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Remembrance Day 2017

1. Founder President-cum-Patron of Warriors Association Malaysia (WIRA) Dato' R. Thambipillay (L) with Lt. Col. Malcolm Beck of 2nd / 30th Training Group, RMAF Base, Butterworth (R)
1. Founder President-cum-Patron of Warriors Association Malaysia (WIRA) Dato’ R. Thambipillay (L) with Lt. Col. Malcolm Beck of 2nd / 30th Training Group, RMAF Base, Butterworth (R)

The Ipoh Railway Station square was a flurry of activity yesterday morning, when foreign dignitaries, war veterans, students and members of the public came together to honour and remember soldiers who laid their lives down for the nation.

2. British Gurkha Regiment bugler play 'Stand Fast'
2. British Gurkha Regiment bugler play ‘Stand Fast’
3. Catafalque party by 2nd / 30th Training Group, RMAF Base, Butterworth
3. Catafalque party by 2nd / 30th Training Group, RMAF Base, Butterworth

Among those present were Asst. Commissioner of Police Tuan Razali bin Ibrahim who represented the Perak Chief Police Officer, Commissioner of Police Dato’ Pahlawan Hasnan bin Hassan, Col. Stephen Hall (Defence Adviser, British High Commission), Col. Anirudh Chauhan SM (Defence Adviser, Indian High Commission) and Group Captain Wendy Horder from the Australian High Commission.

4. Founder President-cum-Patron of Warriors Association Malaysia Dato' R. Thambipillay in his opening address
4. Founder President-cum-Patron of Warriors Association Malaysia Dato’ R. Thambipillay in his opening address
5. Memorial verse recital by a student from SMK Tarcisian Convent, Ipoh
5. Memorial verse recital by a student from SMK Tarcisian Convent, Ipoh

Also in attendance were Lt. Col. Malcolm Beck (Commanding Officer, 2nd / 30th Training Group, RMAF Base, Butterworth), Ken McNeill (International Liaison Officer, National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association Australia (NMBVAA) Australia Inc States), Ian Holthouse (Naval Association Australia, Western Australia Branch) and other distinguished guests.

6. students who volunteered to lend a hand to The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal
6. students who volunteered to lend a hand to The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal
 7. multi religious services (L-R): Tuan Hj. Yusof b. Hj. Abu Bakar (Islam), Rev. Tom Cherian (Christianity) & Pandit Mouneshwar Tripati (Hinduism)
7. multi religious services (L-R): Tuan Hj. Yusof b. Hj. Abu Bakar (Islam), Rev. Tom Cherian (Christianity) & Pandit Mouneshwar Tripati (Hinduism)

On hand to receive these guests were Dato’ R. Thambipillay (Founder President-cum-Patron, WIRA), his wife Datin Thavamani Thambipillay, WIRA President Mr. R. Jeyasingam and also WIRA committee members.

8. multi religious services (L-R): Surinder Pal Singh (Sikhism), K. Elangovan Gurukal & Pandit Panchacharan (South Indian) and Rev. Sampanno (Buddhism)
8. multi religious services (L-R): Surinder Pal Singh (Sikhism), K. Elangovan Gurukal & Pandit Panchacharan (South Indian) and Rev. Sampanno (Buddhism)

The Ipoh Cenotaph War Memorial commemorates those who perished during World Wars I and II, the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation. It also pays tribute to civilians and war prisoners who were victims of the Thailand-Burma Death Railway between 1943 and 1945.

9. wreath laying ceremony by WIRA Founder President-cum-Patron Dato' R. Thambipillay and President Jeyasingam Ratnasingam (partially blocked)
9. wreath laying ceremony by WIRA Founder President-cum-Patron Dato’ R. Thambipillay and President Jeyasingam Ratnasingam (partially blocked)
 10. laying of wreath by ACP Tuan Razali B. Ibrahim who represented Chief Police Officer Perak, Commissioner of Police Dato' Pahlawan Hasnan bin Hassan & Col. Stephen Hall, Defence Adviser British High Commission (R)
10. laying of wreath by ACP Tuan Razali B. Ibrahim who represented Chief Police Officer Perak, Commissioner of Police Dato’ Pahlawan Hasnan bin Hassan & Col. Stephen Hall, Defence Adviser British High Commission (R)

Remembrance Day in Ipoh (sentinel remembrance at the Ipoh Cenotaph) is traditionally hosted on the second week of June. Yesterday’s morning service was organised by the Warriors’ Association Malaysia (WIRA) for the 14th consecutive year. Other related activities include remembrance services in Taiping, God’s Little Acre in Batu Gajah and Camp Syed Putra in Tambun.

11. laying of wreath by Col. Anirudh Chauhan, SM, Defence Adviser, Indian High Commission (L) & Lt. Col. Malcolm Beck of 2nd / 30th Training Group, RMAF Base, Butterworth(R)
11. laying of wreath by Col. Anirudh Chauhan, SM, Defence Adviser, Indian High Commission (L) & Lt. Col. Malcolm Beck of 2nd / 30th Training Group, RMAF Base, Butterworth(R)

According to Dato’ R. Thambipillay, what prompted him to initiate WIRA and organise remembrances services were awareness of the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in the defence of Malaya as well as his personal experience of those days of hardships and sufferings during tumultuous times.

12. laying of wreath by (clockwise from top left): Group Captain Wendy Horder from the Australian High Commission, Jas Huseha representing National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association Australia (NMBVAA), Mrs Pushpa Malar Jeyasingam (Lioness Club) and Ian Holthouse representing Naval Association Australia (Western Australia Branch)
12. laying of wreath by (clockwise from top left): Group Captain Wendy Horder from the Australian High Commission, Jas Huseha representing National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association Australia (NMBVAA), Mrs Pushpa Malar Jeyasingam (Lioness Club) and Ian Holthouse representing Naval Association Australia (Western Australia Branch)

Having been involved in the Malayan Emergency while he was serving in the police force, not only did he experience the harsh jungle life, he also witnessed the tragedies that touched both civilians and service personnel.

13. choir by Wesley Methodist School International Ipoh
13. choir by Wesley Methodist School International Ipoh

Surviving that dark period, Dato’ R. Thambipillay felt that it was only befitting for him to do something to remember those who perished in the line of duty. His first project was God’s Little Acre while serving as OCPD Batu Gajah, followed by the Gurkha cemetery in Kem Syed Putra. Last but not least was Ipoh Cenotaph.

 14. final blessing - Perak State Anthem
14. final blessing – Perak State Anthem
15. final blessing - Perak State Anthem
15. final blessing – Perak State Anthem

Remembrance Day is an essential reminder of some people’s sacrifices for peace that we are enjoying today.

16. St Michael Institution (SMI) Ipoh band
16. St Michael Institution (SMI) Ipoh band

Event: Remembrance Day 2017
Venue: Ipoh Railway Station Square
Date: 9th June, 2017
Time: 8.30am

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With love

8 thoughts on “Remembrance Day 2017

  1. It is also our holiday here in the Philippines, we call it Independence Day. It is a great honor to remember our true heroes. They are gone, but we will never forget their sacrifices.

  2. What a meaningful event! Same thing is happening right now in the Philippines because it’s our Independence day.

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