Hi Scottie8722,
I was a medic at the BMH at that time and I've just written a book about my time in the army and following is a snippet from my Singapore time. I hope it brings back some memories.
Silky :lol:
:lol:
PARTING OF THE WAYS
Time soon passed, and in early 1971 Jan and the children had to return to England. I was to stay on until the handover of the hospital to the Singapore Government was complete.
Jan’s parting words at Changi Airport were, “We’ve had a wonderful time in Singapore, and to think the government paid us for being here.”
Before she boarded the plane, I gave her the standard leaving letter to pass on to her UK friends.
NOTICE OF RETURN TO THE UK
This note is issued in solemn warning this date………. of……….. 19……..
Notice is hereby given to the friends, neighbours and relatives of the following:
Name……………………………………. Due to return to the UK on …………………19…….
Within the near future the above mentioned will once again be in your midst, to take up once more his place in the human race.
In preparation for their return, you are seriously advised to make allowances for the crude environment and extreme poverty that have been their miserable lot for the past months. In all probability, they will suffer from a certain form of lunacy known as Singaporeitis. Therefore it will be wise to keep them away from the sun and all forms of Asian food for the next few weeks.
During the next month (or until they become completely house broken) be especially watchful when in the company of women, particularly young women, and more particularly young beautiful women.
Parents are strongly advised to keep their daughters indoors during this period. It must be explained, in all fairness, that his intentions are most sincere, albeit dishonourable.
Treat him with, kindness, tolerance, and vast quantities of beer, wines, spirits, Alka-Seltzer, cigarettes, food, money and parties. Eventually the true person you once knew will emerge from this hollow shell that he/she is in at this moment.
Generally speaking, except for an odd grunt and a tendency to sit for long hours in the dark, he will be comparatively calm and amiable. You are advised, however, to show no signs of alarm if he prefers to squat on his haunches instead of a chair, or takes off his shoes when he enters the house.
For several weeks, he will want to sleep with no clothes on and wander around the house with only a towel wrapped around his middle. Be patient if he drags the mattress off the bed and onto the floor to sleep on.
There will be times when he mutters unintelligible noises such as, ‘Apa Macham’ instead of hello or ‘Selamat Tinggal’ for goodbye, but in a relatively short time he will be back to speaking and writing English again.
The following examples of trends in behaviour and mannerisms are forwarded to you with suggested remedies, which we hope will prove effective.
He may suddenly pass you a bundle of clothes wrapped in string, usually on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday morning and mutter ‘Dhobi’. Remove any list attached and place the items in the laundry basket.
He may consistently rove round the house in a pair of rubber sandals, (which he insists on calling ‘Flip Flops’.) This can prove embarrassing if you have visitors. In this case, gently but firmly lead him out of the room and suggest that the present climate requires wearing more than just a towel.
He may try to scoop tea out of the teapot with his mug. Show him the spout and explain its use. Do this tactfully as it may arouse comments, which offend. If you give him rice pudding, don’t be alarmed if he eats it with his fingers.
On seeing you reading a paper, he may shout, “Two’s up”; pass him the paper when you have read it. On no account pass it to a third person once he has shouted.
He will dispute prices with all drivers of public vehicles (especially taxi drivers) at the slightest provocation. Apologise to them and lead him gently away. Care must be taken to ensure that he doesn’t attract the attention of the monkeys (police), especially if drunk.
He may stand at the front door and shout “Ali/Abdul,” (or some other strange sounding name, “coffee and two banjos!” Gently lead him inside and make him a mug of coffee and two sandwiches.
If you find him taking down your lace curtains to use as a mosquito net, don’t be alarmed. Inform him that in England we don’t need mosquito nets. If he insists, then supply him with some form of netting.
If you take him out for a drink and he has had a little too much, he may sit at the kerbside and shout for a ‘trishaw’, which is a type of public conveyance in the Far East. Tell him there are no trishaws in England and lead him to a bus stop.
If he should leap out of bed at 07:30 and stand dejectedly on the front lawn, lead him back indoors and reassure him that there are no parades for a few days.
If he wakes and shouts ‘Chico’, send in the smallest member of the family, wrapped in a towel, to clean his boots and make his bed.
For your information follows a list of words that will aid you in translating his conversation.
Chogi: A native of Singapore.
Charwallah: A form of Chogi café owner.
Kip: Sleep
Gonk: Sleep.
Get your head down: Sleep
Ulu: Copse or small wood.
Ulu bash: A walk through the above mentioned.
Skiver: A person who looks busy doing nothing.
Mucker: A close friend.
Basha: A place of abode.
Kampong: A collection of Chogi bashas.
Chuffed: Highly pleased, in a good frame of mind.
Jarred: Highly dischuffed.
Flapping: In a state of agitation.
Tiger: A local brew, highly potent.
Compo: Operational food.
Nosh: Food.
Blood wagon: Ambulance.
Sharp end: Where the fighting is/was.
Monkey: Police or other form of authority.
Banjo or Sarni: Sandwich.
Wet (as in ‘going for a wet’): Going for a drink.
Never happen or No can do: Usually, the reply given when you asking him to do something that he does not want to do.
We sincerely trust that the information given will aid you in your rehabilitation of your loved one.
The most essential thing for you to remember is that if he should talk of volunteering for Borneo or the Far East again, then he will need urgent medical treatment
Signed…………………………..
Major Justin Bed. RAMC.
Topic: Singapore 69 - 71 (Read 4398 times)