GOH Chang Kheng 吴庄卿
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 000384
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 7
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 03:09:56
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 7
Metadata
- 6 Jan 1984
Recording Date
- 00:30:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family background. Educated in Nan Hwa School. Taught in Hua Kiau School and then Holy Innocents' Girls School. Her principal's futile attempt to convert her to Christianity. Sold flowers to raise funds for China Relief Fund. Japanese invasion of Singapore. Classes stopped. Evacuated to Paya Lebar .Overnight stay at friend's place saved her life. Elder Brother taken away by Japanese in a lorry. He was the only one to be released.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 7
Metadata
- 6 Jan 1984
Recording Date
- 00:30:52
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reaction to British Surrender. Women disguised themselves to avoid Japanese attention. All men gathered for mass screening. Her brothers returned from mass screening. Japanese officer and Chinese interpreter called at her house. Chinese interpreter intimidated her. Interrogation session at Ee Hoe Hean Club. Asked to identify Communist elements from their photographs. Failed to identify any of them.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 7
Metadata
- 6 Jan 1984
Recording Date
- 00:30:19
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Returned home. Called up for interrogation again. Questioning conducted in a house at River Valley Road. Questions asked by another Japanese officer.Told her to learn Japanese language and resumed teaching. Reported to Holy Innocents' Girls School. Attended Japanese language class daily at Catholic High School. Awarded certificate upon completing course. Three Japanese officers came and watched her teach.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 7
Metadata
- 10 Jan 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Japanese officers pleased with her performance. After first interrogation session, she attended Japanese language class. Teacher was a Chinese. Second time she was taught by Japanese teacher. Sat for a test at Catholic High School. Up to teachers to decide on emphasis of Japanese language. How she taught students the language. Students did not have any textbooks on Japanese language.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 7
Metadata
- 10 Jan 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Led students to do morning exercises in school daily. On Emperor's birthday teachers and others performed at the Padang. Also sang in Japanese. Students were taught Japanese songs during music lessons. How teachers made extra income from rations of cigarettes, vegetables and charcoal. Each teacher given a card to collect rations and was able to get rations cheaper.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 7
Metadata
- 10 Jan 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Became broker for cloths and jewellery items during Japanese Occupation. Her comments on education policy implemented by Japanese authorities. How successful they had been in promoting Japanese language. What led her to suspect that war was coming to an end. Relieved that Japanese had surrendered. Friend was shot by Japanese for over-reacting to news of surrender.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 7
Metadata
- 10 Jan 1984
Recording Date
- 00:14:59
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Had the intuition to convert some of banana notes to British currency. Impression of British before and after Japanese rule.
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