The Queen Mary Docks in Singapore

A Grand Reception

The scene was far from solemn, however. According to Don Wall of the 2/20th Battalion, the troops showered the dignitaries with coins, a mischievous gesture that brought levity to the formal occasion. Reg Newton, another soldier from the 22nd Brigade, added that some of the soldiers heated pennies and tossed them down to the docks, causing chaos among the local workers and British troops as they scrambled to collect the coins. For the onlookers aboard the Queen Mary, the multitude of uniforms worn by the welcoming parties might well have come from the wardrobe of a theatrical company, adding to the surreal nature of their arrival.

Did You Know?

Heated Pennies Prank:
When the 22nd Brigade arrived in Singapore, some Australian soldiers played a prank by heating pennies and tossing them onto the wharf. This caused a scramble among the local workers and British troops, who unknowingly picked up the scorching coins. It was one of the many practical jokes that highlighted the Australians' irreverent sense of humor.

Once disembarked, the 22nd Brigade was swiftly packed into railway carriages and transported to the state of Negri Sembilan. The brigade was dispersed across several locations:

Brigade Headquarters and the 2/18th Battalion along with the 2/20th Battalion were stationed at Port Dickson on the west coast of Malaya, approximately 320 kilometers from Singapore.

The 2/19th Battalion was deployed to Seremban, about 32 kilometers inland from Port Dickson and roughly 360 kilometers from Singapore.

Meanwhile, the Headquarters of the 8th Division and its Signals Unit were established in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the Federated Malay States. The artillery, general hospital, and supply units were based in Malacca, while the Motor Ambulance Convoy was stationed at Kajang, located about halfway between Seremban and Kuala Lumpur.

Port Dickson

• Units: Brigade Headquarters, 2/18th Battalion, 2/20th Battalion

• Distance from Singapore: 320 kilometers

• Commanding Officers:

  • Brigade HQ: Major General Henry Gordon Bennett (overall command)

  • 2/18th Battalion: Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Varley

  • 2/20th Battalion: Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Jess

• Size: Approx. 2,000 men (combined for 2/18th and 2/20th Battalions)

Deployment Across Malaya

Kuala Lumpur

• Units: 8th Division Headquarters, Signals Unit

• Distance from Singapore: Approx. 350 kilometers

• Commanding Officer: Major General Henry Gordon Bennett

• Size: Approx. 200 men (combined HQ and Signals Unit)

Seremban

• Unit: 2/19th Battalion

• Distance from Port Dickson: 32 kilometers inland

• Distance from Singapore: 360 kilometers

• Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson

• Size: Approx. 1,000 men

Malacca

• Units: Artillery Units, General Hospital, Supply Units

• Distance from Kuala Lumpur: Approx. 120 kilometers south

• Size: Approx. 1,500 men (combined for all units)

Kajang

• Unit: Motor Ambulance Convoy

• Distance from Seremban: Approx. 20 kilometers

• Distance from Kuala Lumpur: Approx. 30 kilometers

• Commanding Officer: Captain John Simpson

• Size: Approx. 100 men

Strategic Positioning of the 22nd Brigade

Entering an Alien World

The Australians were stepping into a world entirely new to them. Unlike the familiar battlefields of the Middle East and Europe, Malaya presented a different challenge. The training grounds of Egypt and the Bible lands, or the fields of Flanders, were far removed from the dense jungles and tropical climate of Southeast Asia. For many soldiers, their limited education in geography and culture made this an alien world.

First Impressions

The first impressions of Singapore were overwhelming. The oppressive heat and humidity caused immediate discomfort, with soldiers drenched in sweat as they adjusted to the on-and-off rain. The sights, sounds, and smells were unlike anything they had encountered before. The vivid green of the palm trees, the striking colors of tropical gardens, and the multitude of aromas from the bustling food stalls created a sensory overload. Some of these smells were curious, while others, such as the stench of drying fish swarming with flies, were utterly repugnant.

Did You Know?

A Different World:
For many of the Australian soldiers, arriving in Singapore was their first experience of the tropics. The intense heat, humidity, and the vibrant, chaotic streets of Singapore were a stark contrast to the more familiar training grounds in Australia. This new environment required rapid adaptation, not just to the climate but also to the cultural landscape they were now part of.

Exploring Singapore’s Entertainment

Singapore’s Streets

Navigating the streets of Singapore was an adventure in itself. The crowded streets were a seething mass of hawkers, food stalls, and coolies, all moving in a seemingly dysfunctional yet somehow coordinated manner. Bicycles, rickshaws, and horn-blowing cars weaved through the chaos, making their hurried way amidst the dense crowds. Above the street-level commotion, laundry hung from bamboo poles protruding from the windows of cramped buildings, adding to the vibrant yet chaotic scene.

A Bustling and Chaotic Scene

Recreation and Leisure

When on leave, the Australian soldiers found solace in the vibrant nightlife of Singapore. They could visit places like the Great World, New World, or Happy World, which were the Singaporean equivalents of amusement parks like Luna Park back home. These venues offered the usual sideshows, stalls, and picture shows, but there were also attractions that catered to the soldiers' desires for relaxation and entertainment.

In these entertainment hubs, soldiers could purchase alcohol and dance with attractive local or Eurasian women for a small fee. For those seeking more intimate encounters, the lure of Lavender Street, Singapore’s extensive red-light district, offered the "horizontal refreshments" that many soldiers sought.

The 22nd Brigade’s Challenges

Adapting to a New Military Environment

As the ranks of the 22nd Brigade began their training and adjusted to this new military, physical, and cultural environment, they faced challenges beyond the unfamiliar terrain and climate. The undercurrents of hostility and intrigue within the 8th Division headquarters began to emerge, setting the stage for internal conflicts that would affect the brigade’s operations.

When Major General Henry Gordon Bennett arrived in Malaya, he was already a man burdened by frustrations and grievances. Having been overlooked three times for command positions he felt qualified for and entitled to, Bennett harbored bitterness towards his superiors. He was well aware of the powerful enemies he had made, particularly his arch-enemy General Sir Thomas Blamey, who was in command of the corps in the Middle East. To add to his challenges, Bennett was forced to work with two staff officers, Rock and Broadbent, and one of his brigade commanders, none of whom he had appointed. These individuals would prove to be problematic subordinates, further complicating Bennett's command.

Conclusion

The Calm Before the Storm

The arrival of the 22nd Brigade in Singapore marked the beginning of a new chapter in the story of the 8th Division AIF. As the soldiers settled into their new surroundings, they were unaware of the trials that lay ahead. The challenges of adapting to an alien environment, coupled with the internal tensions within the division, set the stage for the grueling battles to come. The story of the 22nd Brigade was just beginning, and the journey from their arrival in Singapore to the battlefields of Malaya would test their resolve and strength in ways they could not have imagined.

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