Born in Kuala Kangsar Perak, in 1930 on 7th April, this ex ACS Ipoh pupil was in the pioneer batch of 24 cadets who started in Port Dickson, went to Eaton in the United Kingdom, and later commissioned as a 2nd Lt at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (RMA) in 1953. He was even interviewed by Tun General Gerard Templer for a military career. In an illustrious career, he served in the Congo, Commanded various Ranger Battalions, and finally retired as a Colonel and  Commandant of the Army Combat Training Centre (ARTCONCEN), now known as Pusat Latihan Tentera Darat (PULADA) in Ulu Tiram Johore.

A paratrooper, a flamboyant character and a dedicated leader of men is the best way to describe him. At the height of the Malaysian Emergency (1968 - 89), he was often in active operations hunting down the infamous Chong Chor (leader of an Assault Unit of the Malayan Communist Party in Pahang). Late night, in the deep jungle, in the light of a lowly lit Hurricane Lamp, he was seen pouring over military maps, and plotting the fate of the bandits with uncanny ability to predict their next move, like a Chess Master. That was the Colonel Harchand I knew from the seventies. 

Today, frail, but hale and hearty, he repeatedly kept singing Besame Mucho, and You Are My Sunshine again and again, oblivious to the occasion. No, he has not lost his mind, but I believe we succeeded in rekindling some deep, lovely memories of the good old days. My sharpest salute to this Officer and Gentleman, and a Soldier's Soldier. Of course, next year we certainly would meet again to celebrate his Grand Ninetieth! AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN from a grateful Gunner.