KEN MADDEN of Sandford, a former Royal Marines Commando, has been presented with a special medal by the Malaysian Government for serving in that country during the post second war emergency.

He was presented with the medal by Brigadier General Dato MD Tajri Alwi, the Malaysian High Commissioner for Defence. The ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn, Plymouth and was attended by a number of other ex-Servicemen who also received the medal.

Ken joined the Royal Marines when he was 17 and served until he was 40. Ten of those years he served in the Malaya area.

He and his wife, Pauline, moved to Sandford 32 years ago.

He worked as a local Health and Safety Officer and involved himself in Sandford affairs. Currently he is the parish Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator.