A FORMER SAS hero has been presented with a medal for his part in operations to free Malaysia from communist rule 50 years ago.

Alfred ‘Jock’ Gerry received the honour during a special service, attended by his family, friends and many of his former colleagues, at St Michael’s Hospice last week.

The medal was awarded on behalf of the Supreme Head of the Federation of Malaysia, who awarded medals “to those who distinguished themselves with chivalry, gallantry and loyalty while performing services”.

Mr Gerry, now aged 73, was deployed in Malaysia between 1955 and 1959 where he was in the Deep Penetration Operations working in the Malaysian jungle to try to get the locals on side during a time of unrest.

“It was a hard time over there,” he said.

He said it was a great privilege to receive the medal, which includes the soldier’s regiment number and SAS crest on the box.

“It is a great honour,” he added. “But it is also for all the guys I served with and for those who never came back.”

After serving in Malaysia, Mr Gerry also served in Borneo before leaving the SAS in 1978.

Mr Gerry, born in Stirling, Scotland, left his home town to join the Army after working down the pits, before serving in Malaysia.

He moved back to the UK in 1959 and was stationed in Malvern before moving to Hereford a year later.