Seletar Airbase: Singapore’s Secret Garden
Green, historic, lovely and home to a warm community, Seletar Airbase is one of the last few pieces of old Singapore that still survives intact and untampered-with. This short documentary was produced in response to the government’s announcement that the area was slated to be developed into an aerospace industrial park.
Please leave your comments– be it memories on the airbase, or opinions on the development plans.
You can write to us at: wordwanderings at gmail dot com.
Seletar Airbase project 
January 25, 2007 at 11:40 am
Hi,
I’m interested in knowing more about the area in the purpose of renting one of the properties there. Hope you can contact me.
Thanks
rozita
February 7, 2007 at 5:54 am
I spent many happy years living at 8 hyde park gate and wonder where everyone is now?
February 17, 2007 at 1:46 am
My father was a warrant oficer in the RAF and as a child I lived in Seletar between 1949 and 1952. Our address was 19 Maida Vale. I remeber the house well with its shutters and verandas. My friend Alison Butler lived in one of the houses now called “black and whites” and I remember loving to go and play there. My husband and I are planning to visit Singapore in about October of 2008 – first time back!
March 2, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Hi Rosemary. It’s really nice to hear from someone who grew up on the base. Seletar’s a great place to be a child. You must have many happy memories!
March 7, 2007 at 12:59 am
I serve my National Service at Seletar Camp and when I first got there, I wonder where is this god-forsaken place.However the moment I “bunked” in and started living there, I found it to be a godsend!!
Its so peaceful and serene, jogging there beats jogging anywhere else.
I really do hope that the place will be preserved. I do not understand why should the Singapore Govt spend so much money to fabricate a place in sentosa when we already have a heaven at Seletar.
March 17, 2007 at 9:25 am
What a beautiful production!
My wife, Wendy, and I lived at the Seletar Airbase in 1983 and ’84, with our children, Jeb, Abbie and Adam. I was teaching philosophy at NUS and we’d lived at the Wolverton Mess and College Green, neither of which we liked very much. Moving to Seletar was wonderful. NUS gave us a bunch of keys so that we could check out some of the houses. We drove past 15 Hyde Park Gate and said what a nice house it was. Then we realised we’d got the keys to it!
The film captures the atmosphere of the place brilliantly. It was green and open, and we had plenty of room. It was quiet (except for the planes!), and we had friendly neighbours, some of whom we’re still in touch with.
It would be sad to lose this piece of history.
Terry and Wendy Dartnall
May 1, 2007 at 4:01 am
Brings back wonderful memories.My late Wife and I were in Married Quarters, No. 9 Lancaster Gate
1954/55, low single story semi detached bungalows. We were in Kai Tak Hong Kong and was posted to RAF Seletar because our name was top of the married quarters waiting list. I was a telegraphist in the signals section. 52 years later and amazingly Lancaster Gate is still there ! Happy Days. I am now 76 years. Is that the original swimming pool I can see on Google earth Photos ? Eric Cook
May 5, 2007 at 5:56 pm
We have been walking through seletar camp today and have found the place marvellous.
Coming back home, we found your site on the internet and watch the movie with the greatest interest.
We really wish we could live there after spending 5 years in a condominium… !
Please let us know if there is any opportunity.
Bernard & Family
May 10, 2007 at 10:20 am
I spent 1963-65 in the RAF on West Camp Seletar.I have revisited twice since with my family,& think it is wonderful that the old Married Quarters have been given a new lease of life with such a diverse & vibrant community.This is a contrast to the rest of Singapore,& it would be sad to see it swept away.Destruction of this would not be progress but vandalism.
May 25, 2007 at 8:12 pm
As an RAF Photographer who served at RAF Seletar from 1956 to 1959,I hated the place, the food in the airmans mess wasn’t fit for pigs,the interminable guard duties (Searchlight guards, 9X site Guards, Bomb Guards to Tengah) plus duty Key Orderly duties were a monotonous and onerous obligation, then along came Bomb Lighter guards, where bombs were unloaded in what then were known as ‘The Outer Roads’, (i.e to the uninitiated, out at sea,) the bombs were unloaded from old Ben Line Steamships into Lighter Barges or Sampans, these then made their way over 24 hours to RAF Seletar where they were unloaded at the Sunderland Pier, all this in addition to our primary tasks made Seletar a hell hole. Now I can understand that the (‘scaley’s) enjoyed their luxury lifestyle style in those days, they had servants and decent food to eat, we O/R’s did not! A Detachment to the beautiful and civilised RAF Changi made one think that, here at last, was heaven.The only people I knew who loved Seletar, were, married families, sprogs of same, and the few civilians who had none of the duty involvements. Having just returned from a trip to Singapore on May 18th, 2007, prior to which I have spent a week looking over what’s left of that base, including Regent Street( which still has a few occupied bungalows standing) and Picadilly, which ends very abruptly about a kilometre from the old Station Headquarters, the way being barred by Singapore Armed Forces personnel in addition to the new Guard Room and Brick barriers. My visit was made possible through the kind auspices of a Singapore Armed Forces Officer who not only showed me around what is left of the place, he also took me around what’s left of the RAF content, i.e. two old hangers and the Control Tower.The majority of the base is earmarked for development of an Industrial Park, similar to that of Jurong.I was scarcely able to recognise any major features due to road changes, e.g the journey across the golf course from East camp to West camp, this took one from the Station HQ, past the CDO and admin offices to the Right of the HQ when facing that building, across the live runway (which had gates and warning bells fitted and which were closed by an RAF Police Malay Auxiliary whenever a Meteor or Hastings or Beaufighter took off, (The Sunderlands of course used the sea to take off).
The Google picture showing the swimming pool was taken some years ago as the pool is now full of garbage and dirty rainwater.The entire base is now earmarked for development as an Industrial Estate.Whilst a select few may have enjoyed Seletar, they certainly were not O/R’s who ‘lived’ in H or G block on West camp and who ate in the West Camp Mess although, as any investigation will prove, the guys on East Camp claimed that East Camp airmens mess was so bad,that even the cockroaches wouldn’t eat it. Maybe that’s why so many O/R’s developed a taste for the delicious local food so readily available in the Village of Jalan Kayu.
ANyone who would dispute this is welcome to contact me.
In astonishment, Terry K Offord, Ex RAF Photographer Seletar 1956 to 59. CPRU (FE) West Camp.To the civvies who enjoyed the place, CPRU was the Command Photgraphic Reproduction Unit and we were engaged in Operation Firedog, photographing from the air, the Malayan (as it was then) jungles.The old CPRU and the JARIC buildings are now covered in modern Hangers, and the G block and H Block (the RAF’S largest accommodation block have long gone.
Cheers for now, but let’s get things straight please!Terry K Offord.
May 25, 2007 at 8:27 pm
PS, Singapore Air Base was opened in 1929 when it was served by Supermarine Sandringham Flying Boats, in 1939 it was served by 230 Sqdn Sunderlands (Mk1’s)then the Japanese intervened when Britain handed Singapore over to the Japs.
After the war, 230 Sqdn and later, 205-209, 81 Sdns served the base with Meteors, Beaufighters and Mosquitoes, later Hastings and Sycamore choppers arrived.Therefore, Seletar may scarcely be described as ‘Little Known’.T K Offord,
June 6, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Seletar Camp is a beautiful, amazing place. The giant bamboo grove behind my house is home to a family of collared scops owls. And monkeys occasionally come into the garden. I saw my house – No.1 Edgware, captured briefly in your video. It is currently a weekend home/social clubhouse among friends and we want to open it as an informal museum for Seletar’s history and surroundings. Let more people understand and enjoy the place before it is no more. Please contact me- lets see how we can showcase the great work you have done.
July 29, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I can assure Mr.Offord that by 1963 West Camp,its food & life there had improved.I spent my 2 1/2 years with the best group of blokes ever,played rugby for Joint Services & traveled everywhere including West Australia.I note he was a photographer by trade-which explains a lot!
July 31, 2007 at 8:38 pm
My Father (Alan Saxby) was station at Seletar in the mid 60’s and the whole family resided at 13 Lambeth Walk. Dad worked in signals (if I remember correctly – through the main gate and take a sharp right). Dad also had a secondary duty – that was running the small west camp cinema. I remember that he had a major coup when he managed to get the James Bond epic “Thunderball” before it had opened in Singapore city. The result was having to run 3 showings a night for several weeks whilst people from all over the island attended. Nothing but happy memories.
October 4, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I lived with my husband at 25 Birdcage Walk 1974/5.
It was a beautiful place, at 21 I don’t think I appreciated it as much as I should….
Happy days!
November 12, 2007 at 4:47 pm
i really dont know where to begin. The memories lingers and the sentiments…still afresh.
I lived in seletar from 1977 to 2000 when i got married.
seletar airbase was a magical fantasy land. it was our playground,our fields,our kampung,our home.
It all started changing when those ugly green fences started popping up around every houses. does anyone remember that? probably the early nineties…remember the old street signages? those old phone booth? there was one at the junction of knights bridge and edgeware..those fire alarms? those street lamps, those sentry towers..catfish in the longkangs…yes catfish in the longkangs! chased by those angmo’s dobermans! the old clay court tennis courts(my first hit of a tennis ball) the old squash court at the former command and staff college. the sound of typewriting when you cycle along oxford steet which houses the school of logistics, the chapel where we served mass with father Henri Soussard…my god,does anyone remember that? the post office where i would run to to get mails from my sweetheart from US.the swimming pool at the end of battle sea road when i first learn to swim, the iconic 1 edgeware road where we developed friendship. the oval, how apt! the street leading to the camp or base…how coincidental, i just came across a shop in chinatown last evening and bought an old replica photograph of those shops along jalan kayu (woods road) and hands up,those who remembered the fire that brought all those houses to it’s knees, although many had suspected it was due to developement.remember tarzan store? i think even tarzen himself has forgotten……time to let go huh?
January 7, 2008 at 1:11 am
I lived at Seletar from the age of 15 until 16 (1967-68) before moving to RAF Changi. I was at the secondary school 1967-1969, had a band called ‘Prominant Peoples’ formed with a local guy name of Chris Vadham who later made it big in the Singapore music scene. I lived on Baker Street, what wonderful memories of a wonderful place.
January 28, 2008 at 12:57 pm
i lived on Seletar 1961-63 as part of the Oz army. Made friends with Tom and Dot Cooper (RAF) and their son Melvin. worked at radio base CK2 at Serangoon. wonder what happened to Tom and co.
March 9, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Myself and family enjoyed Seletar 1964-67 and have been back twice 2004&7. Great place and can understand why people living there could hate to see it vanish.
We also thought that the fantastic change to the island was a marvellous achievement and a wonderful example of multi-culture living.
I don’t know if your readers are aware of
http://www.rafseletar.co.uk/home.htm
http://www.rafseletar.co.uk/home.htm
August 5, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I started coming into Seletar Air Base in the 60s working with the Singapore Air Defence Command. We, the SADC (ATC) took over from the British and true blue Singaporeans manned the Control Tower. It was a Singapore Military Airbase until years later the CAAS (Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore) took control. Since then the Seletar Airfield became a second civilian airport for Singapore. However, in the year 1988, I came back to Seletar and worked for The Singapore Flying College for 15 years till I retired in the year 2004. I took on the job as a Housemaster and because Seletar was so country-like that I could run miles and miles daily keeping the SIA cadets fit. Today, there are at least more than a thousand SIA pilots tasted the good life at Seletar. It is ashamed that all these are going but one thing nobody can take away from us are our memmories of good old Seletar.
August 8, 2008 at 11:26 am
I’m living and working in Sydney now but back in 80s I worked at Seletar Airbase and had many wonderful memories of the place. You might like to read my collage of poems on Seletar written about 13 years ago but recently published in QLRS (Quarterly Literary Review Singapore). Unless I’m mistakened the bulldozers would by now have moved in.
October 21, 2008 at 3:03 am
I was there from Jan 1957-June 58 lived in H block worked in the station armoury small arms servicing and also bomb-gear for the Sunderlands
Had a great time with a great bunch of ‘mates’ who I wish I had kept in touch with, the only one being Johnny Eagles who is on our xmas card list.
Nights in Malcolm club or the NAAFI, or if the funds stretched a trip to town by taxi to the Nuffield club, which when my wife and I visited a few years ago is now the local police and armed forces club but we were given a free hand to visit and go all round. Oh!! memories the Old and New worlds, looking at all the ‘toffs’ going into Raffles (were we did go on our visit)
All these memories and only £7 per week national service pay, 1 Singapore $ was I think £1-1shilling
It really was the GOOD OLD DAYS
J Sanderson
October 22, 2008 at 6:56 am
i lived on seletar airbase as a young boy 1958 to 1960. This place was just perfect and i have never lived anywhere as nice since.I sincerely hope the current residents are allowed to continue living there, we all deserve to live in peace and harmony and where better than Seletar
November 26, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Hi, just about to enjoy my last month of living in Selatar. Your video is a lovely record, thank you.
Meanwhile, I am also a documentary maker, working on a history project and I would like to make contact with Julian Davison for some research assistance.
Would it be possible for you to pass this message and my email address to him please?
Thanks, Marilyn
February 6, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I served my NS in Seletar Camp. Great memories of the camp. More history can be found in this book “Crowning Glory: Seletar” in the National Library. It’s written by an Ex-RAF servicemen. Some of the buildings in the old photos are still standing today in the camp!
February 21, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Fantastic film. I lived on Maida Vale in the mid-60s and have wonderful memories of both Seletar and Singapore. I returned on a business trip about 15 years ago wanting to take a look around the airbase, and after some discussion my taxi driver was permitted to drive me around, though with a soldier sitting in the taxi with us, and I was not allowed to take photos. Our house on Maida Vale looked exactly the same as it did in the 60s. I sincerely hope the Singapore government do not demolish Seletar airbase as it is today.
March 14, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I lived at 1 Lancaster Gate during 1968/71. e revisited Seletar in March 2007 and quite suprised that the West Camp area was free to roam. Of course, we went toi se our old bungalow,quite changed from our time with railings and a wrought iron gate to the entrance.
we wamted to se more og the bungalow but didn’t have the nerve to go and ask the occupants.
Walking around the camp.saw the school where our two girls attended,The school in now derelict.
St Andrews Church on the camp no longer exists and is just a baren site now.
We walked up to Jalan Kayu and were amazed that one of the shops we used was still open. New Union at 255 JK.To our astonishment,the same manowned it.We met and the meeting for both of us was very emmotional. Now planning to revisit Singapore later in 2009.
What a pity that so much of the islands’ heritage is planned for the big changes.
March 14, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Oh happy days. Memories came flooding back whilst viewing this film. Would like to hearf from people who were there 1968/71 to share their views.
March 14, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Oh happy days. Memories came flooding back whilst viewing this film. Would like to hear from people who were there 1968/71 to share their views.
March 14, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Does anyone know the names of the occupant of 1 Lancaster Gate? Would love to be able to exchange stories with them. If anyone knows,reply to this blog
March 16, 2009 at 4:57 am
I lived here with my parents at 1 lancaster Gate about 1970-1971 (was in singapore from 1968-71)before we moved bk to Uk
went to the school on camp and learnt to swim at the pool on camp also. happy memories of trundling to and fro on the blk n white ‘noddybus’
wud luv to hear from anyone who was a neighbour during that time spent
April 2, 2009 at 5:05 am
I lived at 4 Knightsbrige 1969 –1971.
I worked at JATCC Payar Lebar Airport.
Played rugy for Seletar. Never lost a game while
I was there. Including a memorable game against Changi.Best posting I ever had
April 2, 2009 at 5:11 am
After reading Ken Benge’s notes I feel that we went on a Church Xmas dinner or something with Ken and family as well as a number of others.?? It didn’t stop raining for about 5 days that Xmas. ??????
April 2, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Archie, Can’t remember your name but we did attend St Andrews Church Seletar (Don Rabson was padre) Had Xmas dinner at Cuscaden House Hotel Why not e mail me kbexra*@ talktalk.net
* used to prevent phishing – use in its place f
Hope to hear from you.
April 8, 2009 at 10:41 pm
If you read this Archie, please e mail me at
kbexra#@talktalk.net
the # should be replaced with f – done to avoid spammers.
April 22, 2009 at 6:48 am
I was a 10 year old ‘RAF Brat’ in 1960 when we arrived at Seletar. To this day I still have vivid memories of it. We lived in Regent Street and I went to school at Seleter. It is a wonderful place and I was surprised from the film that parts of it are still intact. Have the bulldozers moved in yet? It would be such a shame to change it!
June 11, 2009 at 5:09 pm
A really nice video. I was stationed at Seletar 1960/62 working on West and East Camp as an Air Wireless Mechanic. Mixed feelings a) At the age of 18 I did not want an overseas posting as I had hoped to gain promotion before I “travelled the World”. b) Seletar was probably the best posting I ever had and I certainly could not complain about the food – service or civilian, although I have to agree with one of your correspondents – Seletar was a married man’s posting – the single man’s pay was a bit scant.
I have returned a few times with the Seletar Association and hope to do so again
June 11, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Please update me on any Seletar developments
June 18, 2009 at 3:10 pm
“Seletar Airbase…you will always be a part of me & I will always cherish & remember you!
…SIGH!! I grew up on Seletar Airbase. Moved there as a 14 yr-old kid with my 2 brothers & parents in 1981…we lived there till 1997. Mom only gave up our house on 7, Sussex Garden after dad passed away that same year.
…There is a magic about ‘Airbase’ which one can only understand if one has lived & grown up there as a child.
…The smell of fresh olives in the cool evening breeze…the serene & peaceful silence on evening walks under quaint streetlamps leftover from Colonial days..the excitement that electrifies the air during Christmastime, when groups of kids drive around the estate screaming “Merry Christmas”…..whilst families displayed their beautifully decorated Christmas trees on colonial porches ablaze with fairy lights, Perry Como or Nat King Cole singing Christmas Carols on the turntable..
…and the midnight visits to each others’ homes to eat Christmas Fruit Cake & exchange presents after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve Night…Christmas Day Lunch at Paul & Keith Warner’s home – that iconic 1, Edgeware Road, where we would gather for Aunty Mildred’s lovely Christmas Turkey & minced Pies…and as the years rolled by and we got a little older…YES!! A sip of Port Wine too!
I remember dance parties at the Main Guardhouse, where, at 15 & 16 we ‘Airbase’ kids partied with the MPs who were not much older than us…I remember Puppy Love,Crushes & First Loves…sweet nothings whispered & hands held tight on quiet walks at dusk thru Oxford Steet, Knightsbridge, Maida Vale and all the other age-old, narrow, romantic streets, bordering colonial homes & wide open fields…
…I remember the huge ramp my brothers & father helped build in the field behind our house when BMX was all the rave with the ‘Airbase’ kids….and on days when there was no one to ride with…we always had our Roundess games to look forward to in that same field in the evenings after homework was done. I remember taking those long 3km bike rides to the end of West Camp Road with my mother & dog Duke, to enjoy the cool evening sea breeze as we sat on our bikes staring out over the open Straits at Pasir Gudang on the other side…..
Moving to Seletar Airbase was one of the best things our parents ever did for us; what a wonderful childhood we had there, so many warm & fuzzy memories, and friendships formed in the Airbase which have withstood the tests of time and are still close to this day because of that bond we share that is growing up on SELETAR AIRBASE.
….Along with the happy there is also the sad – my 2 sweet dogs are buried there in the garden of 7, Sussex Garden, under the big tree….and our dear daddy, as he lay battling cancer in the hospital, towards his last days, had only 1 request, and that was to go home to his beloved Seletar Airbase, 7,Sussex Garden…he never made it…but I believe his spirit still lingers in that wonderful, peaceful old place, sitting in his favourite chair at the end of our stone walkway in the evenings,looking out on that big field behind our home, watching the children play.
June 18, 2009 at 3:50 pm
…Correction! – the 3km rides on our bikes were on EAST CAMP/Airport Road, leading up to the Airport, and not West Camp Road as I earlier mentioned…..it’s been a LONG time!
June 18, 2009 at 6:15 pm
If any of the UK subscribers to this item wouyld like photos of their house at Seletar,please let me know. I will be visiting Seletar camp in early November which may be the final chance to see the camp before the bulldozers move in.
Arch Archibald, if you see this please let me have a contact number.
July 24, 2009 at 4:26 am
lovely film it brought back memories for me to I think it was the first camp to have locally enlisted airmen too
July 29, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I am doing research into who lived in Maida Vale in one particular house. If Carolyn (Johnson Hill) or anyone else, has any information on past residents there, please could you reply back so we can exchange e-mail contacts?
thanks.
August 16, 2009 at 3:23 pm
The person who probably can help the most is Lyn Daynes (formerly Harrison) who was my best friend in Singapore. She also lived on Maida Vale – a couple of doors up from my parents (M/Plt Peter and Pat Hill). My father was a helicopter pilot, flying Belvederes.
If you send me your e-mail address I will let you have Lyn’s so you can contact her. I am also in contact with a couple of other women who went to the same secondary school in Seletar as Lyn Daynes, and who lived at Seletar (though not on Maida Vale. I went to Changi school myself.
October 12, 2009 at 6:01 am
I lived in no 8 Mornington Crescent Seletar as a little girl from around 1959-1963. My memories are of starting school in an attap hut, having a gardener, maid etc, growing pineapples and bananas, Bouncing from bed to bed in our big long room in the villa, Tiger Balm gardens, playing in the monsoon ditches, the processions through the streets of dragons that scared me, wonderful rattan furniture: the smell still makes me think of that time, feeding the crocodiles at the crocodile farm, picking coconuts up off the beach. Sneaking to the Kampong to see what was going on there as i6t seemed so strange to us children, Jalan Kayu and the shop with an electric eel in a big fish tank. We always wanted to put our hands into the water but were worried it would kill us! The fresh rambutans sold by the street vendors.
I was actually planning to go to Singapore in 2010 as I’ve never been back. Never been able to afford to before now. My sister lived in Hong Kong for several years and visited regularly. She’s says it’s all ruined and commercial now.
My brother returned as an airman some years afterward and married a Singapore girl. They regularly visit the city too.
Has Seletar been bulldozed yet? If not do you know when it is due to be as it would be great to see the place of my sweet childhood memories again. My parents were so happy there and photographs show them smiling and having fun.
I can’t find MOrnington cRescent on the maps, is it still there?
October 12, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Wendy, Mornington Crescent is still shown on the Singapore Street Map at
http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_1/travel_site_130623/5/
L last visited Seletar in 2007 when many of the houses were then boarded up. I wilolo be in Singapore 14 to 22 November and will try to access the camp. I say “try” because my friends just off Jalan Kayu, say that the developers have moved in in force and likely that the camp as we knew it is no more.
I have noted your address and if able. will get a photo or two.
Will let you know via these pages.
October 12, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Even the people of Singapore, especially in the Jalan Jayu and Seletar areas, are dismayed at the decision to re-develop Seletar Camp. It was until now,one of the few open plan locations where people could live without being in a high rise tower block or being boxed in by the sheer volume of buildings.
Fortunately,the happy memories of the RAF camp community will live on. It was a great place to work,live and play in and changed the lives of many of those who served at lived at RAF Seletar.
October 25, 2009 at 3:38 am
We lived at 24 Regent Street from 1952-1953. My dear Dat was an air gunner on Sunderland Flying Boats. Sadly, he was killed exactly one week beforevmy sixth birhtday and six weeks before my sister’s birth. I’m going back next year for the first time, but have found the Regent street has been demolished and with it , my memories. I’m heartbroken.
October 25, 2009 at 3:38 am
We lived at 24 Regent Street from 1952-1953. My dear Dad was an air gunner on Sunderland Flying Boats. Sadly, he was killed exactly one week beforevmy sixth birhtday and six weeks before my sister’s birth. I’m going back next year for the first time, but have found the Regent street has been demolished and with it , my memories. I’m heartbroken.
November 22, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Thank you Ken,I’d love to hear from you.
November 26, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Archie Archilbald, yes we did dine out together in 1969/71 – can you make contact with me at
kbexraf@talktalk.net
November 26, 2009 at 7:02 pm
For those who have asked for photos of Seletar married quarters, I am afraid it is bad news. Apart from a few,most have or are in the process of being demolished.
WEe did managed to drive around the camp last week (20/11/09) but most places are boarded up and roads as we knew them are closed in by 6′ high solid panels.
The end of the line for so many happy memories.
November 30, 2009 at 11:23 am
We used to live at COCO HUT No. 1 Hyde Park Gate for 13 years (1988 – 2001) before moving to Australia. The house was just next to the Seletar Club’s tennis court. My two children grown up in the area. They had a wonderful childhood memories. Same as us too that it was the best place we have ever lived – greeneries, natural environment, friendly neighbours, safe place, care free living and it contains the element of spiritual nostalgic feeling living there. Went to see the place yesterday. I was so heart broken that my house which had so much souls, memories, histories, events and lush tropical garden in it, was gone. What’s left was just a piece of land with the erected barricades. We will keep those beautiful memories close to our heart forever. Miss you Coco Hut!
Any past neighbours who like to keep contact, pls email at: rofina@kinkis.com.au, we are based in Gold Coast Australia now.
Cheers everyone who share the same memories and sentiments of Seletar Camp!
January 29, 2010 at 12:19 am
I was reading something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your position on it is diametrically opposed to what I read originally. I am still pondering over the different points of view, but I’m tipped to a great extent toward yours. And irrespective, that’s what is so super about advanced democracy and the marketplace of thoughts on-line.
January 30, 2010 at 6:16 am
Re Lee Pyotr above date shown is 29 January 2010 but was advised to me on 26th January , he/she must be paranormal !!
In any case, what on earth is the message all about?
Seems that Lee Pyotr is at cross purposes to those of us that are saddened by the
demise of Seletar camp,a place that had an amazing impact on those that served there.
My visit in November 2009 afforded me a final opportunity to see what little is left of the camp – very emotional to realise that it is no more.
March 2, 2010 at 3:41 am
I was in Singapore 1994/7 and have wonderful memories.WHAT IS IT ABOUT SINGAPORE THAT BRINGS YOU BACK?-I have visited several times in recent years and throughout all the progress it still has the old magic
March 6, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I remember my friends Paul & Keith Warner. Keith was a little younger than me and the aggressive one, and Paul would often break up fights – very fairly, even though he was a towering 12 years old, while I was just a 10-year-old!
If anyone has Paul’s & Keith’s contact details, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks.
March 6, 2010 at 3:10 pm
I remember my friends Paul & Keith Warner. Keith was a little younger than me and the aggressive one, and Paul would often break up fights – very fairly, even though he was a towering 12 years old, while I was just a 10-year-old!
If anyone has Paul’s & Keith’s contact details, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks.
April 22, 2010 at 3:39 am
брак с иностранцем
April 25, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Re Lee Pyotr – He or she must be an American!
September 9, 2010 at 7:31 am
It is so great to read all these comments about Seletar. I was there twice – once from years 1958 – 1961 and 1966 – 1969. On our first trip when I was only 7 yrs old we lived on Maida Vale and on the second trip we lived on Mornington Crescent right opposite my school which I believe is a cube of glass now! So many, many, happy memories. I used to go fishing with my Dad to the fish ponds somewhere on Singapore. We spent many happy hours at the swimming pool, eating chips afterwards with a bottle of ice cold chocolate milk! If I drink it now it reminds me of those days. Does anyone remember buying grated coconut in cones of newspaper or hot roasted peanuts in paper? Yum! Would love to correspond with anyone from that era – I remember lots of people but have forgotten surnames so it is difficult to look these people up. My Dad was Warrant Officer Dan McNally and worked in Signals or ComCen. Does anyone remember Phil Bentley? He was a driver and went back to UK to train for Air Crew. Would love to know how he is. Looking forward to hearing from someone! Thanks.
September 9, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Julie, you lived in MOrnington Crescent at the same time as I did when a child. People usually remembered our family because I had three older brothers and two sisters. Were you a brownie? I was
September 9, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I’m sorry Wendy. When I was at Mornington Crescent I was between 15 and 17yrs old so maybe I didn’t know you then.The only name I can remember from those days (girl friends) was Denise Butcher but she didn’t live on the camp. I started going out with Phil Bentley not long after arriving so didn’t have many girlfriends as we ‘courted’ for 2 years. Had a great friend called Maggie but can’t remember her last name! My two elder sisters might be remembered by someone – their names were Brenda and Poppy McNally. Thanks for replying anyway.
October 2, 2010 at 6:23 am
Dear sir or madam, I am trying to trace the signature on a book that I have. It is a copy of the book JET-The Story of a Pioneer- by Sir Frank Whittle and was signed by him and presented in the XMAS draw at RAF Seletar on 24/12/1956. It also has another signature that I am unable to read but maybe the CO of the camp, although it appears that it may be a foreign name.I wonder if you or anyone else could help to identify this other signature. If necessary I could forward an image of the book, regards Jon Stafford, Devon, UK.
October 6, 2010 at 9:50 pm
anyone who can connect me with tom, dot and son melvin cooper, from seletar 1961-62 please email me leaton@ecn.net.au or in australia mobile 0400242077
November 5, 2010 at 11:14 pm
After completed my NS recruit training, I was posted to Seletar East Camp in Feb 1971 to continue my NS thereat. I remember we were staying in this British’s 3-storey barrack (I think it’s Blk B). At that time, there was a bus service plying inside the camp infront of our barrack. I think it was bus service no. 70E. After my ROD (now it’s called ORD), we would return there every year for our reservist’s trg until, I think in 1985, thus completing our NS liability. Well, I had many happy memories there. There is too much to write about the place. I’ll stop here for now.
March 1, 2011 at 9:17 pm
I have fond memories of my 3 week induction stay in seletar in june 1960. jaric(fe) and “h” block was my home for this period before being sent on detachment to tengah for the next 18 months. Being nat service there was’nt much money to play with but the memories I will never forget.
My biggest memory was with collegue george duncan taking a short cut from west camp to east camp across the start of the runway and just being missed by a landing meteor. The fact that we were new moonies got us out trouble when we got hauled up to the control tower. Happy days.
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June 20, 2012 at 6:10 am
Wow, this takes me back too, to No 1 Oxford Street and later No 17 Maida Vale (1962~65). My father was a W.O. policeman and was in charge of the main guardroom, (if I remember correctly!)
We actually made our way to Singapore on the last eastbound troopship, “S.S. Oxfordshire”.
I’ve been back at least 20 times in the intervening years, and I never tire of the place!
If anyone remembers me or just wants to chat, please drop me a line at ‘juliet-mike@live.com’.
Cheers,
Jules Mitchell
September 8, 2012 at 1:17 am
Just came across this while idly surfing and for the first time in many years, I was tipped into nostalgia for a Singapore long since gone.
Seletar base was my home from 1968 until 1971, initially at 10 Hampstead Gardens then 1 Baker Street. I loved it, but being a Changi Grammar boy, many weekends were spent in Changi too. My younger brothers, Patrick and Gareth both attended the junior school at Seletar (right beside our Baker Street house). For them, Singapore was Seletar and Jalan Kayu.
Thank you for the memories!
February 13, 2013 at 5:11 pm
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February 25, 2013 at 11:57 pm
There was a comment left by David Yeo, who spoke about his memories of Father Henri Soussard at the chapel in Jalan Kayu. I would very much like to speak with him, as I am writing an article about Fr Soussard for the 50th anniversary of that chapel, now the Church of ST Vincent de Paul. Could I have David’s email address please?
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August 28, 2013 at 4:32 am
My dad was stationed at Seletar late ’57 to ’58 having been at Butterworth for two years previously. We lived on Penang then.
We lived on Serangoon Garden Way and travelled to school on camp by RAF bus. I didn’t like Seletar much after Penang but made a few friends and importantly bumped into my best friend from Finningley, Nicky Sharp(e). Lost touch again though on return to England.
I do recall the Sunderlands and my dad going ‘flying fox’shooting with our singalese next door neighbours. Even though I say I didn’t like Singapore after Penang, I do have fond memories of it. Landing at Paya Leba and the sleeper train to Penang after a flight in a Hermes which broke down in Brindisi. I have vivid memories of it all.
October 9, 2013 at 8:27 pm
To Audrey De silva, did you by chance have a brother called peter? I knew a Peter De Silva from school! I remember he broke both wrists/arms in a playground accident.
David Smith
January 2, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Dear Audrey,
Your book must have been published by now.
I hope you have most of the info that you need.
In any case, if there is any other info that you think I may contribute..please email me at davidyeohk@yahoo.com.sg
there is this clip on you tube on married quarters in changi with a poignant melody by Debussy..clair de lune. very apt for the memories that is seletar air base, I would swear the photos in that clip was of seletar air base
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January 21, 2022 at 9:15 pm
I was posted to Seletar November 1964 for the usual 30 month Tour. I was a Photographer, posted to CPRU attached to JARIC FE. Food in the Airmen’s mess West camp was excellent, choices of British food, Chinese/Malay and Curries. January 1966 I was reposted To 390 MU, NDT Team. I am currently writing my memories of those fantastic 30 months.