Block2Blog

  Faithful ‘Navalite’ Pledges Loyalty to Nation 2021 is a memorable year for ‘Navalites’ as it marks the 50th Anniversary of the British withdrawal from Singapore. It was also momentous as the nation marked its 56 th Year of Independence on 9 th August. However due to the insidious Covid pandemic, ceremonies to mark the occasion had to be moved to 21 st August instead which incidentally coincided with Onam, an auspicious day for the Malayalee community. For ‘Navalite’ and Keralite Sajeev Kurup and his lovely wife Rema, 21 August was an unforgettable day   as they were unexpectedly invited by a volunteer group, " Families for Life " to recite Singapore’s National Pledge.  It was a proud moment indeed for Sajeev who recalls, “Singapore's 56th Year of Independence marks a milestone in my life. Taking centre-stage, while facing numerous spectators and knowing that hundreds of thousands are watching the live telecast in the comfort of their homes, we recited the ...

The Naval Base H. M. Naval Base, an enclosed protected area of the British was situated at Sembawang, the northern most tip of Singapore . This was where I grew up and spent my childhood days in a truly rural and harmonious society. Memories of those carefree, happy days bring back a lot of joy as we lived without any worries then.     I was living in Block 9, Room 8, Delhi Road and it was a typical Colonial-styled small corner flat with a living room, 2 bedrooms, a kitchen and a detached toilet outside the flat. The corner unit had a verandah and a recess area at the side which was later converted into another room. The verandah used to be draped with bamboo chicks.   The people who resided in the Naval Base were so lucky as they were given free medical and hospital incentives. If they were referred to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for dental or specialist consultations, then transport would be provided for the residents to and fro via the Royal Na...

(contd) .....Part 2, with Mike Anpalagam's previous article   T he outdoors with its’ open fields, undulating landscape, hillocks, bushes, trees, ponds and air raid shelters created boundless opportunities for adventure for children in the Naval Base.   As a growing child, I took advantage of these natural offerings, spending most of my time outdoors with friends unlike many children of today who tend to prefer staying indoors playing electronic games.   Whereas we couldn’t afford to buy toys so we made our own, like wooden pistols, and even wheel barrows. Lights! Camera! Action! There were many air raid shelters scattered in the grounds of the Naval Base such as the one located near Blocks 5 and 7 where we explored the deep underground shelters descending three levels before reaching the base of the air raid shelters. They were so long that we called them tunnels. Since they were sound proof we felt it would make an ideal ‘movie studio’. So we played out some of th...

    A free spirit stopped from visiting his birth-place. I have many sad and fond memories of Naval Base.   My first joyous Christmas is probably my most unforgettable and takes me back to the twin trees soaring high on Canberra Pandang.   I lived across the field in Block 7 Room 8 Kowloon Road, where I was born in 1957. The thin leaves of a fir tree were covered with colorful lights.   I was a child sitting under the tree gazing at the twinkling lights . ‘Twas rainy December when nights are usually dark and skies aren’t starry and I wondered if the stars had descended on the brightly decorated tree. As I watched the dazzling lights my mind began replaying: Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are Up above the world so high Like a diamond in the sky Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are It was a special feeling for a child, sitting in the country side under the moonlight in the open field lined with swaying palms exp...

                                                                The Naval Base I Knew (1941-72) The need, building and history of Naval Base (NB) at the northern tip of Singapore is well known, and can easily be accessed on Wikipedia, Infopedia etc. My take is more on my own life there from 1941 to 72, as a child, teen and adult, as well as its infrastructure. This section will interest the younger Sembawangites born after 1970s to know about the bygone days of the former NB, as it was closed in 1968, and gradually taken over by Sembawang Shipyard in 1972. The NB was opened in 1938, and its main functions were Naval defence, supply, and repair of the Far East Naval fleet. I will discuss: Structure, security, supply, repair, accommodation for staff, utilities, shops and entertainment etc. It was to be a completely self-suf...

  As we mark Singapore’s 56th Year of Independence a young man making his mark as Naval Base’ FIRST Doctor was celebrating the PAPs FIRST election victory 62 years ago. Read Hi Story When Singapore held its’ FIRST General Elections on 30 May 1959, the PAP romped- in with resounding success, winning 43 of the 51 seats. In Sembawang there was a move to form a  Loyalty Committee  to celebrate, the landslide victory.   Each organization was asked to send a representative and I represented Seletar Football Club. On the actual day of celebrations the newly- appointed Minister of Health, and Member of Parliament for Sembawang Mr Ahmad Ibrahim (a former firefighter at the Naval Base Fire Brigade) officiated at the function. He is seen in   picture sitting third from left. I had come from my University College of residence, at College Road, General Hospital, and after a meal with him, he kindly offered to send me ‘home’ in his minister's car...