There were over one thousand planters murdered by terrorists during the Malayan Emergency and little is known or written about them. Seldom, or never, are they specifically mentioned in commentaries on the conflict in Malaya after World War II. How much information have you about the death of your planter relative during the Emergency? My brother was murdered by communist terrorists on 8 May 1950, aged 26, and was buried the next day in Cheras Road Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur. He had served two-and-a-half years of his four-year contract as assistant manager on the Telemong Rubber Estate, Bentong, Pahang, and I have always wondered if his death was registered in England, his home country. Recently I have ascertained that it was not and am now awaiting a copy of his death certificate from Malaysia.
Also, recently I have obtained a copy of my brother`s service record from when he first joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War II to the time that he was demobbed, as Lieutenant, in 1946. This is very comprehensive and I have found that a mention of his murder in Malaya is entered in pencil on it. It seems to be the only record of his death on any official document in this country, but then merely in pencil.
If you lost a relative in similar circumstances, what has been your experience in gaining knowledge of what happened and of what records there are, other than newspaper cuttings? How did your family receive the bad news and what were the consequences? I realise that more than fifty years have elapsed since the conflict in Malaya . It would be good to share knowledge, even at this late stage! Members of the armed forces who fought during the Emergency are now to receive a special medal but planter deaths seem to have been forgotten in the UK, except by us.
Do let me have your comments.
Sibyl P.
