Metadata

Synopsis

Interviewee’s family background. Came from southern part of England. Brought up in Hastings. In 1953, his father was posted to Singapore for two and a half years. Description of the voyage taken by interviewee and his mother. Birth of his younger sister in Alexandra Hospital. Initial residing location along Meyer Road in Tanjong Katong area. Attended a junior school in Royal Air Force (RAF) Seletar. Mode of transport to school. His family’s move to Seletar Base and their residing area at Hyde Park Gate. Description of the bungalow. His swimming experience in Seletar. His swimming lessons at the Singapore Swimming Club. Life in England before he came to Singapore. Why life was easier in Singapore. Job scope of his ‘Ah Mah’ (domestic helper). His father’s job scope as an engineering officer. Why he chose navy as a career and how his journeys as a child on troop ships had impacted on his career decision. His job scope in the navy. How he joined RAF Seletar Association. Places he visited in Singapore as a child, including the Botanic Gardens and Haw Par Villa. Description of his ‘Ah Mah’.

The junior school at Seletar. Description of the school uniforms for boys and girls. School’s curriculum hours. Why he thought that the flavoured milk found in Singapore was special. His involvement as a boy scout. Differences in school hours between schools in England and Singapore. Description of his school when he saw it in 2007 and 2009. Number of students in a class and their ages. Subjects studied. Subjects that he liked and disliked. Nationality of the school teachers. Brief description of the school compound and its usage. His impression of Singapore as a boy and during his visit in 2009.

Description of the rented apartment in Tanjong Pagar. Singapore River in the past and present. Description of his home in Hyde Park Gate. Rubber plantations around his home. What his mother liked about Singapore. His father’s job scope in RAF over the years. Brief mention of the housing rent. His memories of the Singapore Swimming Club. Recreational activities for the men. His visit to Cathay Cinema. Sanitation facilities in Seletar. His visit to Alexandra Hospital for eczema treatment. His childhood playmates and the types of games played. Annual reunions at RAF. Types of food eaten during his stay in Singapore from 1953 to 1955. Why his family members were mainly eating Chinese food. Description of the people within the RAF community in Singapore. Why there were armed guards on the train during his trip to Malacca. How his mother spent time in Singapore. Memories of the swimming pool in Seletar. Why he wanted to stay in Singapore. Why he felt special for having the opportunity to come to Singapore. His educational experiences in England. Jobs held by him. His subsequent visits to Singapore between 1965 to 2009.