ID :
138029
Tue, 08/17/2010 - 14:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/138029
The shortlink copeid
DON'T TAKE INDEPENDENCE FOR GRANTED, SAYS WWII VETERAN
By Haslin Gaffor
SANDAKAN (Malaysia), Aug 17 (Bernama) -- "Let's value our independence and don't take it for granted because it requires a lot of sacrifices to be able to attain it," a local World War II veteran said.
Philip Mairon, 85, was among those involved in the fight against the
Japanese as part of the Australian and British Allied Forces guerrilla members.
He said the fight against the Japanese was of immense importance because
winning the battle meant a liberation from oppression and from constant fear.
Speaking to Bernama here, Philip said his involvement in the war started
when he and 29 others were arrested by the Japanese army in Jesselton (now Kota
Kinabalu) and brought to Buli Sim-Sim here where they were forced to repair
ships for the Japanese.
He said he and other prisoners-of-war had to endure constant threats,
including beheading, if they made mistakes or being slow in their job.
-- MORE
INDEPENDENCE-VETERAN 2 SANDAKAN
"The appalling condition at the camp strengthened my resolve to free myself
and to join the fight against the oppressors," he said when met at the recent
Sandakan Memorial Service here which was held in honour of Australian and
British servicemen who perished in the Japanese prisoners-of-war camps and
during the forced marches from here to Ranau in Sabah state.
Philip said on the seventh day of their forced labour, he and several POWs
bolted out of the detention camp and hid in the jungle before making their way
towards Jesselton.
However, on reaching Kampung Muanad in Beluran, they met a local leader, OKK
Khulang, who told them not to continue with their journey because the Japanese
soldiers were everywhere.
They decided to stay at the village and after lying low for a year, they
joined the Allied Forces guerrilla team.
His guerrilla life brought him to jungle warfare in the fight against the
Japanese soldiers. He said he gunned down several of them during the fight.
INDEPENDENCE-VETERAN 3 (LAST) SANDAKAN
As the battle-scarred veteran looks back to those tumultuous years, a sense
of pride overwhelms him, as he now enjoys the fruit of the freedom he fervently
helped achieved.
After the surrender of the Japanese army in 1945, Philip was absorbed into
the police force where he retired as a chief inspector in 1974.
With the country now enjoying peace and prosperity, Philip said, it was
incumbent upon everyone to appreciate the meaning of independence.
He said he still had the nationalism fire burning in him despite his age.
He now shares his experience with his grand-children, telling them that the
country's independence is not something they could take as a given.
"I seek no recognition for my past deeds. It is enough for me if people,
irrespective of their race or religion, care for the country and help safeguard
its independence," he said.
-- BERNAMA
SANDAKAN (Malaysia), Aug 17 (Bernama) -- "Let's value our independence and don't take it for granted because it requires a lot of sacrifices to be able to attain it," a local World War II veteran said.
Philip Mairon, 85, was among those involved in the fight against the
Japanese as part of the Australian and British Allied Forces guerrilla members.
He said the fight against the Japanese was of immense importance because
winning the battle meant a liberation from oppression and from constant fear.
Speaking to Bernama here, Philip said his involvement in the war started
when he and 29 others were arrested by the Japanese army in Jesselton (now Kota
Kinabalu) and brought to Buli Sim-Sim here where they were forced to repair
ships for the Japanese.
He said he and other prisoners-of-war had to endure constant threats,
including beheading, if they made mistakes or being slow in their job.
-- MORE
INDEPENDENCE-VETERAN 2 SANDAKAN
"The appalling condition at the camp strengthened my resolve to free myself
and to join the fight against the oppressors," he said when met at the recent
Sandakan Memorial Service here which was held in honour of Australian and
British servicemen who perished in the Japanese prisoners-of-war camps and
during the forced marches from here to Ranau in Sabah state.
Philip said on the seventh day of their forced labour, he and several POWs
bolted out of the detention camp and hid in the jungle before making their way
towards Jesselton.
However, on reaching Kampung Muanad in Beluran, they met a local leader, OKK
Khulang, who told them not to continue with their journey because the Japanese
soldiers were everywhere.
They decided to stay at the village and after lying low for a year, they
joined the Allied Forces guerrilla team.
His guerrilla life brought him to jungle warfare in the fight against the
Japanese soldiers. He said he gunned down several of them during the fight.
INDEPENDENCE-VETERAN 3 (LAST) SANDAKAN
As the battle-scarred veteran looks back to those tumultuous years, a sense
of pride overwhelms him, as he now enjoys the fruit of the freedom he fervently
helped achieved.
After the surrender of the Japanese army in 1945, Philip was absorbed into
the police force where he retired as a chief inspector in 1974.
With the country now enjoying peace and prosperity, Philip said, it was
incumbent upon everyone to appreciate the meaning of independence.
He said he still had the nationalism fire burning in him despite his age.
He now shares his experience with his grand-children, telling them that the
country's independence is not something they could take as a given.
"I seek no recognition for my past deeds. It is enough for me if people,
irrespective of their race or religion, care for the country and help safeguard
its independence," he said.
-- BERNAMA
