Lessons of a Naval Base Son Becoming a City Grandfather

 Look out for His True Stories in Letters to His Grandson.

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MADE in HM NAVAL BASE

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My brother Mr Dharam Singh celebrated his 96 th birthday in his home in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada with his two sons and their families; his two younger brothers and their families; relatives, close friends, including former residents of HM Naval Base who emigrated to Canada.                But his story starts from Singapore on 9 th January 1927 where he was born and witnessed the trials and tribulations of the Second World War. Dharam Singh studied in Admiralty Asian School until Standard III. When he was 12 years old, he left school to accompany our parents to their birthplace Punjab, India, for a visit and to bring his elder brother who had been staying with his grandparents, back to Singapore. Unfortunately, the Second World War broke out and Dharam was forced to remain in Punjab.  However, my teenage brother was not going to idle his time and moved to Karachi- now Pakistan- to study tailoring under the tutelage of our uncle. Aft...
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    The story  of Subramanian  Rethinam Pillai   a young teenage  Shopkeeper turned Businessman and Publisher from Naval Base. If Jalan Kedai (Shop Street) was Dr Muthiar Singh’s Orchard Road of Naval Base , it was  “a one-stop-shop ‘under one roof’ for our Admin Wan Chan Peew. “Provisions and basic items were readily available, if not shopkeepers promised replenishments in their next restocking! Purchases could be on ‘credit.’   Purchases could be made on credit with all transactions detailed in iconic ‘555’ pocketbooks maintained by the shopkeeper, and sums owed were acknowledged by the customer. The buyer dutifully settled the outstanding amount on the following Friday, which coincided with the payday of the week. No cheats, no quarrels or disputes of any kind arising therefrom. This harmonious relationship fostered a relationship of unwavering trust and integrity between the shopkeeper and the customer,” added Peew. Manimegalai ...
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THE BASE SOCCER 'NUTS'

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