14 October 2008
MAJGEN (Rtd) Ken “Scotty” Gordon, a Malaya veteran and former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, received his Mentioned in Dispatches certificate from the Chief of Defence Force, LTGEN Jerry Mateparae recently.
MAJGEN Gordon was the instigator of a push to have the efforts of a 17-strong group of Malaya veterans, some of whom have since died, officially recognised.
The veterans, or the next-of-kin of those who have died, were awarded Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) certificates and Commander In Chief Far East Land Forces (FARELF) Commendations by the Chief of Army, MAJGEN Lou Gardiner at ceremonies throughout New Zealand in August.
It is thought an oversight after the Malaya Campaign caused the men to miss out on receiving their MID certificates when they returned from the campaign. MAJGEN Gordon was determined to correct that situation and, with others, he researched who was eligible.
At a function in Defence House where LTGEN Mateparae presented the framed certificate, MAJGEN Gordon recalled how he was a Lieutenant Colonel (Commanding Officer, 2/1RNZIR) when CDF, then Second Lieutenant Mateparae, marched out. “I remember saying to him (CDF) that if he turned out half as good as his uncle Bill Mateparae he’d do alright. And I was right, wasn’t I?”
LTGEN Mateparae replied that it was a “privilege, honour and delight” to present the certificate to MAJGEN Gordon.
“Scotty, I will always remember the support you have given me personally and professionally. It is an honour to be able to recognise the service you gave in Malaya all those years ago” MAJGEN Gordon said the work he put into having the MID and FARELF Commendations awarded to the veterans was a labour of love. “Anyone who has had soldiers would have done it for their men. I felt bound to do it for my former soldiers, who are now more like friends.”