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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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[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
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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
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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:
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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
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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
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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.
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[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.
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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.
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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.
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