev Warren, who dedicated themselves to finding the 600 Scots who qualify for the medal.
Mr and Mrs Warren have spent more than four years tracking down veterans, but the couple said they were happy to be able to raise awareness of the conflict.
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.
“Conditions in Malaysia during that time were terrible, but it is a war few people know about,” he said. “These people really deserve to be recognised for the role they played.”
The PJM is awarded for “distinguished chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice or loyalty” in upholding Malaysian sovereignty.
It is awarded to British veterans and others who served in operations between August 1957 and August 1966.