LEE Hock Seng
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 002995
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 5
Total Reels
- Claire Yeo
Interviewer
- 04:19:29
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 5
Metadata
- 17 Nov 2005
Recording Date
- 00:57:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Born 1922, Malacca. Reason for move to Endau settlement. Offered job in Endau hospital by Shinozaki. Recollection of departure to Endau settlement as the fifth batch. Described reception on reaching Endau settlement. Officials were ready to assist. Described living space allocated in longhouse. How land was marked and allocated to his family. Described locations of land received. No Japanese in settlement. Parents' background. Crops planted. Water from own well sufficient for farming. Method for collecting rainwater. Described practice of hiring buffaloes. Bought food from markets. Neighbours were Heng Hwa people who provided labour services. Built house as longhouse was congested. Built extension at back of longhouse after marriage.
Purchased building materials from Endau Sawmill. Converted British currency to banana notes at rate of 1:50. Reflections on British promise about Singapore's infallibility. Description of house built. Endau hospital located at Lorong 1. Facilities in hospital. Described doctor's housecalls routine. Hospital staff. "Surgeon" was actually a senior dresser. No restrictions on communications. Recollection of an assasination of a senior Chinese Official by Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA). Described wedding arrangements in Singapore. Travelling in and out of Endau settlement was common. Celebrated marriage with simple dinner.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 5
Metadata
- 22 Nov 2005
Recording Date
- 00:59:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Reflections on stay in Endau settlement. Family background. Parents' religious beliefs. English education nurtured westernised thinking. Came Singapore in 1939 because of better job prospects. Plans for tertiary education. Transportation system in Singapore. Recounted incident of rickshaw toppling. First job as English teacher in Chung Cheng High School. Views on corporal punishment. Easy for English speakers to get job. Interview process for Civil Service. How Civil Service job was regarded then.
Reason for leaving nursing profession. Recollection of British medical doctors in Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Training as dresser. Thoughts on European War, 1939. Remaining family came Singapore in 1941. Related sister's air raid experience. Personal air raid experience. Recounted shelling experience. Described air raid shelter built underneath staircase. Opinions on war progress. Plight of individuals who tried to leave Singapore. Involvement in Air-Raid Precaution. Assessed British ability to defend Singapore. Behaviour of Japanese soldiers. Blackmarketed cigarettes. Impression of E. S. Monteiro.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 5
Metadata
- 24 Nov 2005
Recording Date
- 00:24:34
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Recounted how British Military Administration (BMA) showed generosity towards him by paying for his medical treatment overseas. Thoughts on war crime trials. Received ex gratia payment when returned to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) after war. Recounted how he worked his way up the Civil Service and what happened when People's Action Party (PAP) came into power. Thoughts on expatriate colleagues. Reaction of expatriate colleagues towards Malayanisation.
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