Old Perak: St Michael’s Institution

St Michael’s Institution in Ipoh in the late 1940s, just a few years after the Japanese had occupied the school during the Second World War.

Thanks to blog reader Lee Kam Choon, now in his eighties, for sending this in. Does anyone recognise any of these people here?

Fancy-dress contests such as this were then the vogue in schools throughout Malaya and Singapore.
St Michael’s Institution started operations on 4 December 1912 in a Malay-style bungalow at the lawn in front of the present-day building.

From 1938 to 1948, Bro Patrick 0′ Donovan was brother director, followed by Bro Denis Hyland from 1948 to 1955.

During the war years, the Japanese used the school, along with the governor’s residence, as an administrative centre during the Occupation. The brothers in the school were subjected to repeated Kempetai interrogation and three Ipoh-based brothers were sent to jail.

Luminaries in the post-war period include Bro Pius Kelly, Bro Ultan Paul Rosario (who passed away a few years ago) and Bro Vincent Corkery. Corkery, who served two stints as brother director from 1972-75 and 1986-88 still resides at St Michael’s.

I had the privilege of meeting Bro Paul and Bro Vincent – legends of St Michael’s – both warm, impressive and well-read characters.