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Battle for Singapore 2023 

In commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, NHB and members of the Museum Roundtable have organised a series of public events for members of the public to explore and engage with Singapore’s World War II (WWII) history. In collaboration with academics, heritage enthusiasts and interest groups, this year’s BSG programme will include special guided tours, talks, exhibitions and film screenings which highlight both the familiar and lesser-known stories and places of Singapore’s veterans and civilians during the WWII.

Between 10 February to 5 March 2023, participate in our physical and virtual programmes: from guided tours around Fort Connaught, Fort Canning and SAFTI institute, to in-depth tours of WWII-related displays at the MINT Museum of Toys and the National Library and online talks and webinars about Singapore’s military strategy and insights from archival research in foreign archive collections, to ask new questions and expand your understanding of our WWII past. 

Follow us on the I Love Museums Facebook page to keep up to date on our programme offerings.

Registration opens on 8 February 2023, 10am at https://bsg2023.peatix.com.

Jump to:

  1. Outdoor Tours
  2. Museum Programmes
  3. Virtual Tours & Webinars

1. Outdoor Tours

Fort Connaught Rediscovery Tour

Date: 11 Feb; 12 Feb; 18 Feb; 19 Feb; 25 Feb; 26 Feb 2023
Time: 9am - 11.30am; 1pm - 3.30pm

 

How often have you heard the quip that the guns of Singapore's military forts were pointed "the wrong way" during the Battle of Singapore? Join Dr John Kwok and history enthusiast Saifullah as they bring you through the structures of Fort Connaught to explore how the coastal fortifications of Sentosa contributed to the defence of Singapore during the Japanese invasion of WWII. Participants will explore the grounds of the sole remaining gun battery (of the three built) of Fort Connaught and get a glimpse into the efforts to piece together aspects of the abandoned Fort's history and its role in the Battle for Singapore.

 

This tour is presented in partnership with the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).

 

Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

About the Guide

Dr John Kwok is a professional historian and has been part of the Battle for Singapore initiative since 2014. His research has helped to uncover the history of many war heritage sites in Singapore like Marsiling Tunnels and Attap Valley Bunker. In previous Battle for Singapore programmes, he conducted war heritage tours at the Former Admiralty House, Former View Road Hospital, and Fort Siloso in Sentosa. 

Saifullah Kamaludin is a history enthusiast who has been with Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) since 2007. He currently co-leads the Culture and Heritage initiatives under the Sustainable Sentosa programme. Over the years, he has channeled his passion into his profession, contributing to the repository of knowledge on Sentosa’s rich heritage and bringing fresh perspectives and insights to the Sentosa story. Aside from managing the operations of Fort Siloso, Saifullah has also developed and conducted a wide range of tours and outreach programmes for SDC, harmonising the education and conservation efforts within Sentosa in the process.

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $20 per participant.
  • This programme is recommended for ages 13 and up. Minors under the age of 16 have to be accompanied by an adult/guardian.
  • Transport will be provided from Harbourfront MRT station to the site and back. Further details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown

Date: 11 Feb 2023  
Time: 8am – 11.30am        

 

Participants will be taken on a walk through the heritage corridor from the Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown cemetery. During the tour, the guides will share stories of WWII heroes and prominent personalities at heritage landmarks, including the Jacob Ballas Garden and old Raffles College. Participants will pass by the Former Command House along the route and end in Bukit Brown to learn about the battle that took place there with the British and Indian soldiers at the former kampung (village).

This tour is led by Bianca Polak and Claire Leow of All Things Bukit Brown.

Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com.

 

About the Guides

Bianca Polak is of Dutch origin and has been living in Singapore for over 20 years. She is a volunteer guide conducting free heritage tours in Bukit Brown cemetery and she co-curated the Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown walk together with Claire.

Claire Leow is a co-founder of All Things Bukit Brown and is passionate about heritage and community building. She loves sharing her stories of the cemetery with the public during her tours and talks.

All Things Bukit Brown is a group of volunteers who record the heritage, habitat and history of Bukit Brown and its surrounding area.

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • The tour will start at Botanic Gardens MRT Station and end at Bukit Brown. Further details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.
 

Wartime Stories of Jalan Besar

Date: 12 Feb; 19 Feb 2023 [English-language tours]
Date: 26 Feb; 5 Mar 2023 [Mandarin-language tours; 中文团]
Time: 4pm – 6pm

Did you know that Jalan Besar was one of the Sook Ching sites during the Japanese Occupation? Prior to that, it was one of the major fundraising sites for the Sino-Japanese War. When the war spread to Singapore, there were heartwarming scenes of mutual help, as well as thrilling scenes of survival. Join Mr Lee Kok Leong, curator of the Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Heritage Gallery, on an afternoon walk from Lavender MRT to the Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital and find out where our founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew hid from the Japanese as well as other little-known facts about the neighbourhood during the Second World War.

【中文团简介】

惹兰勿刹是日据时期大检证现场,这里曾经为中日战争筹款,战争蔓延至本地时,出现过温馨的互助场面,也发生过死里逃生的惊险镜头,建国总理李光耀就是匿藏在其中一间屋子躲过一劫的。两小时的徒步活动将为您一一道来。

 

This tour is led by the Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Heritage Gallery.

Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

About the Guide

Mr Lee Kok Leong is the curator for the Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng Heritage Gallery and the Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Heritage Gallery. Mr Lee engages in freelance heritage research and has published numerous books and conducted many seminars and walking tours to bring Singapore’s history to life.

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • This tour will start at Lavender MRT Station and end at the Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Heritage Gallery. Further details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Battle of Bukit Brown and Mount Pleasant

Date: 12 Feb 2023
Time: 8am – 11.30am

The tour follows the course of the battles on 14-15 February 1942 as the Japanese 5th Division attempted to capture the MacRitchie Reservoir area and attack south through Bukit Brown and Mount Pleasant, which were defended by the British 18th Division.

This tour is led by Beng Tang of All Things Bukit Brown.

Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

About the Guide

Beng Tang is a volunteer nature and heritage guide who leads tours on the history of WWII and the biodiversity of Bukit Brown.

All Things Bukit Brown is a group of volunteers who record the heritage, habitat and history of Bukit Brown and its surrounding area.

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • The tour will start beside the golf course at Sime Road and end at Mount Pleasant Road. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Special Twinned tour of Changi  and Changi Chapel and Museum

Date: 12 Feb 2023 
Time: 9.30am - 12nn, 2pm - 4.30pm

Uncover stories of World War Two (WWII) in Singapore in this special twinned tour of Changi and the Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM). The programme begins with a docent-led tour of the CCM where you will learn about the experiences of the POWs imprisoned at Changi. Then, explore Changi with Jerome Lim of The Long and Winding Road, uncovering the history of various historical sites and the role they played during WWII.

This programme is presented by the Changi Chapel and Museum.

Ticketing and more details at https://ccm23-changi.peatix.com

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $20 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • This tour will start at the Changi Chapel and Museum and ends at the same venue. Further details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Director's Tour: Defence and Fall of Singapore - From the 14th Century to 1945: A Fort Canning Hill and Battlebox Walking Tour

Date: 18 Feb, 25 Feb 2023
Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Explore the importance of Fort Canning Hill in the defence and security of Singapore from the 14th Century until the end of World War II. Learn about the historical significance of Fort Canning Hill and how its history is closely linked with the rise and fall of ancient Singapore. Gain access to the Battlebox, an authentic World War II underground bunker, where the fateful decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese was made on 15 February 1942.

This tour is led by the Battlebox.

Interested parties may purchase tickets at https://directorstour-bb.peatix.com/ 

 

About the Director and Staff of the Battlebox

 

Mr Jeya Ayadurai MBE is the Director of local historical research and heritage asset management companies - Singapore History Consultants Pte Ltd and Journeys Pte Ltd. His team has successfully managed important historical sites with heritage value such as the Battlebox, Chinatown Heritage Centre and most recently, Haw Par Villa and Hell's Museum. He was recognised as an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to preserving Singaporean, British and Commonwealth military history and war remembrance in Singapore.

 

Note:

●      Tickets at $35 per participant (Includes admission into the Battlebox, worth $20). There is a minimum age limit of 12 years old.

 

Lest We Forget

Date: 18 Feb, 25 Feb, 4 Mar 2023  
Time: 4.30pm - 6pm

Throughout history, people have erected statues and sculptures in honour of men and women of valour, courage and sacrifice. Tall, impressive and often austere – what do these memorials actually stand for? Who, or what, are we meant to remember?

Discover the symbolism in each memorial’s design as well as the hidden stories behind each sculpture and engraving. More importantly, learn about the heroes who sacrificed themselves for Singapore, lest we forget.

Monuments covered: Civilian War Memorial, Cenotaph, Lim Bo Seng Memorial.

The tour will be led by volunteer guides from the Preservation of Sites and Monuments.

Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • The tour will start at Civilian War Memorial (Beach Road) and end at Lim Bo Seng Memorial (Esplanade Park). Further details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Bukit Brown (Hills 3 and 2)

Date: 19 Feb 2023
Time: 9am – 11.30am

Bukit Brown is, by accident of history, the largest repository in Singapore of WWII stories outside of a museum. It is the final home to tragic patriots like Tan Ean Kiam, valiant fighters for justice like Tay Koh Yiat and many countless victims like Soh Koon Eng. It is a story book that never stops regaling. Let Fabian Tee take you back to a time when fate collided and all lives in Singapore were turned upside down.

This tour is led by Fabian Tee of All Things Bukit Brown.

Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

About the Guide and All Things Bukit Brown

Fabian is a volunteer guide who conducts free heritage tours in Bukit Brown cemetery and his tours cover various topics from revolutionaries to crazy rich Asians, to war themes. He is bilingual and conducts tours in both English and Mandarin.

All Things Bukit Brown is a group of volunteers who record the heritage, habitat and history of Bukit Brown and its surrounding area.

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • The tour will be held at Bukit Brown. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Bukit Brown (Hills 3 and 4)

Date: 26 Feb 2023
Time: 9am – 11.30am

Join Peter Pak of All Things Bukit Brown as he takes you on an exploration of Bukit Brown and hear stories of tragedy (the sinking of a ship that led to the deaths of many women and children) and of betrayal (leading to the death of the King’s Medal recipient whose ashes were only returned 11 years later and given a hero’s burial). Peter will also reveal the stories of an ambush by the resistance forces that led to the death of a pioneer whose burial was touted by the Japanese Military Administration as Syonan-to’s first public funeral, and of another survivor of that very same ambush whose life was transformed by that event and who went on after the war to play a pivotal role in the growth of Buddhism in Singapore.

Finally, we will hear stories of Chinese leaders who were forced to collaborate with the Japanese under duress, or who did so to survive or reap personal gain. Hear the stories of how they survived or died during this difficult period in Singapore’s history at Bukit Brown.

This tour is led by Peter Pak of All Things Bukit Brown.
Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

About the Guide and All Things Bukit Brown

Peter Pak is a volunteer guide for All Things Bukit Brown and a blogger who writes under the moniker of Rojak Librarian (mymindisrojak.blogspot.com)

All Things Bukit Brown is a group of volunteers who record the heritage, habitat and history of Bukit Brown and its surrounding area.

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • The tour will be held at Bukit Brown. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Special Twinned Tour: Kent Ridge Nature Walk and Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Date: 26 Feb 2023
Time: 9am – 12pm; 9.30am – 12.30pm; 10am – 1pm

Explore Kent Ridge Park together with the education team from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and find out more about its historical significance and biodiversity. Continue the experience with a docent-led tour at Reflections at Bukit Chandu, which presents the story of the Malay Regiment and their last stand at Bukit Chandu during World War Two.

This programme is presented by Reflections at Bukit Chandu and conducted in collaboration with the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

Ticketing and more details at https://rbc23-kentridge.peatix.com   

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $30 per participant (includes a light snack and bottled water). This programme is recommended for ages 13 and up.
  • This tour will start at Reflections at Bukit Chandu and ends at the same venue. Further details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

2. Museum Programmes

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Defence Through the Ages Guided Tour

Date: 10 – 25 Feb 2023
Time: Mon – Fri: 2pm, 4pm; Sat, Sun, PH: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
Venue: Singapore Discovery Centre

Are we safe? How are we keeping Singapore, our home, safe against the backdrop of evolving security threats? What role can you play? Come with us on a journey through some of the key historical events that have shaped our defence strategy through the years and explore how you can play a part in keeping Singapore safe and secure.

This programme is presented by Singapore Discovery Centre.

Interested parties can register on their date of visit at the Singapore Discovery Centre, 15 minutes before commencement of the tour. Registration is strictly on a first-come-first-served basis and is capped at a maximum of 20 pax per time slot.

 

Note:

Admission is free.

SAFTI Bus Tour

Date: 10 Feb – 25 Feb 2023
Time: Mon – Fri: 3pm; Sat, Sun, PH: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
Venue: Singapore Discovery Centre

Hop onto the SAFTI bus for an exclusive tour around the 88-hectare training ground for officers-to-be. This tour offers a unique glimpse into the life of an officer cadet and the role of SAF in the defence and security of Singapore.

This programme is presented by Singapore Discovery Centre.

Interested parties can register on their date of visit at the Singapore Discovery Centre, 15 minutes before commencement of the tour. Registration is strictly on a first-come-first-served basis and is capped at a maximum of 40 pax per time slot.

 

Note:

Admission is free.

Second World War Vintage Toy Collection Guided Tour with Special Feature on General MacArthur

Date: 10 Feb – 5 Mar 2023, every Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Time: Fridays: 2pm – 2.45pm; Sat, Sun: 10.30am – 11.15am; 2pm - 2.45pm
Venue: MINT Museum of Toys

What role did toys play during WWII? Through an exploration of vintage toys produced by the Allied Forces (Britain, France, USSR & USA etc) and the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan etc), this guided tour examines how toys were used to normalise war, encourage support for ongoing war efforts and to celebrate national and individual war achievements.

Besides the iconic figure of General MacArthur, the museum’s WWII collection also contains Shingun soldier figurines which remind us of the rank and file such as the Sikh soldiers who fought in the Battle for Singapore. Join the docents of MINT Museum of Toys as they explore how toys contribute to the remembrance and myths of war heroism.

 

This programme is led by the docents of the MINT Museum of Toys.
Ticketing and more information via www.ticketing.emint.com

 

Note:

Tickets are chargeable at the following rates & include admission to the Museum (usually $25)

  • Infant (Age 0-7): Free
  • Adult (Age 13-59): $27
  • Child (Age 7-12) & Seniors (Age 60+): $17
 

Free shuttle service to National Museum of Singapore, Changi Chapel & Museum, and Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Date: Available every Saturday and Sunday in Feb 2023

Time: Various timings


Every weekend in February, visitors can hop on a complimentary, one-way shuttle bus service from National Museum of Singapore to either Changi Chapel & Museum (CCM) or Reflections of Bukit Chandu (RBC), to learn more about the stories of WWII in Singapore.

 

Visit https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/511232318627/ to book your seats.

 

Look out for a copy of our WWII-themed brochure and locate the artefacts featured at either CCM or RBC, to redeem a complimentary gift* from us!

 

* The complimentary gift is limited to the first 100 redemptions per week at each museum. Redemption is on a first-come, first-served basis and while stock lasts.

Larger-Than-Life: Poppies Art Installation by Local Artist Pei-Per Flower
Date: 4
- 26 Feb, daily (except Mondays)

Time: 10am 5pm

Venue: Various locations within Changi Chapel and Museum


The red poppy is an enduring symbol of remembrance of the fallen who sacrificed their lives in military conflict. We invite you to reflect on the courage and resilience of those who interned in Changi Gaol during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore. As you learn about their stories, admire the larger-than-life poppies art installation at Changi Chapel and Museum. The art installation is created by local artist, Pei Li, whose intricate and life-like paper flowers have adorned many spots around Singapore. 


Complete your visit and make your own felt poppy flower at the last stop of the exhibition. Pen down your thoughts, attach it to the felt poppy and head to the green wall at the Chapel to ‘plant’ it.

Note:

No pre-registration is required for visiting this display.

 

DIY Felt Poppies

Date: 4 - 26 Feb, daily (except Mondays)

Venue: Permanent Gallery, Changi Chapel and Museum 

 
Complete your visit and make your own felt poppy flower at the last stop of the exhibition. Pen down your thoughts, attach it to the felt poppy and head to the green wall at the Chapel to ‘plant’ it.

 

Note:

·       This is a drop-in activity. No pre-registration is required.

 

Special Twinned tour of Eurasian Heritage Gallery and Changi Chapel and Museum

Date: 11 Feb 2023
Time: 11am – 1pm; 2pm – 4pm
Venue: Eurasian Heritage Gallery and Changi Chapel and Museum

In this special tour, visit the Eurasian Heritage Gallery to find out more about the Eurasian community’s experience during the Japanese Occupation, and how they coped with the trials and tribulations of war. Continue your experience at the Changi Chapel and Museum, where you will hear personal stories of prisoners of war in Singapore and their courage and resilience during World War Two.

This programme is presented by the Changi Chapel and Museum and supported by the Eurasian Heritage Gallery.

Ticketing and more details at https://ccm23-ehg.peatix.com   

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $20 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • This tour will start at the Eurasian Heritage Gallery and ends at the Changi Chapel and Museum.
 

[Talk] Defence and Fall of Singapore, 1941 - 42. Part I: Failure in Strategy: The Singapore Naval Base

Date: 17 Feb 2023

Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Venue: Haw Par Villa, Singapore

 

The Battlebox and Haw Par Villa have jointly organised a two-part talk series on the Defence and Fall of Singapore in commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Fall of Singapore.

 

Why did the Singapore Strategy ultimately fail? Was the British defence strategy flawed from the beginning, or did other factors contribute? Join Professor Farrell as he delves into the topic and shares his invaluable insights on the Failure of the Singapore Strategy and its contribution to the ignominious Fall of Singapore.

 

This programme is presented by the Battlebox.

Ticketing and more details at https://battleforsingapore-part1.peatix.com/

 

About the Speaker

Brian P. Farrell is Professor of Military History at the National University of Singapore, where he has been teaching since 1993. He is Principal Investigator of the project which spawned this conference. His major publications include Empire in Asia: A New Global History, 2 vols. (contributing Series Editor and Co- Editor, 2018), The Defence and Fall of Singapore 1940 - 1942 (2015 and 2005), The Basis and Making of British Grand Strategy 1940-1943: Was there a Plan? (1998) and Between Two Oceans: A Military History of Singapore From 1275 to 1971 (Co-Author, 2010 and 1999).

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant. 
  • There is a minimum age limit of 12 years old
 

Former Ford Factory Tour & Documentary Screening

Date: 18 Feb 2023
Time: 11am – 12.30pm; 2pm – 3.30pm
Venue: Former Ford Factory

 

Go on a guided tour of the Former Ford Factory and discover the history of WWII, and the resistance and resilience of the people. A short documentary film “Battle For Singapore”, which brings the viewers through the timeline on the fall of Singapore during WWII will also be screened. It features the key dates during the Battle for Singapore with archival still photographs and video footage.

 

Programme Line up:

●      Film Screening of Documentary “Battle For Singapore” (30 mins)

●      Docent Tour (1 hour)

 

This programme is led by the National Archives of Singapore.

Registration and more details at Eventbrite

 

 

Note:

  • Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
 

Light Amidst Adversity: Rare Gallery Tour 

Date: 18 Feb, 25 Feb 2023 (with additional runs on 11 Mar, 25 Mar 2023)
Time: 11am – 12pm; 1pm – 2pm
Venue: National Library, Singapore

 

Using historical and archival materials from the collections of the National Library and the National Archives, this display seeks to explore the themes of resistance, resilience, and post-war remembrance in Singapore during World War II. The display features a selection of rare books, photographs, artworks, personal documents, and ephemera that record local war preparations and the stories of resilience, sacrifice and adversity.

Tours are available on selected weekends for members of the public to sign up.

This programme is led by the National Library, Singapore.

Registration and more details at Eventbrite.

 

Note:

  • Admission is free.
 

Timmy and Tammy Talk to Grandma About the War

Date: 18 Feb 2023
Time: 2pm – 2.45pm; 3.30pm – 4.15pm
Venue: National Museum of Singapore

In this storytelling session based on the popular children’s book Timmy & Tammy Talking to Grandpa About the War, children will learn about life during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore and have the opportunity to speak to Great grandma who lived through during that period. After the session, continue your exploration of the Japanese Occupation in the museum’s Surviving Syonan gallery in your own time with the help of a list of highlights.

 

Suitable for families with children aged 5 to 9.

This programme is presented by the National Museum of Singapore.

Ticketing and more details at https://timmytammy230218.peatix.com 

 

Note:

  • Each $10 ticket admits one child and one adult (parent or grandparent) only. Please purchase additional tickets if you have more family members coming along.
  • Suitable for families with children aged 5 to 9.
  • Venue is at Gallery Theatre, Basement Level, National Museum of Singapore
 

Collecting Military Memorabilia – Sharing Session with Alvin’s Bunker [NMS Edition] 

Date: 19 Feb 2023
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Venue: National Museum of Singapore

 

Alvin Lee of Alvin’s Bunker has been a long-time collector of World War One and Two, and early Singapore Armed Forces militaria in Singapore. In this sharing session, find out more about his experiences as a collector, his passion for collecting war memorabilia, and the challenges and opportunities he has encountered over the years. Alvin will also showcase some highlights from his collection that are related to the battles fought between Allied and Japanese forces in Singapore during WWII.

Please note that this is a re-run of the programme conducted at Reflections at Bukit Chandu in Sep 2022, with a renewed focus on World War Two militaria related to the artefacts displayed at the National Museum of Singapore.

This programme is presented by the National Museum of Singapore.

Ticketing and more details at https://nms-collectingmilitaria.peatix.com

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant.
  • Venue is at Seminar Room, Level 2, National Museum of Singapore
 

3 Films on the Pacific War

Date: 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 5 Mar 2023
Time: 5pm – various
Venue: Oldham Theatre, National Archives of Singapore

 

Fought over a vast area of land and sea, the Pacific theatre of World War II pitted Allied forces against Japan, and saw the devastating invasion of Southeast Asia, eventually leading to the end of the war with Japan’s defeat and surrender in 1945. In remembrance of the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942, the Asian Film Archive presents a programme of three classic films that take a wider look at the Pacific War through the varied perspectives of filmmakers from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.

 

The film line-up opens with an epic retelling of the attack on Pearl Harbour, continuing with a depiction of the hardships of British and Australian prisoners-of-war in Malaya, before concluding with a widely-lauded historical epic about the Thai-Burma Death Railway. Together these films offer nuance and criticality to the attitudes towards war that are often not fully aligned with national allegiances. In the face of trauma and destruction, these narratives express the tenacity, camaraderie and kinship of those who lived through this dark chapter of the human experience.

 

[19 Feb] Tora! Tora! Tora!

Director: Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, Toshio Masuda

Runtime: 145 mins

Country: USA, Japan

Language: English

Rating: PG

 

In its dramatisation of the attack on Pearl Harbour, Tora! Tora! Tora! weaves together narrative accounts from both American and Japanese perspectives, neither glorifying nor condemning either side. Despite his reluctance to provoke the United States into entering the war, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto planned a surprise air raid on the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The attack was scheduled for a half-hour after the ultimatum reached Washington, but its delayed delivery rendered the Japanese raid a war crime, since the two nations were at that point, still technically at peace. Meanwhile, a series of blindspots and bureaucratic blunders by the Americans led to the utter destruction of the fleet.

 

The film’s remarkable accuracy to the events leading up to December 7, 1941 makes it a classic among history buffs, while the spectacular aerial battle scenes continue to draw action aficionados. As Kinji Fukasaku and Toshio Masuda’s first English-language film and first international co-production, this classic was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning Best Visual Effects.

 

[26 Feb] A Town Like Alice (1956)

Director: Jack Lee

Runtime: 117 mins

Country: UK, Australia

Language: English

Rating:

 

After receiving an unexpected inheritance, a young Englishwoman returns to the Malayan village where she had sought refuge during the Japanese Occupation. She recalls her gruelling journey across the country alongside the women who were taken as prisoners-of-war. Left to care for three young children, Jean Paget (Virginia McKenna) was aided by an Australian soldier and fellow prisoner, Joe Harman (Peter Finch). Years after a painful separation, Jean learns of Joe’s whereabouts, and sets off in search of the brave soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for her.

 

While much of the film was shot in England’s Pinewood Studios, several scenes in this adaptation of Neville Shute’s bestselling romance were filmed on site in Johor Bahru, Penang and Singapore. The third most popular film at the British box office that year, A Town Like Alice won McKenna and Finch BAFTA awards for Best Actress and Actor respectively.

 

[5 Mar] The Bridge on the River Kwai

Director: David Lean

Runtime: 161 mins

Country: UK

Language: English

Rating:

 

Set against the construction of the infamous Thai-Burma Death Railway, David Lean’s riveting epic questions the meaning of honour and dignity amid the madness of war. A stubborn battle-of-wills ensues when a newly captured British colonel refuses to yield to the camp commander’s violation of humanitarian laws. In his blind insistence on building a good bridge as a monument to British efficiency, the colonel treads the fine line between national pride and enemy collaboration. Meanwhile, a skiving commander who escapes by the skin of his teeth is recruited into a secret commando force. Aided by sympathetic locals, the multinational team embarks on an audacious mission to blow up the bridge.

 

With its gripping portrayal of the complexities of war, The Bridge on the River Kwai swept the 30th Academy Awards with eight nominations and seven wins, and garnered three Golden Globe Awards and four BAFTAs.

 

This programme is curated by the Asian Film Archive in partnership with the National Library Board.

Ticketing and more details at the Asian Film Archives website.

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $10 per participant.
 

[Talk] Defence and Fall of Singapore, 1941 - 42. Part II: The Battle for Singapore and consequences on POWs and Civilian Internees

Date: 24 Feb 2023
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Haw Paw Villa, Singapore

 

The Battlebox and Haw Par Villa have jointly organised a two-part talk series on the Defence and Fall of Singapore in commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Fall of Singapore.

 

Join Mr Jeya Ayadurai MBE and Mr Gautam Hazarika for this talk. Receive new insights on the Battle for Singapore, and get a glimpse into the lives of Civilian Internees and POWs in Singapore during the Japanese Occupation from 1942 - 1945, through an examination of first-hand accounts.

 

This programme is presented by the Battlebox.

Ticketing and more details at https://battleforsingapore-part2.peatix.com/

 

About the Speakers

Mr Jeya Ayadurai MBE is the Director of local historical research and heritage asset management companies - Singapore History Consultants Pte Ltd and Journeys Pte Ltd. His team has successfully managed important historical sites with heritage value such as the Battlebox, Chinatown Heritage Centre and most recently, Haw Par Villa and Hell's Museum. He was recognised as an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to preserving Singaporean, British and Commonwealth military history and war remembrance in Singapore.

 

Mr Gautam Hazarika grew up in India and moved to Singapore over 20 years ago. A former banker, he dabbles in fintech and his passion for the history of Singapore & India. Gautam’s articles have been published in Singapore, Hong Kong and London. His private collection includes first editions, maps, prints, paintings and travel guides of Singaporean and Indian history. His kids say they live in a library as all the walls and shelves are filled by his collection. He is eternally grateful to his wife for tolerating his idiosyncrasies.

 

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $5 per participant.
  • There is a minimum age limit of 12 years old.
 

Loyal and True: A Dramatised Tour at Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Date: 25 Feb 2023
Time: 3pm – 3.30pm; 4.30pm – 5pm
Venue: Reflections at Bukit Chandu

 

Immerse yourself in the story of the Malay Regiment in this interactive theatrical experience! Hear from the characters about their thoughts and feelings regarding their experiences during World War Two and discover the heroic and human aspects of the Malay Regiment.

This programme is presented by Reflections at Bukit Chandu.

Ticketing and more details at https://rbc23-loyalandtrue.peatix.com

 

Note:

  • Tickets at $15 per participant.
  • The meeting point for this programme is at the entrance of Reflections at Bukit Chandu.
 

Wartime Accounts of Medical Doctors

Date: 28 Feb 2023

Time: 10am – 10.45am; 2.30pm – 3.15pm

 

With a history of over 200 years in providing healthcare to Singaporeans, the Singapore General Hospital has a storied past including during the WWII period.

 

Join us at the SGH Museum as veteran healthcare professionals share the accounts of three local doctors who lived through WWII - Dr Abdul Wahab, Dr James Supramaniam, and Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares. Discover how the war influenced the medical profession in Singapore after its conclusion and how the notion of ‘duty calls’ reverberates through the years for those in the medical profession.


This programme is presented by the Singapore General Hospital Museum.

Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

About the Guides

Brenda Ng has 8 years of experience in the SGH Museum with a wealth of knowledge.

Amelia Gin is a veteran staff of SGH, serving in various capacities and departments in her decades of service in the healthcare sector.

 

Note:

  • Admission is free.
  • The SGH Museum is sited within the grounds of the Singapore General Hospital, at the Bowyer Block. Participants are reminded to wear a face mask on site, in line with prevailing Safe Management Measures. 

3. Virtual Tours & Webinars

Archives Invites: Shaun McGuire - The Royal New Zealand Air Force Leaves Singapore: Records Hindmost!

Date: 14 Feb 2023
Time: 6pm – 7pm

New Zealand’s contribution to the defence of Malaya in 1942 was the Royal New Zealand Air Force Squadron 488 and an Aerodome Construction Unit. The two units had the good fortune of leaving Singapore shortly before the island’s fall, sparing many of its men from internment by the invading Imperial Japanese Army.

Considered low to no priority, the units’ records were left behind or lost as the forces evacuated to the Dutch East Indies. The records and surviving photographs from this campaign were largely compiled after the war and now reside at the Archives New Zealand. Join Archivist Shaun McGuire as he highlights some of these records.

This programme is presented by the National Archives of Singapore.

Registration and more details at https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/archives-invitesshaun-mcguireroyal-new-zealand-air-force-leaves-singapore-tickets-476195081307

 

About the Speaker

Shaun McGuire is an archivist with 20 years’ experience supporting researchers in Archives New Zealand and at New Zealand’s Heritage Library, Alexander Turnbull Library.  He has a Masters in History from the University of Waikato and a Masters of Information Studies from Victoria University of Wellington.

 

Note:

  • Admission is free. 

Sembawang, Gibraltar of the East

Date: 16 Feb 2023
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm

Sembawang was once the home of a naval base so large that it could accommodate the main fleet of the mighty Royal Navy.

Through a virtual exploration of existing sites around Sembawang, discover what the motivations were for the construction of the base, where its significant sites were, and why it failed to live up to its reputation as the Gibraltar of the East.

This programme is led by Jerome Lim.

Registration and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

About the Speaker

Author of Uncommon Ground and co-author of Secret Singapore, Jerome Lim also blogs on The Long and Winding Road to capture Singapore’s constant state of flux.

Jerome also celebrates Singapore’s heritage through photographic documentation and was twice awarded the Singapore Blog Award’s Best Photography Blog.

For more information, please visit https://thelongwindingroad.wordpress.com

 

Note:

  • Admission is free. 
 

Archives Invites: Simon Froude - Australia and the Defence of Singapore: Records Held by the National Archives of Australia

Date: 21 February 2023
Time: 6pm – 7pm

The defence and the ultimate fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 had profound consequences for Australia. The events ended the so-named “Singapore strategy” upon which Australia had been relying for the defence of its continent, leaving it vulnerable to aggression in the Pacific. Some 1,789 Australians were killed and 1,306 wounded during the Battle for Singapore. Fifteen thousand members of Australia’s 8th Division were captured, and of these, more than 7,000 died as prisoners of war. Until the end of the war in 1945, Australians at home had little or no news of the fate of their loved ones, which caused great anguish. 

National Archives of Australia holds a variety of records related to the fall of Singapore and its aftermath. Most significantly, there are records of discussions by the Australian War Cabinet, and cables between the Australian and British governments, discussing events and deploring the loss of Singapore. Documented in those cables is Prime Minister John Curtin’s famous declaration that Australians currently deployed in Europe and Middle East must be brought back to defend their homeland. There are also pre-war records relating to the building of the naval base at Singapore, and Australia’s attempts to track the whereabouts and welfare of Australian prisoners of war from 1942 to 1945.

This programme is presented by the National Archives of Singapore.

Registration and more details at https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/archives-invites-simon-froude-australia-and-the-defence-of-singapore-tickets-503139893967

 

About the Speaker

Simon Froude is Director-General of National Archives of Australia. His appointment commenced on 23 May 2022. Prior to joining National Archives, Simon was Director and State Archivist at State Records of South Australia, where he was responsible for the preservation and accessibility of some of the state’s most important historical records, as well as records and information management, freedom of information and privacy, for the South Australian Government. As Director-General, Simon is leading National Archives through the next phase of its transformation to ensure it continues as a beacon for best practice management of the official records of the Commonwealth of Australia, and that Australian Government information of enduring significance is secured, preserved and available to government agencies, researchers and the community. Simon’s driving passion is to improve the accessibility of government records, with a particular focus on improving access to individuals and groups impacted by past government policy. He has extensive experience in archival and records management within the public sector, including at State Records of South Australia and South Australia’s Department of Education and Department of Treasury and Finance.

 

Note:

  • Admission is free.
 

WWII Japanese Administration in Singapore Virtual Tour

Date: 22 Feb 2023

Time: 6pm – 7pm

 

We tend to associate the Japanese Occupation with specific sites in Singapore, such as Changi, Bukit Chandu, and the former Ford Factory. But the occupation affected all parts of the island, and the Civic District was one of the most important sites in the entire region to the Japanese military administration. Join this virtual tour to understand how the Japanese attempted to transform Singapore into a “nerve centre” of theGreater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

 

In this virtual tour, participants will explore what life was like in the heart of the city during the Occupation for the civilians of various ethnicities – Chinese, Eurasian and Japanese alike - and understand more about the WWII history of some of our iconic buildings and sites in the Civic District, such as the Fullerton Building, City Hall, and the Raffles Statue. We will also look at Japanese-language documents that provide particular insight into the fate of the Civic District during the war.

 

This programme is presented by Dr Clay Eaton.

Ticketing and more details at https://bsg2023.peatix.com

 

About the Speaker

Dr Clay Eaton is a Lecturer in the Department of Japanese Studies at NUS. He received his doctorate from Columbia University in 2018, where he wrote his dissertation on the history of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. A specialist on the Japanese Empire and WWII in Asia more generally, Dr Eaton previously worked as a historical walking tour guide and has a keen interest in the relationship between the past and the urban geography of the present.

 

Note:

●      Admission is free.

 

A Librarian’s World x Archives Unlocked: Light Amidst Adversity: Singapore during World War II

Date: 23 Feb 2023
Time: 6pm – 7pm

This talk is held in conjunction with “Light Amidst Adversity”, a display of historical and archival materials relating to World War II curated from the collections of the National Library and National Archives of Singapore. Join us to discover the rich stories of resistance, resilience and post-war remembrance behind some of the items on show.

This programme is presented by the National Library and National Archives of Singapore.

Registration and more details

 

About the Speakers

Gracie Lee is a Senior Librarian who works with the Rare Materials Collection at the National Library. She enjoys uncovering and sharing the stories behind Singapore’s printed heritage.

Lu Wenshi is a Senior Manager with the Archives Services. She is enthralled by the diverse collections in the National Archives of Singapore and looks forward to sharing some of these archival treasures with participants at this talk.

 

Note:

  • Admission is free. 
 

Archives Invites: Dr Will Butler
Researching the Fall of Singapore, 1942 – Records at The National Archives, UK

Date: 28 February 2023
Time: 6pm – 7pm

Drawing on records from The National Archives, UK, this talk will trace the British defence and subsequent fall of Singapore during the Second World War. Using a range of material produced by both politicians and military leaders before, during, and after the conflict, Head of Military Records at The National Archives, UK, Dr Will Butler will assess the historical importance of Singapore to the British strategically, examine the planning and conduct of operations leading up to the Second World War, and discuss the campaign as it occurred in early 1942 from a British perspective.

This programme is presented by the National Archives of Singapore.

Registration and more details at https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/archives-invitesdr-will-butlerresearching-fall-of-spore-records-at-nauk-tickets-479978938927

 

About the Speaker

Dr Will Butler is Head of Military Records at The National Archives, UK, and specialises in records relating to the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force from the late 18th century to the present day. He holds an MA and a PhD, which he completed in 2013, from the University of Kent. His research focuses on Irish soldiers in the British Army, particularly from the mid-19th century onwards, the “amateur military tradition”, as well as the role of the British Army during both World Wars. Since joining The National Archives, Will’s research has increasingly focused on the armed forces during the Second World War. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent, sits on the Council of the Army Records Society and is a Managing Editor of the British Journal for Military History.

 

Note:

  • Admission is free.
 

Archives Unlocked: In Their Own Voices - Preparing for War in Singapore

Date: 2 Mar 2023
Time: 6pm – 7pm

Before the imminent fall of Singapore in 1942, locals prepared by stockpiling food, building air raid shelters and volunteering in civil defence units. Listen to their accounts which are a part of the Oral History Centre’s trove of oral history interviews.

This programme is presented by the National Archives of Singapore.

Registration and more details at https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/archives-unlocked-in-their-own-voices-preparing-for-war-in-singapore-tickets-507423225527

 

About the Speakers

Christabel Khoo is an Assistant Archivist with the Records Management department at the National Archives of Singapore.

Mark Wong is a Senior Specialist (Oral History) at the Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore, where he leads the oral history project on Singapore’s experiences with COVID-19. He is also Vice President of the International Oral History Association.

 

Note:

  • Admission is free.