The Barrack Square
Somewhat dilapidated in the photos, the once spotless accommodation and offices on each side of the Parade Square, which is now a car park.
Here soldiers would have lived, worked, drilled and attended parades. When in use by the army, the buildings would have been painted regularly and kept spotlessly clean. Frequent barrack room inspections kept the soldiers on their toes.
The Barrack Square has now been refurbished a Tourism School is located there. The Barrack Square when the British Army was on Blakang Mati. Three soldiers are marching across the square.
The square was the domain of the Battery Serjeant Major, or Regimental Serjeant Major in non-artillery units. Woe betide any man or officer walking across it without good reason. The cry of, “That man there!”, or, “You sir!”, would ring out, bringing the offending soldier or officer to a sudden halt. This would be followed by a fearful lecture by the Serjeant Major, telling the offender exactly why he should not walk across the square. How fearful, I know from experience. Regardless of rank, the Serjeant Major was, and still is, a man to be respected by all, including the Commanding Officer.