New veterans' branch meets

Committee members of the newly established Otago branch of the New Zealand Malaya Veterans'...
Committee members of the newly established Otago branch of the New Zealand Malaya Veterans' Association, Otago ex-servicemen (from left) Murray Hood, Ross Andrews and Peter Ashford, enjoy reading the association's monthly magazine yesterday. Photos...

Ex-servicemen from throughout Otago are meeting in Dunedin today as members of the newly formed Otago branch of the New Zealand Malaya Veterans' Association.

In August, Waikouaiti resident Ross Andrews inquired whether fellow veterans were interested in establishing the branch. To date, about 15 veterans, including one from Alexandra, have joined.

The branch committee includes Mr Andrews, a former New Zealand Army serviceman, as president, former Royal Air Force serviceman Peter Ashford as vice-president and former New Zealand Navy serviceman Murray Hood as secretary and treasurer.

Mr Andrews said his motivation in establishing a branch was to foster comradeship and support for those who served in Malaya, Malaysia, Singapore and Borneo.

He was a member of the national association, which previously had branches in Ashburton and Invercargill but none in between.

Mr Andrews said there was benefit in spending time with those who knew what it was like to serve in Malaya between the late 1940s and 1980s.

The branch's first meeting was held in Dunedin last month, when members were registered.

The second meeting will be held tonight, from 6.30pm at the Leviathan Hotel.

Anyone interested in joining the branch was welcome to attend, Mr Andrews said.

 

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