bn ex

37 years served in Arty 12

In 1969, before participated in 20 SAB bn ex, some of us were selected by Lta Tan Boon Hock, who led us to carry out a reconnaissance task. We came to Tanjong Berlayor Pier at Pasir Panjang, where we boarded two assault boats operated by two boat men from the Combat Engineers. We had the opportunity to explore the Singapore Strait and the southern islands, to prepare for the forthcoming live-fire ex.

We roamed the waters of Singapore Strait, we also landed on the southern islands: Pulau Sudong, Pulau Pawai , Pulau Senang, and Pulau Semakau.

The 20 SAB bn ex was carried out first on main island, after completed a series of training, out to the sea, we deployed at Pulau Semakau, OP occupied at Pulau Pawai, and live-fire ex hit targets on Pulau Senang.  This was the first and only one arty live-fire ex in the southern islands. Other than the Air Force, no more live-fire ex in the southern islands.

In my memory, it was a remarkable ex I had ever participated in my 37 years in the arty, the area covered for this ex from all the hills in Jurong,  to the east at Jalan Tigaratus. We manhandled the mortar up the hills, down the halls, this was called  "manhandle",  it required all 6 members in the detachment to work together.

We also went to Pulau Tekong to do manpack, where the  41 kg barrel, 36 kg base plate, 25 kg bipod, 24 kg two drill mortar bombs, and  some 20 kg accessories, to be rotation amongst the 6 members, manpack on foot one kilometer or further before we could unloaded for short break and then press on.

Lta Ng Jui Ping was the BRO, and WO2 Razali was the BSM, Sgt Hassan Bin Mat Jan was the BQMS. We had acquainted Cpl Lim Seng Wah, Cpl Goh Kah Sing, Cpl Tan Chin Seng, Cpl Lee Yeow Yin and Cpl Hoong Sin Fatt, they were all regular soldiers, the first batch arty NCOs - the best amongst the first batch.

WO2 Razali's mannerism: You don't teach the crocodile how to swimming. And he often repeat saying: I was seven years private soldiers before I was promoted to Lcp.