Jack Gulston remembers...

The information that C.S.C is to celebrate its sixtieth birthday in 1996 aroused memories of the time I was in my twenties again, gazing out over the Straits to Pulau Ubin. Here are just a few of them:

* Our first regatta when the Gents toilet overfilled its expectations.
* When we whitewashed the R.A.F.Y.C.
* The first time I capsized - for Stanly Townsend to tell the press of how the strong winds separated the chaff from the wheat.
* When my centre plate buckled whilst beating against a Sumatra.
* The time someone his an overripe durian in my stern locker.

* The morning I was chased around Seletar bay by a Sunderland flying boat and the same evening when i played darts at the R.A.F.Y.C. for that same Sunderland, only to see the face of the Sepoy guard when we reported to the hangar to collect our winnings.
* Our racebox (The Bridge) with its complete layout of nautical instruments - one battered alarm clock (a gift from the married quaters), a length of rail suspended from the roof and a heavy duty spanner to hit it with, before Dough Boland's party produced a proper bell.
* The way the military rank was shelved in favour of Club rank in complete harmony.
* The day Hinger Hussey and party raided the ladies dressing from (the toolshed) to hide all their clothing.
* The moon coming up over the palm trees of Pulau Tekong.
* Walking down Changi Beach to Telok Paku in the moonlight with no one else in sight.
* "Kolek" racing at Bedok over the Christmas holiday.
* Sailing my two "jongs"
* Monkeys lining up by the dining hall in anticipation of a few leftovers.
* Joining in the "Ronggengs" with the Malay soldiers at Changi Hill H.Q.
* Malay weddings - when I came home with a packet of rice, a red painted egg and a flower - a sign of fertility I was given to understand, and Chinese New Year when I came home with a headache.
* Sumatras, Bullfrogs and crickets.
* Sunsets and thunderstorms.
* Calling at the cafe in Katong for English-type tea and toast and living it up at the Cafe Wien in Orchard Road with Vienna Schnitzel and fresh strawberries - flown in from Australia.
* Ginger (Ah Chow) the barman forever singing "Pennies From Heaven".
* And George. our Cocos Islander, coming to be verandish to say goodnight and collect his ration of undiluted Scotch.
* Our friend Alan Brown, the planter coming all the way down from Bukit Lambak near Kluang to present me with a beautiful Eagle Owl on a chain.

Above all The Golden Chersonese.

Yours sincerely,
J. Gulston.