Halfway through learning how to give a positive no, i've taken a diversion and went on to read 'Moon over Malaya' by Jonathan Mofatt, a book about the 93rd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who fought the Japanese from Kedah to Singapore throughout the Battle of Malaya. These was the unit which was mentioned in MM LKY's first memoirs, to march across the Causeway with their pipers blaring. A thoroughly interesting book. i include the ending words here:
'Tradition, and pride, and belonging, are deep values in a man's heart. He may be praying in fear he will get home again, but he will die for his friends and his pride if needs be. It is his job. Even, such willingness is his entry fee. Pride makes steel bonds of a battalion's unity, and he is bound within them. The further mutuality of devastating experience, makes further ties of deep affection and forbearance. The outsider may not know why such a thing glitters and gleams, unless he looks carefully.'And in the words of a former soldier quoted in the book:
"As for what we fought for, well it wasn't for King and Country. And it wasn't for the CO. It was for the Regiment. Eric Moss once told the CO that. The CO said he believed that too."
