Looking at the lush greenery and resort-like ambience that characterises Dempsey Hill of today, it may be difficult to associate this relaxed and laid back place with the discipline and regiment of the military. It may thus come as a surprise to some that the premises at Dempsey Hill used to be the Central Manpower Base of Singapore (“CMPB”) and former British army barracks. Old-timers may still be able to make out the parade square, and the old CMPB office premise, now a lifestyle destination. They may also remember this as the place where young Singaporean men, some accompanied by anxious parents, reported for their “national service”, that is, compulsory military service, when they had come of age. The three-tonners ferrying men to their respective army units, and the anxious recruits with shorn heads may no longer be there, as the CMPB was eventually relocated to the more modern and larger premises at Depot Road in 1989 after 17 years. But for many, the legacy of Dempsey as the first port of call for every young man enlisting for the army will doubtlessly be remembered with nostalgia and fondness.
My parents ran a small shop in Dempsey from 1958 to 1970. My 12 years there left me fond memories. A very quiet place with lots of fresh air, Dempsey was very self-contained. The facilities in Dempsey included two churches, a kindergarten, a broadcasting station owned by the Gurkhas, swimming pool, theater, tailor, a few football fields, dancing hall, offices, Commander's office, tennis court, basket ball court, golf club, landing field for helicopters, post office, POSB bank…you name it. I used to cycle from place to place after I finished my homework. My fondest memory was going to the post office to buy first day covers and saving $10 a month given by my brother. As I was one of the youngest living in Dempsey, the British soldiers doted on me. They gave me presents -- big colourful books, chocolates, pencils, and so on. I was so thrilled to receive these presents; as an average Singaporean family then, we were far from being well off. Some houses were built for the British soldiers and their families, some were built for bachelors. A British family built a tree house on one of the big trees. In the evening, I would climb to the tree house and read my story books. I did not have many story books then, so I ended up reading my second brother's Chinese books. As a result my command of the Chinese language was fantastic. My brother was in Pre-University, I was about nine years old.The British lived very well in Dempsey. They celebrated Christmas and Easter in a very big way. The British fancied cooking their food with butter. We could smell butter wafting from the kitchen all day. I should know. My uncle, who is still alive, was their favourite chef. Naturally, I had my fair share of tasty English food like roast turkey, roast potatoes and lamb chop. Dempsey. It’s so special to me. I will always cherish the memories.
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