Goodbye to a Legend

source: BWF Virtual Museum
source: BWF Virtual Museum
The Gurkhas from Nepal were an integral part of the British Army as they fought side by side during the difficult periods of Malayan history, which included conflict against the Japanese troops in World War Two, the communist insurgents in the emergency era and the Confrontation Period with Indonesia in Borneo.
Each year on the second Saturday in June, a remembrance service takes place at this well kept cemetery where around 100 Gurkhas (soldiers and families) are laid to rest. Of these, 28 were from the British’s Second Royal Rangers Regiment.
We thank Ramadas G. Retnam for sharing this picture with us.
This is a tribute to the late HH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh – who is on the extreme left, shaking hands with the badminton heroes Chan Kon Leong, Yeoh Teck Chye and Teoh Seng Khoon.
Here’s a little history recap for you:
This grave is among one of seven Christian ones in Kampung Pisang, Pasir Panjang Ulu (in Perak). The cemetery is said to be within a placid jungle clearing against a backdrop of banana trees and thick foliage, close to the Perak River. (read more here).
No, we’re not in a morbid mood this Friday. In fact, tomorrow (21st March) will mark 71 years since the burial of WW II heroine Sybil Kathigasu (nee Daly).
We have here a photograph taken at St Michael’s Church, way back in 1949. The hearse can be seen arriving at the tree-lined Church Road. Also note the crowds of well-wishers and altar boys lined up on both sides of the road.
It was a solemn and heart-wrenching occasion, as the people of Ipoh (and even from others towns in Perak) came to pay their last respects to D R Seenivasagam. Some estimate the crowd of mourners to be well into the tens of thousands!
We’d love to hear from anyone who witnessed this event – perhaps you could also tell us who these gentlemen (pictured above) are. I’m sure they must be some of the many VIPs who came to D R’s residence to pay their respects.
And just so you know we were not exaggerating about the funeral crowd, the picture below was taken during the street procession, which passed through Brewster Road.
We thank Chan Kok Keong for sharing these photographs with us.Extract from: New Straits Times, 2-10-2015
We would like to extend our condolences to the family of the late Tan Sri Dato Seri Yuen Yuet Leng – a true hero and a well-loved individual who always believed in putting the ‘nation before self’.