YAP Siong Eu 叶尚友
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 000286
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 9
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 04:03:15
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 9
Metadata
- 16 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:41
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Educational background. Joined Ban Hin Lee Bank which was owned by his uncle Yeap Chor Ee. Born in Hokkien Street. Father's rubber business failed. Working conditions. Father and boss came from Lam Aun Village in same ship. His duties and daily routine in bank. How banking business was conducted inpre-war days. Salary and fringe benefits. His involvement in China Relief Fund activities.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 9
Metadata
- 16 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His first bombing experience. Called for volunteer service as member of St John's. Description of training and members. Fled to cousin's hut in Changi. Cousin defiantly displayed nationalist flag. Malays formed vigilante corps. Mass screening. Japanese atrocities. Cousin fled to Endau; joined Force 136. Volunteers outside Low Boh Tan's office.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 9
Metadata
- 16 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Left cousin's hut. Why evacuation to Tanjong Pinang was shelved. Leaders of China Relief Fund escaped to Tanjong Pinang; some were caught, brought back to Singapore and tortured. Mass screening procedure in Changi; role played by Ng Keng Guan. British Treasury officers issued receipt to Bank for gold bricks and currency which they took away. Why this Bank was favoured by Japanese. Banking procedures during Japanese Occupation.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 9
Metadata
- 16 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:45
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Artificial bread and noodles; ingredients used. Lam Soon Cannery appointed food suppliers by Japanese. Bank staff engaged in brokering business. Japanese appointed Ban Hin Lee Trading as rice stockist. Trading in British currency secretly. Also traded in gold. Further elaboration on role Ban Hin LeeTrading played as rice stockist. Reared chicken in bank as food situation worsen. Bank staff issued with passes.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 9
Metadata
- 27 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:44
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Witnessed mothers giving daughters away for marriage. Why he could not marry. Decision by Overseas Chinese Association Committee to donate 8% of properties. Came to bank for discussion but no formal meeting. Tan Ean Kiam became head of committee. Attitude of people attending meeting. Bank became collection centre for jewellery, British currency, title deeds, etc. Cash advanced for pledged jewellery. Bank became bartering centre.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 9
Metadata
- 27 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How family supplemented food rations. Kindness of Mr Tamiya towards father. Witnessed priest conducting Japanese pre-suicide ceremony. Bombing by B-29s. Brutality of local police against shipyard workers; revenge killing. The Miki Butai (naval landing forces). Saw Allied Fleet from Mount Faber; how he learn of Japanese surrender. Why he had to learn Japanese.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 9
Metadata
- 27 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
When he first learnt of Japanese surrender. Indian soldiers welcomed by locals. Saw British leader of contingent proclaiming order to Japanese. Major Yeats gave him opportunity to be military supplier/contractor; why he stopped this business. Joined Chung Khiaw Bank, Industrial Commercial Bank and Bank of America. Japanese currency declared worthless; British awarded compensation freely. Invented caustic soda convertor. Donation of $50 million. Suicide/deaths of colleagues.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 9
Metadata
- 11 Jul 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Bukit Batok shrine; ceremony and scene at memorial on 15 March. Memorial for British soldiers at top of Gillman Hill. Dispersal of group from Bukit Batok. How St John members became part of Medical Auxiliary Service (MAS).
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