BENNETT, Charles William
Communities of Singapore (Part 1),
Accession Number 000426
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 14
Total Reels
- Pitt Kuan Wah
Interviewer
- 05:51:00
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 14
Metadata
- 21 May 1984
Recording Date
- 00:25:45
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Father not local born but married local Eurasian girl. His relationship with father. Father strict disciplinarian. Relationship between parents. His mother's background. His relationship with other siblings. Born in Upper Serangoon 6 milestone. Description of family house. Had servant to assist in housework. Nature of servant's job. Salary of servant and gardener in those days.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 14
Metadata
- 21 May 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:57
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Description of neighbourhood in Upper Serangoon. Occupation of residents. His relationship with neighbours. His friends mostly Chinese. Discipline enforced by father. Caning as form of punishment. Sisters trained to do housework. Typical type of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Given table manners training at 6 years old. Type of clothing they wore; made by tailors.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 14
Metadata
- 21 May 1984
Recording Date
- 00:25:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
When they normally get new clothing. Started school at 8 years. Travelled to Raffles Girls' School by tram-cars. Had to leave girls' school by 12. Joined St Andrew's. Stopped schooling at 18 to follow parents to Johore. Later returned to join motor garage as apprentice. No pay given. Nature of job. Served 5 years. Working hours. How an apprentice was trained.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 14
Metadata
- 21 May 1984
Recording Date
- 00:24:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Nature of his job as inspector of vehicles in Registry of Vehicles. Why he left after three years. Joined Shell Company. His job as Pump Superintendent. Other benefits besides salary. Transferred to Kuala Lumpur in 1935. Returned in 1941 due to Japanese Occupation. Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur. Joined Air-raid Precaution in 1941. His reaction to Japanese Occupation. Witnessed military atrocities. Mass screening of Eurasians at Singapore Recreation Club.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 14
Metadata
- 28 May 1984
Recording Date
- 00:25:05
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he started working for Japanese. What he had to do. Working conditions. Salary. Rations given once a week. Compulsory studying of Japanese during working hours. Attitude of Japanese to local staff. Nature of Japanese civilian bosses. Other Eurasians at work. Told to leave after 1 year. Living conditions then. Recreational activities.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 14
Metadata
- 28 May 1984
Recording Date
- 00:25:43
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Modes of transportation. No celebration for new year. Afraid of spies for Japanese. No social life. How he spent his time at home. How he knew of Japanese declining war effort. Subtle signs of decline. When he knew of Japanese surrender. His reaction. Returned to work when British returned. Office in City Council. What he learnt from Japanese Occupation. Wife returned from India.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 14
Metadata
- 28 May 1984
Recording Date
- 00:26:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Post-war career development. Returned to same department. War years counted as service. How company re-started; put in new pumps and tanks. Difficulty in getting spare parts. Why it was more important to re-organise Singapore first. Used military lorries for transport. First job of picking up cars left behind by Japanese and spare parts and tools from Japanese stores. Rationing petrol.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 14
Metadata
- 28 May 1984
Recording Date
- 00:23:59
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Black market in petrol left behind by Japanese. By 1948/49 installations restored; supply back to normal. His post-war working hours. Where and how spare parts were obtained. Business in 1950s. Competition from other oil companies started. How Shell business was affected. Stayed with Shell till retirement at 55. Received pension on retirement.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 14
Metadata
- 4 Jun 1984
Recording Date
- 00:25:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His marriage in Kuala Lumpur in 1938. How he met his wife. In olden days boys met girls only at parties; not allowed to take them out. Few Eurasians married Chinese unlike present day. Customary to have engagements but he did not. Had a small wedding reception after marriage at registry in High Court in Kuala Lumpur. Changes in life after marriage.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 14
Metadata
- 4 Jun 1984
Recording Date
- 00:26:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Member of Singapore Recreation Club (SRC) and Eurasian Association. His views on Eurasian Association opening its doors to other races. New government policy - all clubs had to open. By 1950s many locals took over from Europeans who were leaving. How he felt about being discriminated by Europeans. His reaction when Singapore became independent territory in Commonwealth and to other political events in 1950s.
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