BORDY Weeku saw Sunday’s pre-Anzac Day parade in Wyndham as a chance to remember his fallen friends.
The Karen refugee, who has lived in Australia for about five years, proudly took his place in the march along Watton Street, Werribee, with Wyndham’s other war veterans.
The 92-year-old described Anzac Day as a special time of the year for him, despite never actually fighting alongside Australian soldiers.
Mr Weeku served as a corporal in the Burma Military Police for 10 years, including during World War II.
He spent most of his war service under the direction of the British Army.
He spent a couple of years in India training with the British Army, after the Japanese first invaded Burma.
Mr Weeku’s main role was to look after people who fled from Burma to India when the Japanese invaded.
Later in the war, he was involved in fighting before finally working in a unit that looked after Japanese prisoners of war.
Mr Weeku’s only experience of heavy combat was during a battle near Rangoon in the mid-1940s. He says some of his friends were lost during that battle.
“They offered their lives to keep Burma safe. [My] friends entered enemy bases without any thought for their lives. It wouldn’t have been easy.”
Mr Weeku said Sunday’s march helped him pay his respects to his friends.
“I remember my friends for their sacrifices. I have to give my respect to them for offering their lives for the country and the people.”
