From Robert Augustin (SXI Class of 48)
In response to your request,  I have written something about Bro. Michael. I hope it passes muster. It gives another side of him.

Brother Michael was for some time our Form Teacher and Principal of St Xavier's Branch School. Pulau Tikus when my brothers, Herbert and Patrick (James) and I joined St. Xaviers. It was 1947 -1948. I remember the first Religious Knowledge class we had. He regaled us with his experiences as a prisoner of war. He did this over three periods. I enjoyed this bit in particular: the news that war was over spread like fire in the concentration camp; there was unbounded rejoicing; our good brother was caught up by the waves of exhilaration sweeping through the Camp; he was so overjoyed that he gave vent to his emotions and even rolled on the floor, something unexpected of a Christian Brother,  so much  so  that a  fellow prisoner remarked sorrowfully:   "Poor Michael, to think that he should go mad just when freedom has at last come!"

I did not find him that fierce as some have made him out to be. Perhaps in later years when he had to take on the unenviable task of being discipline master he had to wear a very strict mien. He had a dry sense of humour. On April Fool' Day he sent a student to the sports master to ask for a length of rope with which to tie round a coconut tree. On another occasion, again at RK class, when we were learning about Baptism and what we should do in case of necessity if there was no water to be had, he posed several questions. Can we baptise with aerated water? Beer?  etc .... Then he asked: Can you baptise with soup? He gave his own answer. "With the soup Brother P. serves us we can." (Times were hard for the Brothers those days - just after the war). Another day it was about visions and he told us about a nun who was seemingly blessed with having visions. Brother demonstrated this with a trance-like look with deep breath and all. She told the Reverend Mother and Mother told the Parish Priest. On being questioned by the Parish Priest :

"Sister, when do you get  these visions?"  
"After Holy Communion, Father."  
"Exactly at what moment?"  
"After  mass. As sacristan, I have to put away everything. Before I wash the cruets, I find there is wine remaining.  I should not  pour it back into the bottle and  instead of pouring 
it down the sink, I gulped it down". Q.E.D.!

One inspiring lesson he tried to drive home: "I want each one of you to be a leader when you go out into world". The first time our football team won, he asked each of the players to say a few words before the school assembly. He was proud of the school and wanted to instil a sense of pride in all the students. One day when listening to a local radio broadcast, we heard "Kronchong" music being played. He enjoyed it and expressed his desire to get a record or two. He loved music.


With best wishes for your efforts,

Robert Augustin