A Memorial Service for Thomas (Tommy) Griffiths, the last
Durham Light Infantry soldier to die in combat, was held this
morning in the Parish Church of Shotton Colliery, Co. Durham,
attended by a large congregation including Lt General Robin
Brims CBE. After the service a Memorial Plaque honouring Pte
Tommy Griffiths was unveiled. The Borneo Band and Bugles took
part in both the service and unveiling ceremony.
At a reception afterwards in the Comrades Club an address
was given by a representative of the Malaysian Government
which was replied to by the Regimental Representative, Col.
GC Bartram TD DL.
Pingat Jasa Malaysia medals were presented to Borneo veterans
by the Malaysian Government Representative and a presentation
made to the Griffiths family.
A new Durham Light Infantry book, Jungle Conflict –
The Durham Light Infantry in Borneo 1965 – 1966 by Ralph
Harrison and John Heron, is published today.
The book, which is liberally illustrated with photographs
- many previously unpublished – tells the story of men
of 1DLI who went from serving in Hong Kong to a Borneo deployment
and succeeded, beyond expectation, fighting in a difficult
jungle environment. It uses the words and colourful accounts
of men who took part. It is a factual narrative of the Borneo
‘Confrontation’, which was the last DLI action,
interspersed with humorous observations and conveys the spirit
of strong comradeship of the DLI men. It is a story of success
- the result of excellent leadership and also of the best
of professional soldiering.
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