moved to Singapore. BATTEN family

[ginny]

I have a family that were in England in 1881 & back in England in 1891, but have been to Singapore to live in between as 3 of the children were born there, 1 in 1885 & twins in 1886/7. Must have come back as other children born in England from 1888 onwards. Fathers occupation is Manager of Gas Company in 1881, Local manager of insurance in 1901. Would anybody have any idea what would have taken them to Singapore?
Regards
Sandra