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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.
​
Picture
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, ?
Picture
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].
Picture
Officers l. to r. Capt. Mohd Anwar, Lts Eric Stokes, Dick Lewis, Bill Moseley, John Evans. In front, Major R.W. Fairlamb.

​The 3 photos below are courtesy of John Evans.
Picture
Centenary Parade 1954. Governor Sir John Nichol takes the salute. To his left John Rae & in ADC role, John Evans.
Picture
Centenary Parade on the Padang.
Picture
Centenary Parade: Colours carried by T. Campbell & J. Stiven. In the background, St Andrew's Cathedral.
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  • Home
  • Newsletters
  • History
  • Picture Gallery
    • Ann Evans Family Members
    • Arundel Castle
    • Banda Hilir School & Pringgit Hill, Malacca
    • Evacuation Ship Orion Notebook 1941-42
    • John Lindsay Gray Collection
    • Kuala Lumpur November 2008
    • Kuala Selangor Memorial
    • Malacca Volunteers Memorials
    • National Memorial Arboretum
    • Memorial Board Changi Museum
    • Miscellaneous & Historic Photos
    • MVG London Lunches
    • National Archive Documents
    • Presentation of Plaques - 4th May 2009
    • VJ Day - 15th August
    • Remembrance Sunday
    • Singapore Today
    • Ian Johnstone's Father
    • Eric Bayn
    • Artwork from the Thailand-Burma Railway
  • Volunteer Forces Summary
    • Armoured Cars
    • Malayan Volunteer Air Force
  • Singapore Evacuation Ships
  • Achievements & Future Plans
  • Enquiries
    • Enquiries 2019
    • Enquiries 2016
    • Enquiries 2015
    • Enquiries 2014
  • Evacuees
  • Sumatra
  • Stories
    • The Rainbow through the Rain by Geoffrey Mowat
    • The Long Road Home
    • The Singapore Volunteers Corps Post-war
    • Davy Anderson's Story
    • Jacqueline Caldwell's Story
    • The Story of the Tanjong Pinang
    • Patricia Giudice's Story
    • Changi Child
    • Malayan Civil Service by Anne Hinam
    • Evacuation on the SS 'Narkunda' by Alison Williams
    • A Redemptorist Priest ​in Captivity
  • V-J Day Services
  • Links
  • Contacts & Membership