description
Physical description
A pair of collar badges consisting of a laurel wreath within which are a pair of crossed Malayan Kris. Below this on three scrolls are the words "FED OF/ MALAYA/ POLICE". There is one pin present and two pieces of felt backing.
Label
John West was conscripted in the army as part of the National Service scheme. He was involved in the Malayan Emergency, a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA), the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, between 1948 and 1960.
West was initially sent to Palestine as part of the Palestine Police Force in 1947. In August 1948 he joined the Federation of Malaya Police at the rank of Sergeant. He was posted to the notorious area of Kajang, Selangor, where he assumed command of a jungle squad.
He was promoted to gazetted rank in July 1950, when he volunteered for a secondment to No 22 S.A.S. regiment.
In October 1951 he assumed the post of O.C.P.D. Rawang, Selangor. In May 1952, when the Perak Aboriginal Areas Constabulary was absorbed into the Police Force, West assumed command of the Force as No. 20 Federal Jungle Company.
He was responsible for the establishment of Fort Legap in Perak and was involved in establishing friendly relations with the aboriginal tribes in this and other areas.
He was presented with the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service for his work in the No. 20 Federal Jungle Company.
These collar badges were worn by West when he was an O.C.P.D in the Federation of Malaya Police Force in the 1950's.
Inscription
FED OF
MALAYA
POLICE
