The Singapore Volunteers Corps Post-war
John Evans recalls....
I arrived in Singapore in August 1952. I had thought of joining the RNVR at my Naval brothers suggestion, but was telephoned by the Singapore Volunteer Corps Adjudant,Frank Jones, who said the Commandant would like to see me. Colonel Hutchinson welcomed me warmly, and said he was pleased to hear that I wanted to join the Volunteers!
I met the GOC Singapore District in early September,who likened Anti Aircraft Artillery to shooting driven partridge, and I was commissioned. As I had already joined the Cricket Club, and was playing rugby for one of the Club sides,my "leisure" time was fully occupied.
The Singapore Volunteer Corps, founded in 1854,was an all Arms Unit: Infantry, two Artillery Batteries [AA and Coast], Engineers,Signals and Service Corps.Later the Armoured Car Squadron was revived with help from friends in the 11th Hussars who found us some old cars.
The Gunners trained on Tuesday and Thursday nights and one weekend a month. We also spent 2 weeks a year at camp,in Johore with the regular RA Regiment who lived on Blakang Mati. All units trained on Thursdays and we had drinks at the Mess afterwards.
We had alot of fun: we had all races involved and even several lady officers, who were somehow part of the Coast Battery headed rather than commanded by Leslie Rayner and TW Ong, both leading lawyers, the latter a member of Legco.
In 1954, with the introduction of National Service, the Singapore Volunteer Corps expanded, with a new Commandant, Brigadier Percy Denman and more Regular Officers and instructors.Eventually this was the foundation of the Singapore Army. I was posted to Penang in 1956, and went on the Reserve as a Captain,and because of later moves to Hongkong and Japan, never served again.
Photos - any additional identities welcome.
I arrived in Singapore in August 1952. I had thought of joining the RNVR at my Naval brothers suggestion, but was telephoned by the Singapore Volunteer Corps Adjudant,Frank Jones, who said the Commandant would like to see me. Colonel Hutchinson welcomed me warmly, and said he was pleased to hear that I wanted to join the Volunteers!
I met the GOC Singapore District in early September,who likened Anti Aircraft Artillery to shooting driven partridge, and I was commissioned. As I had already joined the Cricket Club, and was playing rugby for one of the Club sides,my "leisure" time was fully occupied.
The Singapore Volunteer Corps, founded in 1854,was an all Arms Unit: Infantry, two Artillery Batteries [AA and Coast], Engineers,Signals and Service Corps.Later the Armoured Car Squadron was revived with help from friends in the 11th Hussars who found us some old cars.
The Gunners trained on Tuesday and Thursday nights and one weekend a month. We also spent 2 weeks a year at camp,in Johore with the regular RA Regiment who lived on Blakang Mati. All units trained on Thursdays and we had drinks at the Mess afterwards.
We had alot of fun: we had all races involved and even several lady officers, who were somehow part of the Coast Battery headed rather than commanded by Leslie Rayner and TW Ong, both leading lawyers, the latter a member of Legco.
In 1954, with the introduction of National Service, the Singapore Volunteer Corps expanded, with a new Commandant, Brigadier Percy Denman and more Regular Officers and instructors.Eventually this was the foundation of the Singapore Army. I was posted to Penang in 1956, and went on the Reserve as a Captain,and because of later moves to Hongkong and Japan, never served again.
Photos - any additional identities welcome.
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Officers of the SVC c.1953
Front Row: Ex WAC Colonel, Jimmy Allen, T.W. Ong, Keith Gregory, R.W. Fairlamb, RSM, Frank Jones [Adjutant], John Rae [Senior Volunteer], Major General O'Carroll Scott [GOC Singapore District], Colonel Hutchinson [Commandant], ? , ADC, Tony Oscroft [Gunnery Training Officer], ? , Philip Holt, Leslie Rayner, ? Middle Row: ? . ? . ? , ?, John Thong, M.O., ? , Brian Ford, Ian Johnson, Mohd Anwar, ? , ? , Henry Velge, Alastair Mackenzie MC, ? , ? Back Row: ? , Charles Barr Sim, Pat Given, John Evans, Dick Lewis, James Stiven, ? , Bill Moseley, Eric Stokes, ? , Tom Campbell, ? |
Centenary Party 1954
l. to r. Mr & Mrs Hudson [Dunlop/ex Volunteer], Nick Dale RNVR [Ben Line], John Evans [Paterson Simons], Charles Barr Sim [Ben Line], James Stiven [MacLaine Watson]. |
Officers l. to r. Capt. Mohd Anwar, Lts Eric Stokes, Dick Lewis, Bill Moseley, John Evans. In front, Major R.W. Fairlamb.
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The 3 photos below are courtesy of John Evans.
Centenary Parade 1954. Governor Sir John Nichol
takes the salute.
To his left John Rae & in ADC role, John Evans.
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Centenary Parade on the Padang.
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Centenary Parade: Colours carried by T. Campbell & J. Stiven. In the background, St Andrew's Cathedral.
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