NATIONAL SERVICE 24-12-73

Silent Farewell

It was early in the morning of 24th Dec 1973, mother had prepared breakfast of coffee and bread for me. It was still pitch dark outside my kampong house. I slung my bag over the shoulder with all the necessary items I had packed the previous night. I was going away for 3 weeks from home. Till this day, I will never forget my mother squatting by our washing area next to our kitchen. She was crying silently as I walked off. She did not want me to know and I pretended not to notice her and we both said nothing. I didn’t wish to aggravate her grief any further.

'Passage of Manhood'

Seat on the bus on this cool December morning to CMPB, I started to feel excited and began looking forward to start the “Passage of Manhood”. The seniors I knew were always bragging about their units and all the exciting exploits. I just couldn’t wait to find out which unit will I be posted to. Would I have the same excitement and adventures I heard so frequently, I asked myself?

Awaiting posting

We assembled at CMPB camp at Tanglin. There we were packed onto 3-tonners. There were some familiar faces from RI. We were met by officers wearing the beige Navy uniform. Instantly we knew we were headed for the Navy. The Navy was never a part of NS as all navy personnel was “sign-on”. Straight away excitement led to anxiety and disappointment. I knew all naval officers were trained overseas, so there goes my chance of becoming an officer, I thought. Sense of sadness gripped me as the army trucks took us to Sembawang Naval Base, where the School of Naval Training was located.


I was still wondering and puzzled why on earth I was selected for the navy. This must definitely be a new scheme. Only time will tell.

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P.S. I will be taking 2 weeks break from blogging.



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SYDNEY, AIR CADET AWARD

Trip to Sydney

In January 1973 (Pre U 2), I was awarded the prestigious International Air Cadet Exchange to Australia. It was 3 weeks fully paid tour. Each year, 2 teachers and 2 students were chosen from Singapore. I worked very hard and made many sacrifices for NCC(AIR) and was thrilled and delighted that I have been selected for this exchange after a few rounds of interviews.

My dad was really excited and a bit worried. He bought me luggage and arranged for all my transports. He accompanied me to airport and must have been a very happy father that day.

With my parents at Tengah Airbase.

Flight on Hercules C130

My father hired a private car to send me to Tengah Air Base. I was dressed in special light brown uniform with Singapore insignias. The uniform was really smart. We boarded the C130 Hercules for the 7 hours journey to Darwin. The Hercules made a refuelling stop overnight at Darwin. Next day the flight continued on a 6 hours journey to Sydney. The transport plane landed at Richmond Airbase of RAAF.

We were warmly welcomed by LTA Keith, our facilitator for the entire trip. We were accommodated in the visitors’ section of the RAAF Officer Mess, the set up similar to a posh hotel. For the first time as an 18 year old, I saw and experienced how an English officer lived and dined. In the mess, they were always served like VIPs. During all meals, I was completely drown and confused by the cutlery and table wares. I had seen it on movies and thought it was surreal, and it was life befitting the royals.

Sydney Tour

We visited most of the interesting landmarks in Sydney like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. We also had a boat cruise around Sydney Darling Harbour. Sydney will always have special place in my heart. We also visited the Tarongo Zoo. We visited some Australia Air Cadets Training school a couple of times. We also had an air ride from Bankstown on a Cessna and had an aerial tour. That day, the weather was really turbulent and I was airsick. After landing, I quietly went to the toilet to puke.

Our facilitator LTA Keith, with the 2 teachers on the left

Taken to a bar

One night, I chatted up with one young officer and he invited me to join him for a drive to city. I followed but end up in famous Sydney King Cross district littered with kinky bars and pubs. He invited me to join him for a drink. The bar was loud with music. I had a coke but felt very uncomfortable and just couldn’t fit myself in. I was still idealistic and could not justify this unintended escapade and was terrified of getting into trouble. After much contemplation, I excused myself and went back by taxi to the base. Looking back, what a silly boy I was, I should have stayed and enjoyed the night.

Canberra Tour

Our tour also took us to Canberra were we toured the majestic Parliament House with its beautifully manicured garden and fountains. Facing this parliament house is the Australian Museum which I visited too. A special treat for us was the helicopter ride to Australia highest mountain, Mt Kosciusko. The chopper landed near the top of this mountain and I had some photo shooting opportunity. Then we also had a spectacular aerial view of the Snowy Mountain.

Canberra and the museum

Parents Pride

This trip was truly meaningful and memorable. Firstly, it was recognition for my service and hard work. Personally it’s a scoreboard of my performance, the ability to win this award amidst the field of very strong contenders. Most important of all it gave my parents tremendous pride seeing their son winning this award. For parents like mine that came from humble background this was certainly an achievement for them. They had an opportunity to proudly announce to friends and relatives. In those days, going overseas was big deal!!!

The trip gave me lots of insights and many firsts. First time going overseas, flew Hercules, helicopter, Qantas B707, living in Officer Mess, wondered into a bar. The new experiences were just overwhelming for 18 years old.

On the return journey, we flew home by commercial aeroplane flown by Qantas. My dad arranged a private car to fetch me from Paya Lebar Airport.

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MANAGING NCC(AIR)

My seniors

I remembered many seniors. They were very committed and responsible. They displayed great organisational and leadership skills. Some notable seniors from NCC are Lim Hng Kiang and Richard Ee. Of course, outside the classroom, there were other senior Rafflesians which were very charismatic and outstanding that most juniors loved to emulate. Positive peer influence and learning was a great part of education for most of us. Those were the hidden treasures many RI boys experienced as they journeyed through RI

Taking over from the seniors

By precedent and tradition, we inherited the leadership from our seniors when we came to Pre U 1. They retired mid year to concentrate on the ‘A” level exam. 5 of my cohorts were selected for a 3 week cadet officer training. We were housed at Maju Camp. I remembered the round the island topography march. It was truly a memorable, enjoyable and fulfilling chapter of my life in NCC(AIR). At the end of training, I was commissioned as a Cadet Lieutenant. This meant I wore a diamond on my shoulder and all rank below me must give me a customary salute. It did make me feel proud and important. Of course we were to assume greater responsibility and leadership role both at RI NCC(AIR) unit as well as to take up assignment at the centralised ATC at Dempsey Road Camp. (Photo of passing out parade. me in the centre)

At Passing Out ceremony, together with school mates from Land, Sea and Girls.

Leadership

NCC(AIR) has memberships of over 100. Leadership at the top was manned by 5 cadet lieutenants. At the top was OC, 2IC and follow by Training Officer with 2 Platoon Commanders. I was the Training Officer responsible for planning and coordinating all training matters for year 1 to 3 cadets. It was very time consuming job but I enjoyed every minutes of it. I spent the entire afternoon at our office. So much so that I remembered I was like a part time student, often missing out homework and studies. Without doubt, my academics result was poor. In RI, Pre U 1 was considered a honeymoon year.



That's me dismissing the parade.

Visitor Air Cadets from other countries



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MY CCA NCC(AIR)

Joining NCC(AIR)

I have settled down very well in RI. I didn’t have any real friends but plenty of playmates. In sec 2, I joined NCC(Air). That was the turning point in my school life. My friends will eventually come from this group. The activities soon add meaning to my life. It was here I learned about leadership, responsibility and interpersonal skill. When one spoke of character building and nurturing values, then this must undoubtedly be my foundation years. I owed many of my successful pursuit in life such as becoming an officer during national service and later my successful career in aviation to this early stage of character building.

As recruit, 9th from right. Sec 2 (1969)

Air cadet training

The first year consists of basic military training like marching, arm training on the heavy Mark 4 rifle. It’s all about discipline. We looked smart in our properly ironed cotton army uniform. My boots shined like mirror. We attended technical training in aviation subjects in a centralised Air Training Centre located at Kolam Ayer.


1970, Sec 3, 2nd Row, 6th from right

1971 Sec 4. Front Row, 6th from right

The second year was similar, except we had more activities like drill competition, aero modelling competition, air rifle shoots and some outdoor camps. I was promoted to Lance Corporal. For vocational training, we went to Seletar Camp. There we were taught aeroengines, theory of flight, meteorology as well as air law.

Camp at McRitchie Reservoir. 1970 (sec 3) 6 packs or ribs?

Taking Charge

The third year, I became corporal and began to take charge of new recruits. The Air Training Centre had also shifted to CMPB in Tanglin Road. I spent more time on the parade square teaching drill to the younger cadets. We also took charge of organising camps, competitions and even hiking with girl guides from St Joseph Convent. By the end of the year, I was promoted as sergeant.

Camp in Seletar. 1971 Teaching the juniors

Topo March with St Joseph Guides. 1971

Famous Five of NCC(AIR) 1971 (Sec 4)

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6 YEARS IN RI

Streaming

At the end of secondary two, I was streamed into science class. I took physics, chemistry and 2 maths. I still had to take English, Chinese, literature and geography. I was in sec 3E. We were housed in the Annexe Building. The classroom was on the first floor. On the ground floor were all the science laboratories. Behind this building was another tuck shop. I started to enjoy school life as I was very comfortable with school routines and well as I had my cirlce of friends.

Important school games

Whenever RI played any game especially rugby and football in national school final, the entire afternoon session will be dismissed early and the entire school will go and support our teams. There were times we marched from school to PA ground along Nicoll Highway to cheer our rugby team against the "Saint". The rugby "Otega Cup" was always the most exciting. We would cheered until our throats turned course. Any other games played on RI ground always attracted plenty of supporters.

O Level

I moved to Sec 4D. This was a very important year for me. Examinations fever caught up sometimes in the middle of the years. To remain in RI, we need good results as we had to compete with student from all over Singapore for places in Pre U 1. I loved my life in RI and was not willing to loose it. So I worked very hard. I did very well for my preliminary exam and secured a place in RI for my Pre-U. But when the actual ‘O’ level results was released, my result was mediocre. Nevertheless the result was good enough to remain in RI.

End of formal education

Getting through the ‘O’ level examination was a great relief for me. I was worried about my father’s health the last few years. By then, if something did happen to my father, making him incapable of supporting me anymore, I could at least find a job and study part time. Now that I have a chance to continue with pre-u education, it was definitely a bonus. It was to be another 2 years of fun. I was focused on making the best out of my Pre U life. I knew I wasn’t good enough to secure a scholarship and deep in my heart, I knew after my pre-u, I have to be on my own. My father had limited means to put me through university. He had struggled throughout his entire life and I don’t wish to impose any more burdens on him. He was almost 70 then. Because of this, I wasn’t really motivated to excel in my study. Instead, I spend more time on ECA and enjoyed school life.

PRE U CLASSMATES 1972/73

Moving to New Premise at Grange Road

In 1972, I moved to the newly constructed RI at Grange Road. It was the first school that have squash courts, red bitumen running track with gallery like a stadium. Of course, we were all very excited to move to our new dream school, especially after spending four years at the old, almost dilapidated building.

Proud Moment

RI celebrated the 150th Anniversary in 1973. A big parade that included all the uniforms groups was organised. I had the honour to be the NCC (AIR) contingent commander. That gave me the privilege to march my contingent past the guest of honour, and gave the customary military salute. I felt very proud that day.

150th Founder's Day. Me leading the Air Contingent

End of School Life

We took the ‘A’ level examinations in November. I just passed. To me my formal education was considered over. I was really relief that finally, I have removed the burden off my father’s shoulder. I wasn’t sad but was optimistic and happy that finally I can be independent. In December 24 1973, I was drafted to do national service. I was selected by the Navy. Just like my first day in secondary school, my first day in the Navy was a start of a new chapter for me. It’s entering another new world, far more challenging and exciting than the last as I had set my sight to be an officer in the SAF

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EERIE AND SCARY TRAIL HOME

Brother cycled me home

In my first year at RI, I was scared to walk home alone. By the time I disembarked from the bus, it was night. As mentioned on my earlier blog, I needed to walk through the pitch dark isolated stretch of walking trail. Without fail, my elder brother Bobby would be waiting for me at the community centre.

I sat on the bicycle bar between the steering handle and him. Without any lighting, with almost animal instincts, he cycled and meandered through the trail, avoiding potholes and stones while ignoring the pursuing dogs. The wheels rolled through, breaking the silence of the night with cracking sound of leaves and twigs on the trail. Inevitably, I could feel the warm breath over my head as he exerted energy riding up the slope. Definitely, I felt a sense of complete security. I needn’t have to think of the unimaginable.

He did this for my entire sec 1. By the time I was in sec 2, I had gained enough confidence and have learned to be fearless like him. Eventually I had to make my own way home.

Fear of the Supernatural

But when I was cycling alone on my own and in the dark, the eerie feeling sank in. The squeaky noises from the insects and movement of the trees and leaves, wild imagination invariably crept in. Inevitably the mind suddenly becomes obsessed with ghosts and the supernatural. Sometimes, I imagined white figure with long black hairs with tongue sticking out blocking my way and a dead body lying on the trail. Honestly, I was scared but just kept going till I saw the light from my house. I had no plan or strategy for such an encounter if it ever happen. I only hope it won’t.


Fear of the Mad Man and Mad Woman

Occasionally, the walking trail was used by two schizophrenics. One was young man in his 20s. He normally walked around with no shirt. He was tanned and tall with good built. But if you look at his face, the eyes were dazed and I found it very scary. He gave the impression he was ready to strangle you anytime. Whenever you walk past him, without fail you got goose pimples and chill, and the fear just flowed through your body. I was lucky not to encounter him at night.

There was another old lady. Apparently she lost her son and gone mad. Her wrinkled face and the gaze from her white eyes were terrifying. She would stop abruptly anywhere, talking to herself or just scold passer-bys, using language hard to understand. People said she was possessed. She always wore a white cloth over her head instead of a hat. She carried two baskets using a traditional bamboo pole over her shoulders. Her baskets were normally empty. My greatest fear was to encounter her at night on this trail. If it did, I would probably faint. However, I was very glad this nocturnal encounter did not happen.

The lesser fear would be encountering a robber along the way. I had this fear as my house was robbed when I was in P6. I can never forget the masked men with his bronze dagger guarding us while they ransacked my house.

As I grew older, I learned to adapt and overcome this lingering fear whenever I used this trail. At times it just creeps back but I had no choice; I need to live a normal life that necessitates me to come home late at night. I used this trail till I own a car in 1977, when I was 23 years old.



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WORRY AND UNCERTAINTY

Growing Up

In 1969, I was in sec 2. I was growing up physically and well as maturing mentally. All the boys around me too were going through puberty. We grew taller and our voices cracked. Somehow no one talk and discuss about puberty. So we let nature took its course. RI is a boy school and we had no chance to mix with the opposite sex. Invariably, I notice girls are different and somehow felt this strange sensation of uneasiness whenever eyes contacts were made. I would be abnormal if I say I weren’t interested in girls. Somehow I always managed to sneak a look and size up the girl. On the other hand, I too noticed girls looking at me or just staring at my school badge. Particularly a group of Malay girls get excited every time they saw me board the bus. I acted ignorant and kept my composure and remained focus on my study and never stray away from this priority. My parents always reminded me not to have girlfriends till I work. I kept those naughty thoughts away.

I cried at night

At home, I lived through a period of uncertainty, keeping most of my inner fears to myself. My father then was 64. He was worried about losing his $180 job. As he was a very responsible and far sighted man, this uncertainty must have stressed him tremendously. At night he became sick with insomnia and nausea. Normally occurring around midnight, he groaned in difficulties and vomited, most times he puked nothing. I have no clue what the cause was. I will stroke his back to sooth him. The frequent nightly vomiting was very unsettling and disturbing for me. It was painful for me to see him so sick and when I returned to my room, I often cried. I was helpless as I was very worried for his health and at the same time, terrified of the possibility of not finishing my secondary school.

Nobody ever knew about my tears. I had grown up always keeping my feeling deeply concealed. I won’t bother to share my feeling with anyone as I believe I myself will manage my own problem. In my hope, I just wanted to finish secondary school, and then I move on from there and relief his burden. Being an optimist, I assured myself such fear was unwarranted as help would be available. I had to be strong and move on. It was only many years later that I confirmed his nightly sickness was caused by severe anxiety and stress. Those symptoms mysteriously disappeared a few years later when my elder brother started working.


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RI. SCHOOL LIFE

Before class.

As the class progressed, I coped quite well. I got familiar with the daily routine of going to school. I always arrived about 45 minutes before class. This was to cater for missing the bus or it breaking down. More practical reason was to come early to play football with my classmates. We really enjoyed this activity before class. On one occasion I fell and slightly dislocated my elbow and need to be treated by the Red Cross. Of course I kept this injury from my parents as I feared being reprimanded. I just silently nursed my injury.

At times, I visited the library to borrow some books to read. Sometimes I wondered to sneak around the school compound and look at the activities of some uniform groups undergoing training. The scout group tended to have very exciting and adventurous activities. One that I always remembered was the canal crossing over the Stamford Canal by clinging under the rope. At times, I watched the gymnasts or badminton players trained. Watching the judokas training was also exciting. Occasionally, I observed the senior students conducting scientific experiments in the science laboratory.

Sec 3 (1970) Me last row 2nd from right

During class

The afternoon session started at 1 pm. The day ended at 6pm. with 30 minutes recess in between. We took 8 subjects in secondary 1 and 2. The syllabus was well diversified and we took subjects like literature and history besides the science and mathematics. I took Chinese as secondary language. Those days, there was no emphasis on the second language. You don’t need a pass to qualify for Pre-U and so many students conveniently ignored second language. In fact, it was of no shame to fail.

Soon I discovered it was very difficult to score a distinction for test or examination. You need to score 70% to get distinction in RI. My entire tests never get anywhere near. Only a few scored ’A’s. My examination and test results were always mediocre. At the end of the year, my mediocrity was confirmed. I was to go to 2E, which ranked 5th of the 8 classes. But at least my fear of getting kicked out of school was unwarranted.

Making friends

By nature, I am a very independent, accommodating and extremely helpful person. One the other hand, many have commented that I can be aloft, over confident and many times appeared to be arrogant. I am always positive and optimistic. However, caution tends to mostly precede my friendliness. I made conscientious effort to choose who I spend my time with and avoid those I think were not dependable and selfish.

Naturally, the group of Sembawang boys became my friends as we spend many hours together travelling to school. In class there were very few I could count on as friends. Rather they were just playmates spending time together kicking football. When I joined NCC(AIR), I made more friends that had more meaningful relationship. That was made possible as we were bonded by common activities and interest and spending the Saturday together during ECA.

ECA

As for ECA, now known as CCA, I joined the Red Cross but quitted after 2 months. Other then playing football before school, there wasn’t much activities outside the classroom during sec 1. I truly covet to be in the school sporting teams but I don’t possess the necessary sporting talents and skill needed to be accepted. So I took the opportunity to represent my class in all inter-class games.

In secondary 2, I joined NCC (AIR) and continued till I finished my pre-university. NCC(AIR) was my second life outside the classroom. Everything, friends and activities, were all anchored and centred on this ECA. So from sec 2 onwards, I became busy and lead a more meaningful school life.

Air Rifle shooting at RI air rifle range

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RI. FEARS AND INSECURITIES

New beginning

Call it first day blues. I was completely lost in the sea of new faces. I was hesitant and apprehensive while eagerly waiting for directions and instructions. Certainly, I don’t feel alone, my guts instinct told me the rest of my cohorts were in the same boat as me. My primary school mate Tamilselvam was in another class because he was taking Tamil language. My new classmates looked serious liked me. Some did look very smart, other seemed disoriented. I remembered the first few days were tensed for me.

Sec 1 (1968) Back row 2nd from left

My fear of getting kick out of RI

They realisation of being in a best secondary school soon dawned on me. RI traditionally selects the best students from all over Singapore, but here like many others, I felt completely undistinguished among my cohorts. I was just like any average kid. It wasn’t like in primary school where both teachers and schoolmates knew me well. Commonsense told me I was never going to be the best among the best. But I was fearful of being the worst. Only at the end of the year will my academics ranking be known. There was always this lingering fear that I got into RI by fluke and be thrown out at the end of the year.

Social Status

While in primary school, social background among students was rather similar although almost all were oblivious to this. In secondary school, I became more aware of my social backgrounds. Indeed I did sense the social backgrounds here were much diversified. No want ask and no want compare. Apparently, family background was taboo subject.

Uncomfortable about my background

Although I am not ashamed of my background, somehow I still found it very uncomfortable to tell my classmate that I was poor, living in a zinc house with no electricity and living on well water. My mum was a rubber tapper and my father was in his 60’s and working in the rubber estate. I knew it was wrong to harbour such thoughts, something which I shouldn’t, but just could not help it. It was the fear of being belittled and getting ignored. Nevertheless I never allow myself to be inferior because of my poverty. There is no room for self pity and I have abundance of pride and self-confidence to move on.

In primary school, we student were colour blind to race. Here in secondary school, we were blind to social status. RI prides itself on the principle of meritocracy and ensure that best prevails. Nothing stands in the way for this belief.

Living Normal

So for almost the entire years in RI, I found it very difficult to share and talk about my family life with any RI friends. Only in secondary 4 did I finally have the confidence to invite a few friends to visit my house for dinner. Otherwise I lived and behaved normally like any other kids. I get my daily allowance and had enough money to eat during recess. I still manage to save and never borrowed a single cent from anyone. Living within my means was a family value grilled into me by my parents. Like them I take tremendously pride in financial independence, never borrowed from anybody.

Worst than me

I take some comfort to know that a lot of my classmates were worst off then me. But I can empathise with their struggle and pains. It’s easy to tell just by looking at the holes and socks in their Chinese made shoes. Most of us wore cotton shirts and trousers. The richer classmates wore nylon. Using second hand textbooks, broken school bags, drinking tap water during recess or simply skipping recess were some indications of financial well being. Some had to walk more than 30 minutes to school. These were all signs of the challenges and hardships many of my school mates endured.

Old Values

The value system in my days was different from today. Then we count our money first before we spend. Now the children spend first and count later. Parents fetching children to school were almost nonexistent. Walking over 30 minutes was normal. No one bordered to comment on broken shoes or torn uniform. There was no need to make fashion statement by wearing branded goods. By the way, I knew nothing about brands. The word 'peer pressure' wasn't coined then.



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