Iconic of Old Kallang Airport

View of Former Kallang Airport

Once the seaplane bases at Sembawang and Royal Air Force Seletar were completed in 1920s,  a final decision was made in 1930s to build a civilian airport at Kallang.

Remnants of Kampong

At Kallang, there were once the kampongs (villages) that were relocated for the construction of the grass runaway and the terminal building.
The former Kallang Airport is sited on reclaimed land of what was once the swampy Kallang Basin, located at 9 Stadium Link and fronting the Nicoll Highway today, The landing strip was a large circular field in front of the Terminal Building. The boundary of the Airport once extended into what is now Old Airport Road. The surrounding land and the runways were redeveloped in the 1950s when the airport facilities were relocated to Paya Lebar Airport.It's been six years I last stepped into an iconic old Kallang Airport during Singapore Biennale 2011 which I have blogged about Old Kallang Airport. But before that, I have been there in early 1990s and am a member of PA since till now. 

View of Link Bridge from Terminal Building

SLA Secret Spaces conducted the tour on 26 Aug 2017 which was yesterday and the meeting point - 9 Stadium Link at 4pm. We reached there by taxi after our late lunch at National Stadium (Kallang Wave Mall). It took us 5 mins to reach our destination. Earlier, we walked to the Link Bridge to the National Stadium to have our lunch there.

Colony Main Gate of Former Kallang Airport

Old Main Gate Structure in 2011

Whitewashed Main Gate Structure

Lion Crest mounted on top of the gate

Closeup - Lion Crest

Original Lamp Post

The gate posts with the lions crest and original lamp posts are also conserved to complete the historic setting of the site.
More recently it has also been used creatively for events like the Singapore Biennale 2011 and even fashion shows by Calvin Klein & Hermes (Apr 2014).
Former Kallang Airport was built by the British Colonial government as Singapore's first civil airport, located in Kallang was completed at a cost of S$8 million which was opened on 12 June 1937, functioning as an airport until it was replaced by Paya Lebar International airport in 1955 till it (Paya Lebar Airport) closed in 1981 and thus replaced by RSAF.

Credit by RSFC

Nevertheless, the Land was chosen as the site of the Airport and in 1931, the 300 arches of swamp was reclaimed and a circular bund was built up above the level of the highest tide commonly known as the foundation of the present airfield. It was started after an announcement to be built Kallang Airport that was made by then Governor Cecil Clementi on 31 August 1931. Six years later upon completion of the airport and was officially opened on June 1937 by Governor Shenton Thomas.

The Royal Singapore Flying Club (RSFC) in 1937 with the opening of Kallang Airport, the Club moved to its new quarters on the airport and that year, with increased activities, flew 542 hours on seaplanes and 1,665 hours on landplanes. By 1937, the RSFC had 9 aircraft including a DH 87 Hornet Moth and a Miles Magister. In 1938, a Miles Withney Straight augmented these 9 aircraft. By 1939, the last seaplane was dismantled and taken into stock as spares.

During WWII, Kallang Airport was used as military airbase and planes carried out bombing missions against the invading Japanese military forces. The Japanese bombed the airport three or four times a day and made fresh bomb craters which made it possible to use only one strip of the runway (700 yards long).
During the Occupation, the Japanese laid down the runway which has been repaired by Dept. of Civil Aviation since the Japanese surrendered. The Airport building are concentrated into a small area to reduce obstructions. Inside the main building were airline offices, and customs offices, medical post and a restaurant.

1954 BOAC Lockheed Constellation crash

Source: NAS

The only air disaster in Singapore occurred on 13 March 1954 when a BOAC Constellation crashed as it struck on seawall on approach to the runway. A total of 32 passengers and 2 crew members died in that disaster. By 1948, the Kallang civil Airport was not adequate for the increased air traffic; the development of the Airport was limited because it was close to the harbour and built-up areas. Decision was taken to build a new airport in Paya Lebar. The new airport was officially opened on 20 August 1955 and the Kallang Airport was closed to air traffic in 1955
In 1952, the taxi track at Kallang Airport was to be resurfaced which cost about $100,000 and work will began in 2 or 3 months and completed in July 1952. And the extension to the main building that housed customs, Immigration and medical officials and office spaces for airline companies.
When Kallang Airport was closed in 1955, the old runway which ran parallel to Mountbatten Road became Old Airport Road, while the surrounding public flats became known as Old Airport Estate or Kallang Airport Estate. I remember.. in 1960s to 1990s, along Mountbatten Road, the field open space used to be the site of Gay World Park and Gay World Stadium (Geylang Indoor Stadium in 1990s). This Mountbatten Road was defunct and changed to new road names - Kallang Airport Drive and Kallang Airport Way in early 2010s

Former Terminal Building

The former Terminal Building of Kallang Airport is an iconic and visually stunning building.

Cylindrical Glass Control Tower

The Modernist language of the former Terminal Building can be interpreted as a metaphor of a contemporary airplane, with its elevated cylindrical glass control tower centrally placed as the cockpit.

 Streamlined Curves along Horizontal Lines

Closeup - Streamlined Curves

The design of the building is accredited to Frank Dorrington Ward, the Chief Architect of the former Public Works Department. The building clearly displayed the new Modern architectural language of functionalism, with exposed concrete, horizontal lines, transparent glazed walls and streamlined curves.

Petite Metal Spiral Stairs

Antique Semicircle Spiral Stairs

The narrowest and smallest Antique Metal Spiral Stairs in the world. Leading up to the control towel and outside the tower corridor which is also narrow walkway in circular path.

A video of a Petite Spiral Stairs leading up to the control tower at Old Kallang Airport taken by me.

 East Block

East Block next to Blk A, B, C side by side

The East Block which is next to Block A, Block B & Block C side by side is seen above pic which is out of bounds.

West Block

West Block corridor leading to the door

Alongside the terminal are the two buildings of East and West block originally built to house the airline offices, are designed simply and built in reinforced concrete. They are similar in appearance to other military buildings found within British military camps, with the regular repetitive columns and windows. Did you see anything unusual at the door of West Block as above?

The Hangar (2011)

The hangar that once housed the various aircrafts, including perhaps even seaplanes that landed on what was once a grass runway. Built with reinforced concrete, the heaviness of the hangars provides a stark contrast but also architectural balance to the lightness of the terminal.

Inside the Hangar (taken in 2011)

The hangar which is out of bounds, only on the 2nd level of West Block for overview of the hangar. Luckily I was there in 2011 and able to view on the grounds of the hangar.

Me@2nd level of West Block

Surprisingly, I didn't know my husband took a shot of me at the open window on the 2nd level of West Block building after the tour ended. I was holding a selfie stick took photos of hangar open space. Anyway, the hangar is out of bounds. Guess how did he do it? Giggles...

 Spacious hangar 

A chair is here waiting ...

The hangar adjacent to the West Block is a lofty and simple column-free structure where planes used to park. The building is a functional piece with large expense of windows to bring light into the space. The hangar is also conserved to complete the aviation history for the site.

Beginning Stage of Kallang Airport to be built

Source:  NAS

Aerial view of terminal building (1955)

Ever wonder what the airport looked like before the runway and taxiways were torn up and removed to build the National Stadium, this is a rare aerial photo of Runway taken in 1955. The terminal building is at the bottom left, and at the basin end of the runway you can see the slipway (where Oasis now stands) originally built to allow flying boats like the Imperial Airways Short S.23 Empire to be served at the same terminal as land planes.

People's Association Headquarter (1970s)

The People's Association was officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the old terminal building of the Kallang Civil Airport on 20 August 1960. The headquarters of the People's Association was also to second line of defence against the communists.
The National Stadium, the Kallang Theatre and other sporting facilities new occupy the former runway of the old Kallang Civil Airport. It operations run till 2009, thereafter, the building holds lots of events including fashion show.

Group@OldKallangAirport (OKA)

The group photo taken at Old Kallang Airport (OKA for short) which conducted by SLA and Jerome on series tours.
Old Kallang Airport touted as one of the most modern airports of its time.

Beautiful Serene of Mount Vernon Columbarium

World United for Life@GraceServiceHall

On the morning of Sunday, 20th Aug which was yesterday, my husband and I attended at The World United for Life 2017 day held at Grace Service Hall at Mount Vernon Sanctuary.

Inside Grace Service Hall

It's a global event that offers Singaporeans a private and serene place to reflect and remember their loved ones, to commemorating the life of those who have gone before us, celebrating life and the lives of our loved ones.
And Mt Vernon Columbarium where my husband's late parents' resting place we visited every year since early 1990s till now. 

After this, we managed to stroll within Mount Vernon Sanctuary surrounding to capture the peaceful and calm of the large greenly space with six service halls for wakes, Mt Vernon Columbarium Pagoda and complexes.
The design were laid out like a hexagon (below pic) and from the top of the Pagoda, the blocks of them neatly spaced out and it's impressive sight.

View of Mt Vernon Columbarium Complex from Pagoda

The plot of land and the building that Mount Vernon Sanctuary occupies used to be Mount Vernon Crematorium. The single colonial style building on 11,500 sq ft of land, had been unoccupied for 5 years and the condition of the place was poor. The "4th Generation" Ang Brothers from Ang Chin Moh Group (founded in 1912) managed to savage and maintain the colonial style building in its facade and to refurnish it. The founding of Ang Chin Huat Casket (1912) is an early pioneer of the funeral profession in Singapore.

Mt Vernon Columbarium Complex & Pagoda

The Pagoda Columbarium is a nine-storey building where the urns are kept inside the niches

Mt Vernon Columbarium Pagoda

Someone or something (a place) that is serene is calm and quiet that lies in lushly huge greenery space that was once Mount Vernon cemeteries in the past. Mount Vernon is named after British Royal Navy Vice Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757). Mount Vernon Columbarium opened its operations in 1962 and was the first state run crematorium in Singapore to handle cremations. Due to inability to handle the amount of cremations needed daily, a new crematorium was built at Mandai. On 30 June 2004, the crematorium at Mt Vernon ceased cremation services. The Cremation services have been shifted to the new Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex at 300 Mandai Road in July 2004. Mt Vernon Columbarium complex is still in operation to this day till the news announced of the re-location and is set to make way for the Bidadari estates and its 10,000 Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats as well as 1,000 private homes (Condo). The Mr Vernon Columbarium (which came after the crematorium) was built in many phases. The first Columbarium was built in 1976 with only 161 niches filled in the first year. More were added over the years including Pagoda. The niches were arranged in numbered blocks that featured Chinese-style green roofs and also were housed within a distinctive-looking nine-storey Mt Vernon Columbarium Pagoda. After 45 years of operation since it opened in 1962, the Mt Vernon Crematorium and funeral complex held its final service. Its lease ends on Mar 2018.

The old lift and Spiral staircase

The old lift installed emergency phone

The old lift that takes me to the 8th floor only and one floor level, I have to walk up the spiral staircase. The lift installed emergency phone, should any problem arises.

Wind Chime at Pagoda

The wind chime prevents pigeons flying in and sometimes it may call a sound of a spirit lurking around when member of the public would hear the tinging sound coming from the Pagoda. It's also to drive away bad Feng Shui. Sound freaky..

Overlooking at Bidadari estates being build

On top of Pagoda, overlooking of Bidadari estates are seen construction going on.

Wired window on the Pagoda

Saw the wired window to prevent any small animals like pigeons to come into the window above the wall on the Pagoda.

View of Niche Blocks and Maris Stella High Sch (background)

Overlooking the niche blocks and Maris Stella High School (seen in the background) from the top of the Pagoda.

View of Mt Vernon Camp (left foreground) and Columbarium

There is a hill which is the home of Mount Vernon Camp (red rooftop on the left), the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force training and residential facilities which is inaccessible to the public. 

Columbarium complex

I noticed the Columbarium complex at the corner that niches holding the urns of the departed are inside whereas most niches outside are lack of connected sheltered walkway in rain and shine.

Where the urns are kept inside

The family of the deceased choose to have a sheltered for their loved ones from rain and shrine and the cost would be high.

One of Mt Vernon Service Parlours ceases

The 'blue rooftop' Columbarium building is next to the service hall 1 that had stopped its operation since.

Closeup: Funeral Parlour Service Hall

Mt Vernon Funeral Parlour Service Hall with a tall burner or Crematorium Chimney that was used in the past till it ceased in 2004.

Service Hall 1 Torn Down

The concrete stone chairs inscribed the name of the Mount Vernon Crematoria has been widespread since in early 1980s and what will happen to these chairs if over 20,000 niches move to Mandai and the complexes including Pagoda will demolish in later year in 2019. The leases for Mount Vernon Parlours 1 and 2, which are run by Singapore Casket ends in Dec 2017.

The old crooked tree with curved branches

The old crooked trees that have curved branches stands alone in the middle of niches blocks in between.Will the trees preserved? It looks eerie when night falls.

A coconut tree stands tall

A coconut tree if preserved, will remind me and my husband of his late parents-in-law's resting place, just next to the niche block and Christian service hall (below) is located.

Christian Service Parlour Hall

I recognise the blue rooftop building that my ex-colleague, a christian, passed away in mid 1990s. Her casket held at this building that my boss, my colleagues and I attended at her wake.

Colonial 'Bidadari' Cemetery of Yore

Postcard from The Continent Stamp (NAS)

The rich history and heritage of Bidadari will be assimilated into the new housing estate to be built there. Bukit Timah Cemetery was closed in 1907, and Bidadari Cemetery was officially opened on January 1, 1908.

Bidadari Memorial Garden

The crest of lion standing and royal palm tree embalmed on the wall pillar of the gate, would be done by famous sculptor. 

View of Bidadari Memorial Garden from Pagoda

Sculptures

 Lion standing and Palm Tree

The land once belonged to the Sultan of Johor in the mid-1800s, and was the site of a grand residence – the Istana Bidadari (Bidadari House), from which the area takes its name. In later years, during the early 1920s wealthy Arabian family the Alkaffs built a magnificent Japanese-themed garden with a large lake nearby, called the Alkaff Garden. The name Bidadari is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit widyadari, meaning ‘nymph of Indra’s heaven’. It is said that the cemetery was named so after one of the wives of Johor Sultan Abu Bakar, on whose Istana residence the cemetery is sited.

Christian Section of Memorial Garden

The government acquired the 45 acre land in 1903 for $112,500, opening it in 1907 as the third cemetery in Singapore at the time. It was divided into various sections according to religion, with the Muslim, Hindu, and Singahalese section at the base of Mount Vernon, across Upper Aljunied Road from the Christian and Catholic section. After the land was acquired by the Municipal Council of Singapore (the administrative body pre-Singapore’s independence) for use as a cemetery, the first burial at Bidadari Cemetery, a Christian one, took place in December 1907. A Muslim section was added 2 years later to the initial Protestant and Roman Catholic plots, and a Hindu section added eventually in 1925.When the cemetery closed 66 years later in 1973, there were altogether approximately 147,000 graves.
Lim Boon Keng was a prominent Peranakan social activist and philanthropist. He was the first Malayan to receive a Queen’s Scholarship, and studied medicine in Edinburgh University. Mr Lim was a member of the British Legislative Council in Singapore, a member of the Chinese Advisory Board and a Justice of the Peace. He co-founded the Singare Chinese Girls’ School, encouraging the education of Chinese girls and also co-founded the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC).

Headstone of Dr Lim Boon Keng

Early Singapore’s prominent members of the community were buried in Bidadari. Among them were Chinese physician and community leader Dr Lim Boon Keng (Boon Keng Road), known as the “grand old man” of Singapore’s Chinese society; Mr Ahmad Bin Ibrahim, Singapore’s Minister for Health and Labour in the 1950s and 1960s (Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim in Jurong); and Dr George Herbert Garlick, a prominent medical practitioner (Garlick Avenue in Bukit Timah).

Headstone of Alfred John Bidwell

Among the 12 headstones preserved in the memorial garden is that of Regent Alfred John Bidwell, architect from Swan & Maclaren who later practised as an independent architect. Accomplished architect Alfred John Bidwell didn’t get a road named after him, however he is well remembered in the iconic and much-loved buildings he designed that are preserved today – the Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, and the Victoria Theatre. The graves in Bidadari Cemetery were exhumed from 2001 to 2006 however as the government had big plans for the site given its attractive central location. Bidwell passed away in 1918 at Tanjong Katong, and was interred in Bidadari Cemetery

Cupola of Koona V. Pillary

Headstone of Koona Vayloo Pillay

One of the three original gateways of the Christian cemetery was relocated to the garden to mark the main entrance. Next to it stands a cupola dedicated to Koona Vayloo Pillay who died on 24th March 1931, the father of Pakirisamy Pillay and Narayanasamy Pillay. Pakirisamy Pillay served as the served as the Chairman for the Hindu Temples’ Committees of Management for four different Hindu temples, including Sri Krishnan Temple at Waterloo Street. He contributed to the extensive development of the temple. A bronze plaque donated by the British Merchant Navy Personnel Association, dedicated to the lives lost in WWII, could also be found.

Muslim Section@Bidadari Memorial Garden

Muslim cemetery covered the area 24ha of land with over 78,000 graves. The selected of headstones of prominent personalities relocated to this memorial garden as a remainder of their contributions to Singapore's growth and development, others who played their significant roles in our nation buildings.

Headstone of Ahmad Ibrahim

A prominent unionist and politician, Mr Ahmad was Singapore's Minister of Health from 1959 to 1961. He was instrumental in unifying all hospital administration and during his term as Minister, the first Open Heart Surgery was successfully performed in Singapore. 

The Woodleigh MRT Station sitting right on the ex-cemetery grounds was opened in 2011. The park adjacent to Upper Serangoon Road is split into 2 sections by Upper Aljunied Road. The hilly wooded bird-haunt area is north of Upper Aljunied Road and used to be the Muslim part of the cemetery, while on the other side wide open green fields with paved paths in between stretch away where once the largely Christian cemetery stood. Once the final resting place for many of our ancestors, Bidadari Cemetery will soon become a home for future generations once a new housing estate is complete. 

Pigeons gathered at the incense burner

Guess what the pigeons doing at the incense burner? 

Outdoor Disposable Catcher@ServiceHall

Not surprising to see the fly trap hung to the ceiling to trap flies. This trap is baited for fly species which are most common in agricultural areas -- including house flies, false stable flies, blow flies, blue and green bottle flies, flesh flies, face flies and many others. The Big Bag Fly Trap contains a fast-acting fly attractant that starts working as soon as you add water. Food and feed additives are combined with other dried ingredients to make the attractant. Lured by the scent, flies enter through the yellow top cap and drown in the water. As you can see the flies struck inside the yellow bag. Well, some households use home made Fly Trap

It was at 2pm in the afternoon, we decided to head back to the Grace Hall where we chatted one of the staff while waiting for free shutter bus to Serangoon pick out point area. According to him, he said that in the past the cremation of an average human body takes from two to three hours to burn completely and will produce an average of 3 to 9 pounds (1.4 to 4.1 kilograms) of ash while the gas burner takes 1 hour plus to burn the body completely. Minutes later, we took free shutter van to head back to where we boarded earlier.At last but not least, my husband and I will remember his late parents' ashes that has been kept for almost 3 decades and will definitely miss this place and greenery surroundings. Some member of the public like us in the hope that authorises to preserve one or two historical building such as 9-storey Pagoda or a remembrance plaque, and to educate future generations that Mt Vernon Columbarium and Cemetery were once stood at their new estates.
Well, it is a piece of heritage soon to be listed in the history book of Singapore!