THIS IS MY LIFE- 17

17 – HAPPY FAMILY IN KUCHING CORPS

I had farewelled from Kuching Corps in mid 1957. Later the same year the corps moved to its present premises – a purpose-built complex. The main entrance opened into a lobby with toilets on the right. The hall was a spacious area with a middle isle and heavy wooden pews on both sides. The platform was of concrete with steps at each end. Both sides of the dais also had doors leading into the Y.P. Hall which was used during the week as a kindergarten for forty children.

The officers’ quarters was another building behind, separated by a fence. The front door opened into the sitting room. To the right were two bedrooms with a bathroom in between. To the left was our dining area leading into the kitchen with a door out into the backyard.

Every Sunday began with a Directory class at 9 a.m. attended mainly by the boys who walked from the Boys’ Home. The Holiness Meeting was at 10 a.m. supported by the officers and children of both Homes. Sunday school was at 3 p.m. with children coming from the surrounding area. Open-air meeting was at 5p.m. after which we marched back to the hall for the evening Salvation Meeting at 6 p.m. It was a Chinese speaking corps, but we sang in English as well. My husband and I took turns to lead or give the message. The speaker would also give a summary of the sermon in English for the non-Chinese members in the congregation.

The corps had a very busy corps programme for the week. Between my husband and I we taught the children of the kindergarten. As Poh Ai was nearly two years old then she enjoyed being in the kindergarten. Thean Hock remained in his cot by the front window of the children’s room. From there he could hear and see us in the class. He was a very good and contented baby and we could pop in and out easily.

Monday afternoon was our free time if there were no official business or meetings. Being in charge of the Scouts and Guides, my husband attended the meetings for Boy Scout leaders (Akela), and I went to those for Girl Guide leaders (Brown Owls). I also took courses to qualify as a Guide leader. These usually took place on a Monday afternoon and evening.

When possible our family would spend Monday afternoon with Captain and Mrs. Webb and their children - Geoffrey and Carolyn - at the Museum garden. While the adults chatted, the children enjoyed themselves playing together. Before returning to our respective homes, a special treat was a Chinese meal at Fook Hoi, a coffee shop situated opposite the General Post Office. With kids on tow, both families travelled by bus. On their own, the men would cycle everywhere. Alternatively we would visit each others’ home for the afternoon and evening, to celebrate birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

Home League was held on a Tuesday afternoon, with Mrs. Captain Thelma Webb serving as Treasurer. Junior and Senior Soldiers’ meetings were held on Wednesday night. These were supported by the officers and the boys of the Home. On a Thursday afternoon Major Willis kindly arranged for the Girls Home van to transport our family to the Girls’ Home. I would hold our weekly Brownie and Guide meetings while my husband visited the residents of the Home with our children. After dinner with the Home officers, there were the spiritual meetings for the Junior and Senior Soldiers. By the end of the day we were more than grateful for a ride home. The Youth Group, Torchbearers, met on Friday evening; and the cubs and scouts had their meetings on Saturday afternoon. Visitation had to be done some time in this busy schedule.

The officers of each centre took turns to hold the fort while the rest went for the Anniversary celebrations in Singapore. When it was our turn to stay behind, we would then take our annual furlough that year somewhere in Sarawak. On one occasion we went to Santubong, a fishing village. The journey would take more than three hours by motor boat, depending on the tide. Poh Ai was three and Thean Hock was only one year old! We were told to bring as much as possible because there were hardly any shops there. Our accommodation was one of a few wooden bungalows on a hill with bare essentials. We put two arm chairs together as a bed for each of the children. However, they loved playing in the water and we enjoyed fresh fish everyday.

One weekend the Webb family came to visit us, but could only travel with the tide, so they arrived about 2 a.m. The two loaves of bread they brought were as welcomed as they were! What a wonderful day we all had together! We were young and adventurous then!

A year later, in mid March 1963, on the weekend after Thean Hock had his first birthday; Daddy had to leave for the International College for Officers in London. He left on a Saturday for Singapore, then boarded the ship Orcades. Arrangements were made for Ee Hong, a sixteen year old girl living nearby, to stay with me during the few months he was away. In those days the P & O boats took about three weeks to London from Singapore. My beloved was very good, writing me EVERYDAY, just as he did when were we were courting!