Our Trip to Pompong Island

The Fall of Singapore - February 1942

As is now well known, due to many cock-ups, lack of equipment etc our forces had been pushed back down Malaya and eventually onto Singapore Island. By the end of Thursday 12th Feb all the army and RAF radar units had been withdrawn from the East of Singapore Island. On the afternoon of Friday the 13th February (black Friday!!) the AOC ordered all remaining radar equipment to be destroyed and all radar tradesmen to embark in small ships. The first group of 283 personnel, including 17 from the hospital, made their way in groups to Keppel docks and embarked, under continual bombing, onto one of two ships. These were the HMS Kuala and the SS Tien Kwang both of which had been commandeered by the navy during the war. I know that approx 250 radar personnel and their equipment went onto the SS Tien Kwang and that my father was one of them.

The KUALA and the Tien Kwang sailed from Singapore on Friday the 13th February 1942. The HMS Kuala under the command of Lieutenant Caithness had approximately 500 to 600 evacuees on board, mainly nurses but also Public Works Department personnel and various other civilians. The SS Tien Kwang was commanded by Lieutenant W Briggs, RNR and had mainly RAF radar and army personnel with a few civilians on board. They left Singapore at approx 18.15hrs on route to Bratavia (now Jakarta), Java via the straits of Rhio, Barbala and Banka. At 05.45hrs on the 14th they anchored off Pompong Island which is approx 70 miles south of Singapore. The Kuala was in front approx 300 yards from the shore with Tien Kwang about the same distance astern and slightly closer to the island. Boats were sent ashore to collect branches in an attempt to camouflage the ships.

At approx 11.00hrs Japanese aircraft were seen bombing the Kung Wo which was about 3 miles behind the Tien Kwang. It was still afloat after being bombed and abandoned the previous night but this time it was sunk. The planes then spotted the two ships off Pompong Island, circled round and attacked the Kuala scoring a direct hit then turned and bombed the Tien Kwang. Many were killed and injured in the bombing and many drowned, trying to get to the island, or were washed away by the strong currents. My father was believed to have drowned even though he was a strong swimmer.

Preparation for Our trip to Pompong Island

Towards the end of 2008 I realised that the 14th February, the day my father was killed, fell on a Saturday in both 1942 and also in 2009. I immediately decided that I had to be on Pompong Island at 11.00 hrs on the 14th February. So having decided, how was I to acheive this goal.

Problems I would have to overcome:-

1. I was thousands of miles away
2. I didn't even know exactly where Pompong Island was
3. I didn't know anyone out in Singapore
4. What visas would we need and where could I arrange them
5. Would we even be allowed to visit the island
6. I was sure that more problems would arise as time went by

Where do I start?

Well I needed a contact out there to help arrange the trip. Someone who knows where the island is, what countries water it is in, do I need visas and where to get them. Someone who has a boat to take us out there or can arrange a boat. Someone who can communicate with the officials and locals involved in the arrangements required.

So I sent the following email to about 15 people, clubs associated with scuba diving, marinas and boating clubs.

"Hi,
I am visiting Singapore around the 14th Feb 2009 because that is the anniversary of my father's death on 14th Feb 1942. He was being evacuated from Singapore on the SS Kuala which was sunk off Pompong Island about 45 miles south of Singapore. I can send you a small extract form a chart of the position. I was hoping that you might be able to give me a quote for the trip or that, with your connections, you might know someone who could take a party of approx 4 people out there on that day. I would appreciate any advice you could give me about this.
Thank you,
Stan Pyke"

I got a few negatives from people who could not help, a couple who would like to help but were not available on the dates concerned and one that was far too expensive to even consider (I was prepared to pay a reasonable price but not several thousands). Then a couple of days later an email from someone called Quee, she could not help as they were 500 miles away up the North East of Malaysia but had contacts in Singapore and would pass on my request. The first ray of hope so far, don't get too excited yet though.

The next day I got another reply from Quee

"Hello Mr Pyke
I think I've found just the right person to help you with this.
Allow me to introduce Major Tan Hua Chiow. He's an old sea salt ! He's not only active in running marinas but also building them - an old guard of the singapore islands too though he's not that old :) !
The Pompng island that you've mentioned may be beyond the boundary of singapore water so permit to visit may be required. But I'm sure Major would be able to help you with that.
Thanks Major. In your good hands. I've attached the charts that Mr Pyke has sent over.
Mr Pyke...all the best..hope you will find what you're looking for.
cheers
Quee"

and then got this other email a few minutes later

"Pyke,
If you are British, then I am extremely glad to meet and assist you.
I was trained by the Royal Navy in Dartmouth and Portsmouth many years back.
Currently, I am a Marina Consultant and operate a marina here in Singapore.
Please let me know your requirements, including rough dates of the trip, so that I can quicky get the ground preparation started.
I am familiar with the Indonesia waters and have good contacts with the officials (including the pirates there !).
You can contact me via this email
I hope to hear from you soon.
Rule Britannia !
Tan Hua Chiow"

I can't tell you what this meant to me or how I felt reading these two emails. Here was a total stranger, in fact two total strangers, who do not know me from Adam and he is offering to help organise our trip to Pompong Island. Can this be real, am I going to wake up and find it was all a dream, is this someone's idea of having a good laugh at someone's expence. - Well after reading them again and again I decided it was for real, just something about the messages said -

"This is it, this is a genuine offer of help - WE ARE GOING TO POMPONG ISLAND".

By this time I had started communication with David Hope who lives in Singapore and is researching the three boats sunk around Pompong Island. Knowing he was interested in getting to Pompong Island I offered him the chance to come along if I managed to get the trip organised and to open the invitation to anyone else who wanted to go. I felt that if anyone was interested it was an opportunity not to be missed as it may not be repeated.

Well true to his word Major Tan took this on board and with what I now know as his usual efficient manner he made all the arrangements for us, a party of nine, to get to the island on Saturday 14th February 2009. Everything went like clockwork, not a single hitch, to say I was inpressed is a complete understatement. If the major had been in charge of the troops in 1941/42 my father and thousands more would have lived normal long lives.

Singapore - here we come

On the 4th February 2009 Maggie and I set off out to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur for three weeks. We were very lucky because later that day the A96 was blocked for three days by snow. The main reason for going there then was to go on a trip to Pompong Island. We wanted to be there at 11.00hrs on Saturday the 14th February, because that was the time in 1942 that the bombing started and it was shortly after that time my father was killed and I wanted to be in the water then.

We flew out by KLM and arrived in Singapore on the 5th February a bit tired and jet lagged. Then we had a few days to tour round the island and see the amazing changes that have taken place over the forty years since we were last out there. It is very hard to get your bearings in some areas because the old narrow roads and jungle have given way to dual carriageways and multi-story building - by the hundreds. The country is so clean and tidy, well orgaanised and the locals are so friendly and helpful. You only have to be looking puzzled at a bus or metro station and someone will come over and offer to help you. Not only offer but will go out of their way to show you where to go and explain what to do. We were very impressed.

In the few days leading up to the trip we met both Major Tan and David Hope and were updated with all the latest arrangements. We were taken out to sample the local cuisine by the major and his wife Jacqueline. The major also took us a tour round and pointed out some of the changes around Singapore since we were there last, both the infrastructure and the politics of the country along with the people and the culture. He is an amazing chap and very knowledgeable about all aspects of his country.

The Trip to Pompong Island, for Saturday 14th February 2009

Well the time arrived and the major picked us up and drove us to the Tananh Merah ferry terminal. Here we met up with the rest of the party and introduced ourselves. Along with us were the major and his wfe, David Hope, Don Cameron, Anders Hellermark, KC Lee, Ismi (the major's helper) and later Ollie Maunder. A total of ten in all were going to Tangong Pinang but Ollie was getting the last ferry so would meet us over there later.

We all got through passport control and aboard the ferry on on our wy. This it when it really sunk in that we were definitely going to Pompong Island. Up till them it was like walking in a dream, can it really be happening - now it was!

We arrived at Tanjong Pinang and after going through immigration etc made our way to the Laguna Hotel. Then we had a few hours to wander round and see the place. As can be expected it is a bit old fashioned compared with Singapore. All the shops have standby generators which were put into use while we were there due to the usual power cut. A lot of the places are run down and there isn't much money around so services are lacking. But the local people are friendly enough and it certainly opens your eyes when you visit these places. Later in the evening we had dinner in the hotel and Ollie arrived to make up the full compliment. We then retired to bed and I wondered what the following day would be like. I don't mind admitting that I was a bit apprehensive.

The day arrived, Saturday the 14th February, and what a difference from that day 67 years ago. Everything was peaceful and quiet (except for the calling of muslins to prayer). We got up and had a leisurely breakfast then got our things packed and met up in the hotel foyer. Major Tan's wife Jacqueline was not coming with us so she looked after any baggage we were not taking with us. We headed down through the streets to the ferry terminal and made our way to our boat. I must admit it did not look great but I had faith in the major's choice. We all got on board the engines burst into life and we were off.

KC was the man of the moment and took control of the navigation, something he is well qualified for. We left Tangong Pinang behind and headed out into the open seas. The sea was as calm as I have ever seen it, hardly a wave to be seen. The only problem we faced that day was the rubbish floating about in the bay, there were some fairly large pieces of wood etc amongst them. But soon after leaving the bay the sea was clear of debris and we made steady progress. It was interesting to see KC at work with the chart and sat nav, plotting our course and giving us the info on the speed and estimated arrival time. We kept a steady 27/28 knots all the way down towards Pompong.

After almost two hours there it was in the distance - Pompong Island. We were almost there. What would I do, how would I feel after all this time, all this not knowing. All the unknown pent up emotion. The father I never knew was killed here exactly 67 years ago, a place that never existed in reality, a place I had always thought I would never see. We got closer and closer and then as we approached we circled the island to get a better idea of what it was like. Finally we came round the South tip and there was the beach I had read about in so many reports. The beach where so many injured people had sought refuge all these years ago. The beach my father never reached.

We headed towards the beach and ran the bow into the sand. At this point I was about to go ashore when Major Tan put a hand on my shoulder to stop me. I turned to see that in his other hand he had the pole he had been carrying around. As he handed the pole to me I saw there was a Union Jack tied on it. I was to plant the flag on the beach as is customary when you take over a beach during an invasion. And we were taking over the beach again as they did a long time ago. So we went ashore and I planted the flag in the sand. It was a great feeling to be there, on that beach, I felt the emotion, I felt the tears well up. I had managed to come here and put my father's soul to rest after all these years. I felt it for my mother too as she had known and been told so little over these long years. I felt it for his brother Tony and sister Brenda who also knew so little about his death.

The flag was flying on Pompong beach and I placed a memorial notice, I had made to leave on the island, at the foot of the flagpole for the moment. We all gathered round and Ismi took photos of it and of us beside it with our own cameras. It was a very emotional time and I was glad to have so many good people to share it with. So many new friends who I will never forget.

Once we had taken the photos it was about the time that the bombing had started back then. So Maggie and I went for a swim in the sea. We must have been within a few hundred yards in the same stretch of water where my father drowned at about the same time 67 years earlier. That was such a wonderful feeling, emotional, not so much sad but more exhilarating. Just to be so close to where he had died and to be able to put his spirit to rest after all this time. My dad would know I had come to see him, to give him the send off he deserved. I felt very relieved, almost happy. Yes I was happy.

Maggie and I then went for a walk along the beach and noticed the unusual colour and texture of the rocks. I have seen rocks of a similar colour at St Cyrus but not the same texture. I thought it strange that nobody had mentioned it in any of the stories about Pompong, but them they had more important things on their mind - survival. We explored the trees near the beach and eventually found a suitable tree to put the memorial poster onto. I doubt if there will be anyone, except the local fishers, around to find it but you never know. Anyway if someone does find it they will know he died there and that he will always be remembered.

In the survival stories there were many reports of strong currents just off the shore and many strong swimmers and people on rafts being carried away from the island. While we were there David and Anders went snorkelling to see if they could see the wreck of the Kuala. The shore there has a gentle slope for a bit then there is a steep fall to about 30 meters. While swimming they were ok till they got to the edge of the shelf, when all of a sudden they were being pulled away by the current. Fortunately they are both good swimmers and were on the edge of the current but it still took them a long way before they managed to get back in shore. That just backs up the old stories from back then and they were lucky both of them were ok.

David had taken a metal detector along with him so he went off to see if he could find anything that had been left there. There could have been belt buckles, cap badges, buttons or any other objects lost in the mayhem. Unfortunately he drew a blank on that but had a good look round part of the island. I remember seeing Ollie having a look around the rocks just south or where we landed. We all had a good browse about, interested to see where these poor survivors had maarooned. An island with virtually no water and no food to help survival. A very hostile place back then never knowing if the Japs would return or if they would be rescued. After all who would know they were even there?

The boat crew took advantage of their break to collect small cockles which they took home in jars. They also did a bit fishing with lines they threw into the water and Ismi joined in with this also. A few years ago there was an attempt to salvage some parts from the Kuala which isn't too far of shore in about 30 meters of water. There is a wooden framework left that they used to pull the parts onto shore. I have not heard of any attempt to locate the Tien Kwang

Well all too soon it was time to load up the boat and return to Tanjong Pinang. The return trip was uneventful and KC got us back ok and in good time. We went back to the hotel where Major Tan's wife Jacqueline was waiting for us. We got cleaned up and our things together ready for the return ferry. As we had a bit of time to spare we went up to the top of the hotel for a few beers etc and take a few last photos of TP. Unknown to me everyone had signed the chart that KC used to navigate to Pompong and back and this plus the Union Jack were presented to me as a momento of the trip we all made to Pompong Island. I wll treasure them as long as I live. I thought that was a lovely thing to do and so typical of Major Tan, he thinks of everything.

We then went back to the ferry terminal and onto the ferry to singapore and were back late evening, exhausted after a very eventful day - one I will never forget and probably one of the most important days of my life.

On the Monday as a thank you to all who came on the trip I took them all out for a meal including Major Tan and David hope's wives. It also turned out that Quee and her husband were in Singapore and managed to pop in for a few minutes. Managing to meet her was a lovely finale to the trip considering it would never have happened but for her answering my plea for help. There are some wonderful people in this world and I have been luckily enough to have met probably more than my fair share.

What a wonderful trip - never to be forgotten.

Thanks

My utmost thanks go to "Major" Tan Hua Chiow (Commander Retd) who organised all aspects of this trip with military precision. Also I must thank Toh Ah Quee, at deutzia@deutzianautical.com, who answered my plea for help and, although she lives too far away, put me in touch with Major Tan because she knew he was the "Man for the job".

Thanks must also go to David Hope for his enthusiastic support for the trip and who also introduced the other three members of the group. I must also thank Don Cameron, Ollie Maunder and Anders Hellermark. Although they had no connection with Pompong or myself came along, joined in with the spirit of the trip and their presence helped to add something special to the whole trip.

Also to "KC", Lee Kwek Chong, for his navigation skills that got us there and back through the myriad of small islands and Ismi, the Major's "Staff", who helped with the organisation of the many details in the planning of the trip.

Lastly I must thank all the wives who allowed me to take their husbands away from them for a few days. And of course there was Maggie who was at my side all the way through from the conception to the very end giving me support and encouragement.

Thank You All.

Slideshow of Pompong Island photos

I have made up a "manual" slideshow with more photos from our Pompong Island trip. Most of the photos were taken by myself but there are some fron Maggie, Don Cameron and KC Lee. Just click here to see them, there are nearly seventy in all but I have broken them into sections and you can get back to either the "Menu", this page or "My Father's" page at any time using the buttons on the Left. I hope you enjoy them .

Our return to UK and Mum passing away

On our return to Scotland we were both not feeling too great, Maggie had the 'flu and my left leg had started to swell up just before we left KL. So we stayed at home for the first week as we did not want to pass anything on to my mother. On Tuesday 10th March we went to Stonehaven and told mum all about out trip, what we had seen and done, the people we had met and our new friends. I could tell that she was glad we had gone there and it seemed to give her some comfort finding out all about it.

Unfortunately a couple of days later she was taken into hospital due to a urine infection. She was in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a few weeks and was gradually improving so on the 1st April they transferred her to the local hospital for recuperation. She gradually improved and went home for a few hours for a home assesment to see what care she would require on getting home. All was going well until she had a fall and hurt her hip and leg. Xrays and examinations showed no broken bones but she was in great pain. The pain was easing slightly when she had another fall but again no breaks. A few days later because the pain was, if anything, getting worse she had more xrays and a scan - aagain nothing showed up so she went back to the local hospital.

As things worked out most of her close relatives managed to visit her in hospital and on the Monday my cousin Walter popped in to see her. That same day unfortunately she started to go downhill quite quickly, I got the impression that she had just given up the struggle and had had enough of the pain. On the Wednesday the doctor called us in and told us that there was virtually no hope and that it was just a matter of time. She was by this time very weak and on massive amounts of pain relief but still at times in real pain. She fought on for almost another week but in the early hours of the 2nd of May she passed away, just a month short of her 94th birthday. I am just so glad we were able to get back from holiday in time to tell her all about it and where my dad had died. I can't help thinking that perhaps she held on till we got back to tell her. If there is a life after then they will be reunited once more - I hope so.

Latest News

Major Tan was due to come over for his graduation at Herriot Watt University, but unfortunately he had to cancel due to commitments to do with the 2010 Youth Olympics being staged in Singapore. I hope we can meet up again sometime so that I can return some of your hostitality.

We have just come home from a short holiday in Fife. The reason for going is that Don Cameron who was on the Pompong trip was over here and going to the Edinburgh Tattoo. We met up with him on Saturday for lunch and a good talk over things. It was really nice to meet up again - all the best Don and hope you enjoyed the remaining few days over here, and of course your birthday (which was on the next day, Sunday).

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