Metadata

Synopsis

*Chinese response to impending Japanese invasion. Minimal interaction with Japanese neighbours. Impression of Japanese as inclusive. Thoughts on British preparedness for war in Malaya. Father was an Anglophile who believed in British propanganda against Japanese. Thoughts on British ability to withstand Japanese attack. Description of air raid shelters built at home. Thoughts on air raids then. Reason why air raid usually last approximately half an hour. Recollection of last air raid before British surrender. Bomb dropped on Cathedral of the Good Shepherd killed two Eurasian ladies. Situation on the streets just before British surrender. Some Eurasians left Singapore before the war but family did not. Thoughts on British updates on war development. Father's thoughts on war developments.

Felt uncertain about future after Japanese occupied Singapore. Witnessing Japanese soldiers march towards Cathay building dispelled myth on Japanese characteristics previously sustained by British propaganda. Views on new Japanese masters. Thoughts on seeing Australian soldiers who suffered from battle weariness. Recounted incident where father was warned by a Japanese officer on his anti-Japanese speech. Impact of incident on father's subsequent behaviour. Witnessed Governor Shenton Thomas and European civilian internees walking to Changi from the Esplanade. Recalled seeing a decapitated head outside Cathay building. Reasons for displaying decapitated heads. Sook Ching exercise targetted Chinese. Eurasians were screened at Singapore Recreation Centre (SRC) and Central Police Station. Parents reported at SRC.

Eurasians warned of closeness to Europeans. Japanese could not make sure all turned up for screenings. Eurasians married to Europeans and first generation Eurasians were given red armbands and sent to Sime Road camp before end of Occupation. How Queen Street house became meeting place for Eurasian Association (EA). Father objected to EA meeting with Japanese authority. How Syonan Eurasian Welfare Association (SEWA) came into existence. EA met at his place over several days. Father was upset to step down as office bearer. What Dr C J Paglar was doing before he was appointed to lead SEWA. Impression of Dr Paglar. Reason why Eurasians were not asked to donate to SEWA. Father had access to BBC at neighbour's place. Bishop Devals invited father to help out in registration of Bahau scheme. Bahau more of a Catholic scheme than a Eurasian scheme. Perception of Bahau at the beginning.