Battle for Singapore 2022

179 Piccadilly Tour

Date: 12*, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 February, and 5,6* March 2022
Time: 10am – 11.30am, 2pm – 3.30pm
(* Afternoon session only)

179 Piccadilly was the Station Headquarters and one of the earliest permanent buildings at Royal Air Force (RAF) Seletar. During WWII, the squadrons of planes based at RAF Seletar defended Malaya and Singapore, and the building was targeted by Japanese air raids on the airbase. It was subsequently occupied by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Japanese Occupation. This tour of 179 Piccadilly will uncover the lesser known stories of the airbase including Singapore’s pre-war aviation history as well as the role of the RAF and the dynamics of airpower in the lead up to the Battle of Singapore.

This tour is led by Dr John Kwok and conducted in partnership with the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).

Transport will be provided from an MRT station located nearby to the site and back. Registration at https://bsg2022-179.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.

Note:
Tickets at $10 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

WWII Walking Tour by Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Heritage Gallery

Date: 13, 20 February 2022 [English Tour]
Date: 26 February, 5 March 2022 [Mandarin Tour]
Time: 9am – 11am

WWII was a period filled with heartwarming acts of mutual help and thrilling scenes of survival. During the Japanese Occupation, one of the Sook Ching screening centres was located at Jalan Besar. Prior to that, it was a major fundraising site for the Sino-Japanese War. Join Lee Kok Leong in this morning walk from Lavender MRT to Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, where he will share more about the lesser-known facts about the Jalan Besar neighbourhood during WWII, including where Mr Lee Kuan Yew was believed to have hid from the Japanese after he was ordered to be screened.

Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-kwsh.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.

【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。

注意: 票价 $5。 12岁以下的参与者需有家长全程陪同。

Dempsey Hill Tour (Former Tanglin Barracks)

Date: 12 February, 5 March 2022
Time: 9am – 10.30am

Dempsey Hill is now a destination for its culinary offerings, but did you know that it has a military history dating back to the mid-19th century? The grounds contain a number of reminders of its much-storied military past, including that from WWII. A former military hospital on the grounds contains a tale of great fortune and conversely, misfortune, and in the former garrison church, a story of great fortitude.

Join Jerome Lim, co-author of Secret Singapore, to find out more about the surprising secrets that some of the sites on Dempsey Hill hold.

Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-dempsey.peatix.com. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

About the Guide
Jerome Lim blogs on The Long and Winding Road to capture his experiences of Singapore in a constant state of flux. The site, on which Jerome also celebrates Singapore’s heritage through photographs, was twice awarded the Singapore Blog Award’s Best Photography Blog. For more information, please visit https://thelongwindingroad.wordpress.com.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Gillman Barracks Tour

Date: 12, 19, 26 February, 5 March
Time: 5pm – 6pm

Did you know that Gillman Barracks was the site of a fierce battle during the battle for Singapore in February 1942? Presented by Friends of the Museums (FOM), this tour traces the rich heritage and history of Gillman Barracks, which once housed the British Army’s military men and their families. Through anecdotes as well as structures that still stand today, uncover the site’s colourful pre-war and wartime history. Take this opportunity to also learn about later developments such as its conversion into a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training ground and subsequent transformation into an arts hub.

Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-gillman.peatix.com. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

About the Guide
FOM is a volunteer organisation with around 2000 members who have a passion for learning and sharing knowledge about Singapore and Southeast Asia's history, culture, and art. FOM trains and manages volunteer guides who provide tours at nine different museums and cultural institutions, including Gillman Barracks.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Alexandra Hospital Tour

Date: 19, 26 February 2022
Time: 10am – 11am, 1pm – 2pm

Take a guided walk in the historic campus of Alexandra Hospital at 378 Alexandra Road and learn about the hospital’s beginnings under the British colonial administration as well as its fate shortly before Singapore fell on 15 February 1945. Find out more about its state during and after the Japanese Occupation and take a glimpse of the long-standing structures while listening to little-known stories based on accounts of veterans and their families.

Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-ah.peatix.com. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

About the Guide
Ever since joining Alexandra Hospital in 2017, DingXiang (DX) has been diving deep into the hospital’s past, connecting with employees past and present, to hash out human stories from bygone days, help others reminisce about the old days and solve mysteries regarding their families’ histories.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

WWII Japanese Administration in Singapore Walking Tour

Date: 20, 27 February 2022
Time: 4pm – 5pm

Have you ever wondered what life in the heart of the city was like during the Japanese Occupation? Join this tour to learn more about the WWII history of some of our beloved buildings in the Civic District and the different nodes of the Japanese administration that were set up in Singapore under the Japanese Occupation.

During this hour-long walk you will also be introduced to some of the figures who shaped the lives of Singaporeans during the war and learn about the Japanese plan to transform the city into a “nerve centre” of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

The tour will start at Raffles Place MRT (Exit A), Ground Level (gathering point) and end at the Civilian War Memorial. Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-ww2ja.peatix.com.

About the Guide
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 the Second World War 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:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Lest We Forget Walking Tour

Date: 12, 13 February 2022
Time: 5pm – 6.30pm

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 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.

This tour is led by Preservation of Sites and Monuments (PSM) Volunteer Guides.

The tour will start at the Civilian War Memorial and end at the Lim Bo Seng War Memorial. Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-lwf.peatix.com.

About the PSM Volunteer Guides
The PSM Volunteer Guides are a group of passionate heritage enthusiasts who help promote awareness and interest in Singapore's history through our National Monuments and historic sites. They conduct regular outdoor walking tours for the public and each tour covers up to three National Monuments.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Singapore Occupied Walking Tour

Date: 5, 6 March 2022
Time: 5pm – 6.30pm

80 years ago, Singapore burned. Its people lived under Japanese rule for more than three years, from February 1942 to September 1945. The events have passed, but the memories remain.

Find out how they lived during those tumultuous days, through a visit to the buildings and sites that held the Japanese Broadcasting Department, the Kempeitai (Japanese Military Police) Headquarters, Syonan Museum, Victoria Street Girls' School, and Bras Basah Boys’ School. Uncover stories of survival and courage, and be inspired by the resilience of the human spirit in the “Singapore Occupied” tours.

This tour is led by Preservation of Sites and Monuments (PSM) Volunteer Guides.

Monuments & Historic sites covered: Former Cathay Building (now The Cathay), Former Saint Joseph's Institution (now Singapore Art Museum), YMCA Building (Historic Site: the Kempeitai East District Branch), National Museum of Singapore

Starting point: Entrance of the Cathay
Ending point: National Museum of Singapore

Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-sgoccupied.peatix.com.

About the PSM Volunteer Guides
The PSM Volunteer Guides are a group of passionate heritage enthusiasts who help promote awareness and interest in Singapore's history through our National Monuments and historic sites. They conduct regular outdoor walking tours for the public and each tour covers up to three National Monuments.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Bukit Brown (Hills 3 and 2)

Date: 12 February 2022
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’s 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.

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, and the history of Singapore since 1819.

The tour will be held at Bukit Brown. Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-bb32.peatix.com. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown

Date: 13 February 2022
Time: 8.30am – 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.

About the Guides and All Things Bukit Brown
Bianca Polak is of Dutch origin and has been living in Singapore for the past 21 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, and the history of Singapore since 1819.

The tour will start at Botanic Gardens MRT Station, Ground Level and end at Bukit Brown. Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-botanic.peatix.com. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Bukit Brown (Hills 3 and 4)

Date: 19 February 2022
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.

About the Guides 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, and the history of Singapore since 1819.

The tour will be held at Bukit Brown. Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-bb34.peatix.com. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Battle of Bukit Brown / Mount Pleasant

Date: 20 February 2022
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.

About the Guide and All Things Bukit Brown
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, and the history of Singapore since 1819.

The tour will start beside the golf course at Sime Road and end at Mount Pleasant Road. Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-bbmp.peatix.com. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Adam Park

Date: 26 February 2022
Time: 9am to 11.30am

Venture into the exciting world of battlefield archaeology and learn more about the WWII Battle at Adam Park. Adam Park was the site of the last battle for Singapore and the place where the British succeeded in holding the line against the Japanese right up to the time of the surrender on 15 February 1942. After the surrender, the site was used as a Prisoners-of-War camp.

This tour is led by Simone Lee of All Things Bukit Brown.

About the Guide and All Things Bukit Brown
Inspired by the guides at Bukit Brown, Simone started conducting guided walks of her own in 2013. Her signature themed walks were developed out of an interest in social history and education. These include ‘Ladies of the Straits Settlements’ and ‘Back to School(s)’. Simone was also a contributor to the book, World War II @ 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, and the history of Singapore since 1819.

The tour will be held at Adam Park. Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-adampark.peatix.com. More details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

[Talk] OKA9420 – Biological Warfare Unit in Singapore

Date: 19 February 2022
Time: 10am – 11am
Venue: The Salon, Level 1, National Museum of Singapore

The Imperial Japanese Army operated a covert biological and chemical warfare research unit called Unit 731. Unbeknownst to many, Unit 731 had established a branch in Singapore – the OKA9420, which was housed in the College of Medicine building located in the compounds of today’s Singapore General Hospital.

Why was Singapore chosen? Who authorized the setup? What roles were assigned to Singapore? These are some questions that Lim Shao Bin will address in this talk. Having examined many Imperial Japanese Army records from the National Archives of Japan since 2018, Shao Bin will also share about the entire lifecycle of the OKA9420, from its birth in May 1942 till its erasure from Japanese history in early 1946.

About the Speaker

Lim Shao Bin was born in 1957 in Singapore. He graduated from Keio University (Japan) in 1985 and was the Vice President of Information Technology Management Association, Singapore. Lim is a private collector who has donated hundreds of Pacific War Japanese military artefacts to the National Library. He published The Images of Singapore from the Japanese Perspectives (1868–1941) in 2004. He is now a member of the editorial committee of Yi He Shi Ji (怡和世纪), a local magazine published by the Ee Hoe Hean Club.

Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-oka9420.peatix.com.

Note:
Tickets at $5 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

[Webinar] Falling out of Memory: Often-forgotten Aspects of the Japanese Occupation

Date: 5 March 2022
Time: 10am
Venue: Conducted via Microsoft Teams

Over the past eighty years, public memory of the Second World War in Singapore has shifted significantly. For decades after the war, conversations were dominated by military histories, often written by the men who had fought in the Malaya campaign. Since the 1990s, public memory has become more democratized: monuments and museums commemorate the suffering and perseverance of everyday Singaporeans, and we have easy access to a wealth of personal accounts made available by the Oral History Centre at the National Archives of Singapore.

Even so, there are still some aspects of this tumultuous period that remain obscure to the wider public. This is particularly true of the Japanese administration itself: because so many of its internal documents were written in Japanese, the basic facts of how the administration worked are often obscured or filtered through the voices of the handful of Japanese figures (such as Shinozaki Mamoru) who wrote about their experiences in Chinese or English.

In this webinar, Dr. Clay Eaton will share his findings from the Japanese-language historical record, such as the fact that the military administration attempted to transform Singapore into the nerve centre of Japanese imperial rule in Southeast Asia, that it was heavily influenced by the occupation experience in China, and that a majority of its staffers were, in fact, civilians. These findings and more help us to see the deeper significance of events in Singapore in relation to WWII in Asia, and even after the British surrender.

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 the Second World War 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.

Registration and more details at https://bsg2022-memory.peatix.com. The Microsoft Teams link will be sent to registrants prior to the talk.

Note:
Admission is free.

[Facebook Giveaway] Hike-and-Seek

Date: 12 February to 5 March 2022
Platform: I Love Museums Facebook Page

Think you know Singapore’s WWII history? Take part in this Hike-and-Seek activity to win a set of Museum Label merchandise!

Beginning 12 February, eight missions will be posted progressively on the I Love Museums Facebook page. Solving each mission will uncover a site/location in Singapore related to our wartime past. To participate, simply leave the correct answer in the comment section of the respective mission post. Increase your chances of winning by sharing a picture of yourself at the correct site/location!

Follow I Love Museums on Facebook for updates and clues!

CHANGI CHAPEL & MUSEUM

Twinned Tour: Changi Chapel & Museum and Old Changi Hospital

Date: 19 February 2022
Time: 9.30am – 11.45am, 10.45am – 1pm (2 sessions)

Uncover stories of World War II (WWII) in Singapore and the experience of prisoners of war (POWs) during the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945) in this special twinned tour of the Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) and the Old Changi Hospital.

We begin with a docent-led tour of the CCM, exploring the stories of the POWs imprisoned at Changi, followed by an exclusive tour of the Old Changi Hospital, conducted by Jerome Lim of The Long and Winding Road. Uncover the former hospital’s past as a military installation and a POW camp, and get a glimpse of the war history behind the Changi Point area.

Interested parties can register at https://ccm1-och22.peatix.com. More details on the meeting point will be sent to participants upon registration.

About the Guide
Jerome Lim blogs on The Long and Winding Road to capture his experiences of Singapore in a constant state of flux. The site, on which Jerome also celebrates Singapore’s heritage through photographs, was twice awarded the Singapore Blog Award’s Best Photography Blog. For more information, please visit: https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com.

Note:
Tickets at $20 per participant. This tour is for ages 18 and up only. Ticket price includes a multi-sited tour, transport between CCM and Old Changi Hospital, as well as one piece of CCM merchandise per person.

The Happiness Box Story Narration

Date: 19 February 2022
Time: 3pm – 3.30pm, 4pm – 4.30pm (2 sessions)
Venue: Changi Chapel, Changi Chapel and Museum

Find out more about the inspirational story behind the creation of The Happiness Box, a tale originally written in 1942 for the children who were interned in Changi Prison, in this engaging narration of the picture book The Happiness Box: A Wartime Book of Hope by Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean, presented by the Storytelling Centre Limited.

This will be followed by a dramatised re-telling of the original book by David Griffin and Leslie Greener (based on the adaptation by Bryony Marks), where three best friends – a lizard, a monkey and a frog – find a magical box and journey through the jungle to discover the secret of happiness.

Abstract of The Happiness Box: A Wartime Book of Hope
In 1942, Sergeant “Griff” Griffin was a prisoner of war. With Christmas approaching, he decided to make a book for the children cooped up in nearby Changi Prison. The book was said to contain the secrets to happiness. But the enemy was suspicious. What happened next?

About The Happiness Box
This tale was originally written in 1942 for the children who were interned in Changi Prison by Australian prisoner of war (POW) David Griffin, and illustrated by fellow POW Leslie Greener. It has been adapted and scored for young audiences by award-winning composer Bryony Marks to capture the sense of wonder, trepidation and delight of the friends’ adventure.

Each ticket admits one child and one adult (parent or grandparent) only. Interested parties can register at https://CCM-happinessbox22.peatix.com.

Note:
Tickets at $10 per adult-child pair. Suitable for families with children aged 5 and up. Admission fees to CCM apply separately for non-Singaporean/Permanent Residents - participants should obtain their gallery admission tickets at the Visitor Services counter before proceeding to the programme venue.

Curator Tour of Changi Chapel & Museum

Date: 20 February 2022
Time: 9am – 10am
Meeting point: CCM gift shop (next to Visitor Services counter)

Join our curator as they share stories of the prisoner of war experience presented at the Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) in an exclusive before-hours tour.

Interested parties can register at https://CCM1-curatortour22.peatix.com

Note:
Tickets at $15 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

EURASIAN HERITAGE GALLERY

Battle for Singapore Special Tour Programme

Date: 12, 19, 26 February 2022
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Venue: Eurasian Heritage Gallery

As part of Battle for Singapore 2022, the Eurasian Heritage Gallery (EHG) will be organising special WWII-themed tours. The tour will begin with a hands-on poppy-making activity. Wearing their self-made poppy, participants will then discover how the Eurasian community suffered along with other ethnic groups in Singapore during WWII under the Japanese Occupation, and how several war heroes emerged from the trials and tribulations. The tour ends with a sharing by a Eurasian war survivor. Light refreshments will be provided.

Interested parties can register at https://survivingsyonantheeurasianstory.peatix.com.

Note:
Tickets are priced at $10 per pax.

FORT SILOSO

Letters from Blakang Mati

Date: Every Saturday & Sunday (beginning 19 February 2022)
Time: 10am – 12.30pm
Venue: Fort Siloso

Learning comes to life through a guided puzzle hunt that gamifies exploration and challenges wits as guests uncovers Fort Siloso through an immersive tour experience. With the help of Pepper our dinosaur mascot, guests will uncover letters written for the wartime generals as they explore Fort Siloso.

Pepper's Grandfather, Paprika used to be a mailman in the army. He has requested for your help to retrieve several letters hidden around Fort Siloso and finally hand them to their intended recipients. The letters will reveal first-hand accounts of Singapore in its various stages of war.

This programme will be led by Monster Day Tours.

Interested parties can register at https://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/things-to-do/events/letters-from-blakang-mati/.

Note:
Tickets at $32.10 per pax (inclusive of GST).

FORMER FORD FACTORY / NATIONAL ARCHIVES SINGAPORE

New Light on an Old Tale: 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore

“New Light on an Old Tale” is an exhibition organised by the National Archives of Singapore to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore (15 February 1942). Showing from 15 February to 30 June 2022, the exhibition showcases artefacts from private collections as well as archival records which hold intimate and little-known stories about World War II and continue to be witnesses to pivotal events that have shaped the history of Singapore.

Accompanying the exhibition is a series of related programmes that together present the events of World War II and the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in a new light.

“New Light on an Old Tale” Exhibition

Date: 15 February to 31 June 2022
Venue: National Archives of Singapore, Level 3 Atrium

Centred around the Japanese invasion of British colonial Singapore, “New Light on an Old Tale” tells the story of two adversaries who were once allies. Told through artefacts on loan from three private collectors, the exhibition chronicles the changing fortunes of a tiny settlement caught between two empires. In 2022, we mark 80 years since the Fall of Singapore through objects that bear testament to our difficult path to nationhood and the price of peace that was paid by the sacrifices of many.

Former Ford Factory Guided Tour & Voices of War: The Role of Oral Accounts in Battlefield History

Date: 19, 20 February 2022
Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm; 3pm – 5pm
Venue: Former Ford Factory, Level 2 Screening Room

Curious how sites with dark pasts can use oral history to engage audiences? Join Archives Services Manager Lu Wenshi as she uncovers some highlights of oral history accounts on the Japanese Occupation and the value of such accounts when it came to the curation of the exhibition Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacies. The session will also cover other historical sites in the region to illustrate the importance of oral accounts when it comes to telling stories from the past.

Programme Line-up:

• ”Voices of War: The Role of Oral Accounts in Battlefield History” by Lu Wenshi (30 mins)
• Film Screening of Documentary “Life in the Shadow of a Rising Sun” (30 mins)
• Docent Tour (1 hour)

About the Speaker
Lu Wenshi is the Manager of Archives Services at the National Archives of Singapore (NAS). She was formerly an Oral History Specialist with the NAS Oral History Centre and the project manager of the revamp of the exhibition Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacies. Wenshi appreciates the importance of oral history not just in filling the gaps in historical information, but also in emotionally engaging audiences during their visits to historical sites.

Interested parties can register at https://go.gov.sg/nlot-prog/.

Archives Invites – Dr Ho Chi Tim: Public Histories of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore

Date: 22 February 2022
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Venue: Conducted via Zoom

While the Japanese Occupation of Singapore took place more than eighty years ago, its impact still resonates today. The memories of survivors have been internalised by the public through various communicative forms. The State regularly commemorates the occupation and the preceding invasion as key milestones in the Singapore Story.

Over time, these public representations have created distinct impressions of the occupation period, some of which may not immediately be congruent with academic scholarship on the topic. Join Dr Ho Chi Tim as he delves into issues arising from public and academic representations of the Japanese Occupation, and how they are part of an understated public history discourse in Singapore.

About the Speaker
Dr Ho Chi Tim is a historian of Singapore and Southeast Asia, with research interests in the histories of social welfare, colonialism/imperialism and public history. He has published works on various aspects of Singapore’s history including social services, nation-building and archival research, and was involved in several public history projects. Chi Tim is currently a lecturer at the Centre for University Core, Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Interested parties can register at https://bit.ly/3zNDeSA.

Film Screenings

Venue: National Archives of Singapore, Level 3 Oldham Theatre

The film programme is organised by the Asian Film Archive in conjunction with the “New Light on an Old Tale: 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore”.

• Sarjan Hassan (Sergeant Hassan) (1958)
  Date:15 February 2022
  Time: 8pm

• Spirit of the Overseas Chinese (海外征魂) (1946)
  Date: 19 March 2022
  Time: 1pm

• Blood and Tears of the Overseas Chinese (华侨血泪) (1946)
  Date: 16 April 2022
  Time: 1pm

More information at https://www.asianfilmarchive.org/event-calendar/new-light-on-an-old-tale-80th-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-singapore/.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

Curator Tour of Dislocations: The Memory and Meaning of the Fall of Singapore, 1942

Date: 26 February 2022
Time: 3pm – 4pm
Meeting point: Exhibition Gallery 1, Basement Level, National Museum of Singapore

Join our curator on an exclusive tour of Dislocations: The Memory and Meaning of the Fall of Singapore, 1942, as they share their insight on the objects and stories on display, and a behind-the-scenes look at how the exhibition came together.

Interested parties can register at https://dislocations-curatortour1.peatix.com.

Note:
Tickets at $15 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Interactive Storytelling: Timmy & Tammy Talking to Grandpa about the War

Date: 12 March 2022
Time: 10.15am, 2pm, 3.30pm (45 mins per session)
Venue: The Salon (Level 1), 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 banana money and food ration cards that were used during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore, and speak with Great-grandma, who lived through WWII. After the session, explore the Surviving Syonan gallery in your own time with the help of a list of highlights.

Each ticket admits one child and one adult (parent or grandparent) only. Limited to 21 adult-child pairs due to Safe Management Measures.

Interested parties can register at https://familyfunnms.peatix.com.

Note:
Tickets at $10 per adult-child pair. Suitable for families with children aged 5 to 9. Registration opens on 14 February 2022 at 10am

REFLECTIONS AT BUKIT CHANDU

Twinned Tour: Battle of Pasir Panjang and Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Date: 12 February 2022
Time: 9am – 11.30am, 11.30am – 2pm (2 sessions)

Explore both Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC) and key sights of Pasir Panjang and Kent Ridge, and find out more about the last stand of the Malay Regiment during WWII in Singapore, as well as the story of Bukit Chandu itself.

The tour starts at Kent Ridge, where heritage researcher Sarafian Salleh will trace the route taken by Japanese imperial forces and the 1st Malay Regiment led by Lieutenant Adnan Saidi during the Battle of Pasir Panjang in 1942. Continue on to a docent-guided tour of RBC, which presents a multi-faceted look at Bukit Chandu and Pasir Panjang, while inviting participants to reflect on our nation’s wartime experience and the brave sacrifice of the soldiers.

Interested parties can register at https://RBC1-pasirpanjang22.peatix.com. More details about the meeting point will be shared with participants upon registration.

About the Guide
Sarafian Salleh is an independent heritage researcher and history enthusiast. Since 1985, Sarafian has spent most of his spare time studying and researching the history of the Malay world. His passion intensified when he began constructing his family tree, most of whom are of Bugis descent. His knowledge and authority on the subject have led to him being honorifically called Tuah Bugis on social media. He conducts heritage walks to uncover and share untold stories of Singapore.

Note:
Tickets at $20 per participant. This tour is for ages 13 and up only. Ticket price includes a multi-sited tour as well as one piece of RBC merchandise per person.

Curator Tour of Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Date: 13 Feb 2021
Time: 9am – 10am
Meeting point: Entrance, Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Join our curator as they bring you through the stories of the Malay Regiment and of Bukit Chandu presented at Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC) in an exclusive before-hours tour.

Interested parties can register at https://RBC1-curatortour22.peatix.com.

Note:
Tickets at $15 per participant. Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

History through Comics: Lieutenant Adnan and the Last Regiment

Date: 13 Feb 2022
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Venue: Multipurpose Room, Level 2, Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Hear from Danny Jalil and Zaki Ragman, the creators of Lieutenant Adnan and the Last Regiment as they share about the inspiration and creative process behind this engaging comic book. Then, get a chance to tell your own story about the Malay Regiment through the medium of comics in a hands-on workshop guided by Zaki Ragman.

Interested parties can register at https://RBC-comic22.peatix.com.

Note:
Tickets at $10 per participant. Ticket price includes sharing session, workshop, and one set of colouring materials per person, supported by STAEDTLER.
Suitable for children, youth and adults aged 11 and up. Admission fees to RBC apply separately for non-Singaporean/Permanent Residents – participants should obtain their gallery admission tickets at the Visitor Services counter before proceeding to the programme venue.

SINGAPORE DISCOVERY CENTRE

When it was Syonan-To Dramatised Tour

Date: 12, 26 February 2022
Time: 12pm and 2pm
Venue: Singapore Discovery Centre

It is 1942 and Singapore has fallen to the Japanese. Singapore is renamed Syonan-To, meaning “Light of the South Island”. Lives are plunged into chaos and you must beat the odds to survive. You meet a pair of fellow survivors who ask you for your help to locate a missing sister and other essential items for survival. Would you be able to survive the Japanese Occupation? Would you be able to help them out?

Defence Through the Ages Guided Tour

Date/time: 13 – 18 Feb (12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm)
Date/time: 27 Feb (12pm, 2pm)
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.

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.

SAFTI Bus Tour

Date: Daily
Mon – Fri (1pm, 3pm, 5pm)
Sat, Sun, PH (11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm)
Venue: Singapore Discovery Centre

Hope onto your 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.

Interested parties can register at https://www.sdc.com.sg/safti-bus-tour/.

SINGAPORE SPORTS MUSEUM

Heritage Exhibition Talk – ‘Sport in Syonan: Triumph Over Despair’ by Dr Nick Aplin

Date: 19 February 2022
Time: 11am – 12pm
Venue: Singapore Sports Museum

Date: 26 February 2022
Time: 11am – 12pm
Venue: Sports Hub Library, Giant Chess Area

How did sport sustain the sporting community in the harsh conditions of WWII? Contrary to common belief that fun and games had no place during the war years, there were times when sport remained a buoyant attraction. Not only was there an astonishing amount of sport taking place, but sport also played a significant role in improving the lives of athletes, young people and even POWs during the Japanese Occupation.

Join this talk by sportsman and author, Dr Nick Aplin (Deputy Director, Sport Heritage, Sport Singapore), to gain interesting insights into the impact of war on sport (and into the impact of sport on war), and discover how a future football Olympian, Chia Boon Leong, emerged from the depths of war to thrill newly revitalised Singaporeans.

This heritage exhibition talk is organised by Sport Singapore and supported by Singapore Sports Hub.

Interested parties can register at:

• Singapore Sports Museum (19 Feb): https://form.gov.sg/61f2608075b6a0001309ed61

• Sports Hub Library (26 Feb): https://form.gov.sg/61f267851603b90012b86d12

Note:
Free, limited to 30 pax per talk. Registration required.