Accidental Tourist of Singapore - War Memories at Changi

I had a crash revision course of WWII history when I went down to Changi for a walk organized by the National Heritage Board in Changi that is held at the location of Singapore’s latest National Monument, Changi Prison Entrance Gate, Wall and Turrets on 7 May 2016.

This latest national monument comprising of the Changi Prison Entrance Gate, Wall and remaining 2 Turrets is in remembrance of the wartime experience as a symbol of the suffering and hardship of Prisoners-of-War during the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945. This tour allowed for exclusive access to this Monument right up next to its prison walls. First opened some 80 years ago, the prison’s steel entrance gate, two turrets and a 180-metre long wall, are what remains of the old prison. Back then, it was acclaimed as the most modern institution of its kind in the East, boasting a comprehensive alarm system and electrical lights in its cells. During WWII, it was the main war camp for civilians and POWs in Southeast Asia with some 5000 or more persons packed into a place designed for 600.

You can get more insights into this national monument at http://www.nhb.gov.sg/places/sites-and-monuments/national-monuments/changi-prison-gate-wall-and-turrets

I took the opportunity to visit a nearby museum i.e. The Changi Museum that is dedicated to Singapore’s history during the Second World War which is located about a 10 minutes’ walk away. Here are some photos of the Chapel area as photos inside the museum is prohibited. In this museum, visitors can view photographs, drawings and letters by prisoners as well as replicas of murals of the chapel. I purchased the audio tour (costing SGD8) of which I will strongly recommend as I personally got a more rewarding experience of what happened during those dark years in Singapore. Through the audio tour, I could relate the exhibits and got my chance to hear audio recordings of the experiences of those who lived through it including that of Singapore’s own war heroine, Elizabeth Choy.

For anyone interested in taking in more of such walks, there is a Changi war trail that you can follow: more info available: http://heritagefest.sg/~/media/shf/files/trailpoint/stbwartimecivicdistricttrail45_brochure.pdf?la=en

Will suggest that those interested in this part of history combine this with another travel up to Kranji War Memorial - http://accidentalsingaporetourist.blogspot.sg/2012/06/end-of-empire-changi-museum-war-walk.html  

Till the next time, onto the world and beyond! 

Accidental Tourist: End of Empire - Changi Museum War Walk with The Original Singapore Walks

A special walk to commemorate the 70th year of the fall of Singapore in 1942 took me around various parts of Singapore where the British/Allied or local forces fought against the invasion of the Japanese. I am obliged not to share most of the stories and places visited due to extensive research done to plan the itineraries but the things that will stay with me after this afternoon walk is the impact of seeing the rows and rows tombstones of the Kranji War Memorial and knowing that Singapore was not left to its own devices when met with Japanese invasion in 1942. 

I now know that sea-facing guns were in fact turned around and fired at the Japanese army and the small units of British/ allied forces together with the local forces (mostly volunteers) fought to the best of their abilities (even to the point of arm on arm combat) given their limited resources (equipment, machinery and ammunition) during that time.  The only war fought in the island of Singapore is long past but memorials and walks like this serve as reminders to us Singaporeans how vulnerable and prepared we have to be against those who view our geographical positions as strategic for their ambitions. 

Until the next time, onto the world and beyond.