This year marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the communist insurrection in Malaya that continued until 1960. The successful conclusion of the emergency demonstrated how a campaign of terror by an armed minority of a population (the Malayan Chinese Communist Party) could be defeated by isolation from the majority, who sought only peace and prosperity.

British battalions, mainly comprising National Servicemen, were committed to searching the jungle for communist terrorists, joining battalions of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Malay Regiment already stationed in Malaya. Units from Australia, Fiji, Kenya, New Zealand, Nyasaland (Malawi), Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Singapore also took part.

Key to the success was the move of the landless Chinese rubber workers, living along the jungle edge and vulnerable to pressure by the terrorists to provide food and support, to well-found “new villages”, where they could be protected and live in relative peace. The conflict was finally won by a combination of good intelligence and resolute action to sustain the civilian population. Full independence was achieved by Malaya on August 31, 1957.

The Gurkha Museum in Peninsula Barracks, Winchester, will be marking the anniversary with an exhibition in the Macdonald Gallery, The Malay Campaign 1948-1960, that runs until Sunday, September 7.

The exhibition was opened by General Sir Garry Johnson and attended by the high commissioners of Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji, together with field marshals Lord Bramall and Sir John Chapple, General Sir David Richards, Colonel Commandant Brigade of Gurkhas, and veterans of the campaign.

The Gurkha Museum is within walking distance of Winchester railway and coach stations. The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4.30pm weekdays, and noon to 4pm on Sundays. Adults £2, pensioners £1, children and servicemen free.

www.thegurkhamuseum.co.uk