Robert Lai Kok Nong

Robert Lai

Robert Lai joined 2 ARTY in 1967. He was commissioned from the FMC SSC10th Intake. Robert had served in 1ART, 2ARTY and 3 ARTY and also served in 2 DIV and other staff appointments. He had taken optional retirement as a Major after serving almost 20 years.

We all remember Robert as a no nonsense officer, strict and very professional. He was a keen game hunter, golfer and had participated passionately in many other outdoor activities. He was a very likeable officer and easy to get along with once the ice was broken.

We became fast friends and neighbours in Kem Terendak in the 1980s. He had settled down in Kluang after leaving service. Most will remember that Robert lived an active outdoor life, hunting in the Jamaluang Johore forests , fishing and diving trips in Pulau Tioman.

Robert Lai passed away unexpectedly on 20 October 2012 leaving behind his wife Len, three married daughters and 10 grandchildren.

May you Rest in Peace, Robert. We will miss you and your contagious smiles and laughter.

Allen Lai

Barney Sidambaram and Albert Manaseh

Went through some old photos of mine. These two photos caught my attention.

Barney in 1970

Albert and I on a course in Manly Australia

Barney has now settled down in KL and Albert now resides in Perth, Western Australia.

Will continue to post pictures of Gunners as I get hold of them. Old photos are more meaningful. If anybody has them, I'll help them to post the photo in Sheldrake.

Take care

Allen Lai

A GATHERING OF THE GEES

Through the initiative of the current Arty SchoolComdt, Lt Col Zulmajdi, all the IGs, TIGs, AIGs past and present shall gather on Saturday 29th September 2012 at the PDGCC for golf and later a Bar B Que. This is quite a momentous event, as it has not been held like this before. The occasion shall be graced by none other than the first Malaysian IG , Lt Gen Dato'Jaafar (Retired). I certainly look forward to this event as an IG who has seen so much over the years at the School and also the unit. In the old days IGs and AIGs were the norm, later came the introduction of TIGs, led by none other than "James" Jamian. He was a "Guru"of sorts to me since my YO days. I have a great deal of respect for this man for his gunnery knowledge and dedication to the Artillery. It would be great to catch up with people like Omar, Supawi, Poh, Aznan, Samsuri and a host of others. The "Gees"in those days were initially trained at Larkhill on the Salisbury Plains in the UK. Then came generations from Deolali, India, Nowshera, Pakistan. There were also some who were instructors esp.officers who attended the Advance Artillery Course at Fort Sill Oklahoma, USA. No matter where they were trained IGs and AIGs were the backbone of technical gunnery for the regiments through the School. When I was with Project Gemas, my pet desire was to ensure that the School had the best in its new home at Gemas. This has yet to materialise, and I hope that the current Gunners shall carry this beacon of hope and relentlessly pursue the agenda  to make sure that The Malaysian Artillery School is built as intended- AN INSTITUTION OF TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE - to serve the Corps and generate future Gunners with the highest level of competencies. Every Corps Chairman and Director of Artillery should take a personal interest to uphold Gunnery Excellence in Malaysia. For "ONCE A GUNNER, WE ARE, ALWAYS A GUNNER". To all the Gees, please make an effort to be there. We need to catch up on some "TIDLERS".

Pictorial Updates

These updates were taken during RAFOC Hari Raya 2012 on 9 September 2012. All Gunners look fantastic and vibrant in health.

Dato Harbans Singh

Hussaini

Allen Lai

 Mokhtar

Dato Hassan

Sofian

What have I been doing?

What have I been doing?  I have been asked this question time and time again. It is now like a greeting, matter of fact question or worse still a salutation.  I'll let my recent photos answer the question.

I do a lot of this in my neighbourhood

Weekends on this

Monday and Wednesday mornings

Sweat on this

To get this satisfaction

Nothing beats this moment

Chill out with the gang

To celebrate a new year younger

 To keep the mind active and crazy with my Macbook Air

To listen to my Oncologist

To have hope to live another year to be with you.


Take care all
Allen Lai

Pictorial updates

I had attended the lunch for Major(Rtd)  Chin Kai Fong hosted by Lt Gen (Rtd) Aziz Hassan held at the KGPA on Tuesday 28 August 2012.

I took the opportunity to take the pictures of old gunners as it is as now. Most are in good health, and as expected, some a bit on the heavy side. A privilege for the aged. All are in good spirit and we chatted about old times and our ladies their old stories. It was a nice and pleasant get-together and reflected well in our esperit de corps. I'll let the photos below tell on us.

Omar Mohammad

Ho Wah Juan

Samsuddin

 Ganesson

Chin Kai Fong

 Dato Jaafar Mohammad

Timmy Masoud

Adam Hon

Maskan Katan

 Dato Aziz Hasan

Chin Kai Fong

Dato Mokhtar Perman

David Lam

Section of us

David Lam and dato Ramli

 David Lam and Dato Ramli

Take care

Allen Lai

Chin Kai Fong

Major (Rtd) Chin Kai Fong

It has been about 30 plus years since we met. Major (Rtd) Chin Kai Fong and wife came back for a brief visit to Malaysia. Major Chin Kai Fong had migrated to Perth Australia and had made good for himself and his family. Chin, Maskan , Pan and myself had attended our YO course in the School of Artillery UK in 1965.

Lt Gen (Rtd) Aziz Hassan hosted a lunch on Tuesday for about 20 old timers to welcome Major Chin Kai Fong and wife. Thanks to Kol (Rtd) Sam, Rama and Ganeson who had called up most of us present. We had a delightful reunion with our wives.

Mrs Chin with Kak Salmah

Major Chin and his wife are in the best of health and looks younger than their age. His Character and charisma had never altered. It is the same old same old Chin that we know in the sixties. Major Chin was commissioned to 1 Arty then in Sg Besi and had later served in 3 Arty. He was and still is as strong as an ox. He could run the 100 meters under 11 secs, giving competition to Lt Col (rtd, Deseased) Mustapha Saad and Mej Gen (Rtd) Jack Wahid.

Major Chin now resides in Perth with his family. We wish him good health, good luck and come home more often.

Allen Lai