Lingering Memories of Life in Naval Base

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 Navy bus. Basic amenities, such as water and electricity for lighting (including light bulbs) were free of charge and power was charged at a minimal rate and also they pay a  low rental of $8/= per week for accommodation.

 Incidentally, we were the last family to have vacated our flat in Naval Base and this was during the third quarter of 1985!

Canberra, Mata, Rotterdam and Sembawang Gates were guarded round the clock, all year long, giving us maximum security and protection at all times. If any relatives or friends (non-residents) wanted to visit us, we had to sponsor them at the Canberra Gate personally with valid reasons and proper identification which was our Naval Base Pass (issued to all from the age of 12 years).

 My Grandfather

In writing this story I must pay tribute to one great gentleman in my life, my grandfather, Mr Poravankara Narayanan Nair. Being his first grandson did not mean that I was spared the punishment if I was deemed mischievous. He was a very strict man and punctuality in everything was of utmost importance to him and this where I got into a lot of trouble.

After school, I would grab a quick lunch and then it was time for playing either football, hockey or even badminton until 4 pm, when a loud siren would go off. This was a signal that the ‘Boss” was returning home soon and I would have about 10 to 15 minutes to quickly freshen up and get down to doing my assigned homework. Muthacha (grandfather in Malayalam) had groomed me to what I am today but my greatest regret is that I was not able to fulfill his wish of seeing me, his first grandson, being married off.

 Community

Neighbourliness in the Naval Base was so unbelievable and this was especially so when, we, children played the ‘police and thief’ game. We could just run into any of our neighbor’s flat to seek cover or to escape from the ‘police’.  Surprisingly, we were never reprimanded or scolded by any of our neighbor’s. Naval Base community was predominantly made of Tamils, Punjabis, Malayalees, Chinese, Pakistanis, Malays and the Eurasians. This true ‘Naval Basian’ community spirit was often reflected when neighbour’s and friends rally together to assist each other during difficult times, be it with financial or emotional problems.

 Shopping

There were no fast food restaurants or shopping centres then.  Oops! We had one called the Canberra Shopping Centre, better known as the Bhai (elder brother) Shop. It consisted of 4 shops and a small tidbit stall at the corner. It was very popular with school going kids as they had to pass that stall to get to school.

Jalan Kedai, off Canberra Road, was a long stretch of road, approximately 200 meters long and it was nestled with many shops. These include sundry stores, bakeries, flour mills, eateries/restaurants, make-shift mini wet market, barber, laundry, tailoring shops and the Canberra Theatre at the end of the road.

Our mothers, also known as Queen of the household/kitchen, would prepare their lists of provisions and these would be sent to their desired stores for purchase. Deliveries would take place in about a day or two but only partial payment needed to be settled first. The balance amount could be paid when our fathers received their weekly Dockyard wages.

Foodfare

Within the four gates of the Naval Base, residents were treated to an array of appetizing food items from the various ethnic communities. The Chinese hawkers would pedal their mobile food stalls balanced on a bamboo pole on their shoulders. They served piping hot meals like noodles, chee cheong fun, cut fruit rojak and so on. Malay peddlers typically sold fruits and flame grilled meat sticks (lamb/chicken satay). Indians peddled their colorful sweet meats such as laddu, jalebi, sooji biscuit, cakes, jellies and many others. Last but not least was the Fish ‘N’ Chips where this hawker trades his kitchen in a pick up vehicle and the top and both sides of the van is covered with canvas. It is at the back covered space of the pick up where this hawker fry's out juicy fish and potato wedges. The hawkers/peddlers were generous people as they would give out extra helpings for beyond what was paid, without compromising the taste of food.

Two food items that needed special mention were:

1.      Laksa sold at Block 47 Delhi Road: The serious looking lady food-seller would dish out a very unique flavoured laksa with tau pok for only 10 cents and the gravy was something out of this world. During school holidays, her business would expand by two to three-folds. This was because whatever sport or games we played, there was betting amongst us. The loser or his team had to buy laksa for the rest. She can be unsmiling but she had a generous heart in giving out extra for what we paid and her stall was always very neat and clean.

     2.        The other was the authentic Kerala food spread. Their fish curry, cooked with ground raw coconut, had a distinctive flavour and it was served with parboiled rice and a variety of vegetables. As a matter of fact, all their dishes were so salivating tasty. The dockyard workers, predominantly Malayalees, lived in 1-room flats and they had this mess/canteen below their blocks to serve their needs. All meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner were always freshly cooked and served. When this community celebrated their Onam (harvest festival), free vegetarian meals were served on banana leaves with some 18 items complete with payasam (dessert) and bananas. All ‘Naval Basians’, regardless of race or religion would testify to enjoying this meal.

 Festival Celebrations

The true ‘Naval Basians’ spirits were again demonstrated during their ethnic festival celebrations.  Most of the housewives would volunteer to help out their immediate neighbours with baking cakes or preparing sweetmeats. Usually, not only would they jointly foot the expenses but also sat across the charcoal fires and tirelessly work to get the food items ready for the big day.  The food items would then be distributed to all neighbours.

Be it Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas, Deepavali or Onam, celebration was done with pomp and grandeur as the ethnic groups staged skits, dramas and other show items to usher in the festival mood. The celebrations could go on for a week at our very own Padang in Madras Road.

Reminiscing my life in the Naval Base is something so etched in my memory and I can strongly vouch that if the ‘Naval Basians’ were given a chance, they would all want to go back to that era of living.

 

Copyright of Sajeev Kurup: Edited by Ambika Raghavan