Journey to Changi Museum

After a few days of rest and relax at home, on the night before, I discussed with my hubby that there is a 'free' admission to a museum called Changi Museum where the battlefield took place and held hostages of POWs(Prisoner-of-war) by the Japanese, along chapel church at Upper Changi North which stands at the foot of the hill roadside among the private estates.

As my hubby and I reached there at about 1pm on 4th Jun 2011 by public bus from Tanah Merah Mrt which takes about 15 mins or less depends on each bus stops if no one is at the busstop or alight! My hubby waited patiently for me at the bus-stop because his office is nearby the Museum!

At the entrance of the Museum, I saw the Chapel Church next to the museum. The site of many Prisoner-of-war camps during the Japanese Occupation, Changi has since gone down in history as a place of much pain, torture and human suffering. It is said that more POWs perished under incarceration that in battle itself. Whether it is on the Death Railway or the countless labour camps in Japan and Formosa (Taiwan), the Changi WWII trails commemorates the fight of brave men and women during battle and in internment.

The Changi Museum is dedicated to the Prisoners-of-war (POWs) and civilian internees who were incarcerated in S'pore during WWII. The Museum honours the memory of many who faced adversity with spirit and commitment. It inspires visitors like us with stories of courage and sacrifice that occurred during those painful years.

Above photos: Prison door and domestic radio (Japanese)
I noticed the unusual door which is very old style during Japanese Occupation, called Prison Door. I believe this door was used in Changi Prison in those days during WWII. And the domestic radio, it is said that this radio required to be locked on approved frequencies so as no one would listen to BBC news and other foreign broadcasts. Failure to comply would result to severe punishments. This is cruel for civilian people who had no chance to communicate or listen to.
On further down the hall, I noticed the board stated:Mariners Memorial (1939 to 1945), it is stated that "The thousands of men and women who lost their lives in these waters during WWII in the defence and liberation of the territories in Southeast Asia occupied by the Japanese. They were sailors submariners naval airmen and marines or the British and allied navies and merchant seamen or many nations whose ships were engaged in the conflict name "The Forgotten Fleets' are remembered here by their comrades, their sacrifices were made for our freedom."
As I strolled along the hall, many artefacts are display on the wall as to remember the heroic soldiers of Malaya Regiment and British.Army for defending in S'pore.
At last but not least, I bought some books titles"To Japan To Lay A Ghost" cost about S$25 at the end of the hall is the counter that displays historic books and others. This story is told by the Author Peter S. Rhodes who was born 1919 was studied Architecture at the University of Liverpool from 1936 to 1939 when, the outbreak of war, he became a gunner surveyor. He was taken prisoner at the Fall of S'pore. After the war, he changed his occupation eventually become a Chartered Structural Engineer. In 1968 he became Chief Structure Engineer and he retired in 1983. A well read book about his life during WWII.

Well, I have to pen off here and looking forward to the next chapter - ArtScience Museum.