Home sweet home!
Sep 28th 2006, 2:41 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5
Home sweet home!
Hi!
I am new to this forum, and joined in the hope that someone can help me locate our old home in the days of the Emergency before Malaysia gained her independence from Britain. My late father was a regular soldier in the RASC. We lived in married quarters at HQ Malaya Command, Kuala Lumpur. We returned to England in 1956, when I was 13 years old. I didn't know then that I wouldn't return to the country that I still love so much until 2002.
I had contacted the British Consulate and one of the staff kindly accompanied me in a chauffeur driven car to try to locate our old home. We drove around without much success until I mentioned that there had been an open air army swimming pool nearby. The chauffeur immediately beamed and told us that he knew where that was, except it had been filled in in readiness for some building work. When we got there, I was thrilled because I recognised the adjacent football pitch with it's black painted stone benches as the same one that our troops use to play on.
I knew how to get to our bungalow from there, and in a few minutes we arrived at our old home. I was amazed because the whole area was now a gigantic building site. They were building luxury villas, hotels, etc where our bungalows used to be. The heart wrenching thing was that of the 100 or so semi detached bungalows that spread across the area all those years ago, there was only one pair left - ours and our neighbours, the Hartons! I was quite overcome, and saw that the firefly tree was still there at the bottom of the road. There were the servant's quarters occupied by our lovely and loving armah, who made us melted cheese on toast for our tea. The bungalow has been unoccupied for some time. There was a chain link fence around it, and the "jungle" had taken root on our stone steps and had spread all the way to our front door.
I knew that I would not be allowed to do anything else but take some photos. There was a suggestion that one needed a pass to enter the area, but I couldn't understand why. There were still local cafes and shops around the corner, in a place that used to be called Nobby's Mart. It didn't look like a place that was off limits. Later, I asked our escort for the address, but he dodged the answer, by saying that if I or any of my siblings visited Malaysia again, we would just need to contact the Consulate and we would be taken there again. It may have been because the Malaysia Army was now occupying the buildings that has been occupied by the British Army, but these were a little distance away.
I have attached a few photos of the bungalow and the local area, in the hope that someone has passed by that way, and knows the address that I am looking for. I would dearly love to return to Malaysia, and if I am not too late, I would like to spend more time taking some more photos of our home and perhaps even gain entry. (The chain link fence gaped in places!) It was raining on our visit, and our photo taking session was unfortunately rushed. The bungalow looks so tiny and neglected now. It was formerly a lovely pastel pink, and the garden area was full of flowers. I have uploaded a photo of our neighbours' end of the building, as ours was too overgrown with vegetation to see it properly.
Thanks so much for taking the time. I hope that someone can help me. Perhaps the photos will ring a bell in someone's memory.
Warm regards,
Hazel
I am new to this forum, and joined in the hope that someone can help me locate our old home in the days of the Emergency before Malaysia gained her independence from Britain. My late father was a regular soldier in the RASC. We lived in married quarters at HQ Malaya Command, Kuala Lumpur. We returned to England in 1956, when I was 13 years old. I didn't know then that I wouldn't return to the country that I still love so much until 2002.
I had contacted the British Consulate and one of the staff kindly accompanied me in a chauffeur driven car to try to locate our old home. We drove around without much success until I mentioned that there had been an open air army swimming pool nearby. The chauffeur immediately beamed and told us that he knew where that was, except it had been filled in in readiness for some building work. When we got there, I was thrilled because I recognised the adjacent football pitch with it's black painted stone benches as the same one that our troops use to play on.
I knew how to get to our bungalow from there, and in a few minutes we arrived at our old home. I was amazed because the whole area was now a gigantic building site. They were building luxury villas, hotels, etc where our bungalows used to be. The heart wrenching thing was that of the 100 or so semi detached bungalows that spread across the area all those years ago, there was only one pair left - ours and our neighbours, the Hartons! I was quite overcome, and saw that the firefly tree was still there at the bottom of the road. There were the servant's quarters occupied by our lovely and loving armah, who made us melted cheese on toast for our tea. The bungalow has been unoccupied for some time. There was a chain link fence around it, and the "jungle" had taken root on our stone steps and had spread all the way to our front door.
I knew that I would not be allowed to do anything else but take some photos. There was a suggestion that one needed a pass to enter the area, but I couldn't understand why. There were still local cafes and shops around the corner, in a place that used to be called Nobby's Mart. It didn't look like a place that was off limits. Later, I asked our escort for the address, but he dodged the answer, by saying that if I or any of my siblings visited Malaysia again, we would just need to contact the Consulate and we would be taken there again. It may have been because the Malaysia Army was now occupying the buildings that has been occupied by the British Army, but these were a little distance away.
I have attached a few photos of the bungalow and the local area, in the hope that someone has passed by that way, and knows the address that I am looking for. I would dearly love to return to Malaysia, and if I am not too late, I would like to spend more time taking some more photos of our home and perhaps even gain entry. (The chain link fence gaped in places!) It was raining on our visit, and our photo taking session was unfortunately rushed. The bungalow looks so tiny and neglected now. It was formerly a lovely pastel pink, and the garden area was full of flowers. I have uploaded a photo of our neighbours' end of the building, as ours was too overgrown with vegetation to see it properly.
Thanks so much for taking the time. I hope that someone can help me. Perhaps the photos will ring a bell in someone's memory.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Last edited by Hazel; Sep 28th 2006 at 3:21 pm.
Sep 28th 2006, 5:29 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
Re: Home sweet home!
Originally Posted by Hazel
Hi!
I am new to this forum, and joined in the hope that someone can help me locate our old home in the days of the Emergency before Malaysia gained her independence from Britain. My late father was a regular soldier in the RASC. We lived in married quarters at HQ Malaya Command, Kuala Lumpur. We returned to England in 1956, when I was 13 years old. I didn't know then that I wouldn't return to the country that I still love so much until 2002.
I had contacted the British Consulate and one of the staff kindly accompanied me in a chauffeur driven car to try to locate our old home. We drove around without much success until I mentioned that there had been an open air army swimming pool nearby. The chauffeur immediately beamed and told us that he knew where that was, except it had been filled in in readiness for some building work. When we got there, I was thrilled because I recognised the adjacent football pitch with it's black painted stone benches as the same one that our troops use to play on.
I knew how to get to our bungalow from there, and in a few minutes we arrived at our old home. I was amazed because the whole area was now a gigantic building site. They were building luxury villas, hotels, etc where our bungalows used to be. The heart wrenching thing was that of the 100 or so semi detached bungalows that spread across the area all those years ago, there was only one pair left - ours and our neighbours, the Hartons! I was quite overcome, and saw that the firefly tree was still there at the bottom of the road. There were the servant's quarters occupied by our lovely and loving armah, who made us melted cheese on toast for our tea. The bungalow has been unoccupied for some time. There was a chain link fence around it, and the "jungle" had taken root on our stone steps and had spread all the way to our front door.
I knew that I would not be allowed to do anything else but take some photos. There was a suggestion that one needed a pass to enter the area, but I couldn't understand why. There were still local cafes and shops around the corner, in a place that used to be called Nobby's Mart. It didn't look like a place that was off limits. Later, I asked our escort for the address, but he dodged the answer, by saying that if I or any of my siblings visited Malaysia again, we would just need to contact the Consulate and we would be taken there again. It may have been because the Malaysia Army was now occupying the buildings that has been occupied by the British Army, but these were a little distance away.
I have attached a few photos of the bungalow and the local area, in the hope that someone has passed by that way, and knows the address that I am looking for. I would dearly love to return to Malaysia, and if I am not too late, I would like to spend more time taking some more photos of our home and perhaps even gain entry. (The chain link fence gaped in places!) It was raining on our visit, and our photo taking session was unfortunately rushed. The bungalow looks so tiny and neglected now. It was formerly a lovely pastel pink, and the garden area was full of flowers. I have uploaded a photo of our neighbours' end of the building, as ours was too overgrown with vegetation to see it properly.
Thanks so much for taking the time. I hope that someone can help me. Perhaps the photos will ring a bell in someone's memory.
Warm regards,
Hazel
I am new to this forum, and joined in the hope that someone can help me locate our old home in the days of the Emergency before Malaysia gained her independence from Britain. My late father was a regular soldier in the RASC. We lived in married quarters at HQ Malaya Command, Kuala Lumpur. We returned to England in 1956, when I was 13 years old. I didn't know then that I wouldn't return to the country that I still love so much until 2002.
I had contacted the British Consulate and one of the staff kindly accompanied me in a chauffeur driven car to try to locate our old home. We drove around without much success until I mentioned that there had been an open air army swimming pool nearby. The chauffeur immediately beamed and told us that he knew where that was, except it had been filled in in readiness for some building work. When we got there, I was thrilled because I recognised the adjacent football pitch with it's black painted stone benches as the same one that our troops use to play on.
I knew how to get to our bungalow from there, and in a few minutes we arrived at our old home. I was amazed because the whole area was now a gigantic building site. They were building luxury villas, hotels, etc where our bungalows used to be. The heart wrenching thing was that of the 100 or so semi detached bungalows that spread across the area all those years ago, there was only one pair left - ours and our neighbours, the Hartons! I was quite overcome, and saw that the firefly tree was still there at the bottom of the road. There were the servant's quarters occupied by our lovely and loving armah, who made us melted cheese on toast for our tea. The bungalow has been unoccupied for some time. There was a chain link fence around it, and the "jungle" had taken root on our stone steps and had spread all the way to our front door.
I knew that I would not be allowed to do anything else but take some photos. There was a suggestion that one needed a pass to enter the area, but I couldn't understand why. There were still local cafes and shops around the corner, in a place that used to be called Nobby's Mart. It didn't look like a place that was off limits. Later, I asked our escort for the address, but he dodged the answer, by saying that if I or any of my siblings visited Malaysia again, we would just need to contact the Consulate and we would be taken there again. It may have been because the Malaysia Army was now occupying the buildings that has been occupied by the British Army, but these were a little distance away.
I have attached a few photos of the bungalow and the local area, in the hope that someone has passed by that way, and knows the address that I am looking for. I would dearly love to return to Malaysia, and if I am not too late, I would like to spend more time taking some more photos of our home and perhaps even gain entry. (The chain link fence gaped in places!) It was raining on our visit, and our photo taking session was unfortunately rushed. The bungalow looks so tiny and neglected now. It was formerly a lovely pastel pink, and the garden area was full of flowers. I have uploaded a photo of our neighbours' end of the building, as ours was too overgrown with vegetation to see it properly.
Thanks so much for taking the time. I hope that someone can help me. Perhaps the photos will ring a bell in someone's memory.
Warm regards,
Hazel
www.nmbva.co.uk
www.servicepals.com www.forcesreunited.org.uk
Hope this might help you,Regards Brian.
PS you will have to join the last two.I think its around 7 pounds a year each
Sep 28th 2006, 8:22 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5
Re: Home sweet home!
Hi, Brian!
Thanks so much for responding to my SOS! Your first impression may be correct, because there was a rubber plantation just across the road from us, and a tin mine about a mile away. Therefore, I don't think that we were very close to town, but I can't be sure. I remember that we had a AKC cinema nearer the barracks, a Catholic church and an Anglican church, and of course our BAC school. The army buildings were still there. I have attached a pic of one of them which will only be familiar if you ever visited HQ Malaya Command at KL. I also found another photo of our bungalow. The tall buuldings in the previous attachments were all built relatively recently. It looks completely different where they have been building, and the building projects are numerous and extensive. Sadly, from a personal point of view, my past is being bulldozed away to oblivion. It is really weird that try as I might over the years, I cannot find out where HQ Malaya Command use to be. The info. would greatly assist me in identifying and locating the area in which we we used to live.
My late uncles Colonel John Thorogood and Major Harold Wood were also in the REME. They joined Civvy Street sometime after the war, and both took up directorships with Borneo Motors in Singapore, which was a sister company of Austin Motors UK.
I was mesmerised by Singapore and KL as they are today. Singapore was so pristine and completely hi-tec. The sky scapers rival those in New York. They are years ahead of us in England with their urban technology. Much of KL was as it used to be, such as the Padang, the Selangor Club, the Post Office and the Railway Station, but there have been many changes here, too, and there are now enormous malls, lavish enough to rival the best in the world.
It was a memorable holiday. In fact it was almost a pilgrimage to two countries that I love, and in which I spent 9 of my formative childhood years because of my father's 3 tours to the Far East. I wish that I had the courage to sell up everything here,and emigrate. I have read on this list, that others are doing just that. The call of those sunkissed beaches, edged by coconut trees, and those exquisite sleepy lagoons is still very strong, so who knows?
Thanks again, Brian! I hope that someone comes up with the information that I have been searching for.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Thanks so much for responding to my SOS! Your first impression may be correct, because there was a rubber plantation just across the road from us, and a tin mine about a mile away. Therefore, I don't think that we were very close to town, but I can't be sure. I remember that we had a AKC cinema nearer the barracks, a Catholic church and an Anglican church, and of course our BAC school. The army buildings were still there. I have attached a pic of one of them which will only be familiar if you ever visited HQ Malaya Command at KL. I also found another photo of our bungalow. The tall buuldings in the previous attachments were all built relatively recently. It looks completely different where they have been building, and the building projects are numerous and extensive. Sadly, from a personal point of view, my past is being bulldozed away to oblivion. It is really weird that try as I might over the years, I cannot find out where HQ Malaya Command use to be. The info. would greatly assist me in identifying and locating the area in which we we used to live.
My late uncles Colonel John Thorogood and Major Harold Wood were also in the REME. They joined Civvy Street sometime after the war, and both took up directorships with Borneo Motors in Singapore, which was a sister company of Austin Motors UK.
I was mesmerised by Singapore and KL as they are today. Singapore was so pristine and completely hi-tec. The sky scapers rival those in New York. They are years ahead of us in England with their urban technology. Much of KL was as it used to be, such as the Padang, the Selangor Club, the Post Office and the Railway Station, but there have been many changes here, too, and there are now enormous malls, lavish enough to rival the best in the world.
It was a memorable holiday. In fact it was almost a pilgrimage to two countries that I love, and in which I spent 9 of my formative childhood years because of my father's 3 tours to the Far East. I wish that I had the courage to sell up everything here,and emigrate. I have read on this list, that others are doing just that. The call of those sunkissed beaches, edged by coconut trees, and those exquisite sleepy lagoons is still very strong, so who knows?
Thanks again, Brian! I hope that someone comes up with the information that I have been searching for.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Originally Posted by Arizona Wurzel
Hi Hazel,At first look at your pics i thought that it could be just on the outskirts of KL southbound but i see that it is more likely to be very close to the town centre.Many street names have been changed since Malaya got their independence.I was in the REME and was first stationed in Johore Baru at Majeede barracks.I spent two years and two months in Sungie Besi just south of KL in 1955/56/57 and enjoyed my time there very much.KL is a beautiful city.I have never been back to Malaya or Singapore but have been on GoogleEarth and have seen how much it has changed.There are a few websites you could ask if there is anybody out there that might no KL better that i did.
www.nmbva.co.uk
www.servicepals.com www.forcesreunited.org.uk
Hope this might help you,Regards Brian.
PS you will have to join the last two.I think its around 7 pounds a year each
www.nmbva.co.uk
www.servicepals.com www.forcesreunited.org.uk
Hope this might help you,Regards Brian.
PS you will have to join the last two.I think its around 7 pounds a year each
Sep 29th 2006, 3:32 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
Re: Home sweet home!
Originally Posted by Hazel
Hi, Brian!
Thanks so much for responding to my SOS! Your first impression may be correct, because there was a rubber plantation just across the road from us, and a tin mine about a mile away. Therefore, I don't think that we were very close to town, but I can't be sure. I remember that we had a AKC cinema nearer the barracks, a Catholic church and an Anglican church, and of course our BAC school. The army buildings were still there. I have attached a pic of one of them which will only be familiar if you ever visited HQ Malaya Command at KL. I also found another photo of our bungalow. The tall buuldings in the previous attachments were all built relatively recently. It looks completely different where they have been building, and the building projects are numerous and extensive. Sadly, from a personal point of view, my past is being bulldozed away to oblivion. It is really weird that try as I might over the years, I cannot find out where HQ Malaya Command use to be. The info. would greatly assist me in identifying and locating the area in which we we used to live.
My late uncles Colonel John Thorogood and Major Harold Wood were also in the REME. They joined Civvy Street sometime after the war, and both took up directorships with Borneo Motors in Singapore, which was a sister company of Austin Motors UK.
I was mesmerised by Singapore and KL as they are today. Singapore was so pristine and completely hi-tec. The sky scapers rival those in New York. They are years ahead of us in England with their urban technology. Much of KL was as it used to be, such as the Padang, the Selangor Club, the Post Office and the Railway Station, but there have been many changes here, too, and there are now enormous malls, lavish enough to rival the best in the world.
It was a memorable holiday. In fact it was almost a pilgrimage to two countries that I love, and in which I spent 9 of my formative childhood years because of my father's 3 tours to the Far East. I wish that I had the courage to sell up everything here,and emigrate. I have read on this list, that others are doing just that. The call of those sunkissed beaches, edged by coconut trees, and those exquisite sleepy lagoons is still very strong, so who knows?
Thanks again, Brian! I hope that someone comes up with the information that I have been searching for.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Thanks so much for responding to my SOS! Your first impression may be correct, because there was a rubber plantation just across the road from us, and a tin mine about a mile away. Therefore, I don't think that we were very close to town, but I can't be sure. I remember that we had a AKC cinema nearer the barracks, a Catholic church and an Anglican church, and of course our BAC school. The army buildings were still there. I have attached a pic of one of them which will only be familiar if you ever visited HQ Malaya Command at KL. I also found another photo of our bungalow. The tall buuldings in the previous attachments were all built relatively recently. It looks completely different where they have been building, and the building projects are numerous and extensive. Sadly, from a personal point of view, my past is being bulldozed away to oblivion. It is really weird that try as I might over the years, I cannot find out where HQ Malaya Command use to be. The info. would greatly assist me in identifying and locating the area in which we we used to live.
My late uncles Colonel John Thorogood and Major Harold Wood were also in the REME. They joined Civvy Street sometime after the war, and both took up directorships with Borneo Motors in Singapore, which was a sister company of Austin Motors UK.
I was mesmerised by Singapore and KL as they are today. Singapore was so pristine and completely hi-tec. The sky scapers rival those in New York. They are years ahead of us in England with their urban technology. Much of KL was as it used to be, such as the Padang, the Selangor Club, the Post Office and the Railway Station, but there have been many changes here, too, and there are now enormous malls, lavish enough to rival the best in the world.
It was a memorable holiday. In fact it was almost a pilgrimage to two countries that I love, and in which I spent 9 of my formative childhood years because of my father's 3 tours to the Far East. I wish that I had the courage to sell up everything here,and emigrate. I have read on this list, that others are doing just that. The call of those sunkissed beaches, edged by coconut trees, and those exquisite sleepy lagoons is still very strong, so who knows?
Thanks again, Brian! I hope that someone comes up with the information that I have been searching for.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Sep 29th 2006, 8:02 pm
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5
Re: Home sweet home!
Hi, Brian!
Gosh, you have gone to a great deal of trouble on my account. I am extremely grateful to you! Gurney Road does sound remarkably familiar. There is a website that gives a few of the modern names that replaced the colonial ones. I may find it there. It would give me some idea which way to travel on Google Earth when I have a look at KL again. I couldn't find any of the landmarks that I once knew on the page, last time that I had a look. It would be so great if I could find the football pitch again, which is still there, and still in use, because our bungalow was a stone's throw from there. Thanks a mint! You have been very helpful Are you sure that there was only one tin mine near HQ Malaya Command, because that was very near to our place. In fact, a tragedy occurred at the tin mine around 1955. One of the boys who lived a little higher up the road from us drowned in it. He fell in and because the sides had been dredged, there was no bank, and he couldn't pull himself out again.
Have you been involved with cattle over in the States? I wondered because of your name - Arizona Wurzel. You were lucky to have the opportunity to work and live over there. I am a shameless Yankophile and have been since I was a young child. Nearly all the films that we used to see as children were American, and most of those were cowboy and indian films. I used to gaze in wonder at the incredible backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the Prairies and the Grand Canyon. Our bubble gum wrappers concealed pictures of American film stars like, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Randolf Scott, Ann Blythe, Doris Day, etc. In my eyes everything in America seemed bigger, better, faster, and more colourful. I now know that America has its imperfections in the way that every country does, but there is a lot to admire about the country. I have visited New York and Philadelphia, and I have always found the people exceptionally helpful and friendly.
It's been great corresponding with you. I am glad that I joined this list. I was hoping that it would lead me to someone who had connections with the British Army and who had been in Malaysia in the 50s when we were there.
By the way, did you ever take a trip up to the Cameron Highlands? When I was 11, I went to an army boarding school called Slim School, just outside Tanah Rata. It sounds incredible now, but even though the jungle was infested with armed CTs, we children were transported to school from Tapah in armoured vehicles which we called Coffins, at the beginning of term, and back down again when the term ended. We travelled in a long convoy. It took hours and was a tedious journey, until we came across grinning aborigines by the roadside, almost naked except for grass skirts, and long thin bones pinned through their noses. It's great to reminisce! I have met up again with some of my pals from those days, and we always have so much to talk about.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Gosh, you have gone to a great deal of trouble on my account. I am extremely grateful to you! Gurney Road does sound remarkably familiar. There is a website that gives a few of the modern names that replaced the colonial ones. I may find it there. It would give me some idea which way to travel on Google Earth when I have a look at KL again. I couldn't find any of the landmarks that I once knew on the page, last time that I had a look. It would be so great if I could find the football pitch again, which is still there, and still in use, because our bungalow was a stone's throw from there. Thanks a mint! You have been very helpful Are you sure that there was only one tin mine near HQ Malaya Command, because that was very near to our place. In fact, a tragedy occurred at the tin mine around 1955. One of the boys who lived a little higher up the road from us drowned in it. He fell in and because the sides had been dredged, there was no bank, and he couldn't pull himself out again.
Have you been involved with cattle over in the States? I wondered because of your name - Arizona Wurzel. You were lucky to have the opportunity to work and live over there. I am a shameless Yankophile and have been since I was a young child. Nearly all the films that we used to see as children were American, and most of those were cowboy and indian films. I used to gaze in wonder at the incredible backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the Prairies and the Grand Canyon. Our bubble gum wrappers concealed pictures of American film stars like, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Randolf Scott, Ann Blythe, Doris Day, etc. In my eyes everything in America seemed bigger, better, faster, and more colourful. I now know that America has its imperfections in the way that every country does, but there is a lot to admire about the country. I have visited New York and Philadelphia, and I have always found the people exceptionally helpful and friendly.
It's been great corresponding with you. I am glad that I joined this list. I was hoping that it would lead me to someone who had connections with the British Army and who had been in Malaysia in the 50s when we were there.
By the way, did you ever take a trip up to the Cameron Highlands? When I was 11, I went to an army boarding school called Slim School, just outside Tanah Rata. It sounds incredible now, but even though the jungle was infested with armed CTs, we children were transported to school from Tapah in armoured vehicles which we called Coffins, at the beginning of term, and back down again when the term ended. We travelled in a long convoy. It took hours and was a tedious journey, until we came across grinning aborigines by the roadside, almost naked except for grass skirts, and long thin bones pinned through their noses. It's great to reminisce! I have met up again with some of my pals from those days, and we always have so much to talk about.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Originally Posted by Arizona Wurzel
Hi again Hazel,Have racked my brain over KL and the HQ Malaya was on Gurney Road but cannot remember where Gurney Road was located.I remember when we came into KL three of us were armed guards on the truck bringing us in from SB and we used to have to check the arms and ammo in to the Armoury in KL and then collect them when we left to go back to SB and am not sure if this was in HQ.The armoury was located at the top of Batu Road about a half a mile north of the Odeon cinema.Hope this helps you.I also remember the beautiful Lake Gardens and the Galloway Club opposite the railway station(you were to young for that one)Sometimes I would come in to collect the mail,the post office was next to the railway station.I am almost sure that you lived out on Jalan Sungie Besi road the second pic looked awful familiar.The only tin mine in that area was at SB and was the largest man made hole in the world at that time,Our camp was right near it on the eastside.BMH Kinrara was also out that way towards what is now KL Airport.I guess you cannot remember the name of your old road?BTW there are only seven Christian churches in KL, one is just south of the railway station and the other six are east of KL and also Southeast of KL which is on the way to SB.Hope this might refresh your memory,I am originally from Somerset but have lived in the USA for the last 34 years,Regards Brian.
Sep 29th 2006, 9:27 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
Re: Home sweet home!
Originally Posted by Hazel
Hi, Brian!
Gosh, you have gone to a great deal of trouble on my account. I am extremely grateful to you! Gurney Road does sound remarkably familiar. There is a website that gives a few of the modern names that replaced the colonial ones. I may find it there. It would give me some idea which way to travel on Google Earth when I have a look at KL again. I couldn't find any of the landmarks that I once knew on the page, last time that I had a look. It would be so great if I could find the football pitch again, which is still there, and still in use, because our bungalow was a stone's throw from there. Thanks a mint! You have been very helpful Are you sure that there was only one tin mine near HQ Malaya Command, because that was very near to our place. In fact, a tragedy occurred at the tin mine around 1955. One of the boys who lived a little higher up the road from us drowned in it. He fell in and because the sides had been dredged, there was no bank, and he couldn't pull himself out again.
Have you been involved with cattle over in the States? I wondered because of your name - Arizona Wurzel. You were lucky to have the opportunity to work and live over there. I am a shameless Yankophile and have been since I was a young child. Nearly all the films that we used to see as children were American, and most of those were cowboy and indian films. I used to gaze in wonder at the incredible backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the Prairies and the Grand Canyon. Our bubble gum wrappers concealed pictures of American film stars like, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Randolf Scott, Ann Blythe, Doris Day, etc. In my eyes everything in America seemed bigger, better, faster, and more colourful. I now know that America has its imperfections in the way that every country does, but there is a lot to admire about the country. I have visited New York and Philadelphia, and I have always found the people exceptionally helpful and friendly.
It's been great corresponding with you. I am glad that I joined this list. I was hoping that it would lead me to someone who had connections with the British Army and who had been in Malaysia in the 50s when we were there.
By the way, did you ever take a trip up to the Cameron Highlands? When I was 11, I went to an army boarding school called Slim School, just outside Tanah Rata. It sounds incredible now, but even though the jungle was infested with armed CTs, we children were transported to school from Tapah in armoured vehicles which we called Coffins, at the beginning of term, and back down again when the term ended. We travelled in a long convoy. It took hours and was a tedious journey, until we came across grinning aborigines by the roadside, almost naked except for grass skirts, and long thin bones pinned through their noses. It's great to reminisce! I have met up again with some of my pals from those days, and we always have so much to talk about.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Gosh, you have gone to a great deal of trouble on my account. I am extremely grateful to you! Gurney Road does sound remarkably familiar. There is a website that gives a few of the modern names that replaced the colonial ones. I may find it there. It would give me some idea which way to travel on Google Earth when I have a look at KL again. I couldn't find any of the landmarks that I once knew on the page, last time that I had a look. It would be so great if I could find the football pitch again, which is still there, and still in use, because our bungalow was a stone's throw from there. Thanks a mint! You have been very helpful Are you sure that there was only one tin mine near HQ Malaya Command, because that was very near to our place. In fact, a tragedy occurred at the tin mine around 1955. One of the boys who lived a little higher up the road from us drowned in it. He fell in and because the sides had been dredged, there was no bank, and he couldn't pull himself out again.
Have you been involved with cattle over in the States? I wondered because of your name - Arizona Wurzel. You were lucky to have the opportunity to work and live over there. I am a shameless Yankophile and have been since I was a young child. Nearly all the films that we used to see as children were American, and most of those were cowboy and indian films. I used to gaze in wonder at the incredible backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the Prairies and the Grand Canyon. Our bubble gum wrappers concealed pictures of American film stars like, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Randolf Scott, Ann Blythe, Doris Day, etc. In my eyes everything in America seemed bigger, better, faster, and more colourful. I now know that America has its imperfections in the way that every country does, but there is a lot to admire about the country. I have visited New York and Philadelphia, and I have always found the people exceptionally helpful and friendly.
It's been great corresponding with you. I am glad that I joined this list. I was hoping that it would lead me to someone who had connections with the British Army and who had been in Malaysia in the 50s when we were there.
By the way, did you ever take a trip up to the Cameron Highlands? When I was 11, I went to an army boarding school called Slim School, just outside Tanah Rata. It sounds incredible now, but even though the jungle was infested with armed CTs, we children were transported to school from Tapah in armoured vehicles which we called Coffins, at the beginning of term, and back down again when the term ended. We travelled in a long convoy. It took hours and was a tedious journey, until we came across grinning aborigines by the roadside, almost naked except for grass skirts, and long thin bones pinned through their noses. It's great to reminisce! I have met up again with some of my pals from those days, and we always have so much to talk about.
Warm regards,
Hazel
Hazel I have PM,d you,Brian.
Sep 29th 2006, 9:40 pm
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5
Re: Home sweet home!
Hi, Brian!
I don't understand! Hazel
H
I don't understand! Hazel
H
Originally Posted by Arizona Wurzel
Hazel I have PM,d you,Brian.
Sep 30th 2006, 4:07 am
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: waikanae
Posts: 4,148
Re: Home sweet home!
Originally Posted by Hazel
Hi, Brian!
I don't understand! Hazel
H
I don't understand! Hazel
H
he has sent you a private message
goto the top of the screen & you wil see your user name & something like below, click on Private messages & you can read what Brain has sent you
Welcome, Hazel [ Log Out ]
You last visited: Today at 2:00 am
Private Messages: Unread 1, Total 0
Sep 30th 2006, 11:33 am
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5
Re: Home sweet home!
Hi, Poppets!
Thanks! It took me a little while,but I managed to work out what Brian meant.
Regards,
Hazel
Thanks! It took me a little while,but I managed to work out what Brian meant.
Regards,
Hazel
Originally Posted by poppets
he has sent you a private message
goto the top of the screen & you wil see your user name & something like below, click on Private messages & you can read what Brain has sent you
Welcome, Hazel [ Log Out ]
You last visited: Today at 2:00 am
Private Messages: Unread 1, Total 0
goto the top of the screen & you wil see your user name & something like below, click on Private messages & you can read what Brain has sent you
Welcome, Hazel [ Log Out ]
You last visited: Today at 2:00 am
Private Messages: Unread 1, Total 0
