Deadpoet’s Cave

Memories at Old Ford Factory

Last Saturday, I went to the newly opened Memories at Old Ford Factory. Run by National Archives of Singapore, the factory - a gazetted national monument - houses an exhibition about life during the Japanese Occupation. It is rich with accounts and photos of life in Syonan-to.

Why house an exhibition gallery in Bukit Timah? Well, the Old Ford Factory was the place where the British surrendered to the Japanese on 15 February, the first day of Chinese New Year in 1942.

I’m not sure what it was but the exhibition moved me deeply. Over the years, I’ve read accounts of the war years; I always read them with an air of detachment. Somehow, the exhibits at Old Ford Factory brought the Occupation to life.

The driveway leading to Memories at the Old Ford Factory. There are information boards along the driveway which describes the Fall of Singapore. It sets the scene for what’s to come in the gallery.

This comic is among the first things visitors see. It’s interesting because we usually speak of the Occupation from the Singapore perspective. The drawings speak volumes about what the Japanese thought of the British. Nevertheless, I wish I knew what was written.

Percival and Yamashita. If they could speak, what would they say?

A young Singaporean finds out about life as a Prisoner of War in Singapore.

Lim Bo Seng’s diary: “We then took leave of each other. The children were too stupefied to realise what was happening. Each of them kissed me goodbye. I shall never forget their tear-stained faces as long as I live.”

Life went on during the war. People got married and had children. This wedding dress bears testament to that.

The wartime garden (behind the building) shows the types of plants that were important to the people during the war. Not many people seem to be aware of the existence of the garden.

Visitor information
More photos
Video of the surrender from Singapore Paranormal Investigators. I don’t subscribe to their views, but their page has interesting historical photos and information.

• Singapore Garden Festival
• Commemorating, Remembering and Reflecting
• The M.I.A. Trail is fully booked!
• Today is ANZAC Day