MILESTONES
FAREWELL, MY BOSS AND FRIEND!
07 Jun 2007
Sometimes when a superior leaves his workplace after many years of service, his subordinates may not be sorry to see him go.
But for Commander of 9th Division (9 DIV)/Chief Infantry Officer (CIO), Brigadier-General (BG) Winston Toh, it was the opposite.
BG Toh handed over the command to Colonel (COL) Chan Chun Sing in a Change of Command parade held at Selerang Camp on 15 May.
One could sense the sadness in the atmosphere as servicemen put on their best show in the parade to bid farewell to a commander who had, at times, been more than just a superior.
Ms Stella Seet, secretary to Defence Secretary (Administration) Willie Tan, can certainly attest to that. She had served as BG Toh's secretary during his tenure as Commander 9 DIV/CIO.
"He's a very down-to-earth and approachable commander and cares a lot for the men," she said. "He tries to understand what his men are doing and they are always very happy working for him."
What touched her the most was one incident involving an administrative staff working at The Chevrons, a recreational club for Warrant Officers and Specialists, of which BG Toh was the President.
Ms Seet recalled that the lady was getting married and invited BG Toh to her wedding dinner held on a weekend.
"Despite his tight schedule, he took time off to attend the dinner," she said. "And the thing is that the dinner was held in Johor Bahru!"
Among the many things BG Toh achieved as Commander 9 DIV/CIO included the merger of 9DIV and the Infantry formation in 2004, the successful organisation of large-scale SAF events like the recently-concluded NS40 (40 years of National Service) exhibition, the evolution and launch of Urban Operations and also the revamp of personal equipment for army personnel.
In his farewell speech, BG Toh recalled his 35 months in the division and said: "It has been a satisfying time.
"I feel a great sense of success and fulfilment, and many of you have contributed selflessly to the division. I apologise for the areas that I've not done well. I'm sad to leave you."
But for Commander of 9th Division (9 DIV)/Chief Infantry Officer (CIO), Brigadier-General (BG) Winston Toh, it was the opposite.
BG Toh handed over the command to Colonel (COL) Chan Chun Sing in a Change of Command parade held at Selerang Camp on 15 May.
One could sense the sadness in the atmosphere as servicemen put on their best show in the parade to bid farewell to a commander who had, at times, been more than just a superior.
Ms Stella Seet, secretary to Defence Secretary (Administration) Willie Tan, can certainly attest to that. She had served as BG Toh's secretary during his tenure as Commander 9 DIV/CIO.
"He's a very down-to-earth and approachable commander and cares a lot for the men," she said. "He tries to understand what his men are doing and they are always very happy working for him."
What touched her the most was one incident involving an administrative staff working at The Chevrons, a recreational club for Warrant Officers and Specialists, of which BG Toh was the President.
Ms Seet recalled that the lady was getting married and invited BG Toh to her wedding dinner held on a weekend.
"Despite his tight schedule, he took time off to attend the dinner," she said. "And the thing is that the dinner was held in Johor Bahru!"
Among the many things BG Toh achieved as Commander 9 DIV/CIO included the merger of 9DIV and the Infantry formation in 2004, the successful organisation of large-scale SAF events like the recently-concluded NS40 (40 years of National Service) exhibition, the evolution and launch of Urban Operations and also the revamp of personal equipment for army personnel.
In his farewell speech, BG Toh recalled his 35 months in the division and said: "It has been a satisfying time.
"I feel a great sense of success and fulfilment, and many of you have contributed selflessly to the division. I apologise for the areas that I've not done well. I'm sad to leave you."
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