Penang, Western Hill and Butterworth
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Penang, Western Hill and Butterworth
I am off to Penang, Malaysia tomorrow, with my wife, to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and return to the amazing playground I experienced as a child between 1968 and 1971.
My old man was stationed at Western Hill and on the mainland at Butterworth.
Many things have changed but I know that many areas of where we lived are still the same. I am hoping to visit Western Hill and RMAF Butterworth…….you never know a bit of sweet talking might help.
If anyone here (from the old crowd) would like me to take a particular picture of anything, give me a message and I will do my best to get it. I will be leaving for Heathrow at midday tomorrow.
MODS if you wish to move this thread to nostalgia than feel free. I thought I would put it here first to grab attention
My old man was stationed at Western Hill and on the mainland at Butterworth.
Many things have changed but I know that many areas of where we lived are still the same. I am hoping to visit Western Hill and RMAF Butterworth…….you never know a bit of sweet talking might help.
If anyone here (from the old crowd) would like me to take a particular picture of anything, give me a message and I will do my best to get it. I will be leaving for Heathrow at midday tomorrow.
MODS if you wish to move this thread to nostalgia than feel free. I thought I would put it here first to grab attention
I spent two great (and sweaty 
) years there (2002/03). Great culture, even better food but I don't miss the smell. Doubt you will get onto Butterworth though.
Enjoy the food and the bargains at the Night Market!!
Enjoy
) years there (2002/03). Great culture, even better food but I don't miss the smell. Doubt you will get onto Butterworth though.Enjoy the food and the bargains at the Night Market!!
Enjoy
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... Will probably be a great trip - BUT !!!
If Singapore is anything to go by then be prepared to find that the areas you knew so well - and probably most other areas - have altered out of all recognition.
In 1951 - once out of the city much of Singapore mainland was almost Jungle like - Today Singapore is about 90 percent cement and housing coast to coast - Most former British bases and camps have nearly all dissapeared under high rise housing estates Nevertheless a great place to visit and enjoy - Wish you well.
...
If Singapore is anything to go by then be prepared to find that the areas you knew so well - and probably most other areas - have altered out of all recognition.
In 1951 - once out of the city much of Singapore mainland was almost Jungle like - Today Singapore is about 90 percent cement and housing coast to coast - Most former British bases and camps have nearly all dissapeared under high rise housing estates Nevertheless a great place to visit and enjoy - Wish you well.
...
I took part in a CFS visit to Malaysia in 06 and operated at Butterworth. The Malaysians were fantastically hospitable and it would be worth a letter or an email to the CO to try and get on to camp as I am sure they would host you well.
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Visited there in 1968 and stayed for 2 weeks in the Runnymede Hotel. Flew to RAAF Butterworth in a RNZAF Bristol Freighter from RAF Tengah, and returned 'home' to Seletar in a RAF Andover. Happy days.
Last visited in 1996 when operating a Nimrod from Butterworth but staying in the Rasa Sayang hotel on Penang. Huge changes since the 60s; the causeway, the Snake Temple (now surrounded by concrete instead of paddyfields), and the Runnymede is now an army barracks. Some things don't change - while we were there a local newspaper reported that a man went to look for his brother who had been missing for a time and found him half ingested by a python!
Last visited in 1996 when operating a Nimrod from Butterworth but staying in the Rasa Sayang hotel on Penang. Huge changes since the 60s; the causeway, the Snake Temple (now surrounded by concrete instead of paddyfields), and the Runnymede is now an army barracks. Some things don't change - while we were there a local newspaper reported that a man went to look for his brother who had been missing for a time and found him half ingested by a python!
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A few miles North of Butterworth's main gate is the Elephant Bar. Could you get me a photograph of the two Thai bar maids who work permanent nights. You may have to ask around as this was 1968. 
(OP info. RMAF Base Butterworth +61 2 6265 9111 for international callers.)
(OP info. RMAF Base Butterworth +61 2 6265 9111 for international callers.)
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[email protected], I agree, hospitality during visits is first class. Unfortunately, the system for arranging such visits can be somewhat lengthy and must be done through the Defence Staff of the Brit High Commission in KL who forward requests to the Malaysian MinDef.
I started arranging such a visit for ex-Butterworth/Penang people at the end of Nov 09 for a planned visit at the end of April last year. We got the green light the day before the actual visit was to take place. We were very well looked after by the Base staff at Butterworth during the visit though.
Cubanate, I remember the Python incident well. It got a mention in the local press again a few weeks ago.
I started arranging such a visit for ex-Butterworth/Penang people at the end of Nov 09 for a planned visit at the end of April last year. We got the green light the day before the actual visit was to take place. We were very well looked after by the Base staff at Butterworth during the visit though.
Cubanate, I remember the Python incident well. It got a mention in the local press again a few weeks ago.
Last edited by lauriebe; 20th Apr 2011 at 10:46.
Python
We were on holiday there in '96, and I well remember being put off my breakfast by the picture on the front page of the paper (New Straits Times?), showing the guy's legs protruding from the python.
Great place; No1 son was born in Changi in '69 and after I did my final Herc trip to Singapore in '73 I never thought I'd get back there. But maybe we CAA controllers weren't so badly paid later on, as we managed 7 holidays there from '88 to '02, the last only 4 months after 911 ( or 119 as it should be in proper language!) and the locals in Malaysia were so pleased to have tourists coming so soon after that event.
Can't afford business class fares now, so haven't been for 9 years.
Have a great holiday!
Great place; No1 son was born in Changi in '69 and after I did my final Herc trip to Singapore in '73 I never thought I'd get back there. But maybe we CAA controllers weren't so badly paid later on, as we managed 7 holidays there from '88 to '02, the last only 4 months after 911 ( or 119 as it should be in proper language!) and the locals in Malaysia were so pleased to have tourists coming so soon after that event.
Can't afford business class fares now, so haven't been for 9 years.
Have a great holiday!
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Perhaps the python had a "crush" on the bloke ? sorry
Had some great times at Butterworth / Penang many moons ago, but greatly disapointed with Singapore ( and other Far Eastern places ) when visiting recently. The smells have gone, which added to the atmosphere
Penang was good years ago, but now ?
Had some great times at Butterworth / Penang many moons ago, but greatly disapointed with Singapore ( and other Far Eastern places ) when visiting recently. The smells have gone, which added to the atmosphere
Penang was good years ago, but now ?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I remember, IIRC, the funicular railway to the top of Penang. The beautiful park in Victorian fashion even with a drinking water fountain. When you pressed the button the water jetted 10 feet. Of course if you were bent over it with your mouth open . . .
Nearby was a restaurant with toilets. Entering the restaurant you did not need to eat a curry, just took a deep breath.
Or the bazzar where every time we went in we were encouraged to go in to one shop, sit down, and have a drink. Whiskey was the first offer and iced coke if you refused the whiskey.
Nearby was a restaurant with toilets. Entering the restaurant you did not need to eat a curry, just took a deep breath.
Or the bazzar where every time we went in we were encouraged to go in to one shop, sit down, and have a drink. Whiskey was the first offer and iced coke if you refused the whiskey.
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PN, the funicular railway has been closed since February last year for a major re-vamp. Gone is the middle station where a change of trains was made. The journey now will be in modern style air conditioned carriages which make the run from bottom to top stations in about 15 - 20 minutes, as opposed to the 30 minutes previously. As yet, the railway has not been re-opened but that is likely next month. Presently, trips to the top are made by 4x4 up the jeep track which starts at the Botanic Gardens.
The restaurant at the top of the hill has also been completely renovated and is a nice spot to spend time. The fountain, I think, has gone.
Sandy Parts, there is still an RAAF contingent at the base but entry is controlled by the RMAF. I have tried a few times at the Guardroom to see if I could get visitors on but no joy.
Cubanate mentioned the Runnymede earlier. That now lies empty, the Army moved out a couple of years ago. There was mention that it could be restored as a hotel although not much work in that direction seems to have been done so far.
The restaurant at the top of the hill has also been completely renovated and is a nice spot to spend time. The fountain, I think, has gone.
Sandy Parts, there is still an RAAF contingent at the base but entry is controlled by the RMAF. I have tried a few times at the Guardroom to see if I could get visitors on but no joy.
Cubanate mentioned the Runnymede earlier. That now lies empty, the Army moved out a couple of years ago. There was mention that it could be restored as a hotel although not much work in that direction seems to have been done so far.
The Runnymede
Aaahh! The Runnymede of blessed memory. I well recall detachments to Butterworth in 68 and 69. The Runnymede was always a welcome, air conditioned relief from the bashas at Butterworth and a bolt hole once it became obvious that you weren't going to make it back to the mainland before curfew. We used to exist all weekend on beer and their excellent steak sandwiches. Another era, another Air Force.
Was there late last year and the place I used to live with the parents in 1962 was still there in the road where the Aussies lived in big houses on one side and we brits lived in smaller ones on the other side. The Australian Hostel was demolished just the week before we arrived. Minden barracks school is now a Univercity how things change everywhere else but the school and my old house in Jalan Bungah Bakawalli remained the same.
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E&O for a G&T as the sun sets, followed by a trap run, some satay cat taking in the odour of durian(sp?/) as you wait for the cat to cook. Roties for breakie, would be my choice, it is the wet so Penang should be clean
Charlie sends
Charlie sends
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Took a pair of F4's into Butterworth circa '72 and met an interesting Brit lady who had been banned from the Officers Mess. Had to ask her why and the reply was 'Because I put my footprints on the ceiling'. Naturally I needed more explanation and that was when she told me that it was because she had no knickers on at the time.
Still can't believe that is a valid reason for being banned from an Aussie Mess.
Still can't believe that is a valid reason for being banned from an Aussie Mess.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I was tempted to buy a house near the base of the fornicular. Just being built and only £1000 - about 10 months pay>
