What is a misfortune
for one proves to be a blessing to the island's planners. A large
portion of the nutmeg plantation of Tanglin was carved out for
the construction of the Tanglin Barracks in 1860. The intention
was to provide accommodation for the military troops in Singapore.
In 1867, there were plans to station a European regiment at the
Tanglin Barracks. Extensive renovatuions were carried out. By
1893, Tanglin Barracks was home to 26 officers and 661 men of
the only infantry battalion in Singapore, two artillery batteries,
one company of Royal Engineers, and a few Sikh soldiers from the
Chine Gun Lascars.
Even in the days of the Ministry of Defence of Singapore, the
historical buildings played a significant role. Many military
planning and training activities, such as the Medical Classification
Centre, Officers' Personnel Centre, Naval Training Department,
SAF Careers Centrre, the Quartemasters' Store, the SAF Child Development
Centre, the Physical Performance and the Medical Services Headquarters
left their prints in the history of the Barrakcs. |
