Malcolm Clubs (merged)
Memories of another service club. The NAAFI-run Britannia Club in Beach Road, Singapore, just across the road from Raffles Hotel. The resaurant and swimming pool made for a welcome break when shopping in Singapore town.
These photos were taken last year when it was in the process of being demolished. Singapore City erected a plaque outside that records the history of the club. See below.
These photos were taken last year when it was in the process of being demolished. Singapore City erected a plaque outside that records the history of the club. See below.
Last edited by Warmtoast; 28th Feb 2011 at 15:42. Reason: To re-insert moved photo
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This thread has certainly brought back some memories............I don't remember a Malcolm Club in Sharjah but I do remember the blonde WRVS lady.
And at Masirah around 1972 the C of E padre used to show porn movies in the church annexe (pay at the door, bring your own beer) - all proceeds went to an orphanage in Kenya.
And at Masirah around 1972 the C of E padre used to show porn movies in the church annexe (pay at the door, bring your own beer) - all proceeds went to an orphanage in Kenya.
Cunning Artificer
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S'funny, I don't remember pulling out of Singapore in 1969. In fact I distinctly remember arriving there in 1969 and often taking part in the Trishaw races from the Brit Club to Bugis Street via the Raffles loop clearly shown in the photos above. The large Sikh gentleman who guarded Raffles front door to stop erks invading the place used to go ape****, which only added to the general merriment.
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Remember seeing a bunch of drunken matelots performing the 'dance of the flaming arseholes', with copies of the Straights Times, on the balcony of the Brit Club. Shore Patrol came in and dowsed the flames with pints of Tiger
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kilwhang
When I was there in 70/71 it was the hangout of the boys from Hereford, with their pinkys parked outside. Lost count of the number of times I heard " Leaving on a jet plane" being sung at Gozome Doos there.
What about the Rugby Club, had some good nights there, seem to remember a short dumpy SWO trying to make love to a full size pin up picture.
When I was there in 70/71 it was the hangout of the boys from Hereford, with their pinkys parked outside. Lost count of the number of times I heard " Leaving on a jet plane" being sung at Gozome Doos there.
What about the Rugby Club, had some good nights there, seem to remember a short dumpy SWO trying to make love to a full size pin up picture.
Presently sitting in the WRVS Club at Bruggen approx 100 yards from what was the Malcolm Club. It's now called The Bistro and seems to be fulfilling pretty much the same sort of role that the Mally did - families in the day time having coffee etc and it's still open at night to sell the troops beer etc - and there are still some attractive young ladies serving behind the bar.
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In August '45 we flew to Bari, Italy on Operation Dodge, ferrying 8th Army troops back to the UK, 20 to a Lancaster. We stayed overnight at a Malcolm Club on the 4 occasions we went.
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The photograph of the Singapore Britannia Club was taken from the front steps of Raffles Hotel. The road in front is Beach Road; years ago it was next to the beach giving great sea views from Raffles. The story goes that Lord Nuffield wanted to build an erks Services club when Lady Nuffield discovered that Raffles Hotel did not allow the same erks into their hallowed premises. Being very pro-erk Lady N pulled a few strings.
The land was bought and the Britannia Club built, disaster for Raffles - sea view .......... gone.
I do believe this is true. The power of the Raffles hierarchy would have easily prevented any casual planning applications This has to be true.
[IMG]
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The land was bought and the Britannia Club built, disaster for Raffles - sea view .......... gone.
I do believe this is true. The power of the Raffles hierarchy would have easily prevented any casual planning applications This has to be true.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
The photograph of the Singapore Britannia Club was taken from the front steps of Raffles Hotel. The road in front is Beach Road; years ago it was next to the beach giving great sea views from Raffles
Last edited by Warmtoast; 28th Feb 2011 at 15:13. Reason: To re-insert moved photo
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down memory lane!
Wow this has taken me back! The Mally at Bruggen was my first ever job.... was there when it became a YMCA and left when Bruggen closed.
My mum and my sis both worked there as well... those silly apron dresses in pink stripes, and the tannoy food calling system... strange what one remembers!
The Mally waggon was THE dream job, but I failed my driving test first of all and then Bruggen closed and we moved - gutted!
My mum and my sis both worked there as well... those silly apron dresses in pink stripes, and the tannoy food calling system... strange what one remembers!
The Mally waggon was THE dream job, but I failed my driving test first of all and then Bruggen closed and we moved - gutted!
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Bruggen Mally
I remember one occasion when the chaps of a well known Hornet (badge) squadron needed a large container to drink beer out of. Only thing suitable / available was a large vaase/vase/vaws (bowl) full of flowers (Marigolds IMSM). To obtain the necessary space, said flowers were eaten...
"Mrs Mally" not impressed! 
"Mrs Mally" not impressed!
Last edited by Rigex; 29th Apr 2009 at 09:30. Reason: change header icon.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Raffles did allow 'Erks' in before and during the war, (until the surrender), as a visit to the original Long Bar would show, with pictures and autographs etc everywhere. After the renovations in 1991/92 the bar was moved upstairs, the original bar became a restaurant and a lot of the memorabilia seems to have disappeared, possibly in storage?
A Malcolm Club opened in Bahrain about a year after I joined 152 in 1959. It was on the main island near Jufair, about three miles from RAF Muharraq IIRC. A young lady from the emerald isle who worked there livened up my bachelor existence.
There was a very sociable WVS lady at Sharjah, who was treated like one of the boys.
There was a very sociable WVS lady at Sharjah, who was treated like one of the boys.
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Brings back fond memories, the Mally at Bruggen, Sunday mornings, bacon buttie, coffee and the papers then into the spotless and quiet lounge to sink back into the most comfortable chairs I can remember sitting in, whilst enjoying the morning with coffee and the papers. Memory plays tricks on me, but were they pink???
The Mally at Gutersloh!
I arrived unaccompanied first 10 weeks April 1967. Billetted in the furthest Stalag from the Mess. Could walk to Met Office/ATC thro' woods.
There was some sort of an Open Day and as a "singly" I volunteered to do the Sunday flyaway day [or the Monday, not sure which].
At 0700 on a spring morning in the woods I met a vision of pulchritude, in semi undress. On passing time of day, she propositioned me .... in English, for such she was. My mum had warned me against wicked wimmin in the woods, and [she was a cracker] I plodded in to work. She was gone by 2000!
A week later in the Mally, there she was as the manageress or deputy, showing a great deal of flesh and surrounded by panting airmen. Mally sales went through the roof.
Soon after, there was a very believable rumour that a WgCdr [who shall be nameless] was consorting with her, and soon after she was despatched, to Gib. I think.
Exciting times, pity about the babe in the woods.
I arrived unaccompanied first 10 weeks April 1967. Billetted in the furthest Stalag from the Mess. Could walk to Met Office/ATC thro' woods.
There was some sort of an Open Day and as a "singly" I volunteered to do the Sunday flyaway day [or the Monday, not sure which].
At 0700 on a spring morning in the woods I met a vision of pulchritude, in semi undress. On passing time of day, she propositioned me .... in English, for such she was. My mum had warned me against wicked wimmin in the woods, and [she was a cracker] I plodded in to work. She was gone by 2000!
A week later in the Mally, there she was as the manageress or deputy, showing a great deal of flesh and surrounded by panting airmen. Mally sales went through the roof.
Soon after, there was a very believable rumour that a WgCdr [who shall be nameless] was consorting with her, and soon after she was despatched, to Gib. I think.
Exciting times, pity about the babe in the woods.
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Mally Frickadellas
The Mally at Gutersloh in 79 -82 was a great place for a few pints and a frickadella at lunchtime - before the 'no boozing at lunch' brigade took over the RAF. It was a haunt of 63 Sqn rocks who did not endear themselves to the rest of us by singing 'another one bites the dust' on hearing that yet another Harrier had come to a sorry end ( there was a few in those years).
I seem to remember a Mally at Muharraq in 70 - 71 (again next to the swimming pool) - the barman was a fearsome looking Yemeni who had come up from Aden - and the height of sophistication was to drink gold Charlies out of a 'DD Connected' glass.
Abdul Ghani's was also a saviour manys a morning for a bowl of soup and a roll to try and sober up for work. Joy joy!
I seem to remember a Mally at Muharraq in 70 - 71 (again next to the swimming pool) - the barman was a fearsome looking Yemeni who had come up from Aden - and the height of sophistication was to drink gold Charlies out of a 'DD Connected' glass.
Abdul Ghani's was also a saviour manys a morning for a bowl of soup and a roll to try and sober up for work. Joy joy!