>> Second to None
by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE -
THE ROYAL Air Force earns my respect and gratitude.
My gratitude goes to this fabulous service for the training I received and values imbued in me during my service from 1965 to 1969.
I enlisted at RAF (Malaya) Training Centre - in RAF Station Seletar's West Camp - at a time of great tribulation for the newly-created Republic of Singapore, just seceded from Malaysia on 9 Aug 1965. Besides the entrepot trade, Singapore depended on the British military presence for half of her economy. Generally, the country was poor with high unemployment. Few political analysts thought Singapore could survive. With few jobs available, idealistic young men did not frown on a career in the military.
So imagine my excitement on receiving an RAF letter in April 1965 informing me to report for an interview at the Malayan Air Training Corps headquarters in Kolam Ayer. I was overjoyed to be offered a place in the final selection.
The five-day selection covered technical aptitude, language proficiency and IQ tests, a medical examination and more interviews. On the fifth and last day, out of some 40 prospective enlistees 25 were finally picked. The 25 trainees, I among them, formed 45th course starting in May until December 1965.
Nine of us were assigned to train as aircraft engine mechanics. The others attended trade-training in airframe, electrical and instrument, fire-fighting and storekeeping.
Basic training began in May, 1965. The syllabus covered RAF history, the Queen's Regulations, RAF Etiquette and Customs, Structure and Organisation among other general topics. Classroom instruction took up most mornings, except for a day scheduled for workshop practice and "hands-on" training.
We spent one hour each morning at the school's parade square. A menacing eagle-eyed Scot, Corporal Gray, instructed us in foot drill and parade ceremonial etiquette with an iron hand. A strict no-nonsense disciplinarian on the parade square,no doubt. But every trainee gratefully shaked his hand and wished him well on our passing-out day.
Our group of raw recruits passed out on parade at a ceremony held in the East Camp of RAF Seletar. Soon after, we left on a two-week vacation to Penang. The RAF provided us Malayan Railway travel vouchers for the trip and rebated accomodation at Tanjong Tokong beach chalets.
Next, formal trade-training started in July, 1969.
My course mates:
Vincent Tay Han Shei, Mohammad Haniffa, Foo Chee Min, Wee Kok Kee, Fujimoto, Ong Chew Teck, James Koh Nan Heng, Chua Teck Seng and Samad Aladdin. Samad joined our Aircraft Propulsion course after re-mustering from his previous trade, Fireman.
Staff of Royal Air Force (Malaya) Training Centre:
Commanding Officer: Squadron Leader Eyre, Adjutant/Training Officer: Flight Lieutenant Hammond, Discipline Officer: Flight Sergeant Mahoney, Trade Training (Aircraft Propulsion): Chief Technician Harris, Drill Master: Corporal Gray.
