Officers Mess

The Officers’ Mess, currently known as Wisma Perwira Batalion Ke-9 Rejimen Renjer DiRaja (9RRD, or 9th Battalion Royal Rangers Regiment) serves as the mess hall for officers of the regiment, who are headquartered just across the road. It is a beautiful colonial-era building, and its original architecture has been preserved.

It is currently closed to the public, but the compounds and exterior are still accessible.

History of the Officers’ Mess

The Officers’ Mess was built in 1926 by the Public Works Department and was given the designation PWD 7. It served as a rest and recreational area for British army officers in Taiping from the Malay States Guides, the first colonial standing army in the Federated Malay States. The barracks for the troops is just across the road from the Officers Mess.

Federated Malay States, Taiping New Club and Officers Mess, 1900s (Photographer: Charles J Kleingrothe). Source: National Archives of Singapore

Today, the Officers’ Mess still preserves its original function, but now for officers of the 9th Battalion Royal Rangers Regiment.

The Officers’ Mess is stop number 33 on the Taiping Heritage Trail.