Emotional reunion 70 years after the Malayan Emergency

Two veterans had an emotional reunion last month as they met by coincidence at our Llandudno rehabilitation centre, 70 years after serving together in the jungle during the Malayan Emergency.

When blind veterans Arthur and Joe decided to book into our rehabilitation centre in North Wales for a week’s holiday, little did they know that they’d be reunited with their former comrade, 70 years after serving together in Kluang.

Arthur and Joe both served in the East Yorkshire Regiment as wireless operators as part of their National Service during the insurgency that took place between 1948 and 1960.

Arthur, 89-years-old, served between 1953 and 1955. He said: “We were out there trying to catch the Chinese communists who were burning down rubber plantations in the jungle. We came across them occasionally when we were on patrol but because the jungle was so dense, it was easy for them to escape. It was quite scary being on patrol, but we were all good pals and had each others’ backs.”

Joe, 94-years-old, served between 1951 and 1953. He said: “At night we would go out on duty to a little tent that was just on the edge of the jungle. From there we would take reports of what was happening and pass them over to the commanding officer. I enjoyed my time in Malaya but part of that was probably because I didn’t have to go into the jungle where it was a bit hairier.”

During their stay at our Llandudno Centre, another blind veteran realised that he’d chatted to two different people who served in the East Yorkshire Regiment in Malaya and introduced the pair.

Arthur said: “I just couldn’t believe it. I was in shock. I hadn’t seen him in over 70 years and now here we were. I joined the company just as Joe was leaving but we crossed over and did some patrols together as signalmen out in Malaya.

Arthur started to lose his sight around 20 years ago to glaucoma. Last year he started to receive support our support. He said: “It’s been a gradual decline. The hardest thing for me was not being able to read anymore, as it’s something I used to love doing. Blind Veterans UK have been brilliant though. The Llandudno Centre is an amazing place to visit and I had a great time there with my wife.”

Joe said: “I never expected to see Arthur or anyone from my company all these years later. It was brilliant to see him and great to talk about our time in Malaya and the other men we served with.”

Joe started to lose his sight four years ago, due to a retinal vessel occlusion in his right eye and epiretinal membrane in his left. Shortly after he found out about our charity and started receiving support. He says: “It was extremely difficult because around the same time I lost my wife. I couldn’t drive anymore and also couldn’t read. Blind Veterans UK have been brilliant though and have given me a magnifying glass which means I can read things like the post by myself without needing anyone to help me.

“It can be lonely living by myself, but when I go to the charity’s centre in North Wales I’m surrounded by people and it’s so nice to have the company. And the people you meet there have similar experiences so we have a lot in common and can help each other out and give each other advice.”