Achievements & Future Plan
Initial Projects 2005

The MVG purchased 2 teak benches, each with a brass dedication plaque to the Malayan Volunteers. These were initially placed in the FEPOW Plot in the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas and later moved to the MVG Memorial Garden.
In August 2005, to mark the 60th Anniversary of V-J Day, a granite stone tablet was unveiled in the Arboretum, inscribed with the words, "Commemorating the Malayan Volunteers both Military and Civilian who served in WW2, 1941-1945." This then stood on the outline of a Malay Kris landscaped into the NMBVA Plot, by their kind permission, and can now be seen in the MVG Memorial Garden.
The MVG took part in other events during the important 60th Anniversary celebrations marking V-J Day in 2005. One of these events took place in Thailand on V-J Day itself, where a group of MVG members attended several V-J Day Commemoration Services on the River Kwai. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the MVG at the main Commonwealth Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, and at the Australian Memorial at Hell Fire Pass. In Chungkai, the smaller of the 2 cemeteries, which lies beside the River Kwai, a particularly poignant moment occurred when the MVG wreath was laid on the Cross of Remembrance jointly by the widow of one Singapore Volunteer, and the daughter of another Volunteer. Later in August, in London, a wreath was laid at the Cenotaph in memory of the Malayan Volunteers during the Burma Star Association's V-J Day Service. On Remembrance Sunday in November 2005, 10 MVG members marched past the Cenotaph and whilst doing so, handed in a commemorative wreath.
In August 2005, to mark the 60th Anniversary of V-J Day, a granite stone tablet was unveiled in the Arboretum, inscribed with the words, "Commemorating the Malayan Volunteers both Military and Civilian who served in WW2, 1941-1945." This then stood on the outline of a Malay Kris landscaped into the NMBVA Plot, by their kind permission, and can now be seen in the MVG Memorial Garden.
The MVG took part in other events during the important 60th Anniversary celebrations marking V-J Day in 2005. One of these events took place in Thailand on V-J Day itself, where a group of MVG members attended several V-J Day Commemoration Services on the River Kwai. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the MVG at the main Commonwealth Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, and at the Australian Memorial at Hell Fire Pass. In Chungkai, the smaller of the 2 cemeteries, which lies beside the River Kwai, a particularly poignant moment occurred when the MVG wreath was laid on the Cross of Remembrance jointly by the widow of one Singapore Volunteer, and the daughter of another Volunteer. Later in August, in London, a wreath was laid at the Cenotaph in memory of the Malayan Volunteers during the Burma Star Association's V-J Day Service. On Remembrance Sunday in November 2005, 10 MVG members marched past the Cenotaph and whilst doing so, handed in a commemorative wreath.
In 2006 the MVG sponsored the library books in the Thailand/Burma Railway Centre Museum in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, by kind invitation of its founder and Managing Director, Rod Beattie. The TBRC has a teak wall plaque with the Volunteer Badges on the staircase wall and there is an information board in the Library dedicating the Library to the Volunteers.
In 2006-2007 the garden plot at the NMA, in memory of the Malayan Volunteers, was designed, constructed and dedicated. It was the MVG's most ambitious undertaking to date. The plot was planted with hardy Asiatic trees and bamboos, and contains our two teak benches and the Memorial Stone.. In order to complete this project, the MVG raised £3,500 to cover the costs of the plot itself, the plants and the detailed landscaping drawings.
At a prestigious ceremony on 12th September 2008, the 63rd anniversary of the formal surrender of the Japanese in Singapore, the MVG presented a teak Memorial Board, with 5 Volunteer Badges, to the Changi Museum. The Board was unveiled by His Excellency Mr. S.R. Nathan, then President of the Republic of Singapore.
On 4th May 2009, the SSVF & FMSVF Badges were presented to the FEPOW Memorial Building at the NMA, and in October, 5 badges were presented to the NMA for display in the Visitor Centre – now returned to the MVG after reorganisation.
In January 2010, the Kedah and Kelantan badges were added to the teak plaque in the Thailand/Burma Railway Centre Museum. Also in 2010, the 65th anniversary of V-J Day, the MVG held a Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance on 15th August in the Chapel at the National Memorial Arboretum, followed by a parade to the Memorial Garden to lay a wreath on the Memorial Stone, and a buffet lunch.
In February 2012, MVG members attended various events in Singapore to mark the 70th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, including a service in the CWGC Cemetery at Kranji, where a wreath was laid, and a lunch at the Bark Café at the Changi Museum. In Perth WA, 2 memorial plaques were presented to commemorate the Australian members of the Malayan Volunteer Forces and the civilian families who took in and cared for the evacuees from Singapore. In Muntok, on Bangka Island, and in Palembang, Sumatra, four memorial plaques were presented to commemorate both military POWs and the men, women and children civilian internees imprisoned there.
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Palembang women’s vocal orchestra choir, a concert was performed in Chichester in October 2013, recreating their music and narrating their story as civilian internees. In February 2014, a plaque to all military & civilian POWs held in Sumatra, was presented to the Changi Museum, & funds were raised for a Peace Museum in Muntok on Banka Island, Sumatra.
In 2015, a service to celebrate the 70th anniversary of V-J Day was held in the Chapel at the NMA. In September, members attended a service in Kranji CWGC cemetery in Singapore; presented a plaque to the Changi Museum in memory of the wartime Sime Road Internment Camp. An historical tour of the Japanese landing sites in the north west of Singapore Island was arranged and visit to the Sime Road Camp. Others attended the opening of the Peace Museum in Muntok.
In February 2017, members attended a service in Kranji CWG cemetery in Singapore to mark the 75th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore in 1942; enjoyed an Historical Tour of wartime sites, including air fields and the Naval Base, and a lunch at the Singapore Cricket Club. Services were held in Muntok to commemorate the massacre of the Australian Army Nurses on Radji Beach, and in 2018 a “Walk for Humanity” was held on the beach as well as other island events. Services are now held in Muntok every February.
Sadly, the VJ-75 events planned for 2020 were cancelled due to COVID-19, including the V-J Day Service in the Chapel at the NMA and lunch, and visit to Singapore to mark the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Japanese surrender.
The importance of the Volunteer Movement to the defence of Singapore and Malaya was clearly emphasized by Major-General W.G.S. Dobbie, General Officer Commanding Troops, Malaya in 1938, when he wrote:- "The close connection between Singapore and its Volunteer Corps, now extending over eighty years, is an association which must be highly prized, especially in view of the important role assigned to the Corps in the Scheme of Defence."
In 2006-2007 the garden plot at the NMA, in memory of the Malayan Volunteers, was designed, constructed and dedicated. It was the MVG's most ambitious undertaking to date. The plot was planted with hardy Asiatic trees and bamboos, and contains our two teak benches and the Memorial Stone.. In order to complete this project, the MVG raised £3,500 to cover the costs of the plot itself, the plants and the detailed landscaping drawings.
At a prestigious ceremony on 12th September 2008, the 63rd anniversary of the formal surrender of the Japanese in Singapore, the MVG presented a teak Memorial Board, with 5 Volunteer Badges, to the Changi Museum. The Board was unveiled by His Excellency Mr. S.R. Nathan, then President of the Republic of Singapore.
On 4th May 2009, the SSVF & FMSVF Badges were presented to the FEPOW Memorial Building at the NMA, and in October, 5 badges were presented to the NMA for display in the Visitor Centre – now returned to the MVG after reorganisation.
In January 2010, the Kedah and Kelantan badges were added to the teak plaque in the Thailand/Burma Railway Centre Museum. Also in 2010, the 65th anniversary of V-J Day, the MVG held a Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance on 15th August in the Chapel at the National Memorial Arboretum, followed by a parade to the Memorial Garden to lay a wreath on the Memorial Stone, and a buffet lunch.
In February 2012, MVG members attended various events in Singapore to mark the 70th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, including a service in the CWGC Cemetery at Kranji, where a wreath was laid, and a lunch at the Bark Café at the Changi Museum. In Perth WA, 2 memorial plaques were presented to commemorate the Australian members of the Malayan Volunteer Forces and the civilian families who took in and cared for the evacuees from Singapore. In Muntok, on Bangka Island, and in Palembang, Sumatra, four memorial plaques were presented to commemorate both military POWs and the men, women and children civilian internees imprisoned there.
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Palembang women’s vocal orchestra choir, a concert was performed in Chichester in October 2013, recreating their music and narrating their story as civilian internees. In February 2014, a plaque to all military & civilian POWs held in Sumatra, was presented to the Changi Museum, & funds were raised for a Peace Museum in Muntok on Banka Island, Sumatra.
In 2015, a service to celebrate the 70th anniversary of V-J Day was held in the Chapel at the NMA. In September, members attended a service in Kranji CWGC cemetery in Singapore; presented a plaque to the Changi Museum in memory of the wartime Sime Road Internment Camp. An historical tour of the Japanese landing sites in the north west of Singapore Island was arranged and visit to the Sime Road Camp. Others attended the opening of the Peace Museum in Muntok.
In February 2017, members attended a service in Kranji CWG cemetery in Singapore to mark the 75th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore in 1942; enjoyed an Historical Tour of wartime sites, including air fields and the Naval Base, and a lunch at the Singapore Cricket Club. Services were held in Muntok to commemorate the massacre of the Australian Army Nurses on Radji Beach, and in 2018 a “Walk for Humanity” was held on the beach as well as other island events. Services are now held in Muntok every February.
Sadly, the VJ-75 events planned for 2020 were cancelled due to COVID-19, including the V-J Day Service in the Chapel at the NMA and lunch, and visit to Singapore to mark the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Japanese surrender.
The importance of the Volunteer Movement to the defence of Singapore and Malaya was clearly emphasized by Major-General W.G.S. Dobbie, General Officer Commanding Troops, Malaya in 1938, when he wrote:- "The close connection between Singapore and its Volunteer Corps, now extending over eighty years, is an association which must be highly prized, especially in view of the important role assigned to the Corps in the Scheme of Defence."
Present Projects
In Malaysia: We have been made aware of various memorials to the Volunteers in Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Selangor that are in urgent need of restoration and a number of missing memorials that need replacing. See our News page for reports and photos. It is our intention to develop links with other interested parties to see that these memorials are restored and respected.
Donations are most welcome to our projects.
Donations are most welcome to our projects.
Future Plans
There are plans to restore the War Memorial in Kuala Selangor with the names of the Volunteers who died during World War 2.
A memorial to those civilians, missionaries and members of the Dutch army who were massacred at Long Nawang in Borneo is also planned.
A memorial to those civilians, missionaries and members of the Dutch army who were massacred at Long Nawang in Borneo is also planned.