MARTIN, Mackie
Communities of Singapore (Part 1),
Accession Number 000291
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 19
Total Reels
- Daniel Chew (Dr)
Interviewer
- 08:38:23
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 19
Metadata
- 23 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Origin of Armenian language. Location of Armenia. Religion of Armenians. Origin of Armenian Church in Singapore. Armenian baptism ceremony. Armenian Christmas celebration. Wedding customs. Importance of religion to Armenians. His family background. Family's visit to Persia to meet paternal grandfather. Journey to Persia. Living conditions in village.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 19
Metadata
- 23 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Persecution of Armenians by Turks during First World War (WW I). Origin of road names:- St Martin's Drive, Clemenceau Avenue, Kitchener Road. Occupations of Armenians in Persia. Landing of Japanese in Java. His impression of Japanese. His opinion that Armenians are good natured and friendly. His impression of paternal grandfather.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 19
Metadata
- 23 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family background of his maternal grandparents. Tombstones of his grandmother and other Armenians transferred to Armenian Church when Bukit Timah Cemetery was acquired by the Government. History of Armenian Church building. His father's uncle's first cinematography business in Alhambra and his career in later years. Mutiny of Indian troops in 1915. His parents' boarding house business.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 19
Metadata
- 24 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:26:53
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Black-out of light in Victoria clock and street lights along sea-front during First World War (WW I). How German cruiser EMDEN was eventually located and sunk. How he knew about Japanese attack on Singapore. Lived in Java during Japanese Occupation. His view that Japanese Navy had better men than the Army.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 19
Metadata
- 29 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His parents'marriage in Armenian Church in Singapore. Reasons why his father started a boarding house. Family returned to Java after their visit to Persia. He and his brothers left behind to study in Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) in Singapore. Their daily diet. His belief in religion.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 19
Metadata
- 29 Jun 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Custom of visiting relatives on New Year's Day. His educational background. Description of Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ). Subjects he studied. Uniform worn in Convent. Daily routine. Later sent to Dutch school in Sourabaya. His father's business in Sourabaya.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 19
Metadata
- 9 Jul 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Also studied in Armenian School. Further elaboration of his father's career. From 1919 to 1925 studied in La Martiniere College in Calcutta. Description of college, students in college, subjects he studied and teachers. Recreational activities. Attended Armenian church in Calcutta. How Armenian church service differed from other churches. Gathering on festival days. School financial difficulties in 1920s depression.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 19
Metadata
- 9 Jul 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:45
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Returned to Java on completion of education. His job with Armenian firm, Edgar Brothers. Transferred to Head Office in Singapore. Edgar Brothers' main business. Origin of firm; its other branches. Other Armenian businesses in Singapore. Export of sarongs to Java. Location of his office in Singapore. His job as an accountant. Working conditions. Rickshaw as means of transportation.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 19
Metadata
- 9 Jul 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he discovered discrepancies in accounts. Employees in firm. Social and recreational activities. Cost of food in those days. Living conditions. Few Armenians in Singapore. No Armenian association or club; meeting at dances or parties occasionally only.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 19
Metadata
- 9 Jul 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Resident priest in Armenian Church. Funds to upkeep Church provided by Armenian firms. Further elaboration of transfer of tombstones from cemetery to Armenian Church. Prominent Armenian families:- Sarkies, Arathoons and Martins. Moved to stay in Raffles Hotel when his uncle was transferred to Manchester. Hotel charges then. Reasons for leaving Edgar Brothers. His next job with Thomas Cook in Sourabaya.
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