The Kiwi veteran keeping his Malaysian military story alive

William Russell, an 86-year-old New Zealand veteran, has made it his mission to preserve the stories of those who served in Malaya and Malaysia during the 1960s. Russell, who served as a signaller carrying radio equipment, was among the 4,000 New Zealand personnel who participated in the Malayan Emergency and Konfrontasi conflicts.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the operation, secrecy was difficult to maintain, as evidenced by a bicycle bell heard by Russell and his fellow soldiers near Alor Setar. Russell returned to Malaysia in September 2012 with 15 other veterans and family members, marking the 60th anniversary of the Malaysia-Indonesia Peace Agreement.

Today, Russell remains the point of contact for the first ceremony commemorating their service in Malaya and Malaysia, which took place in 2012. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring that their story is preserved for future generations as the veterans who lived through these experiences continue to pass away.