2007
Penang - Barry Millard
I took these in January 2007 and hope that they will be of interest. This was the second visit to Penang recently, the previous being during October 2006 when we emulated our first days in Singapore/Malaya as part on the 1GJ Advance Party in April 1962. We stayed at the same hotel in Singapore (The New Seventh Storey Hotel), and made the train journey to Butterworth and the Ferry to Penang.
The Aussie Hostel. Still standing (just), and quite hard to find from memory as has been so much development in the area.
Green Lane. This was the route the Families Truck took, but it's very different now.
The Lower Guardroom Minden Barracks, now one of the entrances to the University. The Security guard was very friendly and interested in my visit. Got me to "sign in" including my Army Number Trying to catch me out?
The entrance road looking over the sports field towards the pavilion. Little changed.
Main Guardroom as before.
Parachute Training Tree. Some of us learned our parachute drills here. Robin Letts fixed a parachute harness to an old bicycle wheel and we were hauled up by a rope thrown over a branch. After a certain amount of training we set off to Sayan Lapas to jump out of an Auster. Pepe Rakanace and I went up together and he exited the aircraft first, I swear he turned white. Then I jumped, was very relieved when the chute opened, landed in a monsoon drain, and decided to stick to something safer in future, like motocross.
View to the pool. No change here, but a good example of how well maintained the area is.
C Company Office 1963. I think I'm right on this, I wasn't in C Coy, but remember being addressed by Mark Pennell here-perhaps for a Cadre? Still remember what he said, 'When the war starts, it's going to be bloody tough!" The war he was predicting was Vietnam, and it was a long time before I realised that we were a lot closer to Saigon than Kuchinql
Rakanace Hill. (I hope I've got the spelling right). Remembered because Pepe had a problem with gear selection in his car after he left the NAAFI , bounced all the way down this hill. Pepe OK, car not perfect!
Not sure. Thinking about Pepe's drive, was this the NAAFI?
Sjts Mess. I remember the day that John Willoughby (MT CSjt) walked me up here the day I was promoted. Thanks John.
View from Sjts Mess. This is an example of how Penang has developed.
Not sure. Can't recall what this building housed, but the picture shows how well the buildings have survived.
Accn Block.
Looking down towards Square and MT Area.
Married Quarters perhaps?
Someone important lived here. Not sure who, but I think whoever lived here will have some good memories of a lovely house.
That was not there before. WOW!
View not changed a lot.
98 Jalan Gajah, 1963. We actually moved in Apr 62. What a life. Arrived at a lovely house, a maid, and the fridge full of food, and Beer!
98 Jalan Gajah, 2007. Not a lot changed, but look at the buildings in the background.
Penang 01 Jpg