Remembrance Day service held at Taiping War Cemetery, Malaysia
The British High Commission hosted a service of remembrance for the first time in recent years at Taiping War Cemetery today (13 November) to remember those who served their countries in both World Wars and other conflicts since.
High Commissioner Charles Hay and Defence Advisor Captain Antony Stockbridge laying a wreath.
The service this year also marks 77 years since the end of the Second World War.
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Defence Advisers from various countries stood in respectful silence alongside representatives from the Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Veterans’ Associations, representatives of local societies and schools.
The service began with a performance by the 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles pipers.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia, His Excellency Charles Hay MVO then delivered his address saying:
Today we remember those who sacrificed their lives fighting for peace and for our liberty. We must never forget the price they paid and continue to honour their legacy.
The Taiping War Cemetery was created by the British Army and is managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. We have hosted several memorials here over the years - including a visit in 2017 by the then His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, but our annual remembrance event usually takes place in Kuala Lumpur. I am pleased that this year we are able to hold our remembrance service in Taiping in the beautiful and emotive setting of the Taiping War Cemetery
The service continued with a reading of ‘In Flanders Fields’, delivered by Mr. Paul Baker, British Veteran and ‘The Soldier by Rupert Brooke’ by Veerayah A/L Subramaniam, SM of Polis Diraja Malaysia. Defence Advisor, Captain Antony Stockbridge then performed a reading of the ‘For the Fallen’ by Robert Laurence Binyon.
After observing two minutes of silence in respect of the fallen heroes, the ceremony ended with the traditional laying of wreaths at the base of the Cross, a solemn tribute to those who gave their lives in the name of peace.