tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post5974326518326992205..comments2023-12-06T20:53:07.740+00:00Comments on 11 INDEPENDENT FIELD SQUADRON RE: MALAYA OF YESTERDAY, MALAYSIA OF TODAYHank Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-53881399410079053122016-01-30T20:07:44.868+00:002016-01-30T20:07:44.868+00:00Wow! this has brought back so many happy memories ...Wow! this has brought back so many happy memories for me. I was just sixteen when I went to Tampin with my parents. I was in awe of everything & just loved the train journey. Can anyone help me with photos of Tampin from 1962-1965?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-10211706145212482162015-04-25T09:34:24.859+01:002015-04-25T09:34:24.859+01:00Harold W Ref.
Sunsets Never Change Awangs Story
...Harold W Ref. <br />Sunsets Never Change Awangs Story<br />Absolutely fantastic, Well Done Tony. A true item well recorded my friend.<br /> <br />I have printed a paper copy off, to enjoy once again over the weekend.<br /> <br />As a small aside, I sang as a chorister in St Georges Church then later as head chorister in St Andrews in Singapore. Many memories re kindled !!<br /> <br />You really are a Star, to have written the volume of words and done the research to conclude matters. Truly a Man of Letters !<br /> <br />Thank you once again for including me in the loop<br /> <br />Best Regards HaroldHank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-50572364773355365012015-02-10T09:33:15.210+00:002015-02-10T09:33:15.210+00:00Nigel Woodger Borneo Malaya veterans group
Shangri...Nigel Woodger Borneo Malaya veterans group<br />Shangri-La<br />Excellent readingHank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-52528278995373644972015-02-08T14:52:34.188+00:002015-02-08T14:52:34.188+00:00David Curless RA
Was sent down by road on "...David Curless RA<br /><br /> Was sent down by road on "Ammo detail" Terendak to Singapore.. Which then left without me. Turned out it was all planned, sent to Changi where my eldest brother was awaiting me. Then both of us travelled up to Tampin on the train. Great, but never to be repeated experience.Hank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-27657079929773111312015-02-06T23:36:01.477+00:002015-02-06T23:36:01.477+00:00went down to sort out riots on coursway 65ish , Ch...went down to sort out riots on coursway 65ish , Chinese communists taking the piss . soon left when twenty odd SLRs where pointed at them. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01727938619665965306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-19627267927094642802015-02-06T19:48:47.381+00:002015-02-06T19:48:47.381+00:00Some more from FB.
Mel Wilsea
Travelled a few tim...Some more from FB.<br /><br />Mel Wilsea<br />Travelled a few times on the railway.When my wife and son arrived to join me her tickets were 1st Class mine were 3 third thanks 11 SQN Orderly Room <br /><br />John Knowles <br />When my wife flew out to join me in Terendak I was not allowed to go into S'poreto meet her because of political problems/riots, so had to meet her at JB - then the train aheas of us was de- railed so we ended up on a 'local' bus. A good introduction to Malaya for her.<br /><br />Hank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-84146095599576929132015-02-06T15:15:05.590+00:002015-02-06T15:15:05.590+00:00Train stories just keep coming.
Avril Oxley RAF
W...Train stories just keep coming.<br /><br />Avril Oxley RAF<br />Whilst serving at RAF Seletar, in 67/68 I was sent on a train from Singapore, via Kuala lumpur to the Cameron Highlands to go on a religious course for a week, as my CO wanted me to sort my head out, I have fond memories of that trip I was with 2 other Wrafs and to be honest we had the time of our lives on arrival at the destination we were met by loads of young Army chaps who had been sent there to dry out and get off drugs, Cant say I remember much about the course only the fun we all had as young people .......... And by the way the train journey was interesting to say the least.<br /><br /> Stan Dennis<br />was in Nee Soon transit camp for a few days Then on the train to Tampin the train was full along with chickens and goats,this was Jan1966.<br /><br />Roy Mansfield<br />I travelled from Nee Soon to KL in 1955. A 24 hour journey by train.<br /><br />John Gibbens<br />Also did the trip in a very basic shared sleeper train to KL from Singapore Keppel road in 1968. seemed to take forever. funny how today it costs thousands to travel that route on the Orient express train.<br /><br /><br />Hank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-80182396010993158802015-02-06T13:24:15.630+00:002015-02-06T13:24:15.630+00:00More.
CT Chin L E P
Really enjoyed reading the ar...More.<br /><br />CT Chin L E P<br />Really enjoyed reading the article - brings back memories of our time travelling up and down the country on the train. Well before 1959 the steam driven locomotives were burning coke/coal for fuel. Normally at the end of the journey one can sometimes be covered with black soot and if you are not careful in sticking your head out of the windows you can have cinders blown into your eyes.<br /><br />Lincoln Ivor Neil Chenneour RE<br />Many wonderful memories of this railway system.<br />Sadly Singapore station has gone along with the section from Sungai Kolok to Kota Bahru and the line from HatYai to Songkhla.<br />One of the Civilian Surveyors instructors in RSME, Jock Oliver, was involved with the survey from Gemas to Kota Bahru and told me many stories of the “project”<br />As we now know the tracks never reached Kota Bahru but ended in Tumpat across the Sungai (River) Kelantan. This line became known as the Jungle line and for some of its course followed the river but unfortunately ended up on the wrong side to reach Kota Bahru but the line was able to reach Thailand via the Sin City of S. Kolok to re-join the west coast line at the other Sin City of HatYai.<br />On the sixties trips the restaurant cars were run by the Chinese who had a marvellous system of supplying anything you ordered. When stopped at a station they would phone ahead to the next station to arrange your request. And when I say anything I mean anything…..good food, good drinks and delightful indulgence in”salacious” doings. Sadly, when the Malaya took over the catering the catering catered for the Malays and the revelling on the trains ceased. <br />Some of the older non-aircon carriages had observation platforms at the ends….these were ideal for squatting with acquired seats and bucket of beers and ice to appreciate the jungle disappearing behind the train.<br />On one of my returns from Crown I travelled by train from Ubon to Singapore. A two week trip with many delightful stops. <br />I still travel the Thai trains when I can escape! Thai trains are happier than the Malay trains! <br />I am indeed thankful for many delight memories on these railways. I’ve been spoilt!<br />All engineers love trains!!<br /><br />Hank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-70490926632243547172015-02-06T13:19:40.020+00:002015-02-06T13:19:40.020+00:00More comments from Face Book about Trains Malaya.
...More comments from Face Book about Trains Malaya.<br /><br />John Knowles RAMC<br />Did it from S' pore to Tampin in 1963 then from S' pore to KL in 2007.<br /><br />Paul Strobridge RE<br />I can just remember the train joourney from Singers to Tampin, I just Got of my 24 Hour flight (British Eagle Prop), about 6am local time went too Nee Soon Transit, got my travel docs, and was rushed off to the railway station for the 8-30am train, to say the least I was quite knackered, Oh I Revelled in being in hot cramped condition Enjoyed every minute of Journey, although I think I was asleep for most part. I arrived in Tampin, as usual no one knew I was going to arrive, I finally arrived at Terendak (11 Indep Fld Sqn Lines) Coutesy of the camps MPs, Ifinally got settled in, and as they say the rest is history, I would not have missed the journey for anything it as a great experience,<br /><br />Dave Miltree<br />Travelled from Singapore to Bangkok in1968 took 42 hours.lol<br /><br />Derek Taylor<br />First travelled on it in 1968 on my way to the Cameron highlands with 30 Sqn GTR, changed at KL for Tapah Road. Again in 1968 on posting from Neesoon to 2 Inf Wksp at Terendak. Have travelled on it twice in the last 10 years from Singapore to KL and it hasn't changed all that much. The railway station is the same as it was, still belongs to Malaysia despite attempts to buy it by Singapore. Really cheap to travel on it despite the fact that it costs double the fare from Singapore to KL than the other way round.<br /><br />Andrew Marshall<br />1964 Nee Soon to Terendak & the beer they served was *!@* warm.<br />Hank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-59307734655239283032015-02-05T18:54:20.540+00:002015-02-05T18:54:20.540+00:00Alistair Wade RS
That brought back some memories ...Alistair Wade RS<br /> That brought back some memories Hank. I travelled via train from Seremban to Penang on the over-night trains (with an armed escort) as a courier carrying the new cipher codes which were sent from RHQ (Gurkhas) to the outlying Communication Centres each month in the late '60's. It was indeed a leisurely trip, stops of 30-50 minutes at stations was not uncommon as we waited for the down-trains to clear each single line section that lay ahead of us. The station platforms swarming with local vendors offering fresh food and drinks, even during the early hours of the morning.<br /> I would recommend the journey to anyone interested in an adventure, it is not the most comfortable ride, but you meet so many people along the way. Be warned though, never buy the train ticket in Singapore. The price is quoted in Dollars and is the same price in Singapore Dollars as Malay Dollars but there is a vast difference in the currency values. If going North, cross the causeway by bus or taxi and buy the train ticket at Johore Bahru station - you will save a lot of money!<br /><br />Stephen Lawrence RS<br />I did the trip from Singapore to Prai and then to Penang for R & R. That was over night to KL and then all day to Prai. The rturn journey also done overnight for the first stage to KL and over night to Singapore. In 1998 my wife and I returned but flew everywhere. I have a photo of the armoured railcar at Ipoh in 1967.<br />Hank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-47243067656681252392015-02-05T16:49:29.035+00:002015-02-05T16:49:29.035+00:00The following comments left on FaceBook about arti...The following comments left on FaceBook about article on Train.<br /><br />James Jones RCT<br />Remember the journey well got my left arm sun burnt.<br /><br />Pete Marsden RE<br /> I travelled on the "Singapore Express" will never forget it....hehe<br /><br />John Jackett RAMC<br /> I think we got off and walked along side it at one point , on the way to Seremban.<br /><br />David Buckingham RCT<br />Thanks for this Hank, some truly wonderful memories of arriving at Tampin and travelling to Terendak across tracks over paddy fields, then going back to Tampin several times over the years on ration runs when goods trains came in.<br /><br />Nigel Woodger RAF<br /> One of the lads, on the site I run for Air Defence Operators, is a model railway enthusiast and has just completed a Malay Railway scene with one of the little armoured trains. I have given him the nod to get on here to read this very enjoyable account.<br /><br />James Hopgood RE<br />Think I have mentioned it before, that I travelled on the train twice during 1956-9, once on leave to Sandycrot Leave Centre in Penang and once as part of the Armed Guard Party on the train (standing on the platform between the carriages). Was we scared, you be.t<br /><br />Gordon Ried ?<br />While I was in K/L one of the Armed Guards fell between the carriages and died /<br />Hank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778813803074314327.post-39605236760800149722015-01-05T15:18:02.396+00:002015-01-05T15:18:02.396+00:00Hi All
Please consider leaving your comments on t...Hi All <br />Please consider leaving your comments on these articles, so we can decide if they are being enjoyed by you all.Hank Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03425664650562217095noreply@blogger.com