John receives the Pingat Jasa Medal

A former soldier with the Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars, John Allen Walker of Alexander Avenue was presented with the commemorative Pingat Jasa Medal having served in Malaysia during the Malaysian-Indonesian Confrontation periods.

Speaking to the Times John explained: “The medal is presented to all Commonwealth troops who served in Malaysia during the confrontation with the Indo President Sukarno.

“The Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation was an undeclared war over the future of the island of Borneo, between British-backed Malaysia and Indonesia during 1962–1966. The conflict lay in Indonesian attempts to destabilise the new federation of Malaysia, which came into being in 1963.

“Hundreds of British soldiers were sent to Malaysia as a result and I was deployed from 1962 to 1964, having already served six months in the Persian Gulf and six months in Aden.

“We joined soldiers from as far as Australia and New Zealand and I can honestly say it was an experience of a lifetime. I worked with a great bunch of fellas who had a job to do and got on with it. I was proud to be serving for my country and I would do it all over again tomorrow.”

At a special ceremony last Monday in Ballymena, John was presented with the prestigious award by an official of National Malaysian Bornio Veterans Association.

He continued: “Around 50 of us from throughout Northern Ireland were presented with the medal from a Malaysian General at the Galgorm Manor - the venue was organised by My John Simcock, the secretary of the National Malaysian Bornio Veterans Association.

“Even though it’s nearly five decades since I served receiving this was a great honour and it’s something I will always treasure.”

Originally from Stranocum, John joined the Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars in 1960 aged just 18.

Fondly remembering his comrades over the years, John added: “Soldiers from Ballymoney, Dervock and Coleraine were sent to Malaysia however some of them are now deceased and never got the chance to see their award.

“Local lads like Billy McClernon from Dervock, Walter Scott from Bushmills, George Madison from Ballymoney, Ray Gault and Seamus Doherty from Drumadraw and many, many more all served in my regiment as well as the highly respect Lt Col Sandy Cramsie.

“There were many harrowing and difficult times over the years however there was also a lot of great craic to.

“I will wear my medal with pride every Remembrance Sunday and think back to those happy times.”