OEHLERS, Annie Wilson Kirkwood (Lady)
Women through the Years: Economic & Family Lives,
Accession Number 000312
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 7
Total Reels
- Liana Tan
Interviewer
- 03:01:50
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 7
Metadata
- 15 Aug 1983
Recording Date
- 00:30:19
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Her early life in Scotland. Worked after leaving school. Married Singapore student. Sailed to Singapore in 1931. First impression of Singapore. Lived with husband's family in Amber Road. Her relationship with family. Adjustment to life here. Became member of Singapore Recreation Club (SRC). Its activities. How she passed time. Description of in-law's household.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 7
Metadata
- 15 Aug 1983
Recording Date
- 00:25:08
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reasons for splitting up big household. Type of social life then. Places where dances were held. Types of transportation available. Popular shopping area. Early Chinese restaurants. Schools her children attended. Her husband's practice with Dr Paglar; later set up own. Met prejudice against European marrying Asian.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 7
Metadata
- 22 Aug 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:41
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
When Japanese bombing started, moved to Gilstead Road; later to General Hospital. Conditions there. Family fled when soldiers came. How she learnt of registration of Europeans at Padang. March to Changi Prison. Husband got her out after three months. Trouble she got into with Japanese over a book written by prisoners-of-war (POWs). Questioning, house search and surveillance. Re-interned one year later.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 7
Metadata
- 22 Aug 1983
Recording Date
- 00:26:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Brought new-born baby and teenage daughter with her to camp. Cleaned hospital during first internment. No shortage of doctor and nurses. Diseases suffered by internees. Children in camp. Teaching facilities. Work she and daughter did for Japanese to earn extra food. Received Red Cross parcels twice. How to bow to Japanese soldiers. Food they had. Daily routine.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 7
Metadata
- 22 Aug 1983
Recording Date
- 00:26:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Accommodation in Sime Road Camp. Preferred it to Changi Prison. Japanese attitude towards women and children. Sanitation and medical facilities. Things available from black market in camp. Deaths; other casualties. Reasons for moving internees to Sime Road Camp. Her first impression. Conditions in camp.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 7
Metadata
- 22 Aug 1983
Recording Date
- 00:28:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How they learnt of Japanese surrender. Their reaction. Husband came to fetch her home. Appearance of Allied soldiers in town. Her feeling on seeing Japanese again after her release. Repatriated to Scotland to visit family. Difficulty in getting passage back to Singapore. Her encounter with British attitude towards Eurasian repatriates. Eligibility in repatriation exercise.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 7
Metadata
- 5 Sep 1983
Recording Date
- 00:16:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Her understanding of how Maria Hertogh riot started. How Japanese Occupation affected her children. General feelings of Europeans towards People's Action Party (PAP) government. Migration of Eurasians. Husband's death in accident. Re-married Sir George Oehlers. Lived in Kuala Lumpur. Sir Oehlers' death in 1968. Returned to Singapore. Her preference for living in Singapore.
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