50's

A 50's RESCUE by Nebille Kirby
 In the Spring of 1958, I was a National Service Airman residing in Block 42 and working as a signaller in Signal Centre, Singapore, which is the currently unused building at the corner of Netheravon Road and Cranwell Road. Brain Newman and Paddy McLean, two friends of mine decided to swim from Pagar Beach to Ubin Island. I warned them against this as it was known that the currents were very strong and I was aware that nobody had attempted such a thing during our time at Changi.
 
The Block 42 Skiffle Group rehearse on the middle floor balcony of Block 42. Neville (Rip) Kirby - Accordian, Brian Newman - Tea Chest Bass, Brian Jennings - Guitar.

This group played on the Sailing Club beach and the beach of Telok Paku.

The circa 1936 Fontalini accordian was the property og the R.A.F. and had been at Changi since before the Japanese occupation. It is the accordian that was used by some of the concert parties which the prisoners of war formed while under internment. Although it looks rather battered, it was still in good working order in 1957 when the photo was taken. It was also used for many sing-songs at "Boat Parties" in what was the Chalet Club and is now the hospital block just behind the S.I.A. Club.

(Photo courtesy of N Kirby)
The two were not to be out off however, and set off with one pair of flippers between them. I kept an eye on them from the Pagar diving board and became worried when I noticed that, not having even reached the halfway point, they were being swept sideways at a rate of knots. I knew that Brian and Paddy were not particularly strong swimmers and started to fear for their lives. I quickly went into the Yacht Club and explained the situation to a high ranking and very crusty R.A.F. Officer. He berated me about the stupidity of the two boys but I finally convinced him that their lives were in danger and he started up the Club motor boat so that we could go look for them.

When we found them they had been swept a long way to port and were in the process of clambering aboard a one-man fishing boat. The fisherman kindly agreed to bring his exhausted cargo back to shore. As we were passing the Pagar in convoy, the officer started to shout to my friends and tell them how stupid they had been to cause such a 'flap'. He went on to tell them that he would make sure they were put on a charge. National Servicemen were well known for their initiative and Brian and Paddy dived into the shallows, raced up the beach and across what is now the S.I.A. sportsfield and disppeared among the trees.


The furious officer demanded that I tell him their names but of course I feigned ignorance and said I had no idea who they were. Not to be outdone, he rung the guardroom and the 'snowdrops' (service police) came looking for them. Brain and Paddy escaped detection, however, by hiding in the toilets of Block 42.