Pulau Ubin 6 Inch BL Battery

In February 1921, the Admiralty began preliminary reconnaissance for the best site for a naval base in Singapore. There were discussions about several locations for the base, and it was eventually decided that it should be in the Sembawang area.

In May 1921 the C.D.C. (Coast Defence Committee) of the War Office met to consider the defence of the naval base. They considered that the main areas to be defended were:-

1. The naval base area where a floating dock and fuel oil storage would be based.

2. Keppel Harbour which was to be used as a secondary anchorage and a fuelling area for fleet auxiliaries.

3. The oil installations at Normanton.

4. The anchorage for fleet auxiliaries in the Western Straits.

Singapore showing Pulau Ubin

The C.D.C. produced their first thoughts on defences as an agenda item for a meeting to be held on the 20th May. Several meetings and a long time later, at a meeting of the C.D.C. In February 1923, made their recommendations for the defences.

The C.D.C. Recommended four 15” guns, six 9·2” guns, two 6” guns and two 4·7” inch guns to be emplaced in several areas. The 6” guns already present in Singapore would remain. They recommended that a Military Committee be sent to Singapore to look into the issues. The suggestions for the defences was forwarded to the Admiralty in June.

The defences of Singapore were again considered by the C.D.C. in January 1924. Among conclusions reached was that Pulau Ubin was to be armed with two 6” guns on 15° mountings and four 2 pounder pom-poms. They did note however, that the Admiralty should look at blocking the western channel to the Johore Straits with concrete blocks. This would negate the need for the guns on Pulau Ubin.

As all to often happens in matters of defence in the UK up to the present day, there was much delay and discussions with the Treasury on matters financial. In May 1925, the view of the C.A.S. put forward to the Singapore Sub-Committee was that adequate defence deterrent for Singapore could be provided by light and medium armament and by the RAF. However, the RAF would not be on station in times of peace. The First Sea Lord and the C.I.G.S. disagreed. Agreement on what should be included in the defence of Singapore could not be reached, and the Chiefs of Staff drew up a report to put before the Singapore Sub-Committee. Eventually a plan of defence was decreed.

Amongst the defences agreed by the C.I.G.S. was to be a two gun 6 inch 15° degree battery to be emplaced at Java Point on Pulau Ubin. At the same location would be one A.C.M.B. and two electric lights with concentrated beams. The War Office stated that the Pulau Ubin battery would be in the first stage of the construction of armaments and gave a date of 1928.

LEFT: Map showing the proposed location
RIGHT: 1928 map showing the 6” Battery and Lights planned for Java Point (4)

Whilst all this was going on, Lt. Col. Brancker C.R.A. produced a report on defences required for Singapore.

To his Reconnaissance Reports he added in November 1924:-

PULO UBIN Battery positions (Direct Fire)
Position VII. On 80’ hill, at S.E. corner of the Island.

“Ridge rather narrow, but 2 guns - 6” or 4·7” could be sited , sufficiently far apart, at a height estimated at 60’. Best suited for 4·7”.

“The 6” guns on PULAU UBIN would appear to be rather far in, but I do not know what is intended as regards booms, breakwaters, or other obstructions. It might be preferable to mount these two 6” at JOHORE POINT and the two 4·7” on P. UBIN, if 4·7” are to be employed at all.”

At the end on 1926, the War Office decided to send a Commission to Singapore to establish locations for the siting of the defences. General Gillman reported back in 1927.

Among his recommendations were:-

(d) Tekong Kechil
“We see no useful purpose in placing guns on it.....,We therefore recommend that the 6-inch (70°) guns suggested for Tekong Kechil should be placed on Pulao Ubin, and that the 6-inch (15°) for Ubin should be placed in the Changi area.”

(e) Ubin
There is not room on Java Point (the south eastern point of the island) for the 6-inch as well as the A.C.M.B. Guns and lights, and we recommend that the 6-inch be placed on Balai Quarry Hill (the north eastern corner of the island) and be installed on 70° mountings.

The final recommendations for Pulau Ubin were:-

Two 6” H.A. (high angle) Guns on Balai Quarry Hill. One A.C.M.B. Each at Balai Point and Java Point. Two Electric Lights each at Balai Point and Java Point.

Locations for the 6 inch BL battery as planned and today
In those days there was a hill there not a flooded quarry

By 1931, the guns recommended for Pulau Ubin, still had not materialised. At the end of the year, the guns were still listed to be mounted during the second stage of the construction of Singapore’s defences. In June 1934, the G.O.C. Singapore requested that the installation of the 6” battery on Pulau Ubin be followed by a battery at Pengerang, although the War Office thought that Pengerang should have priority.

From General Barron’s Report 1936: “...... And under the Gillman Commission Report an additional 6” 45° battery and lights sited at the Eastern end of PULA UBIN are to be provided at the second stage”.

“While I consider a third 6” battery at this entrance is absolutely essential, , I am definitely of the opinion that :-

(a) it should have a close defence role only.

(b) Pulau Ubin is not the place for it.

The only other sites for a 6” 15° battery are at PENGERANG and BETING KUSAH......”

It would seem that General Barron’s Report sounded the death knell for a battery on Pulau Ubin.

Batteries & Defences