National Patron
General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, AC(Mil), CVO, MC (Retd)


REMEBERING 'THE FORGOTTEN WARS'


The National Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Association Australia (NMBVAA) held services throughout Australia at 11am on 31st. August 2013 to commemorate two undeclared conflicts: The Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), when British Commonwealth Forces assisted Malaya against communist guerrillas; and the Indonesian Confrontation (1962-1966), a conflict between Indonesia and Malaysia over the former British possessions of Sabah and Sarawak in North Borneo. The NMBVAA Queensland and Brisbane Branch held a Commemorative Service at The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) National Memorial Walk at the Enoggera Army Base.

Mr Ron Virgen OAM. an ex-4RAR veteran of the Indonesian Confrontation, conducted the service. Mr Terry Meehan, President of the RSL (Queensland Branch), gave the main address Others who took part included Mr Allen Edwards, President of the NMBVAA Queensland and Brisbane Branch; Salvation Army Major Gary Craig, the organisations chaplain; members of 6RAR, who provided the Catafalque Party; Mr Chris Grethead, who played The Last Post; and Mr David Brewer, Vice-President of the NMBVAA Queensland and Brisbane Branch, who recited the Ode.

The National Servicemen's Band led a short march of veterans from these conflicts to thechapel where the service was held. During an interesting address on the significance of these undeclared wars and the part played by our Australian men and women, Mr Meehan made mention of how little information was readily available about these conflicts.

As war was not officially declared, these conflicts have long been referred to as 'The Forgotten Wars', and it is only in recent years that recognition has been afforded to those who took part. The names of those who served in this area of conflict and who paid the supreme sacrifice were read out from a booklet researched by Miss Dell Shears RFD.


Original article by NMBVAA Queensland Branch Member Miss Dell Shears. Published in 2013 Edition 06 of the Queensland RSL News. (No longer available on-line.)

To get in touch with the NMBVAA, contact the President, Mr Allen Edwards on 07 3396 6705 or


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