Memoirs by Mrs Delip Singh

My Fond memories as a teacher in King Edward VII School Taiping. From 1st December 1945 to 28th May 1978

I am happy that I have been honoured at being asked to open a few lines of my fond memories of my career at King Edward VII School, Taiping.

I would not be here penning a few words of my experience as a teacher if not for my latefather’s vision broad mindedness. He felt very strongly that education was the key to maximizing one’s potential and he gave us the opportunity to study. This was a sasity for Punjabi women of that era. With this opportunity and his blessing I became a teacher trainee.

This was because I was assigned to teach a class of 60 children who ranged in ages from about 6 to 10 years. This was during the post war period and these were children who had not done any studies for the past five years. They were not very interested in their studies and it was not easy to teach them without books to support my efforts. I almost lost my voice trying to discipline and teach them.

Thankfully, a few months later, the school moved to its own premises in Upper Museum Road. In contrast to the above, here the classes were smaller, and children were keen to learn and teaching was enjoyable.

The children’s favourite subject was story telling. When asked to come to the front of the class, the children would quickly move up and sit as close to me as possible to hear every word in the story. I will never forget the bright faces looking at me with total concentration and expression. Dramatizing parts of the story was exciting and I enjoyed the stories as much as the children did.

I also have fond memories of taking the children on excursions to places like the Taiping Museum. Lake Gardens, Railway Station and the Taiping Airport. Those were enjoyable years when children did not have to bring written approvals for such trips from parents and we did not have to engage buses to ferry the children to their destination. We walked everywhere. In fact the children enjoyed the walks tremendously on such trips. If the rainy Taiping weather threatened, the loyal parents would come with cars to help us. There were not many cars those days and the help that these parents gave will not be forgotten. Those were the glorious years with parents always standing to help us teachers.

In 1995, one of my former pupils named En. Abdul Mouin Skymed, was posted to Taiping King Edwards as a Headmaster. I had retired by then but he managed to trace me. He came to visit me and brought back fond memories of having to carry unmarked exercise books to my home because he lived in the same neighbourhood. He also reminded me that I thought him Art and Craft (cane weaving of baskets etc). To have a former pupil take the trouble to meet me made me feel that all my efforts at teaching and caring for the pupils was well worth it.

Occasionally, whilst out carrying out errands on the streets of Taiping Town, I am fortunate enough to come across Old Edwardians to come to me and say “Hello teacher! Do you remember me in King Edwards?” Quite often become I have taught numerous children and they look very different grown up as men, I am not able to recognize them.

In one case I cling firmly to my handbag thinking this may be a snatch thief. The man seeing my fear remarked, “Teacher, don’t be afraid” and that would break the ice and bring back memories of the good old days in school. These pupils were instrumental in my development as a teacher-trainee.

With respect I would like to thank all those under whose care and guidance. I made a success of the noble profession. In particular Mr. E.A. Moissinac, Mrs Luke, Mrs G. Koenitz, Mrs. Irving, Mr Chang Ah Kee, Mr Ooi Hoay Yam and Mr Basil Gomez. Finally I would like to thank my colleagues who supported each other through both happily and difficult times.

I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to teach. To have touched so many hearts and minds of young Malaysians. Malaysians who have now developed and grown and moved on to more exciting ventures in their lives. God bless all of them.

Mrs. Delip Singh

Memoirs by Mrs Teoh Chai Chin

Memories Of Yester Years at King Edward VII School Taiping.

Dear Mohaideen,

Thank you for your letter. I am very happy to hear from you and am honoured by your request to write a few words about the years I was teacher in King Edward VII School. I joined K.E. in 1941. Miss Sharpington was then the Primary Supervisor and Mr. Barraclough was the Headmaster. The Primary School was in the brick building by the side of Sheffield Hostel.

In 1942 the Japanese invaded Malaya and all the English schools were closed. At the end of World War II the British reoccupied Malaya. King Edward VII School reopened and all the teachers went back to teach. We had to share the St. George’s building for a short while. Our School operated in the afternoon and St George’s in the morning. We were very happy when the K.E. school buildings were returned to us and we could operate normally again. We had a very fine team of hardworking, dedicated and loyal teachers and some of them were Mrs Delip Singh, Mrs Saw Leong Pek, Miss Nora Row, Miss Khoo Sin Nya, Miss Ng Poh Laing, Mrs Koenitz, Mrs Froud and Loke Maznah Puteh.

The classes were small then, only 30 children, and we had a very happy time teaching you boys. Teaching was a pleasure then and the boys of the school were disciplined, eager to learn, respectful and very proud to be Edwardians. Many of you have excelled in your studies and become prominent and important members of society, successful politicians, businessman like you Mohaideen, civil servants etc. We are very proud of you all. The greatest reward of being a teacher is when an old boy meets me in the street and says, “Mrs Teoh, do you remember me? You were my teacher before” You give me so much joy and pride to know that I’m still remembered. I must apologize that often I can’t remember your name. Do forgive me. My memory is failing fast.

Another important event was the School Annual Sports’ Day. We lady teachers were given the task of decorating the School Hall and prepare tea for the officials, old boys and visitors. We all worked very hard to make this event a success. Every year the crowd seemed to get bigger and bigger. Finally we had to stagger the crowd to 2 or 3 sessions. We would usually try to sneak out to watch the hottest event of the day – the Inter School Relay. The great rival schools were Anderson School. Clifford School, Malay College and St George’s School. We would cheer and shout ourselves hoarse for the tigers. Many times they came out tops and we were so proud of them.

Well Mohaideen, these are some of my fond memories of the seventeen years I worked in K.E. My husband and I wish for the Old Edwardians Association Malaysian, Taiping, Perak a very happy and successful 38th Anniversary Celebration.

Your Old Teacher

Mrs Teoh Chai Chin

Memoirs by Tiger Dato Seri Yuen Yuet Leng
SPMP, DPCM, PNBS, JMN, KMN, PPC, PBS, AMN, CPM

Lingering Memories

1934 is a pretty long 71 years ago. That was when I joined Primary One at the KE VII School Primary Section which was then located in a wooden building along Upper Museum Road. Here in a revered multiracial environment and under the shadows of a great name, I spent my most formative years from 1934 to 1941 and after the War, continued my studies from 1945 – 1947. The war years were not really wasted for they awoke in me experience and fresh realizations on nation, community and social integrity.

At KE 7 in my youth we were tutored by a special breed of illustrious teachers who molded us to develop and I in particular, into a man I now am - a conscientious and responsible Malaysian citizen, born Chinese, can be quite Chinese but in matters of national security, economy, social development and integration, first and last, Malaysian - a Malaysian with full cognizance of the valid and reasonable rights and aspirations of each and every one of our various communities and through sincere understanding and mutual accommodation, shall integrate progressively better in both form and substance into a truly united Malaysian nation. Thus will be able to face the trials, threats and competition that accompany the multiferous dynamics and pressures which have with international globalisation in every field of our national, economic and social survival and concurrently with hopeful respected dignity and sovereignty. The world at large does not give us any handicaps whatsoever.

We had in our times great principals like RSP Walker and Barraclough before the War. Thereafter we had JD Joseph, our original rugger mentor, McCorkindale a righteous Scot and Long Heng Hua, a non-Edwardian, who adopted us but was passionately assimilated by the great name. We had great masters prior and after the war were rugby stars of their times – the memorable Yeoh Teng Khoo, Utam Singh, Lim Swee Chin@Robert Taylor. With other Edwardians like Lim Poh Hai, his brother Lim Poh Aun, Devan they regularly played for the Asian All Blues.

Under their tutelage the KE VII rugby team over the years was definitely one of the few top school rugger school teams in the country. 1947, the school team of which I was privileged to be a member, never lost any match against other schools. I remembered we trounced the GES Muar who came travelling by more than 20 points.

However, the best tradition and sporting heritage of KE7 was perhaps the golden era of the Glugor Shield in the early 1930s when so many longstanding records were set by unforgettables like Dr. Chan Ah Kow, Nai Phuang, and the outstanding Ghows brothers including Hanif, Rashid, Ismail Ghows who made such a lasting impression on my generation. Dr. Chan Ah Kow was a true and loyal Edwardian to the core. My last memory of him was in the 1990s when he and his good wife came all the way from Singapore to attend the OEs’ Dinner in Kuala Lumpur.

Our other elite teachers were Selvanagam who taught and breathed geography; Goh Chin Goon, our teacher in arts, a subject in which I was never any good. Great was his disappointment when my best “flower” still looked like a droopy mouse. Khoo Kai Huat was impressive and very entertaining with his poetic recitations of John Gilpin. His brother Kai Bee was a more seriously effective character. Jesudason, my form teacher in Std VI in 1941 and a man of literature post war was equally mastery and agile on the gymnastic bars. His wife, the daughter of a prosperous Chinese famliy in Ipoh was my Pri. 11 teachers in 1935. She was quite unique for we were educated as we played together with or listened to her or ate at her house opposite the school during the break. Mrs Koenitz my Primary One teacher was very maternal, kindly and firm. Images of the folk dances she taught us are still nostalgic. I shall always remember her fantastic memory of our names years and years later. Mr Doral was and will always be a revered part of our school for he breathed, worked and taught KE7. Che Gu Ismail, my Std 4 teacher was strict disciplinarian and my knuckles had tasted his ruler on more than one occasion.

The Monerasinghe brothers were coaches for our school cricket and Campbell our hockey team. One of our notable cricket games in 1947 was against the Survey Department who had an array of state players. We outwitted them when we forced a draw. As an opening bat with Kamalanathan I consistently stonewalled and took on our opponents bowling switching positions at the end of ovals whenever I could. I continueduntil light failed! That day I was acclaimed but reluctant hero.

Most of my classmates like Ibrahim Khan, head boy Woon Ho Thye, Oh Bak Meng, Padmanathan, Lim Swee Leong, Saad Din form Matang and Rasli Nawi from Batu Kurau have passed on. Strangely it is their youthful and boyish faces that are still embedded in my ageing memory and when stimulated always start a train of thoughts into the past that are so nostalgic and yet a little sad for the bygone days of our happy youth in simpler times which were not excitement and dangers

The 2nd World War took a toll of Old Edwardians. Their supreme, hallowed and honoured sacrifice in action should be permanently carved into the annals of historical records of the school to add extra lustre to the great name. This should importantly form the living bond linking the past to the present and into the future. We trust that no arrow perspective whatever the professed objective shall ever see any change to what treasure as our “Edwardian” heritage. Hannis a sportsman, died in action reportedly aboard a British destroyer in the Straits of Malacca. Khoo Heng Peng, my standard III teacher, Lim Poh Aun of Theatre Street, Kim Sai from around the Circus padang and Kum Weng from Tekka mines who were Taiping members of the FMSVF, retreated south form Northern Malaya with British Forces. In Singapore they died valiantly manning a machine-gun post which was over-run by Japanese Forces during the last days of the Battle for Singapore in February 1942. Today they rest at the British War Cemetery in Taiping Lakes. Tha various “Emergencies’ and Indonesian Confrontation before and after our Independence had also claimed the lives of Lt Shukor in a CT ambush in Pahang in 1956 and other OEs who made the supreme sacrifice. Let the School and us remember our heroes once a year on any one day just as we appreciate those Oes who had served, risked or lived selflessly in all fields of human endeavour for, or those now overseas, to pride of society and our nation, Malaysia.

Memoirs by Mr John Alexander McCumiskey

Dear Old Edwardians

The President of your Association has invited me to send you an article for the Souvenir Programme to mark the thirty-eighth anniversary of the establishment of your Association and I am delighted to respond.

I am of course, only one of the many thousands of people who have been associated with our school since its Foundation. I was appointed as the Principal of KE VII School, Taiping, in 1962 and served our school till the middle of 1963.

When I was a schoolboy myself at Carlisle Grammar School I had been reminded that ‘Punctuality is a Source of Success’ and so the first administrative circular I originated during my term of office concerned this very important punctuality.

All of the administrative circulars which I originated during my term of office in 1962 and 1963 were read by the Principal of your school in 1997 and he told me that he had enjoyed reading them.

And so if any of you who are interested in the history of your school would like to read those administrative circulars you can do so. It is of great tribute to the organisation of your archives that these administrative circulars are still there for you to read!

Anyhow, at the end of 1962 our results in the Overseas Cambridge School Certificate Examination rose from only 20% success to almost 80% success and so in February of 1963 when the results were received I summoned the whole school together and granted a half day holiday!

This proclamation of mine was greeted with applause and off everyone went to celebrate the results of our pupils in that very important examination! I know that many of you who were associated with our school in 1962 and 1963 are still alive and so I would like to congratulate all of you on the rapidity and efficiency with which you respond to the administration of our school which was introduced in 1962.

Those results at the end of 1962 are certainly of great credit to all of you who were associated with that great name in that year.

I have visited Taiping in 1997 and 2004 and many, many happy memories came back to me on both those occasions. But when I visit you again later in this year I will tell you a few more of my anecdotes. And so until we meet again I wish all of you every success and happiness and thank so many of you for so many happy memories of KE VII School, Taiping, Perak.

We are so fortunate to live in the shadow of that great name.

CERTA CITO : UT VIDEANT

Yours convivially

The Valuana Publishing House

118 Hale Road Wembley Downs

In Western Australia 6019

Memoirs From Tiger P. Vimalachanthiran
BA (ECON) CEYLON ATTORNEY- AT LAW,

10, Kandawala Mawatha, Off Attidiya Road, Ratmala, Sri Lanka

My fond Memories During My Term as a Student at King Edward VII School Taiping, Perak.

My thanks to the President and the Committee of the Old Edwardians’ Association for the kind invitation, requesting me to pen a few lines about my fond memories during my term in King Edward the VII School for the 38th Annual Re-union Dinner Souvenir.

I had the good fortune to pursue studies in this great and prestigious institution from Primary One to standard six. King Edward the VII School had the blessings to be located in the Idyllic Town of Taiping with salubrious surroundings. Our Institution itself had beautiful buildings with long corridors, attractive arches, and spacious class rooms with rain trees near the School and well maintained large playing fields all of which contributed to an aesthetic outlook for the Edwardian. My student days at K.E. VII were happy and satisfying. I had academic success in that I secured two consecutive double promotions from Standard Two to Standard Four and from Standard Four to Standard Six before I left for Ceylon in the year 1947. So I left for Ceylon as a happy student of K.E. VII.

Great enthusiasm was created and generated in me in the study of English and English Literature in K.E.VII by good teachers. I built on the foundation laid for me at K.E.VII in the study of English and I read widely not only on prose poetry but also in philosophy and religion written by great Authors, Poets and Philosophers of all nations. This in turn enabled me to manifest my talents as an Orator and a Debater with confidence and efficacy resulting in my winning several prizes in Oratory and leading several debating teams in Ceylon culminating in my winning the highest award for Oratory at the Ceylon Law College Debating Team. Thanks to K.E.VII School, my Alma Matter for the very great contribution made to me in this regard. I must say that when I left for Ceylon I carried with me the Edwardian spirit which I had imbibed as a student in K.E.VII. The Edwardian spirit embraced within its fold many attributes. The Edwardians were scholarly, honest, disciplined and of good behaviour and conduct. The Edwardians had dignity as well as reputation and they were known during my time throughout the length and breadth of Malaya not only for their achievements in the filed of academic pursuits but also in the field of sports. So the Edwardians had a gait and confidence of their own.

We Edwardians, rejoiced in having teachers who were committed and dedicated to the vocation of teaching and who created in us the love for learning and thirst for knowledge. The principals during my time were F.C.Barraclough, C.R.Tolliday and J.D.Joseph. They were men of poise, dignity, grace, elegance and distinction who were also strict disciplinarians and built in the Edwardians qualities of bravery, chivalry and leadership.

The Edwardians roared and cheered in the playing fields but never jeered. Though the students at K.E.VII came from all communities and races, they broke down racial barriers and formed themselves into a brotherhood in the true spirit of the Edwardian which won the respect and esteem of others for the Edwardians.

Above all the Edwardians were loyal to their institution and were always conscious that their behaviour must befit the honour and reputation of their school in keeping with the motto of our great school “Magni Nominis Umbra”.

In fact the moulding that the Edwardians received in this great and prestigious institution through their teachers and principals resulted in men of distinction in all walks of life and this was an undisputed fact that received recognition in all parts of Malaya during my time at K.E.VII School.

I must conclude this article with special reference to Mr. S.A.M.Mohaideen, the President of the Old Edwardians’ Association who made it possible for me to realize my desire and longing to forge links with my fellow Edwardians.

I am sure that every Edwardian young and old will agree with me when I say that we owe Mr. Mohaideen and the Old Edwardians themselves deserve to be congratulated for having reposed their confidence and trust in him as President of the Old Edwardians’ Association for the last 26 years.

“Magni Nominis Umbra”

P. Vimalachanthiran B.A. (Econ) Ceylon

Attorney-at-Law

Memoirs by Tiger Dato' Teoh Teik Lee

The spirit of The Tiger

I am a tiger of the class of ‘41, nurtured through the years when the school assumed a towering presence in national education. The phaeton of Tigers, the likes of Chan Ah Kow, Chin Kim Hong, Ngai Sam Phong, the Khans and the Ghows’ family won fame and glory for the school. A major success on the sports field was event to be celebrated by the whole school. My schoolmates and I, then watching from the sideline, were intensely proud of the school. That dominant spirit of the Taiping Tigers I believe continues to reside in every true Edwardian.

I have many happy memories of the school where I spent the best part of my adolescent years, and later for a brief period, taught physical education. Schooling then was neither the hassle of tuition classes, nor the need for home study. Homework, if any, was done immediately after class, or ‘copied’ the next morning in school. The school was the focus of much of the life of students. Many linger behind after class to represent or root for their house in sports, work on projects, and ‘gang’ under the shade of the big rain trees to plan their week-end forays into the outdoors. There was great camaraderie and the ties fostered in these settings remained long after school. Such nostalgic experiences are often relived when old Tigers meet.

King Edward VII is noted for its strong tradition and culture that evolved over the generations through exemplary leadership and close inter-action between students and teachers. It is significant that I still remember the names of all my teachers from the matronly figures in the primary school through to the stern and disciplinary, to the jovially popular in the upper classes. They were different in personality and demeanour, but they were true to their calling, and represent the best in the teaching profession.

One, who in my opinion was representative of this creed of teachers, was K.Utam Singh. He was of enormous intellect and multi-talented. He was at ease teaching art as he was at holding his class enthralled with his rendering of Omar Khayyam. His system of self-study in ‘Hygiene and Physiology’, whereby the student had to prepare hand-written notes on artistically designed formats was unique. In this subject there were no failures and plenty of A’ in the Cambridge examination. He was strict, brooking no tardiness in his assignments. Often, after school he would cut a dashing figure in his red MG tourer tearing around town with a red black scarf billowing from his neck. At a time when rallying had yet to come to town, Utam Singh would gun his MG up Maxwell Hill taking the goose-necks at speed, much to the dismay of the local authorities. A colourful figure he was. Much admired and silently hero-worshipped by many.

K.Utam Singh was an icon of a distinguished line of headmasters and teachers who by example and close monitoring, led the Tigers beyond the classroom to learn about life in its many meanings. Their legacy that spawned the spirit of the tiger in all of us will be greatly cherished.

Dato’ Teoh Teik Lee

26 April 2005

Memoirs by Mr. Mike White

My Fond Memories in King Edward VII School Taiping

So far the month of April this year has been very special for the White family. Our son, David has just become engaged, our daughter, Vicky has just been offered her first job as a teacher, and Carolyn has not been too rude about the fact that I’ve just become an old age pensioner.

But then 2005 seems to be very special for King Edward VII School. I had a phone call in March from Bill Boynton. We’ve never met or spoken to each other so it was a bit of surprise to hear from him. He’d obtained my contact details from my old friend, and ex-student Gowdh. Bill told me that the school was celebrating its centenary this year. Would I be interested in attending? And then, at the end of March I received a letter from Taiping, asking me to “pen a few lines about (my) fond memories” for the 38th Old Edwardians Souvenir Programme. I guess these two events are somehow connected. Too much of a coincidence otherwise.

So I did a bit of calculating – not surprising really because some of you may remember that I tried my hand at teaching Maths when I worked at KE7 in 1967-68. And if my Maths is right, it looks as if the Old Edwardians Association began its life around the time I was in Taiping. Another coincidence? If so, what a happy one.

And as I sit at my desk, typing this, I can look up to my left and see, among the other memorabilia on our office wall, the staff photo from that time, courtesy of the Choong Wah Studio, with Mr Long at its centre, and all those other familiar faces. Some of the names have faded but there’s Mr Ismail, Mr Lim, and Mr Lim again and again, Mr Mansor, Mr Muthu, Miss Ng, Mr Singh, fond memories indeed.

And so much more comes flooding back. How proud I was to learn that I was going to be form master of Upper Sixth Science. It wasn’t until Carolyn and I stayed with Mr Long during our honeymoon in 1971, that he told us that the school didn’t really need VSO’s. He knew we weren’t trained teachers, but the Government made him take one each year. So he put us where he thought we would do least damage! I hope that turned out to be true!

And the school day started so early for a soft Englishman. Was it really at 7.30am that I used to watch some of my colleagues drink raw eggs for breakfast? Heroes, indeed. But that reminds me about the food – the best, and most varied, national cuisine in the world. I can remember that the last thing I wanted to do was to eat egg and beans on toast in the airconditioned splendour of the Malayan refrigerating Company. The food shops in town were for me. I can still picture my favourite Chinese shop where I had most of my evening meals.

Then there was the north Indian shop which had the most wonderful prawn curry, the South Indian shop where we ate with our fingers off elephant leaves, the Chinese guy who came to Taiping on Tuesday lunchtimes with the best spring rolls, satay which still makes my mouth water, the food stalls in the night market… it’s difficult to stop.

Then there were, and I guess still are, the Lake Gardens with Maxwell’s Hill behind. I can remember staying up there occasionally in the blissfully cool atmosphere 4000 feet above sea, and Taiping, level. Where there were boulders for scrambling on, because I missed rock climbing. But then we climbed Kinabalu instead. I could write a book about that trip.

Scrounging for gear and money, the three-day sea voyage across to Kota Kinabalu, having to ration the rice during our five day stay on the mountain because I’d sadly underestimated the needs of ravenous teenage expeditioners. And the wonderful panorama from the summit.

I remember the photographs I took at the time, piecing them together to form one continuously curving view and framing the result, which I gave to Mr Long when I left. I wonder if that is still around.

And there’s so much else. Coaching the cricket team, the certificate I awarded my best Fourth Year class for being a great bunch, directing “Waiting for Godot” – I still can’t believe we had the nerve to put this on – the cast were such a credit to the school, Sports Day, hitchhiking to Bangkok and Chiang Mai with a young Chinese colleague, meals with the Singh family, nights out with other colleagues, trips to see friends in Penang, KL and Singapore, staying with Wai Cheong in New Delhi on my way back to England. I was very lucky.

And luckiest of all, Jack Tucker, the Warden of the Outward Bound School in Lumut, who I first met when I was organizing the Kinabalu expedition, offered me a job as chief Instructor at the new Outward Bound School in Hong Kong, which he’d been asked to open in 1969. And that’s where I met, and married, Carolyn. So was Taiping and KE important to me? I guess the answer is obvious, and in so many ways.

And maybe there’s one last chapter, a closing of the circle. Bill and I are hoping to come out to the Centenary Dinner in Taiping in June. At the time of writing there is still a level of uncertainty about this but I’ve always wanted to make another visit and this seems the ideal opportunity. If we can make it, I hope time has been kind and we can still recognise each other.

Mike White

Memoirs by Tiger Dato' (Dr) Anwar Faizal

The Tigers Of Taiping Soil, Soul & Society

There is something special about the King Edward VII School – the place, people and passion, manifested most often by the ‘roar’ of the tiger.

I had blessing of being a budding ‘tiger’ and spent the year 1947 till and including, 1957. The entry time as a ‘cub tiger’ was just before the so-called “emergency” and when Taiping as the Northern garrison base became a very militarised zone with soldiers from all of the world.

When I left, it was the glorious period of “merdeka” which I had the opportunity to shout as a ‘teen tiger’.

Because of the excellent statistics kept in our report cards, I can report as follows:

In 1947, when I joined, I was 4 feet short, 3 stones and 8 pounds light and my chest measurement was a skimpy 24 inches.

In 1957, when I left the school, I was 5 feet 8 inches tall 119 pounds heavy and my chest was a proud 35 inches!

This is called progress, but it was not just the physique that changed. The school brought joy, excitement, fellowship and all variety of challenges of growing up mentally and socially.

I belonged to the Raffles House – the illustrious name of a great colonial civil servant and scholar name more associated with Singapore now, but more remembered here by the name given to the largest (even if foul smelling) flower in the world – the “Rafflesia”!

I went through the helping hands of 8 different principals – Englishman, Scotsmen and Welshmen, and then, two illustrious locals: Yeoh Teng Khoo and JEB Ambrose. Among the ‘foreigners, I remembered AC McCorkingdale and EH Bromley – you can imagine the fun we had with their names!

It was also a time where every teacher seemed so special, unique, inspiring, or if not, so frightening as to make sure you buck up! AK Sabapathy and Utam Singh were not only outstanding teachers, they were also outstanding sportsmen. I learnt my hockey, cricket and scouting from them. Cambell and Ibrahim Ali, Lim Swee Chin, Francis Chung, Ooi Hoay Yam, Quah Chiew Kooi (who led the Old Edwardian Association for years) and Ratnasabapathy (for his cricket and athletics) and A Matthews and Dawson, and many others who left lasting impressions.

Every one had something in them that earned respect. I believe most of it was that they cared for the pupils and school. It is that ‘caring’ that was the stuff of commitment and excellence that became the “wind under our wings”.

There were many other things to remember about the school:

The Building: I served time in all of them. Each had the character but it was the main building at Station Road, its ‘solid’ architecture and metal gate that left the most lasting impressions, even till today.

The school playing field: those special ‘rain’ trees, so characteristic of Taiping under which, we placed our shoes and shirts while we practiced and rested. The field and school grounds, many have forgotten, were the site of the original and oldest railway station. That is why so many railway quarters surrounded the school. It has to be said that if we dug the school field, you will find the ‘archeological’ remains of the old station and rails!

Sports: we did our running barefoot. My first hockey-stick was one discarded by the British Army after a game- it was broken! I nailed it back and tied it up with string, using our best boy scout ‘knots’. It had a leather covering. Our rugby boots were handed down from another general and the ‘studs’ were nailed in by the cobber – they scratched you so often.

Exhibition: the most memorable were the bicycle decoration contest. Nearly all of us used bicycles in 1956. The one who won, was decorated as a tiger!

There are so many classmates to remember:

Tiger SAM Mohaideen, the OE President, was a champion athlete. No one could challenge him for the 100, 220 and 440 yards. (I used to win 880 yards – bigger lungs I think)

Tiger ‘Sonny’ Ling, now Tun, who believe it or not, was a good high jumper. He also did a high jump into medicine and politics!

Bashir Mohammed and Dr Ghulam Sarwar (then known as Kamarudin) – were two great writers. They were involved in “the Tiger”, the school newspaper. Bashir went to London and has become among the leading collectors of Islamic and Malay heritage manuscripts and Dr Ghulam is Malaysia’s leading expert on traditional theatre form and an outstanding poet.

Zaini Affendi and Ghani Ismail, who acted together with me in the play, “His Excellency, The Governor”. I have photos of the hilarious dresses we wore. Ghani was dresses like Gandhi!

Debates: we had many great debates on topics that are relevant, even now, for example:
“That the government of nations should be left to women”. (unfortunately, we lost to the Convent, who interestingly, opposed the motion.)

“The Freedom of fear of Economic Power is preferably to Political Rights”. (we, unforgivably, lost to the Malay College, which although the epitome of many things feudal, opposed the motion).

Climate : I had for a while, the important job of being in charge of the school meteorological station (yes, believe it or not, we had one and I used to dutifully go every morning at 7am to measure the rainfall, humidity and record the temperatures and ‘chalk’ them on a special board for all to see. I enjoyed that link with nature so much, I decided to be a meteorologist! Unfortunately, no one told me I needed to study physics while I had warmed to the arts class in those early period of ‘streaming’. My father was so disappointed when I told him I was allocated the “Arts stream” – “how do you expect to make living by drawing!” I had to explain to him that “Arts” meant more that that!

One day, I over slept and could not do the reading. I felt so guilty that I had let down the whole world. A friend suggested to just put a figure – no one will know the difference. I decided I could not do that and instead, confessed to our master in charge, Mr. AK Sabapathy, who said he was proud I had not cheated.

Just write “sorry, no reading today” on the board, he said. This was a lesson in integrity!

Not only was the school special, the location of it in Taiping added a magical dimension – the ecological setting of mountains, lake, mangroves, forests and so closely nestled in one of the rainiest towns in the world!

Not many people know that the Malayan Nature Society (Malaysia’s oldest and premier ecological groups) was founded in Taiping!

The multi-cultural, multi-religious setting with so many races and nationalities, that you grew up comfortable to be both a Malaysian (then Malayan) and a citizen of the world!

The name of town “Taiping” means “everlasting Peace” was again so special. Recently, a few of us have launched the “Taiping Peace Initiative” to make the town a centre for learning about peace: peace within ourselves, peace with other people, and peace with the environment. (see www.everlastingpeace.net)

A few of us founded the Malaysian Interfaith Network (MIN) in Taiping (see www.malaysianinterfaithnetwork.com.net) The core motto of this network is “the Golden Rule” treat others like you would like to be treated!

The school and town taught me everything that is important to life and living

• The balance between sports, studies and service

• The balance between environment, self and community – what I call “soil, soul and society”

Let me end with a poem I wrote for a book called “Prayers for a thousand years”

Memoirs by Tiger V.T.Ratnam

The spirit of The Tiger

I am a tiger of the class of ‘41, nurtured through the years when the school assumed a towering presence in national education. The phaeton of Tigers, the likes of Chan Ah Kow, Chin Kim Hong, Ngai Sam Phong, the Khans and the Ghows’ family won fame and glory for the school. A major success on the sports field was event to be celebrated by the whole school. My schoolmates and I, then watching from the sideline, were intensely proud of the school. That dominant spirit of the Taiping Tigers I believe continues to reside in every true Edwardian.Down The Memory Lane

I have been a student of King Edward VII School from 1956-1967. I left school after completing my Sixth Form.

I still recall the year 1965, when the school became the winners of the Perak Inter-Schools Cross Country Championship. The event was held in Ipoh. I was among the 1st four runners from the senior’s team to cross the finishing line. The other Edwardians runners came in very closely. It was subsequently announced that King Edward VII School had emerged the champions of the Perak Inter-School Cross Country. It was a glorious day for King Edward VII.

The man behind the winning team was Mr. Boynton, a British and Cambridge educated, who had volunteered for service overseas. He was posted to King Edward VII School Taiping. He took over as coach of the cross-country team. On weekends Mr. Boynton, also a long distance runner himself, would lead us on cross-country runs for hours, around the foothills of Maxwells and the Lake Gardens, some of us running barefooted.

On our return to the school, we were given a warm welcome and some of us were awarded half colours, including myself. Further, we were feted to a sumptuous dinner by the school principal Mr. Long Heng Hua, who was ever so encouraging, and the teachers in charge.

Mr. Boynton had to leave after his tenure, but made it a point to return to King Edward VII every other year to share the memories with the School cross-country team.

In conclusion I wish to say that I still have fond memories of the school cross-country team and Mr. Boynton. I have now retired. However, as an alumnus, I am still carrying the torch of King Edward VII by serving as the Hon Secretary of the Old Edwardian Association, Kuala Lumpur.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Tiger V.T. Ratnam, AMN, PMP
Hon Secretary
Old Edwardian Association, Kuala Lumpur.

Memoirs by Bill Boynton

Journey to Taiping
(by Bill Boynton – VSO teacher 1965-1966)

My career has not produced a knighthood or even a more modest MBE [as it is still quaintly called]. But when I returned to Taiping after 30 years, they told me ‘You taught here at KE VII, maybe just for a year, but this means you are a Tiger too.’ For me, this was a moment of pure joy with a feeling of recognition, of belonging to a special band. And I say to myself: ‘Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.’ And as I enjoy youthful retirement, I like to think that ‘Old Tigers never die, they keep on roaring.’ Whether this is true or not, this old Tiger will keep coming back to Taiping, maybe it’s my spiritual home.

In August it will be exactly 40 years since I arrived in Taiping and met the dynamic young Long Heng Hua. Straight from university, I was full of enthusiasm to play a part for a year in a fascinating country before entering the UK career rat race. Mr Long tapped my energies and skills, forcing me up a steep learning curve to teach senior pupils and night students competently in Maths, English, and Science. I hope they think I did OK, I was passionate about understanding mathematical principles, not simply ‘by-hearting’ them.

Mr Long learned that I was a keen runner and athlete so the team successfully developed by En Yahya Noor suddenly became my responsibility and we trained hard. As a fit 22-year-old, I could lead from the front and our training runs took us round the Lakes many times; many weekends included ‘killer’ sessions up Bukit Larut as hard as we could manage as far as Mile 6. The result was a group of tough young Tigers who were even more difficult to beat and, encouraged by other teachers, they kept on winning trophies years after I had left.

For old times sake, during my visit in February 2005, I tried running up Bukit Larut again. I reached almost to Mile 3 with a lot of walking on the way, and then stretched my legs out for a swift non-stop descent, bringing back happy memories of when I was really fit. There was a price to pay, and in the following week it took 3 painful one-hour deep massage sessions to relieve the stiffness in my legs! ‘Old Tigers never know when to give up.’

Taiping left its imprint for life. For an impressionable young Englishman, it was a cocktail of the town, the country, and the people. I loved the Lake Gardens, the Maxwell Hills, the smells and sounds, the flora and fauna. But most of all, it was the people that made the real difference, and still do. I have now returned three times in ten years to meet with former pupils and staff as friends and I can regard Taiping as a second home.

In my recent visits, I encouraged links between King Edward VII School, Taiping and my old school in the UK, which shares the same name - King Edward VII School, Melton Mowbray. My old school is now a leading technology college and hopefully electronic links could enable pupils at the two KE VIIs to learn from each other, culturally, and in many other ways. If Tigers could find ways to help this project, I would be delighted.

I look forward to more visits and if any Tigers outside Taiping remember me, then drop me a line and I will be round for a plate of nasi goreng or whatever is on your menu. Some of you visit family now in the UK, so the invitation is two-way. Meanwhile everyone, keep on roaring!

Bill Boynton
“Wits End” School lane
Astbury, Cheshire CW124RG, England