Mervyn Cecil ffranck Sheppard

Abdul Mubin Sheppard , born Mervyn Cecil ffrank Sheppard, pen name M. C. ff Sheppard, (21 June 1905 – 11 September 1994 ) was a Malaysian World War II veteran and prisoner of war, as well as a renowned historian and academic.

Life

Early life Mervyn Sheppard was born in Ireland on June 21, 1905 to a Christian family, was raised in England. He received his early education at Marlborough College before continuing on to Magdalene College, Cambridge, a constituent college of the Cambridge University. He joined the Malayan Civil Services (MCS) in 1928, a year after passing his qualification exam in London. During his time there, he developed a strong attachment to the country and its people. In 1945, he retired as a major from the FMSVF.

Post-WWII He chose to remain in the civil service until his total retirement in 1963. He founded the Malayan Film Unit in 1946, the predecessor of the now Filem Negara Malaysia. He converted to Islam in 1957, adopting the name Abdul Mubin Sheppard and performing the Hajj in 1960.

In 1958, he was appointed as the first Keeper of Public Records, an office that would eventually become the Arkib Negara, or National Archives. Mubin commissioned British artist Waveney Jenkins to make a bas relief of the legendary warrior Hang Tuah for permanent display in the National Museum in 1962.

Death He died on 11 September 1994 at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Subang Jaya, Selangor. He was buried in Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery with military traditions and national honours.

Malayan Civil Services Intern (February 1942–September 1945) Director of Public Relations (1946–1947) Kelantan's Acting British Adviser (1950–1951) Negeri Sembilan's British Adviser (1951–1956) Federal Chief Examiner for Bahasa Melayu (1951–1957) Head of Emergency Food Denial Organisation (1956–1957) Keeper of Public Records (1957–1961) Director of Museum, Federation of Malaya (1958–1963)

Among his other positions are:

He was the founding father of the Malaya Association of Youth Clubs (EST. 1954), a youth association inspired by the National Association of Boys' Club.

Honours Among the honours and awards he has received including:

Honours of the United Kingdom

Honours of Malaysia

Federal honours