KWANG Koon 关均
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 000145
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 4
Total Reels
- Liana Tan
Interviewer
- 01:47:13
Total Running Time
- Cantonese
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 4
Metadata
- 17 Nov 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:07
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Where he was when Japanese dropped first bomb. Learnt from newspapers that Japanese were pushing southwards from Johor Bahru. Preparations for war. Brief account of day when Japanese dropped first bomb in Singapore. He and his neighbours shared air-raid shelter at Tiong Bahru. Saw corpses in canal by Eu Tong Sen Street.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 4
Metadata
- 17 Nov 1982
Recording Date
- 00:26:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
The dead were Caucasian and Indian soldiers. Friends donated looted milk to him to feed his young children. First saw Japanese soldiers on the way to Chinatown. Why he went there. Applied for job at Japanese office in Change Alley. Received six months pay in advance. Informed that he would be going to Panggerang. All workers given rice and canned food upon first day of arrival there.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 4
Metadata
- 17 Nov 1982
Recording Date
- 00:26:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Natives in Panggerang. Workers sent there to build chimneys. At end of days work, each worker received one kati of rice. Why some workers died on the island. Worked in Panggerang for half a year. Correspondence with family members handled by Japanese. Transferred to another island. Nature of work there. Inhabitants on that island were mainly Hakka.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 4
Metadata
- 17 Nov 1982
Recording Date
- 00:26:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Workers housed in attap huts. Island had water but no electricity supply. Returned to Singapore after work was done. Japanese surrender. Saw decapitated head displayed in front of Cathay Building. Return of British soldiers. Life was hard during initial six months. Subsequently, friend recommended him a job.
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