 and the Supply and Transport Centre (STC) of the Singapore Armed Forces.){kind=link}
Sembawang Camp – How To Get There And A Brief History
The northern part of Singapore is home to a few military installations. Apart from Sembawang Camp, Nee Soon Camp and Khatib Camp are also in the vicinity. In this article, we will be covering more about the location of Sembawang Camp as well as directions on how to get there. We will also be touching on the brief history of this camp, as we have done for Selarang Camp.
1. How To Get To Sembawang Camp
Sembawang Camp is located at the following address:
36 Admiralty Road West
Singapore 759960
Sembawang Camp occupies a relatively large area with restricted access to the public, demarcated by the red boundaries on the map above. The camp is located in between the Senoko industrial area and Sembawang Shipyard. It is also in close proximity to the SAF Yacht Club, and of course the sea. Just across the sea lies Malaysia.
If you are travelling by private vehicles, there is a small carpark in front of the main entrance and guardhouse for you to alight.
If you are travelling by bus, there are two services which will take you there – Tower Transit Bus Services 169 and 856.
For Bus Service 169, if you are travelling from Woodlands Interchange, the bus stop to alight is 58141. It is the 13th stop from the interchange. This bus stop is the nearest to the entrance and guardhouse of Sembawang Camp. If you are travelling from Ang Mo Kio Interchange, the bus stop to alight is 47809. It is the 42nd stop from the interchange. This bus stop is just opposite Sunshine Bakery. From there, you have to cross the road and take a short walk to the entrance. Well, we cannot imagine the agony of stopping at 42 bus stops before reaching a destination. Fortunately, Bus 169 is also available outside Canberra MRT Station. Along both directions, the first bus sets off at 0530 on all days (including public holidays). The last bus departs at 2345 on all days (including public holidays). For more information, do visit the TransitLink website on Bus Service 169.
For Bus Service 856, if you are travelling from Woodlands Interchange, the bus stop to alight is 58141. It is the 34th stop from the interchange. This bus stop is the nearest to the entrance and guardhouse of Sembawang Camp. If you are travelling from Yishun Interchange, the bus stop to alight is 47809. It is the 15th stop from the interchange. This bus stop is just opposite Sunshine Bakery. From there, you have to cross the road and take a short walk to the entrance. Along both directions, the first bus sets off at 0530 on all days (including public holidays). The last bus departs at 2345 and 2350 from Yishun Interchange and Woodlands Interchange respectively on all days (including public holidays). For more information, do visit the TransitLink website on Bus Service 856.
2. A Brief History
According to an article on SAF camp architecture, Sembawang Camp had a somewhat fearsome name during the colonial days – HMS Terror.
The old colonial buildings at the site of Sembawang Camp were originally designed for families of officers from the Royal Navy. Hence, during the early days, there were even facilities like a mess, a swimming pool as well as a cinema where residents could let their hair down and unwind. One of the former Chiefs of the Naval Diving Unit (NDU), Mr. Chew Chong Kuan, offered a nostalgic recount of Seng Fatt Hairdressing Salon located within the camp. Other than offering hair-shaving services to generations of recruits, this salon was also the go-to place if one ever needed snacks, laundry services or tailoring services.
From an architectural perspective, the residential quarters and barrack blocks at the site were designed and constructed not only to capture sea breezes but also to simulate the living spaces onboard a ship.
Later, Sembawang Camp became the RSN’s first official Midshipman School. Fast forward to today, a large section of the compound is occupied by the NDU. Despite the existence of many modern facilities, naval diver trainees continue to reside in the old colonial blocks. The small parade square still bears markings of the old Royal Navy crest – a testament to the camp’s British roots.