BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
To mark the 75th anniversary of Australian service in the Malayan Emergency, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) held a National Commemorative Service at Rond Terrance (Parkes Way) in Canberra on 31 August 2025.
This anniversary provided the opportunity to honour and remember the service of the 7000 Australian men and women who served in the Malayan Emergency, the sacrifice of the 39 that lost their lives in the deployments, and their families.
The Federation of Malaya (FoM) declared a state of emergency (the Malayan Emergency) on 16 June 1948. The conflict was perceived by Australians as a defence against communism although it was also an anti-colonial conflict. Australia committed to the conflict in June 1950, deploying a training team and two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons (DC3 transport and Lincoln bomber aircraft). Australia increased its commitment in 1955 after co-forming (with Great Britain and New Zealand) the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) to defend Malaya and Singapore from internal and external threats. Australia deployed Navy, Army and further Air Force elements from 1955 onwards, including Canberra Bombers and Sabre aircraft. The insurgent threat was already declining, but Australian forces nevertheless contributed to the defeat of the insurgency. Several Australian servicemen were killed in action and wounded, with others dying or injured from accidents, illnesses, or other causes. Malaya (granted independence in August 1957) declared the Malayan Emergency over on 31 July 1960. There was, however, still some insurgent activity along isolated parts of the Thai-Malay border, with Australians continuing to see active service there until 1966.
The commemorative service was held on Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Day. Whilst DVA also acknowledged the service of veterans in the Indonesian Confrontation on this day, the focus was on the service of Australians in the Malayan Emergency.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Honourable Matt Keogh MP delivered the key note address, with three veterans of the Australian deployment to the Malay Emergency also addressing the ceremony – Ross Beadman Royal Australian Navy Veteran, Brian Avery Australian Army Veteran, and Roy Aiton, Royal Australian Air Force Veteran. Greg Hood AO represented the Air Force Association and laid a wreath on our behalf.
