2 Infantry Workshops REME

2 Infantry Workshops REME

by John Gardiner
(Scotland)

garrison swimming pool

Hi Brian
I served at 2 inf also,60-62 and i liked the Photo's brought back some great memories, one of the best postings i ever had, I just thought I would post a couple of my Photo's of that time.

John Gardiner

Mr. Gardiner has some great little stories to tell, we have collected some and made it available on this page

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2 Infantry Workshops REME

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Jun 09, 2011
So long ago
by: Arthur Ogden

I served with 2 inf workshops REME from '66 to 69, fresh from Bordon a mere sprog!! quite the virgin soldier!!! so many memories, certainly when I see some of the images. I rememeber a 26 hour flight via Kuwait and Colombo, and travelling up country by train to arrive at Tampin. Met by a fellow brummie! what a start to a military career! having a boot boy called shadow!! and your OG's starched so much it was like splitting cardboard! I used to travel down to Singapor later in my tour and we travelled once a month as an escort in a 4 tonner to pick up supplies from 3 B.O.D.! Arrive Friday, by 9pm in the Brit Club, by 1am in Bugis street! Then stayed there until the sun came up above the toilets in the street!!! I learned all about cross dressing and tranvestites in a very short period of time! However Terendak was a posting that could never be surpassed, my first time talking to Australians and New Zealanders,additionally to Malay's Indian's and Chinese who were the backbone of our civilian establishement. It was a good grounding for my next 22 years in the Army. subsequently serving as an SNCO with the Gurkha's, first with 28 GTR and then as with 69 QGE however whilst in Hong Kong I had a workforce of 26 chinese civilians which was an education in itself!! snake wine, Dim Sum and Mah Jong!! Anybody remember??

Feb 17, 2011
Second WW
by: Singh Harbhajan

Hi,
During the retreat of the British Soldiers to Singapore my father helped a young British Soldier and showed him the rail way to Singapore..
He was hiding in a bush when my mother heard some noice in the very early morning..My father , after investigating, told me that the British soldier was injured and he gave him some biscuits and walked with him towards the rail tracks,with fear that the Japenese could see him, my father went quit far from our home and showed the soldier the direction to Singapore and with sign language told him not to mention about him ..the soldier thanked and was never seen again....this happened somewhere outside Kuala Lumpur or segamat

Jan 01, 2011
Fishing Trip
by: 2 Inf Workshop RAOC Taiping

To Brian Paton

Hi Brian

Do you remember going fishing in a small boat off the coast when you served in Taiping
I am sure I was with you and have a photo among the many others which I took whilst serving. If I find this I will confirm with you.(P.S. if it is you then I think you are still wearing the same sun glasses!}

Roy Bradbury

Jan 01, 2011
2 inf workshops.
by: john Gardiner

Hello John
Happy new year to you and your family.
Nice to hear from you Mate,hope you are keeping
well and that the years have been kind to you, I can give you Singhs Address if you contact me.
the Workshop moved to Malacca in 1962 to Terandak
Camp and Singh came with us, he set up home in Port Kelang Selangor, have you any old Photos of 2 Inf or Taiping if you have how about posting them on this sight.
hope to hear from you soon.
Jock

Jan 01, 2011
John Gardener & Roy Bradbury
by: John Harvey

I was stationed at 2 Infantry Workshops from 14/9/59 to 11/3/61.
John I was also befriended by Bagwhan Sing and I have a photo of him, his wife and David,we worked together in the R&I.I lost contact with him due mainly to problems back home in England.I tried to contact him but too late he had moved.
Roy, I have a group Photo taken in 1960,you are in it as is Capt Burton,Mick Scorefield,Sqms Ward.
I dived into that Jungle Pool and split my head open on a rock but nothing serious. HAPPY DAYS

Oct 14, 2010
!0 inf. Workshops
by: Pete

Buka Tima Rd. 10th milestone Singapore. We were attached to the 10th Gurka Reg. They were based on Blacka Mati?. Gosh EMAs over there were fun on the pontoon with a 3 tonner!. A week checking the radio's, free food, Sleep in the back of the waggon tho, and then back, dump the Bedford for a sevice with the V.Ms. Then off to the Union Jack Club for lunch, quick walk down to Brittania club for an afternoons swimming in the rooftop pool. Red caps slung us all out at 11.00 hrs. A quick walk up Buggi St. into Queen St. A 30 cent merk taxi ride with with 7 or 8 in the back got us all back to base! And all for 7/6 (50p just under) a week. For me Nat.Ser.was fun.

Jul 20, 2010
2 Infantry Workshops REME
by: Ian gardiner

2 inf REME was part of the 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade formed on the 16th September 1955 and its roll was a Immediate Reaction Force for SEATO, formed from a combination of forces from Austraila,New Zealand and Britain, The formation was Air Portable and was based around various locations in Perak North Malaya, Penang, Ipoh, Taiping, RAAF Butterworth etc, until 1961 when the brigade moved to Terendak camp Malacca. On the 1st November 1971 the Brigade became 28th ANZUK infantry Brigade and was located on the Northern side of Singapore Island.

Jul 19, 2010
10 INF. w/shops.
by: Pete T.

A great camp in 1961, gosh the old Nat.Ser.! muster at 06.30Hrs worked our fingers to bone till 13.00Hrs, repairing radio's was trust me hard work at 90' in a wooden shed mind you we had two excellent cooks!. Even our officifers were human! Mind you 30c for a merc. taxi into singapore town was a rip off with 7 others in it just to go for a swim at the Britania club and a bite to eat at the Union Jack Club. Where was 2 Inf W/S ? I know where 40 Base W/S was! They kicked me out from there Comet back home!

Jul 19, 2010
No 2 & 10 Infantry Workshops REME
by: Andrew Grigsby

Sirs

Another site with photos on Malaya and Singapore!
I am looking for photos of 10 Infy workshop as my faterh was working ther and also in Majidee Barracks where i went to school in 1955-1958.
Was in Singapore 1966-1968. I know Bukit Tima road and alll aroung the area of Kent Ridge Dover Road Alexandra Barracks etc.
Father was in recovery working in the Jungle in Jahore and other places. Have a supe photo of him recovering a shot up vehile being pulled onto a low loader. AEC Matador near by.

Regards to all who served.

any info and photos appreciated and will pass on to dad. WO1 21128707 living near me.

Jun 25, 2010
nat. ser.
by: pete

10 inf. W/S Buca Tima road? 10th milestone 1961/2, great fun RSM. Diddent like me cos I was a tech. corp. fixing radios! and he was good at shouting. pay wasent to good 7/6d a week mind you the food was free! It made a man of me well i think it did!

Apr 10, 2010
Adopted children ??
by: Anonymous

Hello can anyone help, my friend is originally from Mallacca in malaysia. I believe that her step father a Micheal gerrard Dawson was in the Army in the 60's. Does anyone know him ? Is any one aware of children being adopted ?

Your help would be appreciated. please respond to zoldan11@aol.co,

Mar 09, 2010
Served 1968 until it closed.
by: David Brock

I was stationed in Terendak for only 9 months. During 1968 until closure in 1970.
I was posted in from training as an ECE. The OC wksps did not know what to do with me as there was no post for an ECE.

Lucky for me I was attached to the British Military Hospital looking after electro-medical & dental equipment.

sadly I was posted away after 9 months to 40 base Wksps Singapore.

Oct 18, 2009
2 Inf
by: Jock Gardiner

Hi Ray
I joined 2 inf in May 61 i worked in the QM stores with Q Woods and i think i can remember you mate, as i was pally with Jock Ross who was Billeted in the next Basha to us i also recall
Cpt Burton,SQMS George,Sgt Talbot,S/Sgt Foster Sgt Ticknell Pte Gibson to name but a few.
I also used to take care of the Pigeon Doocot at the back of our Basha's, My contact in the Cookhouse was Jock Armstrong who did us proud with Freebee meals when we returned from the jungle pool. why dont you drop me a note at the following.
ian_gardiner63@hotmail.com
Cheer's Jock

Oct 17, 2009
RAOC Stores attached 2 Inf Brigade Workshop
by: Roy Bradbury

Hi

I was the admin clerk in the stores from August 1960 to end of 1961 working with the CO who was Capt Monty Burton RAOC. I remember lofty Franks,Derek Locker and 'Jock Ross' Derek was with the Catering Corps and was very useful after we went for a dip in the jungle pool (usually on Saturday afternoon) and arrived back in camp to late for tea. He would then enter the kitchens and make us a fry up. Another of his tricks was to go into town dressed as a local Malaysian and would blend in very well. He was very lightly built and blend in so well the MPs never noticed him.
Would be nice to hear from any RAOC lads serving there at the time.
I left Taiping at the end of 1961 and moved to 3 Base Ordnance Depot, Singapore where I had a bad experience as Guard Commander at the arms store.
I was attacked by the guard dog used by the Gurka MPs whilst entering the compound, result - a week in British Military Hospital Singapore.
Hope to hear from someone

Apr 03, 2009
Good
by: Michael Bailey

I was the Admin Officer with 2 Inf Wksp Nov 1960 to Nov 1961 - a captain at the time. Do you have a copy of the photo taken of the wksp personnel taken in 1961, if so could you email it to me at bailey.dairyhouse@ntlworld.com

MB Bailey

Aug 01, 2008
Hi Brian
by: John Gardener

Hi Brian

Glad you liked the photos I posted of 2 inf, iI see that you used the jungle pool too, most of the lads did I mcan still feel the ice cold water on my back. did you know a Mister Bhagwan Singh who worked as a clerk in the QM office ? or Phil King who was N/S around that time on the camp.
Ian

Jul 31, 2008
Your Photos
by: Brian Paton

Many thanks for your comments regardig my photos.
Those that you have posted are great in that they show the make up of the workshop from a building perspective.
The water towers reminded me of the 2/3 times it didn't rain for about 10 days & the camp's water supplies were restricted, we were allowed to go unshaven & had to visit the stream at the rear of the camp to have a wash.
I dont recall the Garrison Pool in my days there, we made do with the "Jungle Pool" at the rear of the camp, had to be careful of swallowing the water though.

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