An Army Legend Is Celebrated by Major A R RAMACHANDRAN (Rtd)

Via WhatsApp : They say legends are born everyday, but few are remembered. It was a warm and humid evening in Lukut town where 31 of us gathered to celebrate the 89th birthday of Colonel Harchand Singh, on 12th April 2019.

Ably, and quite appropriately organised by Maj. Gen. Toh Choon Siang, who himself is currently on retirement leave. True to the Ranger Regiment cry of "AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN", it was indeed a night of comradeship. Retired and serving members of the Armed Forces, Civilian friends from KL, and also local townsfolk who know the good Colonel were there. 

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.

MAJ. A R RAMACHANDRAN (Retd) 107 JALAN BUNGA RAYA 17, TAMAN TASIK JAYA, SEREMBAN 70400. NSDK Mob: 012 2060 160.

P. S. Attached are his career highlights and photos. This write up is done with the intent not to praise an individual but to inspire the younger generation of the trials, tribulations and sacrifices of the older generations. A nation is not simply born, but raised from the blood,sweat and tears of its people.