Shall we meet at Raffles or the Tanglin Club?
The Secretary to the Governor of Singapore, Major John Lipett met Harry and Julie at the wharf. Once their luggage had been retrieved and they cleared customs they were driven to their new home close to the hospital.
They were both used to living in luxury back in England but they thought they would be living more modestly in Singapore. This was not to be so – they were allocated a magnificent Singapore mansion, with ten servants, in the best location on the island.
The Head of Health Services for the Straits Settlements was a respected position in Singapore according many privileges. One of those privileges was membership of the exclusive Tanglin Club where they would meet their friends for tennis and drinks on the deck.
Harry and Julie were keen to see the hospital and made that their first visit the following day. They didn’t have to worry about unpacking - the servants took care of everything.
A driver was waiting for them at nine am as arranged, driving them to the Alexandra Military Hospital otherwise known as the British Military Hospital. The medical facility had been established in 1938 as the primary military hospital four miles west of Singapore at 378 Alexandra Road, hence its common name.
The Alexandra Military Hospital served as the principal hospital for the British Far East Command and was an institution that adopted cutting-edge medical technology.
The two doctors inspected the wards, chatting to young soldiers and sailors who had suffered life-changing injuries. The operating theatres were of particular interest and both were impressed with the equipment and the sophistication of the theatres.
The next appointment was to visit the Governor of Singapore, Sir Cecil Clementi.
The Governor welcomed the husband and wife medical team to Government House where they drank tea on the veranda overlooking the magnificent tropical gardens. Sir Cecil knew Harry’s parents and was aware of their tragic deaths. He reminisced about the times he had spent at Raby Castle. Julie had continued to be amazed at Harry’s social network ever since she met Dame Nellie Melba at her farewell concert.
Sir Cecil confided his great concern relating to the threat of imperialist Japan to South East Asia and particularly Singapore and Malaya.
‘Do you really think they would try and take Singapore? Churchill calls it the Gibraltar of the East,’ asked Harry.
‘I don’t mean to question Mr Churchill’s strategy but it does rely on an invasion from the sea. All our big guns are pointing out to the Singapore Straits. If the Japanese decide to invade through Malaya we have no real defence,’ said Sir Cecil.
‘Well, I hope Churchill is right although from what I hear from my military chums the Japanese would be no match for the Commonwealth forces. They may have been able to knock off the Chinese but Britain is another kettle of fish altogether,’ said Harry.
‘I hope you’re right Harry, for all our sakes.’
Harry and Julie bade their farewells and returned to their house where the servants were preparing the evening meal. The house came with its own substantial wine cellar - Harry was looking forward to his first inspection and selection.
Life in Singapore centred on their medical responsibilities and their social life. The British and Australian expatriates made them more than welcome and invitations to dinner or drinks were abundant.
Julie’s favourite pastime outside of the hospital was visiting the Tanglin Club. The Olympic-sized pool and tennis court gave her much pleasure, as did the Singapore golf club.
25th December 1939
The de Nevilles were invited to Government House for a traditional Christmas dinner although with the temperature outside pushing one hundred and the humidity around ninety percent it was hardly the traditional weather they were used to.
Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival and his wife were also guests, as well as Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Far East Command, and his wife. The remainder of the table consisted of high-ranking British public servants and various business people.
As to be expected the dinner conversation concentrated on what was happening in Europe.
‘What have you heard about the Russians invading Finland, Arthur?’
‘Well, Sir Robert, the latest information we have is that the Bolshies have bombed Helsinki and the Finns have retreated to the Mannerheim Line.’
‘They have no hope of holding them back.’
‘No, I am afraid you’re right,’ agreed Arthur.
Another guest, David Meyer, joined the conversation.
‘Are you surprised, gentlemen, that Italy has declared its neutrality? It is my understanding that Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have also proclaimed their neutrality leaving the Finns to battle Russia on her own.’
‘Not at all, David. No-one wants to take on the Russians if they don’t have to.’
‘I suppose you’re right Sir Robert.’
‘News came in just today that the destroyer HMS Duchess has sunk after a collision with the battleship HMS Barham off the coast of Scotland with the loss of one hundred and twenty-four men.’
‘For God’s sake! We have enough trouble avoiding the German’s U- Boats without sinking our own!’
‘That’s terrible news, Sir Robert. Those poor men and their families,’ said Julie with real concern.
A lone piper piping in the beef silenced the conversation around the table. The Chinese servants brought in the magnificent Christmas dinner; not only the beef but also turkey and ham, with platters of vegetables grown in the Governor’s own vegetable garden. Arthur Percival encouraged everybody to enjoy the meal and to give a thought to those back home who were on severe rations.
After the main course was cleared the servants arrived with a large Christmas pudding together with silver custard boats and fresh cream. Every one of the guests requested a second helping.
The Governor suggested they retire to the veranda for coffee and port and they all duly followed him.
‘I know we have been discussing Europe, understandably so, as we have a war going on over there, but what about here? The Japanese are virtually on our doorstep,’ commented Major Terrence Joyce Adjutant to Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival.
‘There is very little chance Major, that Japan could penetrate our naval and land-based defences. Britain would never concede Singapore and Malaya.’ Percival spoke with conviction.
The other guests on the veranda on that hot and humid Christmas Day nodded in agreement with Percival.
The conversations continued until midnight when the first of the cars arrived to take them back to their residences. All in all it had been a wonderful Christmas dinner.