Some time ago an unknown person gained access to the
edit facilities of the old Forum and vandalised it by deleting most of
the messages. I have managed to put all the original messages
below, but they are in chronological order, and not following the thread
order in which they were originally posted. The last posted
message is at the top of the page and the first posted message is at the bottom of the
page.
25 November 2007
Topic: BILL & ELIZABETH HASTINGS
Comments: HI
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOCATE BILL%26ELIZABETH FOR QUITE AWHILE,WITH NOT MUCH
LUCK.I LAST SAW THEM IN RAF CHANGI,62 ELIZABETH WAS EXPECTIG A CHILD
I DONT KNOW IF THEY CAME TO THE UK OR BILL WAS DEMOBED OUT THERE,AND THEY MOVED
TO AUSTRAILIA?ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE A HELP.
JOHN[YORKIE]
E-mail: @john.marlene16@tiscali.co.uk
29 October 2007
Topic: Happy days
Comments: I am still in touch with Michael Quick's mother, and the Balloch boys
were Alan and Roy. Our parents were all in the same unit which was very small so
we all kept in touch. Sadly Alan died a long time ago (early 80's ?) but Roy as
far as I have been told emigrated to Australia and was in the airforce for a
while.
E-mail: @rjlcopp@omantel.net.om
29 October 2007
Topic: Pulau Brani School
Comments: Hi Christine,
It was nice to read your message,I must email you again.
By the way, when you lived on Blakang Mati you would have gone to school on
Pulau Brani.
Regards,
Lynne
E-mail: @rjlcopp@omantel.net.om
29 October 2007
Topic: memories
Comments: Hi everyone and anyone who used to live in Singapore from 63 to 67. I
lived on Blakang Mati with my sister Lorraine and brother Edwin for a year in 5
Larkhill Road. We then moved to Goodwood Estate. I think it was No. 40. I
have been back to the island 3 times, 2002, 2004 and 2007. the houses are stil
there, but have been modernised and turned into a polytechnic. Where the
ghurkas used to do drill on the square, this has now become part of the college
as well. It is very impressive. I went to Alexandra Junior school and then
onto Bourne. when living on the island, I can remember being picked up at the
top of the road by army lorry, being taken down to the jetty and catching a
launch to school on "Pulua Bukom". Would love to hear from aonyone who might
remember me.
The site is a fantastic background to so many different people's lives and
memories are a wonderful thing.
E-mail: @christine.robson@tesco.net
23 October 2007
Topic: Forces Driving Club
Comments: Greetings to all who have found this site as interesting and fond
memory provoking as I have.
My father and mother (Singapore 63-67) Ted and Eve Hart were actively involved
in the running of the Forces Driving Club of those happy days. Eve passed away
in 1993 but Ted still enjoys cars and bikes. His latest project is a rebuild of
a Tiger Cub.
He would love to hear from anyone from those days and has a plethora of colour
slides and BW photos of many of the events he would willingly share with all old
members.
Great site keep up the good work. This life was all 40 years ago but as a
testament to it's pleasure and importance in our lives we are all still thinking
of it now.
David Hart 52 years young and would hop on a plane tomorrow if the old Singapore
was still there. We all returned in 87 to find a totally different country. We
still had 3 weeks of fun but in a different way.
Majullah Singapura
E-mail: @Davidachart@aol.com
17 October 2007
Topic: Memories!!!
Comments: Hi - We were lucky enough to live in Singapore from 1964 to 1967.
We started off in Serangoon - 48 Kingswear Avenue, and then moved to 60 Goodwood
Road, Sussex Estate.
My best friends were Bobbie Wallace and Mary Carpenter - we are still in touch.
I have slides and photos somewhere which I will look for.
I remember so many people - apart from Bobbie and Mary - Brian Mason (sadly his
family had to go home because his dad died;)Pam Salisbury, Terry Buckle, Lauri
Bane, Sue Abbott, Janice Clarkson, Pete Butterworth, Danny (biker in a leather
jacket), Roderick Earl-Mitchell (Mitch), Dinger Bell (he had terrible injuries
to his legs after a motorbike accident and spent ages in BMH),David Llwellyn,
Steve Edgecombe, Stella Gibson, Steph Gilbert, Bikash Chandra Rai, Damdu Lama,
Deepak ?, Susan, Carol and Peter? Webb, Michael Quick, Christine Bean, Roy %26
Ian? Balloch, Chris and Mike Bedwell, etc etc!!! Fred Scar4borough lives a few
doors away from me now!
The Sussex Estate gang used to hang out in the Kent Bowling Alley.
Wonderful days on Blakang Mati, at the China Sea Beach Club Changi, The Brit
Club, Gillman Youth Club (Point 5 and MJB and the Talismen), Gillman swimming
Pool. What memories.
Does anyone remeber me? Please get in touch - it would be great to hear from
anyone who does remeber me.
E-mail: @ottoclaud@aol.com
10 October 2007
Topic: Reunion
Comments: Just to confirm what Hilary wrote, it was a brilliant weekend (as
always) and great to see so many people enjoying themselves and swapping
memories.
Photos are up on the site, so do look at them.
E-mail: @rjlcopp@omantel.net.om
08 October 2007
Topic: The Bainbridge family
Comments: Hi Geri, I am John Robinson and I was pals with Alex Banbridge at the
time his dad died. I have tried for years to trace Alex, mainly through Friends
Reunited. Last Feb I visited Singapore. I took 645 digital photos and walked
me legs off. I visited Kranji and found Alex's Dad's grave. It was moved,
along with most commonwealth graves, in the mid 70s. I have documented the
grave and took pictures. What happened to the Bainbridge family was terrible
and I never got the chance to say goodbye to Alex. He might like to know,
assuming he doesn't, that the grave was moved, and where it is today. Do you
have any other clues or contacts that might be able to help? Fingers crossed,
John Robinson
E-mail: @john@robinson52.freeserve.co.uk
08 October 2007
Topic: PEVENSY
Comments: Hi John. I was in Pevensy 1969-1971. I attended St John's with my
sisters Sheenagh%26 Barbara. I went back last Feb %26 took 645 digital pics.
Two of my mates were Graham Hilton and David Pluck (Australian). Anther
memorable person was Ray West from Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). I have checked
extensively on Friends Reunited but David Pluck is the only person I've been in
touch with. If you are in FU, you can find my listing and those of my sisters.
We are in touch with the Port brothers, Sue Denton, Nigel Lambeth, Alan Beattie
and Jeff Warnock to name a few. If you are interested, I can let you know more
details, especially of the phots I took. We are having a reunion at Stratford
in December. Regards, John Robinson.
E-mail: @john@robinson52.freeserve.co.uk
06 October 2007
Topic: telok paku
Comments: i spent a lot of time camping at telok paku with the 1201 changi
scouts i was in singas from 1960 to 1963 and 1964 to 1967 we won!t know each
other but you may have known my dad stan gilmore from 26 laa sqdn sadly he died
25 years ago.
cheers ray.
E-mail: @rayjulieray@aol.com
03 October 2007
Topic: reunion
Comments: Thanks for getting back to me Hilary, I was in England for the two
months prior to the event and was hoping that I might come.....such is life....
It sounds like a great time though......and I love the pictures...and the poem
that was posted too......
I was a Bourne School brat from 67 - 69 and have been back to Singa's several
times to look around the old naval base and the usual hot spots......I would
love to go to the planned reunion in Singapore next year as its much closer to
me here in NZ.
thanks again
derek
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@gmail.com
03 October 2007
Topic: Reunion2007
Comments: I'm really sorry you couldn't make it, it was a really buzzy exciting
weekend, there are a few anecdotes to be told, one of them that I am permitted
to tell you is that John O'Leary met up with his neighbour from Singapore just
by chatting at the bar, they hadn't had contact for 30+ years then over a drink
at the Reunion they caught up on the missing time.
I found out during dinner that I live near Mike Carpenter's brother and
unbeknownst to all 3 of us we had spoken only 3 weeks before ! A Small world !
David Devauden brought an Umbrella that had remained closed since 1967- against
all the odds it opened slowly and perfectly ready for sniffing- unfortuately it
was dry so no lovely gluey fishy smell was to be had! We did make up for that
with Durian for breakfast, which can be see on the photos page.
Mr Prosser was a real hit, so charming and still very handsome- he rememberd
Alan's class taking him out for a meal in the 60s and remembered his St Johns
days with great fondness.
E-mail: @hilaryyoungman2002 @hotmail.com
03 October 2007
Topic: Serangoon Gardens
Comments: Hi Margaret
I also lived in Serangoon Gardens 1959-1961at 25 Ripley Crescent and used to go
to ASM on bus X3 was bus prefect for a while, my sister Janet went to AGS
E-mail: @bentaxle@westnet.com.au
03 October 2007
Topic: Serangoon gardens
Comments: Hi Sharon
When and where did you live in Serangoon Gardens? I lived there 1959-1961 in
Ripley Crescent and caught bus X3 to school at ASM
E-mail: @bentaxle@westnet.com.au
02 October 2007
Topic: your web site
Comments: I have just stumbled across this site and have found it facinating.
I and my sister shirley attended St John´s school from 1968 till 1970 I was in
pevensey house and also on the athletics team along with John Scott Mick
Widgerly and others.We represented the school at the Singapore schools athletic
championships.If they are still out there i would love to hear from them or
anybody else who remembers me or my sister.
E-mail: @JOHN_LEONIE_BELL@web.de
01 October 2007
Topic: re:REUNION
Comments: I was wondering if anyone is going to post their thoughts on the
reunion at Hatfields...? As someone who was not able to go but desperately
wanted to..I would be very interested in hearing how it all went and who got off
with who...hehe...
come on you lot get your photos out and put your thoughts on here....(please)
Regards Derek
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@gmail.com
27 September 2007
Topic: Sue Watts Pictures
Comments: I am in the second and third pictures that Sue has sent in. I
recognize Ann Partridge and Bridget Lennon and Sue. Sue I think you were in the
class next door to Ann and I and I think you were friends with Ann. I don't
remember having the photographs taken and was quite amazed when I saw them. I
would love to hear from Sue and Ann. Ann went to boarding school in Ireland when
we went to year four but I can't remember if Sue came to St Johns. I was only
at St Johns for one term.
E-mail: @janeella@bigpond.com.au
25 September 2007
Topic: Oriental Hotel - 1960s
Comments: Hi there,
I'm doing some historic research into the Oriental Hotel that existed during the
60s. Not to be confused with the E%26O HOtel or the new Mandarin Oriental
Hotel...
Would any one have old maps or would anyone remember it?
It may have been a predominantly Chinese run hotel...
Hope someone can help!
E-mail: @me@jetloakman.com
22 September 2007
Topic: changi junior school
Comments: Hi Brian, I was at Changi juniors from 1964 to 1968,I remember a
teacher called Mr Hill, a very tall, well built man. My fondest childhood
memories are of R.A.F Changi, so thank you R.A.F.
I dont know if anyone will remember me but I was tall, skinny and raised the
school flag every morning. I have a school hoto of Mr Hill and our class of 65
on a tri to the zoo at Johore. I will try and find it and ost it.
regards to all who were there
Kevin Shaw
E-mail: @kmikeshaw@yahoo.co.uk
21 September 2007
Topic: Singapore home movies from the 1960s
Comments: Hi
You might have seen Dougie Don's posting, about his cine films from the
1960s,mentioned here recently.I've put some of these on my webpages if anyone
wants to check them out.They're at http://www.derektait.co.uk/super8.html
The films include the Singapore River,Singapore City,The Botanic Gardens,Raffles
Hotel,Snake Charmers,the Brit Club and the Nuffield pool,St Andrew's Cathedral,a
Marine band at the Padang,the causeway and a firework display.
Hope they bring back some memories.I hope to put more of Dougie's films on the
website over the next couple of weeks.
Best wishes,
Derek.
www.derektait.co.uk/sembawang.html
derek.tait@virgin.net
E-mail: @derek.tait@virgin.net
21 September 2007
Topic: Singapore in 1962/63
Comments: I went to the Royal Naval School for a year and spotted myself on the
photo submitted by Su Shepherd. I am middle row, third from the left. Mrs
Barbara Ward was the teacher. I remember the classroom with no walls, the coca
cola machine, the school song, Marion Richardson handwriting lessons in the
afternoon and the blue school bus, the tetra packe of semi-frozen milk at break
time. Does anyone remeber me? One friend was Sarah Chamberlin who lived opposite
us on Adelphi Park. My father was a Naval health inspector based behind the
school and we returned to the UK the day after the Great Train Robbery!
E-mail: @alishaw2001@yahoo.co.uk
20 September 2007
Topic: Singas 68-70
Comments: Hey, i used to live in Singa's 68-70 approx. I went to St John's and
remember the fountains especially, they used to put the crates of choc,
strawberry milk in the fountain for us and when we came out of class we used to
scramble for them. GREAT MEMORIES. Dad was in Military Police Army, Dennis
Cummings (sadly now deceased). Geraldine, Denise and Lorraine used to attend and
would like to hear from anyone who remenbers us..
We lived in Holland Rise and Holland Place. One person i do remember is
Bernadette Bainbridge, her Dad passed away so her family had to leave Singa's i
believe she went ot Basingstoke and funnily enough that's where i live
now.Bernie if you see this contact the me on this.
Geraldine Cummings
E-mail: @bennett-g2@sky.com
18 September 2007
Topic: nee soon
Comments: was anyone at Nee Soon army camp or at Nee Soon primary? My father was
in the RAMC and we lived in Singapore from early 1953-1955
E-mail: @gwaites@totalise.co.uk
12 September 2007
Topic: Photos
Comments: Hi There,
Read your comments with much apprehension and I am desperately trying to get
images of Singapore, Alexandra Secondary Schools and the such in 1959 to 1962.
Like most of us, photos in those days were lost or non existant.
I would be greatful for any help or images via scanned email
Thanks in anticipation
John
E-mail: @maystonjohnr@talktalk.net
29 August 2007
Topic: singapore 1958 /1962
Comments: What a wonderful site to find, i was only 1 when we moved to singapore.
Dad was in Lincolnshire regiment married mum( a malay lady ) 1957. Returned to
England in 59. Mum was home sick so dad joined Singapore army for 4 years so she
could go back home. After 4 years he joined up with 2nd Royal Anglians for 25
years. My maiden name is Kirk if anyone remembers this name please say hello
E-mail: @gwennieho@ntlworld.com
28 August 2007
Topic: Back to Singapore
Comments: Brian
Thanks for the reply and can only apologise for the mistakes in spelling etc in
my first mail, i will never make a typist.
We have been back twice as i said and basically used the island as a short
stopover (4 days at a time) on Far Eastern holidays. We had a great time on both
occasions. Changi Village is almost the same as it was in the 60,s The Runway
has been turned round so it no longer goes over the Changi road but runs sort of
along side on the coast side, getting around i found very easy and i thought
cheap. The city is great and Raffles does not change much.
Changi itself is under the Singapore military now but we wandered onto the old
camp along Wittering road and down to where thw playing fields were by the
beach. Took a boat trip out of the old Harbour (that does not cajnge) and along
the old beach front. I would thoroughly reccomend it and we will go back again.
Are you at the reunion as i will be bringing my Photos
E-mail: @johncollett75@hotmail.com
Topic: Back to Singapore
Comments: John, very interested in your email, my experiences were very much the
same, started out in the Opera Estate, went to school in the old barracks block
(but left before the move to the new building) and lived mostly on the Upper
Changi Road opposite Lloyd Leas. You say you have been back a couple of times in
the last 10 years and as this is something I am tentatively planning for 2009 I
wondered what your experience was. Did you find many places still recognisable,
is movement around Changi still reasonable, etc. I would be greatly interested
in your experience.
Brian Mitchell
E-mail: @bgmitchell@ukf.net
Topic: Singapore
Comments: Hi Eleanor,
I have just spent five days in Singapore, to see my old amah, who my brother
managed to find at Easter when he was there on business. It is all very
different, but nostalgic at the same time. The smells and the noise take you
right back.
By the way, I am on the reunion team for the reunion in Hatfield on September
29th. Do come and swap stories with us, we'd love to meet you.
Regards,
Lynne
E-mail: @copping.lynne@gmail.com
Topic: Singapore
Comments: Hi John,
I tried to send you an email but it was returned, saying that you email address
was incorrect.
Please email me. My father was also RASC /RCT, he was on the landing crafts
based on Pulau Brani.
Regards,
Lynne
E-mail: @copping.lynne@gmail.com
Topic: 1961/1964
Comments: We moved to Singapore in the middle of 61 from RAF Colerne. Our firat
base was Operaate wher we teamed up with the Shaws and the Browns. My Dad was
aircrew and posted to FECS flying out of Changi. With living on Opera for a
while i remember the midnight flier the last bus from the city to the camp and
back, what a ride. Did my schooling at Changi Grammar starting in the barracks
block and then moving to the new scool,we eventually moved onto camp and lived
in Wittering Road.
The Boar Trips, The Jungle Trups, The Pool and the Beach, what a magic time it
was. I have been back to the island twice in the last 10 years and have visted
some of the old places and i can still feel the atmosphere. The evenings sat at
Freds alley cafe with a cheese roll and a coffee in a glass.
The site is tremendous nad it has started me hunting through old photos to post
E-mail: @johncollett75@hotmail.com
Topic: Nee Soon, Sembawang, Pasir Panjang
Comments: Hi There
My name is John Mayston, I am trying to joing the site but having problems and
am in contact with Tom. However I have signed the guest book this evening.
Singapore 1958- 1961ish
My father was in the Army RASC then RCT we moved out to Singars and stayed in
Sembawang Hills Estate until a quarter was avail at Nee Soon and then we
eventually moved to Siok Wan Close, Chwee Chian Road, just along from Tiger Balm
Gardens.
At that time I had 3 other brothers and sisters at school age, we finished up at
Alexandra School. Not Grammer. I cannot remember to much about the school or the
teachers or much else really.
I am sixty soon and am trying to obtain old photos of Singapore during that time
and especially of Nee Soon School and Camp and Alexandra School etc. Or other
such photos of them days.
Scanned photos would be more than welcome. Trying to piece my life story with
some pictures
If you can help I would be greatful. If you know anyone who has old photos of
the day great
Thanks
E-mail: @maystonjohnr@talktalk.net
Topic: Alexandra Junior School and Raffles Park
Comments: I left Singapore in 1959 where I had attended Alexandra Junior School.
We lived in Raffles Park, Cassia Drive as far as I can recall. We were there
when the dearful polio epidemic occured, does anyone else remember this? my
younger sister caught polio and still suffers from the effects.I have a great
many photos which I will drag out and scan in.
E-mail: @migcutbush@btinternet.com
Topic: Gillman Youth Club
Comments: H John, I hope you find it, my recollection is of getting off the bus
at the BMH, at the junction of the Ayer Rajah and walking down towards the Youth
Club from there. The path to the famous building was on an incline off the main
road which sort of followed the line of the road going past Gillman, but the
name of the road escapes me.
see you in September
Hilary
E-mail: @hilaryyoungman2002@hotmail.com
Topic: SIS/UWC
Comments: Good to hear from you. I do remeber that teachers name. The one that
stciks most though is a black american teacher called Mr Engleman? My sister has
just moved to Brunei and I hope I can get over there soon and check mout modern
Singapore again. My Dad passed thought recently and got a bad belly bug at
Newton Circus hawker stalls !
I'll keep scanning the site to see if anyone else recalls these days!
Regards
Steve
E-mail: @steve.burnett3@btinternet.com
Topic: I am going to visit Singapor very soon:
Comments: I ma from Nepal. I am working in Nepal for the poor and orphanage
children since 2003. Now I am planning to visit singapor in coming month
september. so that I want to meet more new peoples and want to make many
friend.I want to meet christian good friends who can share me about singapor.
please i am wanting to finding friend before I arrive singapore.please contact
me soon.
your friend, Misheal
childcaretrust_smm@enet.com.np
E-mail: @childcaretrust_smm@enet.com.np
Topic: Reunion OK !!
Comments: I spoke to the hotel at Hatfield this morning and the subject of
flooding didnt come up thank goodness! I have noticed that new names have
arrived on the site, is everyone aware of the Reunion on 28 September? The
Gillman Olde Stars are booked and we only need you and your photos to help them
make the evening go with a swing. ( no pressure Steve ). We're looking forward
to it very much so hope to see you at Hatfield.
E-mail: @hilaryyoungman2002@hotmail.com
Topic: Reunion OK !!
Comments: I spoke to the hotel at Hatfield this morning and the subject of
flooding didnt come up thank goodness! I have noticed that new names have
arrived on the site, is everyone aware of the Reunion on 28 September? The
Gillman Olde Stars are booked and we only need you and your photos to help them
make the evening go with a swing. ( no pressure Steve ) We're looking forward to
it very much so hope to see youat Hatfield.
E-mail: @hilaryyoungman2002@hotmail.com
Topic: Car Racing Event RAF Changi during 1958
Comments: Is there anyone out there that remembers a car racing event on the
airfield at RAF Changi in 1958? Do you have any details, photographs, programs
(I was actually selling programs so I know they exist). I am in contact with a
journalist in Singapore who is writing a book on the history of car racing in
Singapore. If you have memories of the racing in JB as well that would be
useful.
E-mail: @johnharper045@gmail.com
Topic: SIS change to UWCSEA
Comments: Hi Steve:
Yours is the only link I've seen after years of on and off browsing of groups
(incl. Britbrats) that has mentioned the change of SIS to UWCSEA. I was there
from 74-75 and lived at Gilman Bks and then Holland Village. I remember going
to school in the large white buses and stopping at the top of the drive to walk
to the main building whereas there were these luxury cars going all the way down
to the main school building, a chauffeur opening the door and a handing a little
scrot his briefcase. There were four school houses - Utama, Barat, Timor and
Selatan I think, with different coloured shapes for each painted onto our sports
shirts. The only teacher I remember is Mr Radakrishnan who taught physics and
talked about 'elexity' (electricity).
They were great times and I thoroughly enjoyed them. On one occasion, my dad had
to drive up to Malaysia somewhere for Avgas and I was lying in the rolled up
tarpaulin flap that covered the back of the 4 tonner and secured to the top
struts. There was no checking of military vehicles at the border check points at
the time. Now and then it was to the Sandy's Soldiers club for a swim or the
skating at the Jurong ice rink.
Anyway, I'm just glad that someone was actually at the UWCSEA ex-SIS the same
time I was. Lots on the other schools and the new SIS, but very little on this
one.
Cheers,
Mark
E-mail: @myong@mac.com
Topic: Where you lived
Comments: Graham, I think that you may have lived at Gillman Barracks. Try this
URL and set Google maps to show a hybrid map and photo. I suspect from yopur
description that you lived somewhere between the swimming pool and the Alexandra
Grammer school which is shown onthe Google map as ISS International School.
If the link is too long just search for ISS Singapore or Depot Road Singapore.
John Harper
E-mail: @johnharper_045@fsmail.net
Topic: Gilman
Comments: ISS International School Singapore is on Preston Road, off Depot Road
next to what is now called Gilman Village. You can check out the map on the
school's website http://www.iss.edu.sg/html/images/map02.gif.
I've just found this site and it's fascinating. I've lived in Singapore for 17
years so a lot of the places are familiar to me, although vastly changed from
the photographs. So far as I know ISS occupies a former army school building, in
the same way that Dover Court Preparatory School on Dover Road is in the former
NCO Mess.
E-mail: @rosemary.lim@lycos.com
Topic: Help me find where I lived in the early 60's!
Comments: At the age of 5 we moved to Singapore and something now says "find out
where you lived". With this limited information can you help me find the road
name?
We lived at Gillmore Barracks, so my mum thinks! The house seemed to be at the
edge of the jungle, both the to the front, rear and back. If you came out of the
house and turned right, houses only on the right you soon came to an open
sloping area on the left and a long fight of steps led down to where the pool
was.
If you turned fight out of the house after about 50 meters there was a long
track up through the jungle and at the top was a cross on a hill.
E-mail: @grahamet@gmail.com
Topic: Cloudy thoughts
Comments: Some of my neighbours here in Oman left suddenly when their homes were
devastated when Cyclone Gonu hit us, only to move to the Cheltenham area. I
haven't heard from them yet but I hope that they haven't been flooded out again.
Gonu was not reported much in the press but it has wiped out part of Muscat. (Macdonalds
was flooded up to the roof!!) You can see footage on the internet.
I haven't heard that Hatfield has been affected, so the reunion will be going
ahead.
Hope to see many of you at the reunion on September 29th.
E-mail: @rjlcopp@omantel.net.om
Topic: Cloudy thoughts
Comments: I just wondered if the flooding will affect the reunion. It seems that
there is some devastating damage in the South of England. Soon you will have to
be digging monsoon drains.
My thoughts are with those of you that may be affected. It would be such a
trauma to lose your home and car and all the little bits and pieces we collect
here and there.
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: Gillman
Comments: Hi John,
I've just spent 5 days in Singapore, mainly to visit my old amah, who my brother
found in April.
I went to the former St Johns school, but didn't have time to go to Gillman. My
brother did though. He said that if you ask the taxi to go to Gillman Heights
area, Depot Road, you might get your bearings. Alexandra Grammar (then Bourne)
is now an International School, I think that it still there, and the Youth Club
was at the bottom of the long flight of steps.
Regards,
Lynne
E-mail: @rjlcopp@omantel.net.om
Topic: Tanks
Comments: Those tanks most certainly are Comets - note the typically British
'cruiser' tank Christie suspension. They have their turrets traversed so that
the guns point to the rear for transport. The AMX-13's which were bought much
later by Singapore were ex-Israeli, sold off after a poor showing in the 1967
Middle East war.
Comets were preferred for a while over the newer Centurion tanks for the Far
East because they were much less weighty for bridges as well as road transport
but were officially retired in 1959 though they carried on into the '60's for
training in Britain.
The Comets did not go to Korea (Centurions - diverted from an Australian order
because the British Army didn't have enough to go round - certainly did)and
their combat career was limited, in Malaya, to engaging some CT's who wandered
onto the firing range when the Comets were doing their periodic live firing
practice. A fatal mistake !
E-mail: @h1@btinternet.com
Topic: Gillman Youth Club
Comments: Hi,
Does anyone know which road the Gillman Youthclub was located? I am visiting
Singapore again in August and even if the old building doesn't exist anymore, I
would like to know where it was. On a previous visit to the area I found what
was the old cinema and other barracks buildings but no sign of the youthclub nor
swimming pool.
Thanks in aticipation,
John O'Leary, St John's 1965 to 68.
E-mail: @johnjpoleary@aol.com
Topic: Nesta
Comments: Hi Malc. The only Nesta I remember from Changi around that time was
Nesta Roberts. May be of some help wish you luck.
Jo Shaw
E-mail: @joshaw@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: singapore
Comments: Hi just a quick note to ask if you had an older brother? I remember
the name Bunce form my days in Singapore....I used to hang out in the Dockyard
pool and club rooms....this site is amazing for bringing back all of those times
eh!
regards
derek
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@gmail.com
Topic: LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN CHIP BEE ESTATE SINGAPORE IN THE 50s,
60s, 70s, 80s..
Comments: Is there anyone with other old photos of Chip Bee Estate in Singapore?
I'm currently living in Jalan Puteh Jerneh in Chip Bee Gardens and I would just
LOVE to see other old photos of the estate. I love the ones from Joanne Frew /
Sonia Drake. Please email me if you have anymore. I am happy to email you
pictures of what it looks like now (nothing much has changed...)... i especially
would love to know who live in my house on Puteh Jerneh.
I hope someone is able to reply with something or lead me to someone who has
anything on Chip Bee Estate.
Thanks so much,
Lisa Cunico (Singapore)
E-mail: @lisacunico@pacific.net.sg
Topic: New book about Singapore and Malaya
Comments: Hi
Thanks to everyone who helped with photos and stories for my new book, 'Memories
of Singapore and Malaya'. It's now finished and there's details about it at
http://www.derektait.co.uk/memories.html
if anyone wants to check it out.
Chapters include Leaving England, The Journey, Arriving, Our new homes, Around
Singapore, The People, Tiger Balm Gardens, The Botanic Gardens, Amahs and Amah's
Markets, The Woodlands Naval Base and HMS Terror, RAF Tengah, Banyans, School,
Malaya - Johore Bahru, Johore Zoo, Kota Tinghi Waterfalls, Jason's Bay, Around
Malaya, Penang, Christmas and Heading home.
I think by combining everyone's memories and photos together, it gives a real
flavour of what it was like to live there at the time.
I hope you'll all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
It's certainly brought back many happy memories for me.
Best wishes,
Derek.
E-mail: @derek.tait@virgin.net
Topic: Singapore 1960-1962 %26 1965-1968
Comments: I would like to contact anyone who might remember me or my brother
Stephen Thomas. My father was a CPO in the Navy, James Thomas and my mum is
Ninon Thomas. First we lived in Serangoon Gardens and Seletar, then we lived on
the Naval Base in Apartment 30c Fraser Road and then 33C Fraser Road. I went to
the Naval School, Bourne School and St Johns School. The friends I remember
are Jackie Coleman, Lynne Golder, Clifton Andrews, Annemare Barrow, Denise
Fraser, Lindy Raynor, Timothy Goldring, Graham Goodburn, Mandy Parnell, Anne
Oldham.
I believe my mother has photos from Singapore which I will obtain so that I can
post them on the website. Like most people who have visited the website, it
brought back alot of lovely memories which I have treasured all my life. I have
lived in Australia since 1970 and visit asia regularly. The time I lived in
Singapore as a child were some of the best days of my life.
Sharon Paull (nee Thomas)
E-mail: @john_paull@optusnet.com.au
Topic: Alexandra Junior School 1962
Comments: I am in the 1962 picture of Mr Smith's class. I am a rather chubby
Lesley Bruen sitting at the front on the far left of the photo. To my immediate
left is Diane McDowell. The name of the fairhaired girl immediately behind
Diane escapes me but I think she was the sister of Samantha Eggar, the actress.
E-mail: @lesleylebailly@hotmail.com
Topic: I also lived in Serangoon
Comments: I was amazed to read that Margaret Ings lived at 76 Burghley Drive
Serangoon, We also lived there ( my family Mum/Dad 5 Children) in 1967/68.
What a coincidence.
E-mail: @honeyapple76@hotmail.co.uk
Topic: FARELF Junior Football Teams
Comments: Hi, Pleased to say I have received a contact from a member of the team
who like my son was in the under 13s and whose brother was in the under 10s as
was my younger son.
E-mail: @lysbor@btinternet.com
Topic: singapore in 1960/1/2/3/4
Comments: I would like to be able to contact anyone i knew from Alexandra
Secondary SCHOOL, I did see one name on the list MARGARET CURRIE. does she
remember me? It would be great to contact her. Also Deanne blackaby lived near
us in Serongoon Gardens. Prefect at school father in AUSTRAILIAN army.I knew
lots of people who lived in Serongoon gardens just dont remember the names.Does
anyone remember us? Ings family 6 children lived no 76 BURGHLEY DRIVE.
E-mail: @ronald.sallis@homecall.co.uk
Topic: Portsmouth
Comments: Hi Mike, I tried emailing you but the email address was not
recognised.
I'm helping organise a Singapore Schools reunion on Sept 29th, in Hatfield.
Details are on the web site. Hope you can come.
I lived in Portsmouth (57-58, 61-63, 66-69), and Singapore (58-60, 63-66) and
have mentioned lots of friends on my profile on friends Reunited, maybe you knew
some of them.
In Portsmouth I lived in Bapaume Road, near Hilsea Barracks, and then Milldam
Barracks and also the small houses opposite, both in Burnaby Road (half way
between the Guildhall and the Harbour station).
Regards,
Lynne
E-mail: @rjlcopp@omantel.net.om
Topic: Childhood in Singapore 69/71
Comments: My father Corporal Mitchell was stationed at RAF Changi and me and my
brother Andrew Mitchell, me Susan Mitchell went also with our mother Peggy
Mitchell. i have been looking at the photos and all the memories come flooding
back, it was such a long time ago now and to say i was at primary school in
changi village my memory of it is so clear. I have pictures of my time there. My
mother sadly passed away when i was 14 i cherish the photo,s.
If anyone new my father or work with him at Changi Air Base please contact me at
the above email address.
E-mail: @tracey.bird12@btinternet.com
Topic: What an Interesting Site looking at some of the pictures brought back
long forgotton memories.
Comments: Hi everyone,
My father was in the RN and was posted out accompanied just after Xmas 1967.
After the obligatory stay in the transit accommodation (JB Straits House rings a
bell) we went off to live in Jalan Tarum Sembewang Hills. From here I know as I
was still 9 I attended the Naval Junior School at Sembawang and did so until I
left to go to Bourne in 1969. After a few Month's we moved onto the base and
lived at 34d Fraser Rd.
Whilst I have forgotten most things I was yesterday reminded of this old address
as I had to go and register at my new GP's surgery in Blackpool. They had my
medical records that went back to the mid 60's and allowed me to glance at some
of them. The address stood out and generated enough interest to employ some
Singapore search terms into google and lo and behold I found this site.
What I can remember about the Fraser Rd estate was it comprised about 5 or 6
large tenement blocks with perhaps 6 or 8 flats in each set over 3 or 4 floors.
We rarely used the front doors and used to exit/enter at the back where there
was another en suite room with a balcony for the amah's accomodation. The estate
was bordered on one side by the base perimeter fence with a rubber plantation
just the other side. Further up the estate rd the accommodation gave way to some
ramshackle wrinkly tin type structures where I knew our and other family's
amah's lived with their own family's. As kids we never ventured up there as
usually a stand off would occur with the local kids (they were very territorial
we respected their boundary they did the same to ours.
At the other end of the road where you came into the estate from Admiralty Road
was an old air raid shelter that we used to play in. I can also recall officers
detached houses immediately across the road and further down the road towards
the causeway (what was the Causeway gate called? was it Causeway?) was an army
base one side of the road with a rifle range the other. (I think it was used by
the Ghurkas?) It sticks in my memory as we used to sidle down there when it was
quiet looking for brass and digging the spent rounds out of the dirt.
Other memories are of course of the Brit club in town, getting to use the pool
in the CPO's mess in Terror once my father was promoted, humping golf bags for
my mother on the course at Terror, and sitting round the main pool on the base
listening live to the radio the first moon walk in 1969. This was i think the
all ranks pool that was in Terror and that backed onto the sports field? Me and
my brother learnt how to play mahjong on those quiet Saturday nights when our
parents were out at some mess do or other and we were being looked after by the
amah. After Hogan's Heroes (I bet many can remember that :)) there was nothing
on the tv after about half 7 except those boring chinese opera's so we had the
incentive to learn.
We returned to a very cold Brize Norton (and did we feel it) in April 1970 and
from there moved and settled in West London.
Anyway my name is in the title my father shared the same name and his last
posting in HMS Terror was CPO 2/ic Leadership school. If anyone does remember me
or wants to share some other memories please feel free to email me.
I have a number of pictures but they are in storage at the moment. When I get
time I will dig them out and try to add them.
E-mail: @kenbunce@gmail.com
Topic: Derek Tait films and book
Comments: Best of luck with the book Derek and lucky you to have the films. If
they are of any use for the book please feel free to draw on the various pieces
I have been doing for Good Morning Yesterday, Chun See's blog. Not sure if I
have many more memories to tell - my memory is not that good - although these
web pages have been of immense help in recalling places etc. I will look forward
to the book.
Brian
E-mail: @bgmitchell@ukf.net
Topic: alexandra school
Comments: hi have posted some pics of my class mates when i was in alexandra
school 1963 plus do you regonize yourself..
i had also was a member in the school play Figaro i was a maiden when i ws in
the alexandra junior school
E-mail: @carolroberts1@ntlworld.com
Topic: Mystery girl
Comments: There was a girl at school at RAF Changi in the early sixties who went
by the name of "Nesta". I know nothing more about her, but I worshipped her from
afar.
Anyone know of her?
E-mail: @bigmalc@fsmail.net
Topic: Singapore,Malaya and Penang home movies from the 1960s
Comments: Hi
I've put my dad's home movies online at YouTube.They include shots
from the Leave Centre at Sandycroft,Penang,the Penang Botanic Gardens
(with all those monkeys),the Johore Zoo,the Johore Causeway,the Penang
Hill Railway and some shots of our home etc.Hope you'll take a look
and hope they bring back memories.
I've also put the movies on a page at my own site at
http://www.derektait.co.uk/movies.html
Thanks to everyone who has sent in memories for my new book on
Singapore and Malaya.It's coming on and hopefully,it will be finished
by the Summer.
Best wishes,
Derek.
E-mail: @derek.tait@virgin.net
Topic: Chat Room Password
Comments: Hello
How do I obtain a password to access the chat room on the singas web site.
My brothers Peter, Derek %26 Brian where in Singapore in the late 60s early
70s Our father was at Tengah, we lived on Jalan Bumbong on the Woodlands
estate not far from the Kranji War Memorial. Our Mother Gwen was involved with
the Guides / Brownies on the estate.
If you think you know any of us please get in touch.
Thanks,
Martin Jones
E-mail: @private@roger.org
Topic: Singapore
Comments: Hi,
I saw your entry in relationto you living im meteor road in singapore, there is
a good chance that you may know my parents who lived in meteor road at the same
time as you, Im not sure how long the road is etc, but there names are Bill and
Elsie Leonard
I look forward to your reply.
Howard Leonard
E-mail: @leonard29@uwclub.net
Topic: 1st Changi Sea Scouts
Comments: I was stationed at Telok Paku with 15 field squadron RAF Regiment
1962-64
at that time I was a Rover with the 1st Changi Sea Scouts, I was wondering if
any of your members were in the troop or if any one knows what happened to the
troop
Thanks
Ian
E-mail: @ian.mcmeekan@cefas.co.uk
Topic: Nee Soon
Comments: Have scanned this excellent site but found little relating to Nee Soon
in the 50s. Does anyone have any memories or photos of swimming and fishing in
the streams at Mandai, Cubs at Nee Soon, the pool in the camp, the junior
school, or holidaying at Sandycroft Leave Centre, Penang?
Have been back a few times; spent my honeymoon there. Would go back tomorrow
...
E-mail: @colin.knight30@ntlworld.com
Topic: Singapore revisited
Comments: Hi Eleanor,
I go back to Singapore quite often - was actually there in November as we were
touring Vietnam and stayed 5 days (in Raffles co-incidentally). Of course the
changes are amazing and huge changes they are too - every month something else
alters and recognizing the "old" Singapore is quite difficult. However, you
still see memories of some of the old places and I personally love the place,
new and all. It does make me VERY nostalgic though and I find myself sitting in
a cafe, in another time - quite sad really, but at the same time comforting too.
Just across the road from Raffles there is the Chimes restaurant complex -
definitely worth eating there - not the old place it was, but some of the
outside walls are still there. The old Cricket Club is being or may be by now,
completely revamped/rebuilt almost, so the padang will have a new look too.
Bugis street has changed somewhat from what it was, the little stalls now
crowded like a warren, but not with the atmosphere of the old days - nor the
sights! Change alley has disappeared - goodness knows where it went! Even the
shape of the river and the boat quay area has changed dramatically as they have
reclaimed some of the river bends for hotels and shopping malls. One of the most
amazing things are the underground shopping malls - you can virtually walk
underground from the Raffles complex (opposite the hotel) to the waterfront
concert hall and the old Fullarton Building Post Office which is now a great
hotel - and this under-city is expanding every time I go - amazing.
BUT - there's still something about the place - little bits here and there, even
in Orchard Road that remind you and take you back - so well worth going. Had
lunch in the Tanglin Club too and funnily enough that brought lots of memories
back and believe it or not - it's rather old fashioned and quiet - quite unlike
the new Singapore.
Hope you manage to visit - you'll still love it I'm sure.
Best regards, John Cunningham (Singapore in the '60's)
E-mail: @jhcun@mail.com
Topic: sue watts recent photos put up on the website
Comments: I noticed the recent photos that Sue Watts put on the website tonight
,3 of them at the officers club at HMS terror were of me!! -Ann Parkinson,can
any one remember me and how do i contact sue watts to talk about these photos?
E-mail: @anncashell@hotmail.com
Topic: Singapore
Comments: Hi,
I have just been looking at this site how informative it is, I was in Singapore
as a child with my family, my father was serving with the Royal Signals, Im not
sure if anyone will recall him, Bill (Herbert) Leonard, I have fond memories of
it, waking up in the morning with my eyes stuck together, no windows in the
house only blinds due to the heat, oh and the monsoons and the drains.
E-mail: @leonard29@uwclub.net
Topic: memories of singapore
Comments: Hi Tom
I think this site is fantastic. My brother told me about it. I lived on
Blakang Mati for a year and went to Pulau Brani by boat for a year. then my
family moved to 30 Goodwood Road Sussex Estate, where we lived for 2 years
(65-67). I went to Alexandra Juniors and was a bus prefect. My brother Edwin
and sister Lorraine went to St John's. Would be interested to hear from anyone
from that era.
Christine Robson (nee Hanch)
E-mail: @christine,robson@tesco.net
Topic: Greetings from Singapore
Comments: Hi Olive,
I happened to browse through and read your message here. Wow! you are very lucky
to be driven to school back then. Do you remember what model of the car that
your dad had? I love vintage cars and I do collect diecast toy car from the 50s
and 60s, I collect rotary telephones as well as my hobbies! I just love vintage
things. Lucky you too that your Dad bought you a pair of Rolex watch. It's a
well recognised expensive watches! :)
Well, Singapore today has changed a lot. Change Alley has become a mall with
boutiques and optical shops, cafes and of course unit of offices on top. Do feel
free to ask me anything about Singapore today! :)
Regards,
Jeffery Abdullah
(Singapore)
E-mail: @jeffery.abdullah@yahoo.com.sg
Topic: Robinson Department Store
Comments: Hi John,
Based on my research of old buildings landmark, I remembered the old Robinson
Department Store which was located at Raffles Place before the fire strike in
early 1970s. The landmark of that Robinson now is the OUB Centre, consist of
shops, fast food outlet and a bank next to it. If you take the MRT train, do
alight at Raffles Place station and once you get out from the underground, look
for the OUB Centre and that was where the old Robinson was situated.
The current Robinson store is located in Centrepoint Shopping Centre ( you can
take the MRT train and alight at Somerset Station ) and the 2nd outlet is
located at Raffles City Shopping Centre ( take the MRT train and alight at City
Hall Station ). I hope the information helped.
Thank you.
Regards,
Jeffery Abdullah
(Singapore)
Topic: Durians
Comments: Hi Derek,
Which is true that Durian fruit is not allowed in public transport like buses,
MRT trains, taxis sometime taxi driver do not mind if you ask them first and see
what they reply), office buildings and etc in Singapore because of the strong
smell. If you have never try it, my suggestion that you should give it a try.
First time you might not like it but after you had tried the second time, I
believe you will enjoy it. We also have durian cakes, durian puffs and etc.
Just to share with you some advise, once you have eaten the durian, pour some
water on the empty shell and drink up. Here in Singapore, we ( malay and chinese
races ) believed that it will prevent you from getting sore throat as durian
fruit is heaty but taste real GOOD! Hope you will try it someday :)
Regards,
Jeffery Abdullah
(Singapore)
E-mail: @jeffery.abdullah@yahoo.com.sg
Topic: Does anyone know contact details for :-
Comments: I was in Singapore 1957 - 1959 and am trying to get in touch with
Malcolm Younger - RAF Changi 1957 - 59
John Smith - Penang - 1957 - RAF Tengah 1958 -59
David Strutt - RAF Tengah 1958 - 59
John Brodie - RAF Tengah 1958 - 59 (New Zealander)
Graham Millar - AGS 1958 - 59 bumped into him later on a canoeing course in
Yorkshire dales when his father was at Catterick.
John Harper now living in York UK
E-mail: @johnharper045@gmail.com
Topic: Remember
Comments: Hi Mike, I remember you but I will be very surprised if you remember
me you were ahead of me in school. I to went to St Johns. I do not know if you
remember some of the people that I use to hang around with, Eve Stratford,
Hughes brothers, Delia Tink, Vanessa (she lives in Fareham and works in Pompey)
Mike Liston, Mike Worthington and loads more. Any way I am very lucky as I live
and work in Brunei which is a two hour flight away from Singapore! i have been
over to Singapore loads of times and of course it is not as it was in the late
60's. I did go to St Johns last Nov 06 which bought back loads of fond memories,
I also went over to JB and found a driver that managed to find my old house.
Any way would love to hear from you if you hve the time.
Kind Regards
Ann
E-mail: @ann@eton.net or @ann.eaton@fco.gov.uk
Topic: addition
Comments: I was so eager to get my thoughts down on paper - got the address
wrong of where we lived in singapore - it was sussex Estate - Goodwood road!
How could I forget that.
E-mail: @mccurdy@travelessist.info
Topic: singapore
Comments: I lived in Singapore from 1965 - 1968 - first went to Bourne School
then on to St Johns - I was Correen Bane then - don't know if anybody will
remember me but it would be nice if they did. Have been back to Singapore a
number of times most recently in march when I took a small group of ladies for a
cooking/shopping tour. I am in partnership in a travel company and we
emigrated to NZ in 1972 from the UK. Did go back with the brother's Laurie Bane
and Rodney Bane 2 years ago, found St Johns School and the Dover Road swimming
pool. We used to live on Goodwood Estate which has all now been demolished.
Singapore has changed very much since we lived there but I still enjoy going
back there and the food of course. I do get to the UK - probably not as often as
I would like. Don't know if anybody knows what happened to Maureen Constable,
Sue Crockford? Lost touch with so many people and I find it amazing that so many
people out there have such fond memories of their school days and Singapore. It
was a great life in those days wasn't it? Any contact with anyone who remembers
would be great.
E-mail: @mccurdy@travelessist.info
Topic: photo - Sheil and Sue
Comments: Was Sheila - Sheila Munro by any chance - I would love to see her
again.
Joyce Wilson (Joyce Forfar) also on Sonia Drake's site.
E-mail: @jwilson@sfc.ac.uk
Topic: Visit to SIngapore
Comments: Sorry, only just seen your note - I hope this gets to you in time!
Alexandra Junior is no longer standing but in its place is the Singapore site of
the French University, INSEAD. You'll find it on the junction of Portsdown Road
with North Buena Vista Road. Can't help with the Fire Station I'm afraid, unless
you can remember where you were living and which direction you would have come
to school. Enjoy your visit.
E-mail: @mdean@consulsis.com
Topic: Singapore 1967-1969
Comments: I attended Bourne school (Alexandra Barracks) and went onto St Johns.
I was in 21A with Maggie Bellis,James Sharp,Rosie Hide the few I can
remember.Lived in Clemenceau Ave and then moved to Katong.Was a regular at the
Singapore Swimming Club.In regular contact with Sue Tonkin,now Faircloth.Had a
brother David who died in January 1990 and a sister Vicki.Does anyone remember
me or know the whereabouts of Paul,Sue and Jill Taylor, Simon Roscoe,Pat Avery?
E-mail: @p.bettis@ntlworld.com
Topic: Singapore 1963-1965
Comments: I first went to RAF Tengah primary then to Bourne school annex then to
Bourne school.
Lived in Meteor road Tengah was in Tengah scout group. My time in Singapore was
one of my most memorable times in my childhood, any one ermember me?? I have
some old photos of this time which I will try and post to site.
E-mail: @bloomruss@aol.com
Topic: What the hell is this?and how did it get into my emailbox?%3E
Comments: I went to the Hawpar Villa gardens in july 1951. The only photos i
had of it were in black and white and on 127 size paper. HOW DID THIS GET INTO
MY EMAIL BOX?
I CAN REMEMBER SGP when it was covered with large areas of Chinese
graveyards...when Macritchie reservoir bore signs warning 'couples not to walk
after dark', when Change Alley was full of beggars with broken knees and wrists,
when Kallang airport (control tower)was not just a tower off the east coast road
to Changi, before the National stadium existed and a Comet jet plunged into the
sea at the end of the runway.
This is long before Outward Bound ever heard of Pulau Ubin and it was wild,
wild, wild..
My address was "3b Alexandra road", in the Officers' Quarters area of Alexandra
barracks and when the R.E.Mess was used for idiot motorbike jumping (off the
steps) after n pints of 'Tiger'.
I can remember when a trip into 'Malaysia' was fraught with machine gun sounds,
when the road from JB to Skudai was still marked by Japanese Zero Parking plots
and my father 'road shotgun in the mailcar train from SGP to KL. Could this be
of importance?
Dick HUTCHINGS ex UWCSEA, 1977-81, but I was there years before..
E-mail: @dickead1938@yahoo.com
Topic: Photo of class 2
Comments: I have just looked at your site and was amazed to see my photo of
class 2 attributed to David Vickers! I have the original - that's me in the
front row with the camera case as it was taken with my camera! I was Lynn Fallon
in those days.
E-mail: @lynn.mcwilliam@btinternet.com
Topic: Opera Estate
Comments: Hi Denise, I too lived in Opera Estate. It was wonderful, we had a
lovely big house, with a huge front lawn. There was a campong at the back of our
house, and when we were there (in the 60's) they were just starting to build a
drain adjacent to our back garden. I'm hoping to put some photos on this site,
but have only just found it, so not sure how it works yet, so watch this space
...
E-mail: @rosejt@robrt.fsnet.co.uk
Topic: Back for 50!
Comments: Hi Colin. I, like you, am returning to Singapore this November for my
50th, re-live a lot of memories and all that. I was about 6 when we went
there. Sorry I can't help with the fire station, and I'm not sure of the name
of the school I attended, but looking through all these photos on this site has
really bought back some memories and I can't wait to get back there.
Unfortunately, we will only be there a few days, (not much time to see
everything, but I'll try my best!) 'cos we will be visiting my sis in Australia
after.
Well, wish you luck with your quest.
Rose
E-mail: @rosejt@robrt.fsnet.co.uk
Topic: Born in Singapore
Comments: Hi,
I just stumbled across your site!
I was especially happy to find picures of HuaGuan Ave.
Since I lived there for quite a while!
Greetings from Germany
Frank
E-mail: @wald2000@yahoo.de
Topic: Durian
Comments: We came across a Durian last sunday, whilst celebrating Chinese New
Year in Manchester, there was three, Big prickly creatures, So I made my family
have a good smell of one,! ;-), its amazin how a smell can bring back soooo many
memories. The nearest I came to a Durian, was Durian flavoured Ice lolly that a
so called family friend bought us a few days after our arrival in Jahore
Bharu,in the late 1960s, we lived in Kebumtah Park, and went to school in the
Royal Naval school. We never ate the lolly, the smell was awful
E-mail: @jill_j_butler@hotmail.com
Topic: Frank Pam ,Vanda ,Carol Chiddle
Comments: I am trying to contact Vanda or Carole Chiddle who were in Singapore
in the 60's with their parents Frank (RN) and his wife Pam both now sadly
deceased . Vanda moved to Hong Kong where she is married I have however lost her
married name. My father was a great friend of her fathers as they were in the
Royal Navy in the WWII. Any contact would be gratefully recieved
E-mail: @granville.pitman@virgin.net
Topic: revisiting old haunts
Comments: Hi Eleanor,
I was there in 2006 for a few days......I can recommend that you still go to see
Orchard raod, even though its not the same....Raffles is a must but be warned it
has been refurbished completely so its expensive now......all the rest has
mostly gone but you can still get the feel of old Singa's in little India and
China town where you can rely on the food stalls to be reasonably clean....Oh
the satays.....yum...drenched in peanut sauce.....Newton Circus is another
popular eating place...try the mango from there its heaven....
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@gmail.com
Topic: Did anyone live at Windy View Hotel?
Comments: Just found your website on a snowy day off work! I was 7 in early 1964
when my dad (Bill) was stationed at RAF Tengah (Bill and Freda were Geordies
from Seaham in Co. Durham). We lived at Windy View for ages until we got a
bungalow in Holland Village. The beach at Pasir Panjang was amazing, with vast
stretches of sand and huge conch shells to collect. I remember my mum, Freda
receiving clothes catalogues from the UK where the dresses on the models were
all drawn, not photos like now! I remember getting my arm trapped in the louvres
of the cooling system up on the roof and another time when some idiot threw a
chair off the roof, narrowly missing my brother (John aged 2 at the time)! I
attended Alexandra Junior school (remember the emerald green dress with white
trim being soaked from all the humidity)! I learned to swim either at the
Britannia Club or Sandy Soldier's home pool. My dad gave me some money as a
reward and I bought a fluffy dog (still got it) at Tang's. I also remember
Change Alley and bought a doll's tea party set. If I smell strong garlic cooking
these days, I am transported back to that time as it used to make me heave, but
I love it now. I also got my love of all things sparkly and colourful from
there. I am planning to return for a 2 day trip to Singapore this time in 2008
but have heard it's just not the same. What would people recommend - to go or
not shatter the memories? Let me know please!
E-mail: @thesuttonskreagans@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: I'm looking for Melanie (Mel) Morris
Comments: Hi, I'm looking for Melanie Morris. She went to Bourne School in the
'60's. She was American. She lived with us in Singapore where my mother was her
guardian. My mother would really love to find her, as would I. I saw her photo
on this website, so PLEASE, if anyone can help it would make our family very
happy.
E-mail: @info@solarbackpacks.co.uk
Topic: Jalan Malu Malu and Naval Base
Comments: Hi Derek
It seems that I was in Singapore at the same time as you and looking at
your pics I see you lived in Jalan Malu Malu the same as us.We then moved into
the Naval Base and lived in Montreal Road so it was easy to walk down to the
Dockyard pool which I see on Google Earth seems to be still be there.I also went
to Bourne school,Alexandra and later to St Johns.We did two tours of Singapore
1964 for three years and then home to Plymouth for one year and we went back for
another three year tour but only managed two because of the sell off to Swan
Hunter.I have also seen some photos on this site of oggie night in the Dockyard
Club and noticed there was two pics that included my late dad Jack Hockey
holding the cart with the oggie on.Thanks for the momentos of Singers cheers
Paul Hockey (Plymouth)
E-mail: @paulhockey@blueyonder.co.uk
Topic: School
Comments: I am going back to singapore in April, I was born in BMH in 1957 and
returned when I was 6 years old. I think I went to Alexandra School although I
am not too sure, the one thing I remember is the school bus passing a fire
station and all the children chanting "Fire Engine" every time we went past. I
have a few memories from my time there and have always had a desire to go back,
so my 50th this year is my once in a lifetime. Can any one help with the fire
station and school. We were only satationed there for 6 months as my brother
was ill and we had to return home.
E-mail: @col.short@googlemail.com
Topic: Roy Thomson
Comments: My dad Roy Thomson attended a forces school in singapore. He was born
in 1952 and had 3no brothers, Richard, Robert and
and Colin. My dad died when I was very young, so I do not hanve any memories of
him. If anyone can recall him, good or bad, please let me know. Thanks in
advance
E-mail: @chelleoverton@btinternet.com
Topic: BRILLIANT SITE
Comments: Hello Tom,
Congratulations on a brilliant site! Having spent some time in Singapore in the
early 1960's I really enjoyed my trip down memory lane! I have just emailed you
four 60's pictures which I hope you will be able to use. Two are class photos
from Alexandra Junior and Bourne, and I'm hoping that somebody will be able to
identify some of the children featured.
E-mail: @vickers.dp@virgin.net
Topic: re union
Comments: I am planning a trip to UK in June so no I cant make the reunion this
time....I am gutted that I cant come....I would love to join in.
bye
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: 60's Singapore
Comments: Hiya Tom
I'm sat in Cyprus with "the muther" and we are enjoying looking at the site. She
was a school escort on the White School buses from Tengah to Bourne School in
the 60's (TB1 / TB2 / TB3). She has a very extensive memory and if we can scan
the photos (that I now have) we will get her to update you on a host of
material. Enjoyed accessing the site, best wishes to all. Cheers. Jeff
E-mail: @jeffpittman@myway.com
Topic: Old Bugis Street photographs
Comments: Hi.I am in desperate search for photographs of old Bugis Street but
have trouble finding for any that can be used.I would just like to find out if
anyone here is willing to contribute old Bugis Street photographs that they
might have or know where i can find photographs to be placed in a restaurant in
Bugis Street.Of course the contributor of the photographs will be mentioned when
they are being displayed on the walls of the restaurant.
E-mail: @amethest25@hotmail.com
Topic: Spending money
Comments: I hope you are going to the reunion Derek?
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: xmas in singas
Comments: Yeh I read that book. A very interesting read (if somewhat graphic at
times!!!) still enjoyed it though.
I have posted a picture of a Singapore Xmas on my page......I cant believe that
I actually used to long for a cold and wintery Christmas......I now live in New
Zealand and our Xmas is always at the start of summer (its 25deg here now and
rising)I was in Singa's in July and it was fantastic to get some of that lovely
fresh mango all cut up and juicy, full of flavour...yummmmm.It may interest you
to know that what used to be Newton Circus is now a very popular eating area
full of differnt stalls all vying for your money (some things never change ha)
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: The new book!
Comments: Dear Derek
I received a copy of Sampans, Rambutans and Banyans towards end of last year and
really enjoyed your stories of family life in Singapore and J/Bahru. I will try
and dig out some of my parents photos of us from the late 60's and early
seventies, scan them and email onto you. Am in middle of house move at present
but will get on the case asap. my folks just came back from NZ a few months ago
and couldn't beleive CK Tangs which is where mum did all her Xmas shopping
whilst we were there! I've been back a few times to look up old homes, Tanglin
Club , Ponggol(up nr Seletar) and UWC SEA (prev St Johns I believe)where I
schooled and left in 1976.
Anyway, good luck with the book reasearch and I hope I can contirbute
something!!
Happy New Year
Steve Burnett
E-mail: @steve.burnett3@btinternet.com
Topic: Fruit Seller
Comments: The fruit seller mentioned at the Changi pool was Mary Seah and she
was decorated by both the British and Australian governments. IN 1957/1958 she
was selling fruit around the whole of Changi including Lloyd Leas. She died
only a few years ago, 2003 I think, in Australia aged 93 or 94. There is a book
about her called "The Angel of Changi" detailing how in looking for her son who
had been rounded up by the Japanese saw the plight of some prisoners in Changi
and helped them with herbal medicines. I think the book was recently the set
book for one of the Singapore examinations. She was a lovely lady and I have
very good memories of her.
John Harper
E-mail: @johnharper045@gmail.com
Topic: Changi
Comments: There is a very interesting book recently published called The History
of Changi
E-mail: @pat.meyrick@btinternet.com
Topic: Sembawang Naval Base
Comments: Hi Mike,
My maiden name was Alexander (nickname Trixie.) I was there 1960 - 1963 (aged
13-16) Lived in Ottawa Road. Attended Alexandra Secondary Modern.
I was in Portsmouth last October to meet up with Wacker, the chinese swimming
instructor.
I have just received a book called Hearts %26 Minds - It's about the history of
the Sembawang Shipyard.
Hope we can all help Derek Taite to write his second book about our memories of
Singapore
E-mail: @pat.meyrick@btinternet.com
Topic: Hmmmmmmm
Comments: Just the book to read before the reunion in October!
My Christmas wish is that there is someone there that I used to know.
Christmas in Singapore, it was sad. The decorations were limp and stupid. The
turkey dinner was too heavy to digest in the heat. The choccies all melted. I
wanted my grandparents and aunts and uncles. I sang Carols, the evening frogs
and crickets making a lie of a silent night. I cried in the pool at the dockyard
club on Christmas day afternoon so that no-one would notice my tears.
Now in the cold and blizzards of a perfect Christmas here in the wilds of
Canada, I would give anything to go back to the sunny imperfect celebrations
that my heart remembers.
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: Friends Reunited
Comments: Hi
Has anyone read the book Past Mortem bu Ben Elton, it is based on a group of old
school friends registered on Friends Reunited, who meet up with disastrous
consequences for many. Excellent read, very glad our memories are wonderful.
E-mail: @christinepsmith@optusnet.com.au
Topic: New book on Singapore and Malaya
Comments: Hi
Thanks for everyone's interest in my last book, 'Sampans,Banyans and Rambutans'.
Copies have now been bought and placed in 40 libraries in Singapore.
I am now writing a second book and want to feature other people's memories and
photos from the 50s,60s and 70s of Singapore and Malaya.The photos can be of
anything from that time; Tiger Balm Gardens, School photos, your house, shops,
the Naval Base,holidays etc.
If anyone would like to contribute any stories or photos,please contact me at
derek.tait@virgin.net
Thanks.
Derek Tait.
www.derektait.co.uk/sampans.html
E-mail: @derek.tait@virgin.net
Topic: singapore naval base
Comments: HI MIKE
HAVE YOU LOOKED AT MY PAGE ON THIS SITE? IF YOU LOOK AT THE DOCKYARD PLAYERS
PROGRAME FOR LAUGHTER IN THE DARK, YOU'LL FIND WE ARE BOTH LISTED IN THE
BACKSTAGE CREW, AND YOUR SISTER MARGARET APPEARS IN THE CAST PHOTOGRAPH.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT ROPED IN BY YOUR PARENTS AS MOST OF US KIDS DID. THE ONLY
PEOPLE WHO MY PARENTS HAVE STAYED IN TOUCH WITH FROM THAT PRODUCTION ARE THE
POVER'S. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS REALISED THAT THE LESLIE POVER IN THE
PHOTO, IS THE SAME PERSON WHO SCULPTED THE NEW STATUE OF LORD NELSON THAT WAS
UNVEILED IN PORTSMOUTH FOR THE 200th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH LAST YEAR.
GLAD TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME OF THE DOCKYARD PLAYERS CREW AROUND.
ALL THE BEST
LOU
E-mail: @lou@hovercam.com
Topic: UWCSEA
Comments: Came across this great site a few weeks ago, very evocative and has
brought out intense nostalgic reactions! I was in Singapore 69-76 and went to
Changi infants; then Raeburn Park and onto Singapore international School before
it became UWCSEA. Used to get a gharry to school in Changi, where our school
uniforms and most other clothes got made. Used to get satay from Bedok market
and have gully gully men come to the house 'charming' their snakes. Swimming
lessons at the Changi Officers Club and the Tanglin Clubwith a Mr Alan Ng. A
series of amahs...plenty of visits to Tiger Balm and Botannical Gardens; Xmas
shopping in the old CK Tangs. Moved to Seletar in the north of the isalnd,
plenty of boat visits to Pulau Ubin. Getting english chocolate from Cold Storage
somewhere on Orcahrd Road. I now live with my family in London and work in Soho
if anyone is interested in hooking up for a beer.
E-mail: @steve.burnett3@btinternet.com
Topic: Opera Estate
Comments: Dear Johnny
Thank you for the useful reply and great photograph! Our house was not a
bungalow, we had stairs and balconies. We were in walking distance of the ahmas
little night market - where was that held - do you know?
Thanks
Denise
E-mail: @smurlit@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: Amazed this site exists
Comments: Had the opportunity of living in Singapore from 59-62 and then
returned 65-69 so enjoyed a major chunk of my life there. I discovered this site
in a moment of nostalgic (inspired?) web surfing. I spotted a few enquiries
about my existence on friends reunited a couple of years ago (Aileen Frost?) and
being lazy did nothing about responding so have now decided to take the plunge
and hopefully make contact with some of the people who knew me. I lived on the
Naval Base (and just off it for short periods) most of the time and attended
Bourne (3 years) and St Johns'(1 year) before being jettisoned into the ****hole
of the universe - Teesside! From there I managed to escape to Portsmouth then
Brighton and back to Portsmouth.
I did manage to contact a few people I knew in Singapore - Tony Waldron, Patrica
Spooner and Derek Henderson and a very nice woman (sorry, name escapes me!)
coming off the Gosport ferry one night in the 70's. Similarly, also spotted Nick
Frost and Susan Morgan on the same ferry at different times in the 70's and did
not make contact.
Am permanently ensconced in Pompey it would seem! I have access to a lot of
photos in slide format (000's) of Singapore which I will check through and post
on the site via Tom when I have sorted through them. I have also sent him some
other memorabilia.
My sister - Mags Johns was in Singapore for most of the time I was there - she
may also be able to contribute to the site her email is magsfuerte@hotmail.com -
alive and well in Fuertventura.
E-mail: @thejohns@btinternet.com
Topic: JB
Comments: Hi Mary, I lived in JB too and I am sure I remember you, the netball
team too, I am in touch with vanessa Ebers, Delia Tink, Ann rimmer, Ann bastable
and a few others, sadly I attended Bert Stratfords funeral a couple of years
ago. I have just recently visited JB and Singapore and found our old house in
Majedee Park although most of the other facilities are long gone some are still
recognisable, the Attap club is gone but the area is still the same, the site of
the youth club in the row of shops on jalan Beringin are still visible. If I
can share any other memories please contact me. Kindest regards
PAUL HUGHES.
E-mail: @paulsrhughes@aol.com
Topic: Opera Estate
Comments: Dear Johnny
Thank you for the useful reply and great photograph! Our house was not a
bungalow, we had stairs and balconies. We were in walking distance of the ahmas
little night market - where was that held - do you know?
Thanks
Denise
E-mail: @smurlit@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: Identification of photo in Sonia Drake section
Comments: I found this photo this morning in Sonia Drake's section. There is a
photo with a caption Sheil and Sue? and I would like to identify that the Sue?
is me. I couldn't believe the photo, and would like to make contact with the
photographer????
E-mail: @susan.england@freehills.com
Topic: Productivity Poster
Comments: Hi Tom,
I have a picture of a similar poster which I scanned from the Productivity
Digest. I will email to you and cc to Tom O'Brien.
E-mail: @cslam@hoshin.com.sg
Topic: Quotes on the Past and Present
Comments: Hi Everyone,
I'm a freelance writer for the Singapore International Foundation's magazine.
I'm compiling some quotes on icons from the past and present. I hope as many of
you as possible can provide quotes on the differences between certain icons of
Singapore then and now:
For example, "I remember the Van Kleef Aquarium as.....Today the Underwater
World is..." [full name, country]
Other icons of note: Clifford Pier (then and now), Stamford Library vs new
National Library at Bugis, National Theatre vs Esplanade, Wonderland vs Downtown
East, Ngee Ann City vs People's Park.
Your help will be very much appreciated!
Rgds,
Melissa
@melissalee@nomadsmedia.com
E-mail: @melissalee@nomadsmedia.com
Topic: looking for a propaganda poster
Comments: Hello
I'm looking for a poster by the national productivity board saying: "now's the
time... we must be the best we can be" with a family in the center and tall
buildings behind.
I belive it's from around the seventies.
I think this poster symbols a lot and I'd like to have it.
can anyone help?
E-mail: @t.pickel@gmail.com
Topic: Lost Dad
Comments: Just found out through an RM site that he has been found. Well done.
John
E-mail: @torrox850@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: RAF Changi
Comments: Derrick,
Your description of the road on which you lived sounds very much like Manstone
Road. It if is, your bungalow was at the very end of Manstone Road past the
married quarters where I lived 1965 -67. If you go to the RAF Changi part of
this website you will find a map which shows Manstone Road, the Golf Course and
the sports fields beyond it. You bungalow would have been at the very eastern
end of Manstone road
Steve Tennant
E-mail: @steve@stevetennant.com
Topic: Unidentified Swimming Pool
Comments: Tom,
This is a great site. you might be interested to know that I tried to e-mail
this message to you, but it got bounced back with this message "Error: Message
content rejected". Anyway this is the text of the message
In respect of the unidentified swimming pool pictured on your site at “Can you
Help”, I am pretty sure that it is the Airmen’s Swimming Pool on Turnhouse Road
at RAF Changi with the Chalet Club or the Hospital in the background. I used to
swim here most weekends and at the road side entrance to the Pool used to sit
Mary (Tann?) selling fruit. As I recall, there was a plaque (at the entrance)
to Mary recording her decoration with a British civilian bravery medal for
smuggling POW’s out of Changi Prison, during WW2, in baskets on her back. In
addition to her medal Mary was awarded the exclusive right to sell fresh fruit
at the swimming pool at Changi.
I lived at Changi from 1965 – 1967 at 84/3 Manston Road and went to RAF Seletar
Secondary Modern and was in classes 1,2 and 3 in the 1-3rd years respectively.
I used to go to School on Ghary 3 and was a contemporary of the late Dave Penny
whose picture appears on some of the Singapore Web pages thanks to his short
shorts. The Headmaster may have worn Empire shorts, but for the male students
the competition (or atleast one of them) was to see who could wear the shortest
shorts with a 2” belt!
I have been in Hong Kong since 1980 and now only wear shorts on a social basis!
Regards
Steve Tennant
E-mail: @steve@stevetennant.com
Topic: Selarang Park
Comments: Firstly let me say, this is a wonderful site. Informative and bringing
back so many childhood memories for which I am most grateful. My father was a
medical officer attached to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regiment
serving circa 64 - 67. We lived in Selarang Park and I went to the primary
school. I was aged eight when we finished our posting but have clear and lovely
memories of our time there. If anyone has photos of Selarang park or the school
I'd love to see them.
E-mail: @rich@2glassy.com
Topic: Additional info
Comments: By the way, I was told many of the officials and organisers
were initially from the British Forces.
E-mail: @joho@singaporean.per.sg
Topic: 1967 GP at Upper Thomson Road circuit
Comments: Hi Kev
I remember the lack of facilities for us spectators. We had to climb up
slippery, grassy slopes and clung on the fencings to watch the races. There was
not even a proper grandstand, and equally limited toilet facilities. Conditions
were worst when it rained. No shelters, and the muddy slopes!
I have watched the annual Grand Prix from 1966 till 1973. It was finally
cancelled by the conservative government of those days. They decided it was
dangerous after an official and a few riders were killed in the races.
That said, the Government recently admitted that cancelling F1 GP was a mistake
because of the huge publicity it could generate for Singapore. So, instead of
trying to reinstate the F1 GP, they have allowed the new and exciting A1 Grand
Prix to take place soon.
I have attached an edited photo of a 1967 motocycle (250cc?)qualifying race -
hope it helps trigger a memory or two of your participation.
regards
Johnny
E-mail: @joho@singaporean.per.sg
Topic: Opera Estate
Comments: There was a graveyard on top of a low hill in Siglap. Siglap was a
plantation area, and yes, cows grazed over there.
However, cows are now an endangered specie in Singapore. For that matter, all
edible farm animals (chickens %26 ducks included) have all but disappeared. Walk
a cow in the streets of Singapore (or a goat) and you will become a huge
attraction!
Siglap links to Opera Estate. I have sent Tom a picture of 1963 Opera Estate.
Opera Estate is now a very well developed private residential area.
The streets there are all named after famous operas eg Figaro Street...
Where once stood wood and zinc houses, pigs and chickens, you now find
expensive design 3-storey bungalows and terrace houses.
Siglap and Opera Estate are places where the well-heeled congregate.
Is that colonial style bungalow in the pic(right) familiar to you?
Johnny Ho
E-mail: @joho@singaporean.per.sg
Topic: Singapore Grand Prix
Comments: Just seen Geoff Moore's pictures recently posted, and it sparked a
memory or two. During my time in Singapore (all of 1967 and 68)this event was
probably responsible for kickstarting (bad pun - sorry!)my lifelong interest in
motorcycles and all that goes with them....does anyone have any pictures from
that era of the bike side of the event?.
My best memory of the event in 1968 is of being given the opportunity to
actually get on one of the two famous Honda 250 six cylinder bikes built for
Mike Hailwood and the team. One of these machines had been loaned to Singapore
rider Lee Wing Sang for his use at the GP. Great days....the speed of the cars
and bikes up the famous "Thompson Mile" straight was awesome...public roads, no
barriers, no restrictions to the spectators....think of what Mr.H%26S would have
to say about that nowadays !! I'd be pleased to hear from anyone with any
comments on this probably long-gone event.
E-mail: @kevoc@btopenworld.com
Topic: The History Of Changi
Comments: The small book "The History of Changi" has just been updated with a
chapter on the civil airport development. I found it a fascinating read covering
the time from the first survey being done by Gillman, through the development as
a base, the second world war as a prison camp, the Malyan emergency and the
confrontation with Indonesia up to the present day modern airport. Well worth a
read, it will stir memories and fill in gaps of your knowledge of Singapore. My
copy was given to me by Lam Chun See for writing a series of articles for his
goodmorningyesterday blog on life in Singapore during the fifties and sixties.
It is published by the Changi University Press and sold by the Changi Museum.
http://www.changimuseum.com
Authot Henry Probert
isbn 981-05-5580-6
John Harper
E-mail: @johnharper_045@fsmail.net
Topic: RE RAF Changi
Comments: Derrick,
the house you describe sounds like 338 Wittering Road. It was the last house
along Wittering Road on the glof course side before you reached the Changi Post
Office. If you look on this site there is a "Full map of Changi" from the 1960s
that will show Wittering Road. It came down in a loop from near the guardroom
and NAAFI shop to the Road that ran towards the city just by the Post Office. If
it is the same house it stood at the side of a large tree with a massive trunk
and there was a path down the side of the hill onto the golf course that led to
a tarmac road that led to the playing fields round the corner of the hill.
John Harper
E-mail: @johnharper_045@fsmail.net
Topic: Photos
Comments: I was at St. John's in Singapore about 1968 -69 and I have some photos
of the school and girls who were in the Rochester House, Carol Munt, a girl
with the nickname of Lolli and the Ward sisters, Diana, Vanessa and two others I
can't remember their names.
Also, if you know the whereabouts of David Burns, he boarded at St. Johns and
lived in Kuala Lumpur.
I would like to send the photos I have but not sure to where.
Thanks
Elizabeth
E-mail: @e_jessop@yahoo.ca
Topic: Changi 1965
Comments: Great site!
I was 8 in '65, went to Changi primary, lived in a house opposite a field of
oxen, there was jungle behind that. At the end of our row of houses there was a
small swamp. There was a row of houses behind us, and there was a cemetery
nearby. I'm fairly sure we lived on the Opera Estate - can anyone confirm?
Any photos or memories of that era woud be great.
E-mail: @smurlit@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: RAF CHANGI
Comments: My father was in the RAF at Changi in 1950/51. I attended Junior
School.
My memory is vague but I recall living in a detached bulgalow (one of two);
across the road and on a hill were some MQ flats and behind the bungalow the
ground dropped away, crossed a golf course and and rose again towards Changi
Hill?
Does anyone have a map of the area dated from that time please?
Many thanks
Derrick Morgan
E-mail: @morgand212@aol.c
Topic: Singapore 1962/3,Royal Marines
Comments: Anyone heard of/remember/still know, Corporal Alan Pepper who went to
Singapore from Poole and was attached to 42 Commando during the Borneo
operation?
Thanks, Tracey.
E-mail: @gaiasystems@bigpond.com
Topic: Durian
Comments: You guys don't know what you are missing. Here's the secret to
enjoying durians. You must always try it a second time. The first time you may
hate. Smells like rubbish etc. etc. But after the 2nd time, you will be hooked.
We don't call it the king of fruits for nothing you know.
E-mail: @cslam@hoshin.com.sg
Topic: Home Sweet Home
Comments: Your feelings are very much shared. It was a great privelige to have
lived in Singapore during the 60's and to have been able to enjoy the
friendships, culture and passion that the place generated. During my business
life I was very lucky to be able to return a number of times and to see the
phenomenal changes that have taken place. One thing though had not changed, it
was still very, very hard to leave...........
E-mail: @chriselsden@hotmail.com
Topic: Bert Stratford
Comments: Hi
I remember Bert, and yes he did live in JB. I used to be crazy about him.
His sister Eve was a member of our netball team 'The Red Devils'. Do you
remember. I lived in Jalan Chendera from68-70. Attended Bourne and then St
Johns schools. A few others that I can recall are Vanessa Ebers, Caroline ? Do
you remember the cold storages as they used to call them (shops}
E-mail: @mary.south@Tiscali.co.uk
Topic: Changi Sailing club
Comments: Is there any one out there who sailed in 1950 to 1953 i would very
much like to hear from them
george
E-mail: @gmpy1@tesco.net
Topic: durian
Comments: Hahahahahahahahahahaha that just makes me want to try one even more.
People say they get addicted to them they are so delicious.
Garlic stinks and yet it's so yummy. There must be other stuff that's stinky,
but tastes good. Olives smell a bit like sweaty socks.
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: durian
Comments: further to the discussin around Durian....I have found this lovely
description of it....... its odor is best described as pig-shit, turpentine and
onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled from yards away. Despite
its great local popularity, the raw fruit is forbidden from some establishments
such as hotels, subways and airports, including public transportation in
Southeast Asia.[15]
No wonder I never tried it!!!
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: Home sweet home but its a bit dull
Comments: I certainly know exactly how you feel, I consider myself something of
a citizen of the world after living in Singa's for three years in my youth....I
have now 'settled' in New Zealand but I take frequent overseas trips to South
East asia. I would just love to be an expat living over there...maybe one
day...who knows....
regard
Derek
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: Home sweet home, but it's a bit dull!
Comments: I blame my passionate love of travelling and a feeling of never being
settled, or wanting to settle anywhere, on my childhood of constantly moving
houses and locations. It was Singapore though and it's sunshine and general
exotica that has caused me the most restlessness. Anyone else like me?
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: Rambutan
Comments: I think I ate one once. I seem to remember my amah giving me one to
try. I don't remember the taste though. :)
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: Garden Restaurant
Comments: Thank you John for naming the Restaurant as the Bamboo House, now all
I need is for someone to remember the East and West wording on the archway.
Yes, I remember Robinsons it was at the back of Change Alley near Colliers Quay,
yes I also heard that it burnt down.
E-mail: @jjckl@ivens1.freeserve.co.uk
Topic: Garden Restaurant
Comments: Regarding your post on the garden restaurant this has to be the Bamboo
House based on your description. I cannot recall the exact wording you refer to.
In addition to CK Tangs does anyone remember the other large department store,
Robinsons? I believe that it was destroyed in a fire circa 1970.
E-mail: @JGoss97462@aol.com
Topic: Singapore 1965-1968
Comments: I remember having my first 'grown up' meal with a boyfriend when I was
16 in a garden restuarant next to Tangs in Orchard St. On leaving the garden
one had to pass through an archway, which I think was of wrought iron, with an
inscription 'there is no boundary east or west' or words to that effect. Does
anyone out there actually know what those words were as I would love to know.
All suggestions welcome.
Thanks Julie
E-mail: @jjckl@ivens1.freeserve.co.uk
Topic: DURIAN
Comments: I THINK THE CONSENSUS OF OPINION IS THAT THE DURIAN HAD A RATHER
DIASGREEABLE SMELL. HOW ABOUT ONE OF THE OTHER SINGAPORE FRUITS, THE RAMBUTAN ?
REMEMBER THE HAIRY, LEATHERY, RED POD. INSIDE THE POD WAS A DELICIOUS LITTLE
FRUIT. WE USED TO BUY THESE FROM A STREET VENDOR AND TAKE THEM TO THE CINEMA AS
A SNACK. I RECALL DOING THIS AT THE OLD ODEON CINEMA BACK IN THE MID SIXTIES.
E-mail: JGOSS97462 @AOL.COM
Topic: durians
Comments: On my first train ride from Singapore to Seremban i was much sickened
by the stench from the railcars carrying people with their produce [durians]especially
when they cut into and ate them .On that hot sticky ,first journey in Malaya I
had the impression of durians being too stinky to get near, firmly planted in my
11 year old brain. they are available here in California and I recently bought
one for an old buddy who has travelled much in the orient and loves them .He
explained that the type most commonly eaten by the poorer folk were not the ones
to try. Still i have yet to experiment.
E-mail: @tambourineman2@comcast.net
Topic: Mangoes
Comments: I don't remember durian flavour opal fruits at all.
I have been looking for a durian in the grocery stores. I haven't seen one yet.
The minute I do I'm going to buy it and tell you all how it tastes.
Tonight I had mangoes for dinner. They must have been delicious in Singapore,
but I never ate them there either. Our parents must have been super
conservative. I suppose we should be grateful from having been spared fried
snake. LOL
I ate Lychees and the pear apples, but I didn't like either.
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: Changi Primary
Comments: I arrived just before the end of the summer term 1967, then did my
final year in one of the 11+ classes, going on to Changi Grammar. I have
difficulty remembering names but I still have an autograph book from that time.
E-mail: @lescolbert123@hotmail.com
Topic: DURIAN SMELL
Comments: DOES ANYBODY ELSE REMEMBER DURIAN FLAVOURED OPAL FRUITS? THATS THE
NEAREST I EVER CAME TO SAMPLING THE DELIGHTS OF DURIAN.
E-mail: @LOU@HOVERCAM.COM
Topic: Memories
Comments: Hi there
DO you remember the group named MJB and the Talisman.
E-mail: sema006@aol.com
Topic: Durian
Comments: Never eaten one, but you could smell them half a mile away !
E-mail: @andrew@barber-insys.co.uk
Topic: great stories
Comments: I live in Canada now and here durians are fiercely expensive and I see
them rarely. I might buy one though and try it. I don't remember the smell.
Perhaps if I bought one and cut into it the memories would come flooding back.
I eat a mostly raw food diet and a bulletin board I frequent has people raving
madly about how rich and custardy and really delicious durians are.
In my family, we stuck to a Western diet with a lot of food bought at the Naffi
shop. What a waste! What a rich diverse diet we could have had. I do remember
the Nasi goreng and how delicious it was. I have never been able to duplicate a
good recipe for the stuff I remember from a JB resturant. It was probably loaded
with msg.
The bread was awful in Singapore and the flour was full of weevils. No wonder we
all look so thin in the photos.
E-mail: @rosieposie232@Yahoo.ca
Topic: durian
Comments: I never had the guts to try them....I remember when they were in
season though, If someone opened one, anywhere within a mile was infected by the
smell....On a recent trip to Singa's my hotel had a big sign saying 'NO DURIAN
ALLOWED', I cant remember anything smelling quite as bad, even the lovely waft
of 'sweet water canal' in the city.......yuk........
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: Durian tasting
Comments: Yes - by mistake at first....a Durian ice lolly which I bought at a
roadside stall. I was at first put off, and asked "who the hell dreamed up
onion-flavoured ice lollies?" Then I had the sense to ask what it was, and once
I'd learned to ignore my sense of smell, I actually thought it was ok. Later I
tried the real thing, and again - "psyching" myself to ignore the smell, I
thought the fruit was pretty good, and very refreshing. However - cycling (as I
did a hell of a lot) along Bt.Timah road behind a truckload of the damn things
was a different experience altogether, and not to be recommended. I never tested
the theory that washing your hands and face in Durian-soaked water counteracted
the stink effect.....anyone?
E-mail: @kevoc@btopenworld.com
Topic: durian
Comments: I don't know about the rest of the UK, but durians are always on sale
during the season in London's Chinatown (Lisle and Gerrard Streets). The smell
is hugely nostalgic and takes me right back to 60s Singapore. - However, I've
lived and worked in central London for the past 21 years and STILL have not
mustered up the courage to actually taste one!!
E-mail: @geoff@kitchmoore.fsnet.co.uk
Topic: Durian
Comments: Did anyone ever eat a durian? I never did and I so wish I had.
They are supposed to be smelly,but delicious.
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: I was there same time roughly
Comments: It was a brilliant time for me too Marion. I feel very privileged to
have been there. Remember the monsoon rain pouring down like a deluge....Prickly
heat on the neck? and if you were late for the school bus you had to feign
illness to go to the surgery to get on the late bus from there.....and the
cinema where we would all misbehave in the back rows......plates of chips and
coke floats at the pool...the magnolia man.....great times
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
Topic: Singapore 1964-1968
Comments: I lived in Singapore city Cainhill Drive and then Gibralter Crescent
then Lagos Cicle in the Naval Base.
We loved Singapore , I went to the Roval Naval School then to Bourne School
(Gilman Section).
Came back for a visit 2001 with my sisters and mother.
I was 10 when I went to live in Singapore and the formative years there were
very special.
Whata great site tis is!
Any one who can share my memories please contact me.
Love Marion
E-mail: @marion.hurst@gmail.com
Topic: Hot days
Comments: This is a great site I love looking at the photos of a time that seems
so long ago. I lived in JB and Singapore from 1967 to 1969. I went to Bourne and
St Johns. I was at Alex so had to climb those stairs everyday.
I remember lots of things, the bus from JB every morning, passing the rubber
plantation with the early morning sun slanting through the trees. The metal box
company and how I used to like the name, Swimming at the dock club, the ice
cream man and the three ubiquitous flavours, strawberry chocolate and vanilla. I
loved the strawberry.
The only person I remember from all these photos is Bert Stratford. I remember
him singing "Badge" by the side of the pool one night in JB????? Did the
Stratfords live in JB Does anyone know? I went to the youth club there. There
was a small guy who hogged the bloody record player, but he did play good tunes.
I wonder who he was?
E-mail: @rosieposie232@yahoo.ca
Topic: Opera Estate
Comments: Greetings
Any memories or photos of the Opera Estate, especially in the 60's. would be
most welcome. The opera estate is east of Siglap Hill and south of Bedok -
between Changi Road and the Upper East Coast Road.
The Estate is named after Malay and Western operas, I'm not sure which road we
lived on, it may have been Swan Lake Avenue, but there was a field of oxen,
backed by the jungle to the front of our house, a swamp at the end of a road,
and a street behind us.
Photos and memories of Changi Junior School in the 60's would also be greatly
appreciated!
Thanks
Denise W. (nee Howie)
E-mail: @denise_w@shaw.ca
Topic: Airview Towers, River Valley Road, S'pore 9
Comments: Did any body else live at Airview Towers, on the corner of Killiney(?)
Road and River Valley Road? My family had the penthouse there from 1967-69 (we
then moved to the Sussex Estate). I have been trawling through some old photos
and have pictures taken from the roof towards Singapore City and towards the
Singapore River. This was when the tallest building was the Cathay Pacific
building! Some of the pictures show a huge fire on the river in 1969. Two
names I particularly remember (because they were 'different') are Neilson Ford
(a 'civvy' kid) and Clayton Hitch (an Australian). Anybody know their
wherabouts?
Geoff Moore (S'pore and Bourne School/Alex site) 1967-69
E-mail: @geoff@kitchmoore.fsnet.co.uk
Topic: schools
Comments: I may be confused ,are the united world college and the international
school the same.
E-mail: @tambourineman2@comcast.net
Topic: headmaster
Comments: Janet
i moved over to Richborough house from Kinloss in 65. the house you mention was
then occupied by the then head mr wheeler who died not long after.
E-mail: @tambourineman2@comcast.net
Topic: international school
Comments: I went to school in Singapore 64-67. first living at Kinloss and then
st john's. my info is that the current international school occupies what used
to be st john's on [Dover road]. Bourne was in Gilman barracks some distance
away. when we first lived at st john's in boarding houses that have since been
demolished. when we moved in they were still in the last stages of construction
and we had no bell . one of the lads in Dover house would signal us with bugle
calls .Bourne school had at one time been known as Alexandra grammar.
E-mail: @tambourineman2@comcast.net
Topic: ISS
Comments: Are you referring to the Paterson Road site?
If memory serves me , that cluster of buildings used to house the Institute of
Teachers back in the 1950s/60s. At least that is what I recall hearing.
And up until 9-11 in 2001, the public had free access to the entire area and the
family courts were in that area.
E-mail: @kelvinlee-dunspam@pacific.net.sg
Topic: Roger Thomas's photos of St John's
Comments: I was very interested to see the photos of Singapore on Roger's site.
I have not been back there since we left in 1971 and it certainly has changed.
I found it quite poignant that the 'old building on the right' on the route up
to the school is actually the house where I lived for 5 years when my father was
the head at St John's. How strange to see it looking so empty and derelict!
Janet Mason
E-mail: @janet@mason-gaskell.freeserve.co.uk
Topic: Bourne School Site
Comments: Hi
I'm a teacher at the International School Singapore which occupies the old
Bourne school site. I'm interested in finding out about the history of the
site. If anybody could help, please e-mail?
Thank you very much,
Regards
Kath Upshall
E-mail: @Naiduvk@singnet.com.sg
09 January 2006
Topic: Singa's
Comments: Hi Lou,
Thanks for the email....I was 10 yrs old when I first got to singa's and was
there for three years up to July of 69. Yes I remember the coke floats (or 7
up) at the pool and also the tomato ketchup on toast or the plates of chips....I
can also remember the playing fields behind the pool and that there was a bomb
shelter up by your house somewhere too which we all said was haunted by japanese
soldiers....
How old were you?
Did you used to go to the little beach over by the side of the dockyard by the
fence....we would find old second world war bullets washed up on the
beach....There was a bar just on the other side of the fence where my parents
would take me sometimes....
I have a photo somewhere of a crowd of us in the youth room at the dockyard
club..Its in England in a cupboard at my parents house, I currently live in NZ.
I went back to Singas in 2000 and I have a video of the dockyard pool as it is
now..run by the yanks...and of the dockyard club (in disrepair)and of the black
and white houses around the area. The gates at Sembawang have long gone but I
got a shot of where they used to be...I promised Tom that I would get it put
into digital format this year and upload it to the site if possible....I'm not
that computer literate yet !
Regards for the new year
Derek
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
22 December 2005
Topic: singapore naval base 1960's
Comments: Hello Derek
I'm glad you enjoyed the memories stirred by the photo's , as you say with the
difference in our tour dates in singapore, we probably wouldn't have known each
other, but obviously have shared memories of places %26 events.
My father was in the C.C Department, and he is still staggering on and is a very
useful source for naming names in photographs, the crazy dockyardies at "oggie
night" being a case in point, as my dad was one of them!
Some time in the new year i have promised Tom O'Brien some more pictures, when i
can persuade my slide scanner to communicate with my computer, brilliant
technology, lousy microsoft software!!
All the best for christmas, and with a DOCKYARD SWIMMING POOL COKE FLOAT IN HAND
( REMEMBER THE ICE CREAM IN A GLASS OF COCA COLA?) YAM SING
LOUIS WATKINS
E-mail: @lou@hovercam.com
12 December 2005
Topic: Thanks for the photos
Comments: To Lou Watkins.
Thanks Lou for the photos....I was there at the same time (roughly) 66 - 69 and
was part of a large crowd of us Dockyard kids who hung out at the pool most of
the time...I do not remember you as such but would like to email to swap stories
and memories....you can email me anytime
Yam sing!
Derek
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
23 November 2005
Topic: Sembawang dockyard
Comments: Hi All, I was in Singa's 66 - 69 Royal Naval school and Bourne. I
went back in 2000 and made a video but that was lost for a while...i have since
found it again and want to get it to digital. I have shots of the Dockyard club
(now derelict)...the swimming pool...sembawang gates as it is now....Orchard
road....I promise that I will get it fixed up into digital in the new year and
try to post some of it....great times I look back with many warm memories.
E-mail: @dcsimons2000@yahoo.co.uk
29 October 2005
Topic: Alexandra Schools
Comments: Following my original post, I have located a 1955 Ordnance Survey map
showing all the school and barracks buildings in the Gillman area. An up-to-date
satellite picture of the same area from Google Earth shows how it looks now. I
have produced a combined image showing the old roads and buildings superimposed
on the current sites, and it is surprising how much has been obliterated. The
original location of the Alexandra Junior school is clearly shown. I would very
much like to see a photo of this building (NOT the later buildings on the other
site) if anyone has one.
Unfortunately I cannot post the maps for copyright reasons but if anyone has any
queries about them I may be able to help.
If you want to see what the area (or any other part of Singapore) looks like now
I can thoroughly recommend Google Earth. The pictures are amazingly detailed and
you can see every house and tree.
E-mail: @richard.greenleaf@hotmail.com
14 October 2005
Topic: RAF Changi Junior School
Comments: Try Friends Reunited - RAF Changi Junior or Primary school - my
brother was there in 1963 and has found lots of people.....
I have seen the site and there are lots of school photos - class photos as well
Search under UK Overseas - or just Changi
Chinge Sec Mod and Grammar School are also there
E-mail: @nickymanning@hotmail.com
09 October 2005
Topic: Bourne site 2005
Comments: Hi Richard. I was at Bourne from 68 till 69, then on to St John's. I
have walked the site with those photos at hand but was unable to get my
bearings. I am convinced a lot of the buildings are still there. I took a load
of photos but the resolution was too high for most websites. I am back in spore
in 2 weeks time and will do the photos again for posting. I have found a taxi
driver who is a mine of info as he knew all the schools and the area. Will try
and get as much info as possible and will post it on the site. I am a British
Airways Captain now so get to singers all the time.
Cheers Mick Crossey
E-mail: @mickcrossey@hotmail.com
09 October 2005
Topic: Bourne
Comments: Do any of you remember a 12 year old (me) being driven to Bourne by
chauffeur. I'm not joking, back then Dad was retired from the Army. He was
working in Singapore for an American Company and my being British wanted to stay
with the British school system, so Dad's driver took me to school. I think the
year was 1962 or 1963. We originally lived in Singapore 1956-59. We sailed
there from England on the "Oxfordshire". The first time living there Dad was a
Major in the RASC. Me being born in 1952, I remember school as being
kinderarten taught by my Mom at the Officers Quarters (don't know where). My
sister Carol has many photo's of our time there. She however lives many miles
away. I live in British Columbia and she lives in Ontario (Canada).
If only I could remember more. It's from the photo's that memories return. I
can't believe the change alley that I recall as a kid is now a shopping mall!!
I wear a Rolex watch that Dad bought in 1957. The story is that he bought it at
Changi. It took six months of haggling before the owner and Dad came to an
agreement. I wear it every day, with fond memories. However I don't know what
what will become of it as my wife and I do not have any children.
Cheers for now
Clive
E-mail: @t.chammond@shaw.ca
06 October 2005
Topic: 1964-66
Comments: Hi
I lived in Changi '64-66 and attended Changi Junior School. Not totally sure of
the name of where I lived - think it was the Opera Estate - opposite the jungle
and next to a swamp. Any photos or memories of this time would be most
appreciated.
Thanks,
Denise
E-mail: @smurlit@yahoo.co.uk
05 October 2005
Topic: RAF Changi Junior School
Comments: I was a teacher at RAF Changi Junior School from 1967 to 1970. I have
not been able to find a web site which gives any details or photographs. Does
anyone know of one? I would also be very interested to make contact with anyone
who was there from 1967 to 1971.
Many thanks,
Brian Betts
E-mail: @brianabetts@aol.com
03 October 2005
Topic: Alexandra Junior
Comments: Well no-one has used this forum yet so I thought I would start it off.
I was at Alexandra Junior from 1955-58 and had two older brothers at Alex
Secondary Modern at the same time. Recently I have been looking at this
excellent web site, and others which have pictures of the schools, trying to
assemble a plan of how they were situated on the hill above Malan Road. They
have of course all been demolished now.
What surprises me is how many buildings there were including the Infants,
Junior, Secondary Modern and Grammar. Even though there are a couple of aerial
pictures I can't relate them all. Also I have very clear memories of the Junior
school and of walking to/from the parade ground where the buses were parked. The
Junior school was situated behind the camera which took the picture "School
Buses 2" on Maurice Hann's page, and I remember this view so well. Yet none of
the pictures which are said to be of the Junior school block seem to match with
my memory, and it seems that there must have been more than one Junior block.
The picture which best corresponds with my memory is "School Sign" which shows
the later Bourne Secondary School. This looks very like the entrance to the
Junior that I went to. So my questions are:
- Is it possible that when schools changed to Bourne, the Alexandra Junior block
became part of the Bourne Secondary?
- Does anyone have a site plan or area map showing all of the school buildings?
I would be very glad to hear any comments,
