I read with great interest your article about Eric Dawkins and the Malayan Emergency.
I served in Malaya in 1955/6 with the Royal Hampshire Regiment. Although most of my time was spent in the company office, I can heartily echo Eric’s comment about “horrendous” conditions, especially in the deep tropical swamps, when I occasionally got out on patrol.
I remember one night when our make do camp in the middle of the jungle was attacked by a machete wielding CT (communist terrorist) and one of our platoon won an MM for fighting him off and thereby saving many lives.
I was disappointed when the Pingat Jasa Malasia medal was issued and I found that we were not entitled to it, and feel that those who served during the dangerous part of the Emergency deserve more than the Malayan Clasp.
Ian Newman,
Mawnan Smith
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