Remembering Singapore’s Wartime Past: Battle for Singapore 2025 Programmes

Hi Huneybees,

To commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, the annual Battle for Singapore invites participants to explore the nation’s wartime history through pivotal moments and personal experiences that shaped its darkest days. This immersive journey offers a deeper understanding of Singapore’s resilience, featuring firsthand testimonies from veterans and thought-provoking discussions on survival and perseverance.

This year’s edition includes a signature programme with visits to multiple historical sites. Here are two special programmes presented by the National Museum of Singapore (NMS):

Reflections at Bukit Chandu

A Soldier’s Kit – Field Rations during World War Two
15 Feb (Sat) | 11.30am – 12.30pm (for participants aged 16 and above) 
Multi-Purpose Room, Level 2 | $10.90 per pax (incl. GST)

Ever wondered what a British soldier would have carried in his ration and hygiene kit during World War Two? Did you know that Horlicks tablets and Cadbury chocolate were standard items in these kits?

Explore a soldier’s kit featuring actual items from World War Two as well as replicas from the collection of Alvin’s Bunker. Learn more about what soldiers in the 1940s ate and how they groomed themselves, as well as the design and evolution of ration and hygiene kits from past to present, with examples from the armed forces of different countries.

Each participant will also receive their own mini World War Two ration pack.
Register at RBC-soldierskit.peatix.com.

About the Speaker
Alvin Lee of Alvin’s Bunker has been a long-time collector of militaria from World War One, World War Two and the early years of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Changi Chapel and Museum

Resilience in Adversity – A Docent-Guided Tour and Hand-bound Notebook Workshop

23 Feb (Sun) | 10am – 11.30am or 11am – 12.30pm 

Changi Chapel and Museum | $15 per pax (incl. GST)

Amid hardship and deprivation, the internees of Changi Prison during World War Two found inventive ways to improve their lot. Faced with a major shortage of shelter, food and daily products, they worked together to scavenge materials and produce a wide variety of items, from soap and vitamin supplements to prosthetics and toothbrushes.

Find out more about their extraordinary creativity and resilience through a docent-guided tour where actual items belonging to former internees will be displayed, including a hand-stitched notepad made by Sergeant John Ritchie Johnston out of old prison records. Be inspired by their ingenuity and create your own hand-bound notebook using upcycled materials in a guided craft session after the tour. 

Suitable for ages 10 and above. 

Price includes admission into CCM and materials for the craft session. 

Register at CCM-notebook.peatix.com.

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Animation Week - Part 2

Hi Huneybees,

So, here's part 2 of the animation week where I went for Sinema Move! - Screening of Singapore Legends Series, held at Sinema Old School on Mt. Sophia. Those who have read some of my earlier postings, would know where this place is.

I got to know about this program through an ex-lecturer from NYP. They were featuring animation clips done by my fellow junior animators from NYP in a collaboration with NHB, National Heritage Board. Support them eh? And also maybe can check out what others are up in the local scene right?

Arriving at Old School on Mt. Sophia.

 

These cable cars ain't for riding...

Walking towards Sinema.

These animated films by NYP students are based on Singapore stories and legends in the days of Temasek and the Japanese Occupation.

The show's starting.

Here are the lists of the animations shown to us:


Legend of Bukit Merah (Video's disabled)
This 2D animation project is adapted from a local folktale - The story of Redhill. This story will be based on a local context, with the characters and the environment set in Singapore during the early 19th century. The story centers around a Malay boy, whose ingenius plan helped saved his village from the attacks of swordfishes. The boy hero was later assassinated because his growing popularity triggered the wrath and jealousy of the Sultan.

Immediately a strange phenomenon occurred after the death of the boy hero. Blood flowed and spilled furiously all over the nearby hill till it was covered entirely with soaking blood. Thus the locals named the bizarre landscape as Red Hill or Bukit Merah in Malay.

Legend of Bukit Timah
Many years ago, as oral tradition tell us, an evil sorcerer once lived on Bukit Timah and ruled this hill as his domain. Many trespassers, who foolishly climbed up the hill, were soon turned into stone as punishment. However, a brave hunter by the name of Berani eventually outwitted the dreaded sorcerer by irreversibly turning him into a chicken.

With the defeat of the sorcerer, many victims - warriors and villagers alike were freed from his powerful spell. Thus begins this ambitious and arduous task to create this spell-binding tale of heroism and magic using digital animation.



Legend of The Sisters' Island
Many years ago, as oral tradition tell us, there were 2 beautiful sisters living in simple confinements of island Singapura. Many suitors tried in vain to woo the sisters to be their lovely bride but failed. The sisters were inseparable and refused any hand in marriage. One day a pirate kidnapped the younger of the two and tried to take her into his boat. The two sisters fought to get away from him but alas drown in raging waters. Twin Islands soon appear where they drown and so the legend begins.



Bukit Chandu
This is a story of the 2nd Malay Regiment which defended Chandu Hill during the Second World War against the Japanese invaders. To ensure that these brave soldiers are forever remembered for their sacrifice, our short animation aims to compliment the Bukit Chandu Museum that was established by the National Heritage Board.




I must say I love the "Bukit Chandu" best, not only did they manage to combine 2D and 3D animation together, the way the story was told, really touched my heart. Some audience where joking to the other 3 animations but when they watched "Bukit Chandu" all was quiet. I guess they felt as much agony as me....

What's your comment after watching the animations? Do share...

Muahz,
Christina aka Huney

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