This photo was taken on 16th October, 1965 at HMS Terror in Sembawang, Singapore. I'd have been just 4 years old at the time. In the middle of the picture, dressed as an Indian, is my brother, Alan. Beside him is Carol Webster who lived next door to us in Jalan Wijaya.
What's funny about this picture is that they came second but when they turned up at the event, they had no plans on entering whatsoever. However, they changed their minds and my mum and her friend, Barbara Webster, Carol's mother, quickly nipped over to the NAAFI shop and bought some crepe paper and made these outfits as fast as they could! I think that they did a good job.
I remember this day and I wanted Noddy and Big Ears to win but they came third. The winners were the two boys on the right who were dressed as locals.
I think this event has stayed fresh in my mind because of this photo and it's funny, I can't remember a thing about the rest of the day!
Hi Derek
ReplyDeleteTerror Camp, now Sembawang Camp, was where I did my Basic Military Training back in 1980 (we still have National Service in Singapore). Its lost a lot of its charm, but some of the old structures are still there. The old black and white houses around Canberra road are untouched - that whole area is a little oasis... untouched for the time being!
Hari
Hi Derek,
ReplyDeleteI came across a similar photo sometime ago on the internet.
So happens that my mother is in it. (A girl from the nearby village watching you guys parade) It was a similar photo of serviceman kids with 2 boys, wearing the same Malay costume leading the way towards the right. I never got the chance to see it again. Any chance you know of such photo.
Hi FrameTurnerWins Pictures,
ReplyDeleteI think I know the photo that you mean. Email me at derek.tait@virgin.net and I'll send you a copy.
Best wishes,
Derek.