75th Anniversary of Australian Service in the Malayan Emergency

CANBERRA

Good morning.

I want to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

I also acknowledge all those who have served, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Federal and state parliamentary colleagues, Leaders of the Australian Defence Force and Ex-service organisations

Today — on Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Day – we commemorate the 75th anniversary of Australian service in the Malayan Emergency.

The Malayan Emergency was one of Australia’s earliest and most significant post Second World War conflicts.

In June 1950 Australia answered a call for assistance from our near neighbours, two years after the Malayan Emergency was declared – the result of escalating violence to overthrow the colonial administration of the Federation of Malaya.

Australia deployed a military advisory team, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) transport squadron and a RAAF bomber squadron.

Our aircrews dropped supplies to British and Malay forces and supported their operations by bombing insurgent camps and supply routes.

In 1955, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom formed the Far East Strategic Reserve to defend Malaya and Singapore.

Australia contributed Army, Navy, and additional Air Force units to participate in and support counter-insurgency operations. They strengthened Malaya’s defence infrastructure, including constructing the Butterworth airbase.

Many Australian defence families followed too, as they were at last allowed to accompany their partner and parent to the area of operations.

Our nurses deployed from 1955.

In 1957 my own great-aunt, Lieutenant Joan Travers, a nurse with the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps, and whose medals I wear today, departed Fremantle for Singapore.

She was bound for the British Military Hospital Kamunting where she cared for Australian and Commonwealth troops until May 1959.

Like so many other Army nurses, Joan dedicated her life to caring for the veterans she served alongside, working at the Hollywood Repatriation Hospital in Western Australia and the Repatriation Department on William St, Perth until she retired.

Malaya achieved independence in 1957, and the Emergency was declared over on 31 July 1960.

However, Australians continued serving in isolated areas of the Thai-Malay border on anti-insurgent operations until 1966.

Among them was Arpad ‘Paddy’ Bacskai who enlisted in Western Australia and deployed to Malaya in 1959 on a two-year tour as an infantry soldier in the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

Conditions were tough. The jungle terrain was dense and mountainous and the tropical climate meant it was often bucketing down with rain.

Paddy told how it would take 10 days to walk through jungle to reach the patrol area, and once there, having to occupy ambush positions for 24 hours at a time. Then later, having to walk all the way out again.

He said:

“It was just a never ending cycle of chasing, finding, reducing, getting back intelligence. This is really how you fight a guerrilla, by your intelligence being greater than his, and you being one step ahead of him …

I consider it a privilege to have been there. I didn’t enjoy all of it. As a matter of fact, I can recall hating a hell of a lot of it, but I wouldn’t have missed it for quids…’

Our people contributed to one of the few successful counter-insurgency campaigns and ultimately helped an independent Malaysia to emerge.

This was not only important for Malaysia, but it was important for Australia and the stability of our region – which is something we still work to maintain today, deepening our partnerships abroad and ensuring social cohesion at home.

To the veterans who join us here today and around the country, thank you for your selfless and distinguished service.

You served in the finest traditions of the Anzacs. Troops became experts in jungle warfare and were the first to experience modern counter-insurgency operations. You took these valuable skills forward, passing them on to your mates, to be used in the Indonesian Confrontation and the Vietnam War.

Other troops and nurses, airmen, and sailors each contributed to the defeat of the insurgency.

In doing so, you also helped to establish the foundations of the excellent relationship Australia and Malaysia enjoy today as longstanding partners and friends.

Australia and Malaysia benefit from a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and support one another’s aspirations for economic development, and shared interests in a region that is open, stable and prosperous.

You can be very proud of your service, just as your nation is proud of you – we will ensure your service is remembered now and into the future

More than 7,000 Australians served in the Malayan Emergency and about 2,000 more followed serving on the Thai-Malay border.

Sadly, 39 Australians lost their lives during the Malayan Emergency and two others died during the Thai-Malay border operations.

Today, on this significant anniversary, we remember them all.

Those who died while serving our country and those who were wounded and injured.

The families who for 75 years now have had to live without their loved one and whose grief has never waned.

Those who still bear the physical and mental wounds of their service and for whom, internally at least, the conflict has never ended.

And the memory of those who returned home but are no longer with us.

Lest we forget

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608