Changi Beach

For our World Histories and Issues GBA, we were required to choose a site of memory and explore the interesting histories surrounding the area. We decided to choose the Changi area for its close connections to World War 2 and the dark period when the Japanese occupied Singapore. We were required to record a video presentation and an individual summary and we also worked hard to provide a fun yet informative presentation to the class.

Individual Summary

Memorial at Changi

Our site is an amalgamation of areas which held great importance during the Japanese occupation of Singapore during the Second World War. We have chosen to focus on four key locations, namely Changi Beach, Changi Prison, Changi Museum, and the Old Changi Hospital. These places each have significant events tying them to the dark days and as we revisit them, we hope to understand more about their rich histories. These areas remain as an important part of our memorial heritage and provides a reflection for what happened in the past.

Changi Beach

Changi Beach is one of the areas where many brutal murders of Singapore Chinese were carried out. On 20^th February 1942, a large group of them were made to stand at the edge of the sea while the Japanese military police or Kempeitai shot them. This was all part of the Sook Ching operation which required able-bodied Chinese males to report to screening centres where they were imprisoned or executed if believed to be anti-Japanese (Tan, 2009).

Changi Prison

Changi Prison was one of the places where numerous Prisoners of War were held. Initially, they had many liberties and healthcare was readily provided. However, starting 1942, the Japanese’s attitude towards them changed dramatically and the prisoners were squeezed into overcrowded cells where diseases started to spread. Their living conditions were miserable and they were treated inhumanely which resulted in numerous deaths.

Changi Chapel and Museum

Changi Museum was built in 1988 and was first located beside Changi Prison. However, due to the expansion of the prison, it was moved to a nearby site. The date of the relocation was chosen to coincide with the 59^th anniversary of the fall of Singapore to the Japanese (Museum, 2001).

Old Changi Hospital

Changi Hospital was first built in 1935 and was named the Royal Air Force Hospital which provided care to the British soldiers. However during the Japanese occupation, the Kempeitai used the building to torture their prisoners. It was renamed and disbanded several times before merging with Toa Payoh Hospital in 1997 and the old building was abandoned ever since (CGH, 2013).

In conclusion, our four areas all have interesting histories surrounding them in connection to the horrors of World War Two. Preserving these sites enable us to reflect and learn, and hopefully avoid such calamities in the future.

Word Count: 378

References

CGH. (2013). Milestones. Retrieved from Changi General Hospital: www.cgh.com.sg/AboutUs/Pages/milestones.aspx

Museum, C. (2001, Febuary 15). The Changi Museum. Retrieved from Changi Museum: http://www.changimuseum.sg/about-us/

Tan, S. T. (2009). Syonan. In S. T. Tan, Syonan (p. 15). Singapore: Singapore : National Archives of Singapore.

Class Presentation