Denied entry into Terendak Camp, 2 ex-British soldiers seek Mindef’s help

 

Frank Robinson (left) and David Priestley hope to be allowed to make a short visit to relive their ‘good old days’ at Terendak Camp.

MELAKA: Two former British soldiers who served in Malaysia more than 60 years ago came here hoping to take a nostalgic walk down memory lane where they had spent some unforgettable moments, including one who got married at Terendak Camp.

Frank Robinson, 80, and David Priestley, 73, were based at Terendak Camp in Melaka and the Johor War School in Johor Bahru from 1961 to 1969.

Unfortunately, their wish to relive their good old days by visiting the army camp was turned down by the military police sentries at noon yesterday.

They were told to get permission from the defence ministry (Mindef) first.

Robinson and Priestley, who are staying at the Ibis Hotel in Melaka, fear that they will not have time to apply and get permission to do so as they fly back to their homes in Yorkshire, England, on Sunday.

A group picture of Frank Robinson and his mates taken in Melaka in the early 1960s.

“It took us two days to get here. I don’t know if we can make the visit to the camp before we return,” said Robinson, a former sergeant who got married in the camp in 1963.

Sadly, his wife Edith passed away in May. They have two children.

“I was among the last soldiers to leave because my son could not travel until he was six months old,” he said.

Both the veterans, who understood and accepted the reasons for not being allowed in, hoped that Mindef would make an exception so that they could fulfill their long-awaited item in their bucket list.

“It will be absolutely meaningful even if they allow us a short visit. It will be a fulfilling experience indeed,” Robinson added. - FMT