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Post by Cynthia on May 26, 2007 17:05:51 GMT 10
Hi everyone and welcome to the forum! It would be great if we could hear from you with your comments, memories and images if possible, of Minden Barracks, so we can build up more of a knowledge-base. We need to build up some history because there is not much available anywhere, and I believe it is important to collectively record anything we know of the Barracks because, if we don't, all we know of them would in time, risk being lost forever. Let's not let that happen.
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Post by davehp on Aug 19, 2007 8:34:26 GMT 10
A very long time ago, I was an RAF conscript and served in (then) Malaya from Sept. 1955 to Jan. 1957. Posted to RAF Butterworth on the mainland, I and several of my comrades were very soon sent to Minden Barracks for a few months shortly after arriving in Malaya because our mobile radar equipment was still in transit from the UK, and because our services as radar instructors for the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force were required at the Peele Avenue HQ. We used to travel down to Peele each day in a 3-ton truck, either to teach or to prepare for teaching in the evenings.
When we arrived at Minden the KOYLI's were still there (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry), but shortly after we got there they moved out and were replaced by a battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (probably 1RAR). They were a great, friendly crowd of people, and heavy drinkers. They referred to us RAF guys as 'The Birdmen'. The British NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force) refreshment and entertainment building and supplies were not sufficient for those highly-paid Aussies, so temporary storage for beer and other refreshments was quickly erected, in the form of a large marquee tent. The same night it was stocked, a 56-gallon barrel of beer was stolen and found empty the very next morning outside the high fence that surrounded the barracks. Nobody seemed all that concerned about this event. This, after all, was a "Real Man's Army".
On one occasion, Syd, a pal of mine from Manchester (UK), and I went to the NAAFI for liquid refreshment. At the bar, we bumped into an Aussie who also hailed from Manchester. On finding out that Syd came from his own birthplace, he commanded us to immediately find a table and keep our hands in our pockets while he organized and paid for a considerable amount of Tiger (or it may have been Anchor) bottled beer. We did our best to match our new-found Aussie pal in drinking the health of various Brits and Aussies, but getting back to the billet, a short distance away, proved to be something of an epic feat of navigation. The very next day we saw the same soldier running across the parade ground with full pack and Lee Enfield jungle carbine in company with scores of his comrades. They were rough and tough jungle fighters, and very much looked the part.
There were still a few KOYLI's remaining after the main detachment left and they ran a DJ service whose loudspeakers could be heard all over the camp. I can still remember very clearly the haunting sound of Eddie Calvert playing 'Far Away' against the jungle environment that existed around Minden in those days. There was something almost romantic about the place, despite it's military aura. My bunk was on the second storey of one of the buildings and we often used to just lean on the balcony gazing around at the scenery. I look back on that period of my service with great nostalgia.
On one corner of the ground floor of the billet I lived in there was a small shop from which an Indian guy served rich, milky, sweet tea, and coffee. He used to fill out pint mugs and we'd sit on the ground right there in front of the shop, chatting to him and sipping the tea. It was a pleasant kind of life for a UK serviceman.
Note: the arrival of the RAR at Minden somewhat contradicts the history of Minden on the Minden Barracks website, which dates the presence of RAR as of November 1959, whereas they were there in Sept, 1955, to my certain knowledge. I still can see in my mind's eye, truck after truck wheeling into camp with cheerful Aussie soldiers waving at us, wearing their unique 'one-flap-up' hats.
Dave Patterson (now living in the USA).
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paul
New Member
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Post by paul on Sept 4, 2007 8:15:43 GMT 10
Congratulations on the website and forum Cynthia, sorry it took me so long to get back here!!!
I will be travelling to Penang on or around the 12th September so if you, or any of the other forum members, want any particular photos taking just let me know.
paul
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Post by fairplay on Sept 6, 2007 16:11:20 GMT 10
Hi Paul When I was last over in Penang five years ago I took some photos of Our old Bungalow... The one which was next to the cinema now converted to a post office it's next to the University main building.... I wonder if you could ask them if they have an email address I could use to send the pictures of the staff I took then. Maybe take a photo too. I did try to send the photos via the Penang PO address I looked up on site but didn't get a response..... Hey don't put yourself out to do it though.... Have a great holiday. Eric Davies Congratulations on the website and forum Cynthia, sorry it took me so long to get back here!!! I will be traveling to Penang on or around the 12th September so if you, or any of the other forum members, want any particular photos taking just let me know. paul
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paul
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Post by paul on Sept 7, 2007 15:43:12 GMT 10
No problem Eric. :-)
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Post by rafboy on Oct 4, 2007 3:16:11 GMT 10
Hi Cynthia Nice to find the site I hope it grows rapidly for you. I can fill in a little of the history of the barracks occupants. Following the KOYLI were the 1st Bn Manchester Regiment who were there from 1951 to 1954. Like the KOYLI only the band were based at Minden with companies being spread around Malaya only returning to Penang for rest periods. My father had been in the 1st Bn Manchester Rgt for about 18 years, he had been taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore and when he found out that the regiment were going to Malay he transfered to the RAPC. His move failed as they sent him with the Manchester's as their pay Sgt. I arrived with my mother on the P&O Chusan probably at the beginning of March 1952 at the age of 11, I know for certain that the ship was in Colombo harbour on 11th February 1952. I only spent a very short time at the Minden school before going up to Slim School for the start of the autumn term as I was now 12 and there were no teachers at Minden for my age. I don't recall there being a Hospital in the barracks at that time only a medical and dental centre, I know that shortly after arriving I had sever blood poisoning from scratching mosquito bites and was rushed by Army ambulance to hospital in Georgetown where I stayed for two weeks on penicillin injections twice a day for 10 days. I do recall the cinema, I used to spend many an afternoon with the manager/projectionist checking out the evenings film and drinking his iced coffee or F&N orange. If I remember correctly our address was 3 U Block minden Barracks. As the camp was entered up the hill past the swimming pool on the left over the hill it was the second turning right, the houses were on the right with a playground on the left as you turned the corner with a slide and swings, I think we were the far end of the second or 3rd block in. We returned home via Singapore early in 1954 on the troopship Asturias which was the next ship home after the Empire Windrush sank. I think I can find a couple of photos to send for you later to include on the site. Cliff Phillips
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Post by fairplay on Oct 6, 2007 14:59:16 GMT 10
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Post by Cliff on Oct 7, 2007 1:55:20 GMT 10
Thanks Eric. Yes I know about the site i am a member of the Slim Association, there are a few of my photos on the site. Thanks again. Cliff
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Post by johnsmoo on Nov 9, 2007 8:09:14 GMT 10
HI EVERY1 KAREN ERE (MUKKASMOO) PLZ IS THERE ANY1 WHO CAN HELP ME. MY DEAREST LOYAL FRIEND JOHN WARD (23915482) SERVIED WIV THE BUGLE SECTION 2ND GREEN JACKETS THE KINGS ROYAL RIFFLE CORPS MINDEN BARRACKS PENANG 1963-66. JOHN IS TRYIN 2 TRACE HIS OLD ARMY MUKKA JIM RALPH WHO SERVED WIV HIM IN MALAYA 63-66. PLZ PLZ PLZ IF ANY1 CAN HELP WIV PHOTOS OR ANYTHING I PRAY U CAN HELP THANKU KINDLY DEEPEST REGUARDS & RESPECT 2 U ALL KAREN (MUKKASMOO)
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Post by Eric Davies on Nov 10, 2007 3:59:51 GMT 10
Try looking on the 3RGJ site.....
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Post by Eric Davies on Nov 13, 2007 10:16:30 GMT 10
Whoops
I meant 2RGJ I am never sure which mob was in Penang first 2 or 3... You could also have a look at Peneng Talk search under Minden Barracks there...
I had a brother in law with the RGJ in Penang his surname was Duhig..
To be honest searching on the www is quite easy but sometimes the person you are looking for may be dead or not interested for whatever reason in PCs reunions etc etc...
Even more sad is you try to help folk out and dont get a response back ...
Makes it all such a waste of time being helpfull.......
Eric
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Post by paulfox on Nov 30, 2007 5:45:02 GMT 10
Hi Eric
Long time no speak, remember your family well and the chickens! Think I last saw you in Chester about 1968-69 with your dad and brothers. My father was the CO of the MPs based at the camp. I have many many happy memories, I was there from 61-66. Still got the old photo albums, all taken with the instamatic. Some family names you might remember, Dannon, Newton, Hitchmock, Simmons and many others.
Do you remember Staff Sgt Hague the PT Instructor with the two beautiful daughters, Veronica and Vanessa, taught everyone to swim, except he couldn't. Fascinating stuff.
Regards Paul
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Post by Eric Davies on Mar 11, 2008 14:42:54 GMT 10
Hi Paul Somehow lost touch with this site love to chat sometime Eric Hi Eric Long time no speak, remember your family well and the chickens! Think I last saw you in Chester about 1968-69 with your dad and brothers. My father was the CO of the MPs based at the camp. I have many many happy memories, I was there from 61-66. Still got the old photo albums, all taken with the instamatic. Some family names you might remember, Dannon, Newton, Hitchmock, Simmons and many others. Do you remember Staff Sgt Hague the PT Instructor with the two beautiful daughters, Veronica and Vanessa, taught everyone to swim, except he couldn't. Fascinating stuff. Regards Paul
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Post by fairplay on Sept 11, 2008 16:06:33 GMT 10
Hi
I am not sure if anyone is using this site just now...... my brother Ivor is currently over in Penang
Eric 10Sep08
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Post by unitybiker on Mar 3, 2010 6:12:21 GMT 10
Nice to see it after all these years. We lived in Penang when I was little and attended school at Minden barracks.I am 47 now but what has been incredibly strong for me all my life is my memories of Malaya .I remember living in Jalan Gadger near the beach where old Jap antiaircraft guns were painted up hippy style ,standing high on the rocks looking down at manta rays cruising the bay.There was an old rusty hulk moored up where the locals would cook ,gamble and smoke opium .My much older brother who attended boarding school used to score hashish from them and a few times took me with him. I would sit in a flimsy small boat and be taken to the rusty boat.We would climb in through the coaling doors and I loved the constant cooking smells and watching the chinese gamble .The maid (Nein?)dangling live crabs over my dad,s face to wake him up on sunday morning. My dad used to do music for the officers mess . We used to go to sunday school half way up the hill where we would sit under the hot tin roof whilst the tutors would terrify us with christianity assisted by a puppet .After it was over we'd be fed our dinner cooked in a pit and wrapped in banana leaves.Within a few years of living in England I realised that 'Civvy Street' and Britain meant a bunch of insensitive barbarians. I never saw a man drunk and abusive , or a man hit a woman until I lived in Britain.In the corner downstairs classroom next to a small playground with a steep banking and a big tree was where I leant the basics oof letters. I remember a eureka moment when the letters stuck together to make words. Britain is absolute rubbish and when I retire I am certain that I'll sell up and rather live as a peasant in Malaysia than a taxed to death 'voter' in scabby cheesy Britannia. The sensitivity of malaysian culture shines through still after all these years . One day I was off school ill and my mum was doing the spring cleaning and put the chairs at the front gate . A car pulled up and a engish man and woman stopped and took me in the car ,they had mistaken me for my younger brother who attended nursey .I kicked and screamed and punched and maged to get away fom them ,running into the jungle then was 'found' by a Malaysian butterfly collector who rang the camp straight away. I remember learning animal pacK savagery in Malaya. We were coming home on the school bus and then it stopped at Jalan Gadja .We got off the bus and the older lads started bashing this poor lad on the head with their breifcases , I remember the corners had metal edges.In the space of a few seconds the lads head was pissing blood all over and so I ran at the lads to be punched in the face. The lads ran off .Thats enough for now.P.S. The best nasi goring in Britain is probably found in Indonesian rsteraunts.
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