River Valley Road

1) Bare knuckle fight

NX51454 ABRAHAMS, Harry Stirling, Cpl., A Company, 7 Platoon
NX32560 WRIGHT, Eric Stanley, Pte., BHQ, Battalion Q. Store
"I well remember a bare knuckle fight - between Harry Abrahams & Curly Wright at River Valley Road Camp. It went for quite a number of rounds. They were two very tough men and pounded each other mercilessly to an honourable draw. I am pretty sure it was Curly Wright, but am open to correction."
(Source: Rex Hall - Makan No. 276, Jan/March, 1985)

2) Living rent free

NX46739 - HYSLOP, Andrew (Andy), Lt. - BHQ, Intelligence
"I went down Memory Lane to the year 1942, when I lived rent free in the River Valley Road Camp, Singapore.......read more"
(Source: Andy Hyslop - Makan No. 257, Nov/Dec, 1980)

3) Not much with the Battalion

NX70435 - ANDERSON, Roderic Henry (Rod), Maj. - A Company, O/C
"....was not much with the Battalion in POW days as shortly after the 8 Div. went out to Selerang Barracks he had been sent in to River Valley Road on his own, by that he meant with no 2/30 Bn. He was on "F" Force, but when it returned to Changi he was sent out to Woodlands Road to the Hospital there."
(Source: Rod Anderson - Makan No. 257, Nov/Dec, 1980)

4) Well mate, you will eat a bloody lot worse than that

NX46891 - RAMPLING, Francis Charles Dalkeith (Frank), Pte. - HQ Company, Signals Platoon
"I suppose that we all at times wander down memory lane and recall incidents that took place. I would like to mention one that I was involved in, but, unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the young chap, who was with me. It happened just after we had started on the rice diet and the Japs decided to give us an issue of meat. A party was sent over to the main gate with a lorry chassis, which we pulled up the slope and rolled down.
On arrival at the gate, two large hindquarters of beef were thrown on to the truck, and our meat inspectors cut off a piece from each to check same. I noticed that they dropped these pieces and when the fellows carried the beef into the building for further inspection, I grabbed the pieces and made my way to a small fire a short distance away, accompanied by the young chap.
I cooked the two pieces, but when I offered a. piece to him, I was amazed to hear him say, “I wouldn’t eat that, after it came off that dirty truck”. When I got my voice back, I said, “Well mate, you will eat a bloody lot worse than that, before we leave here.” I don’t remember seeing my companion again, but have never stopped wondering how he fared. Cheerio Frank "
(Source: Frank Rampling - Makan No. 263, Oct/Dec, 1981)

Back

Last updated 29/08/2022