Photo gallery: 7th Basic Artillery cadets celebrate 40 years since commission

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. Phase 4: Infantry Officer Cadet Course at SAFTI, Pasir Laba. The Infantry Officer Cadet Course at SAFTI was conducted for combined Artillery and Signal cadets. Front left to right: Benjamin Wong (1), Andrew Khng (3), Tan Swan Hoo (4). Back left to right: Lee Hock Chye (1), Teong Cheung Peng (2), Leong Shee Keong (3), Maurice Alphonso (4) Note: Thhe names and positions were of artillery cadets with the rest from school of Signals. -- PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  Front left to right: Yeo Aik Khoon (1), Randy Toh(2), Chris Bala (3). Back left to right: Chan Keng Ngee (3), Lawrence Wong (4), Lim T. B. (6) PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  The men toast to 40 years of friendship, and all that has brought them together. ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. (2nd from right): The men's Officer-in Command Mr K.S. Rajan, 67, is one of the 3 former instructors who was invited to attend the reunion. ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. Mastering the Director to set the zero line bearing for the mortars to aim at the enemy target. Ronnie Lim is holding the Aiming Post required for the zero line setting of the mortars. PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. Basic Military Training at School of Artillery, Taman Jurong Camp. -- PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. Mini-mogs used by the artillery for THE command post and towing of the mortars. -- PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  Mastering the Director to set the zero line bearing for the mortars to aim at the enemy target. Ronnie Lim is holding the Aiming Post required for the zero line setting of the mortars. PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. Back left to right: Toh C A, Collin Choo, Kenneth Tan, Ronnie Lim - Manpacking the 120mm light Motar. "Light" being a relative term as the barrel is 98kg and the baseplate is 39kg. The Bipod at 25kg is the lightest you can find. "Manhandling was something all of them dreaded. Carrying the major components of the Motar on their backs and hunched with the weight in single file, they plodded like a camel caravan while the Instructors prodded. -- PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  At the Artillery NCO Course at the School of Artillery, Taman Jurong Camp. PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  At the Infantry Officer Cadet Course at SAFTI, Pasir Laba. PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  (From left to right): Robbie Ooi, Corporal Chong, Kotteri Winodan and two other trainees at a mortar drill on carriage, learning how to manoeuvre the mortar and putting in into action. PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  Battery Command Post: Andrew Khng and Randy Toh (on the signal set) taking time out for a bit of teasing during training.  -- PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  Command Post: Herdeep Singh (left) and Maurice Alphonso. PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. Maurice Alphonso (left), the newly commissioned artillery officer. -- PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. Maurice Alphonso (left) and Goh Liy Seng - the tall and not so tall newly commisioned SAF artillery officers. PHOTO: ANDREW KHNG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. (Above) Mr Robbie Ooi. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  (Above) Steve Reutens, 60, flew in from Australia for the reunion. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. (Above) Herdeep Singh, 63, flew in from England this afternoon just before the reunion dinner. Mr Heerdeep Singh graduated from then-Singapore University in political science, went on to work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after National Service. He now runs an electornics business in London catering specifically to the African market. He is the older brother of Davinder Singh, chief executive officer of law firm Drew and Napier. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  The men's commanding officer (OC) was Mr K.S. Rajan. (Above) Mr K.S. Rajan, 67, who served in the artillery for over 14 years before converting to become a helicopter pilot for the Singapore Air Force. After he left the army, he started a motivational speaking company. He is now semi-retired and still works as an executive director/agent for property firm ERA. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies.  (Centre) Mr Fred Kuah, 61, and Mr Chris Bala (right), 60, share a light moment. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. (Above) Mr Lawrence Wong, 62, tries to locate himself in a photograph taken during their commissioning parade in 1972. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. (Above) Andrew Khng, 60. ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

A group of men from the 7th Basic Artillery Cadet Course are celebrating 40 years since they were commissioned as artillery officers in Dec 1972. Many of them have been meeting up regularly, brought together by the bonds built during the tough training they endured then. 26 of them turned up for this dinner reunion, and some flew back from Australia and England to meet up with old army buddies. (Above) Maurice Alphonso, 60, record holder of 110m hurdles at the 'A' Division, went on to study chemical engineering at then-University of Singapore after National Service and worked as a process engineer for several oil companies. Mr Alphonso now owns a polymer company. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG