Over 130 members of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association (NMBVA) and the Royal Ulster Rifles Association received the prestigious Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal for distinguished chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice or loyalty while serving in Malaysia from 1957 to 1966. A cadet guard of honour and bugler greeted the Malaysian guests, service veterans, and their families at the firstever all-Ireland presentations at Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn.

Major Bob Hayden, NMBVA Ireland branch chairman, said it was an honour for his members. "We are very pleased that after all these years there is recognition for us. In Malaya we were fighting the communist terrorist, so we spent a lot of time in the jungle. Everybody that is involved is very appreciative of it."

Hayden served with the Malayan Scots from 1950 to 1958 during the Malayan emergency and when the country won its independence. A Londoner, he served in the British army his entire working life, from the age of 17 to 61 years, moving to Lisburn in 1970.

Established last March with nine members, the NMBVA Ireland branch now has over 100 members from north and south. Yesterday, 78 of them were honoured. The Royal Ulster Rifles Association had 56 former members, who served in Borneo in 1964-65, receiving the medal.

"Civilians don't realise the great ethos of medals, " said Major Roy Walker, regimental secretary. "It means so much to an ex-service man or woman to see their efforts rewarded. A medal doesn't cost very much, but the honour and the glory that go with it means an awful lot to the individual."