Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3The average RAF airman at Seletar had a simple but satisfying lifestyle in Singapore. In the 2nd picture, we see RAF airmen enjoying some refreshments and smoking while sitting on the floor probably after a hard day of guard duty in camp or at the end of a military exercise. This shows that these RAF airmen were not experiencing an extravagant lifestyle when they were in Singapore and that they were still essentially soldiers serving in a military force.
RAF airmen were mainly bachelors and they appear to be very contented with life's simple pleasures. Although the ground-crew of the RAF at Seletar may not have been the best paid air force personnel nor were they high ranking officers, from the picture of them inspecting an aircraft, I can infer that these airmen had a high level of camaraderie, were very co-operative and enjoyed their work. From the 3rd picture, we can see that RAF airmen clearly did take time out after a long day at work to enjoy a drink on their evenings out at Jalan Kayu or elsewhere in Singapore. Given the dark background of the photo, it indicates that their time-offs were mainly in the evenings.
Written by young Pei Hwa Historian Toh Ghee Wei of 2E5.Pictures are from Pete Rushen who served at Seletar from 1962 to 1964.
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Dear Jalan Kayu Trail Team members,
I spent a very happy and memorable time at Seletar from 1962 to 1964. Your blog brought back many memories of Jalan Kayu, night markets, watches for S$10 (equivalent now S$3.20), K Wah the tailor where I bought the best pair of trousers I have ever owned. Seletar Bar and the best Nasi Goreng on the Island at the time. Taxi back from the City for S$2.50, our exchange rate was then S$8.40 to £1 sterling!
I also remember shopping in the Pagoda House at the far end of the village, is it still there?
"Daz" an Indian who worked on West Camp and made our beds and polished our shoes and in hard times lent us money. Above all the great local food in the village. I still come back to Singapore on a regular basis, how it has changed!
Thank you for a great blog.
Peter Rushen
England
I spent a very happy and memorable time at Seletar from 1962 to 1964. Your blog brought back many memories of Jalan Kayu, night markets, watches for S$10 (equivalent now S$3.20), K Wah the tailor where I bought the best pair of trousers I have ever owned. Seletar Bar and the best Nasi Goreng on the Island at the time. Taxi back from the City for S$2.50, our exchange rate was then S$8.40 to £1 sterling!
I also remember shopping in the Pagoda House at the far end of the village, is it still there?
"Daz" an Indian who worked on West Camp and made our beds and polished our shoes and in hard times lent us money. Above all the great local food in the village. I still come back to Singapore on a regular basis, how it has changed!
Thank you for a great blog.
Peter Rushen
England
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