Tour Journal Insights into Multiculturalism, Perspectives and Civilian Experiences in WWII Singapore

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Tour Journal Contents Page
Bryce Taylor page 3
Patrick Reilly page 12
Brandon Rowe page 24
Caitlyn McKenzie page 32
Coby Menzie page 42
Mya Kordic page 55
Cale Wilcox page 69
Janka Reynders page 79
Ming Hui Gao page 90
Mitchell Murray page 104
Appendix: Strife & struggle tutorials page 114

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Bryce Taylor
Year 11
Albany Senior High School

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Introduction
The lead up to the announcement of participants for the Premier’s Anzac Student Tour (PAST) truly was
one of the most suspenseful and anxious periods of my life. I checked my email at every opportunity,
eagerly awaiting a response. I made it to the State finals last year as well and unfortunately didn’t make the
final cut. This year I felt I had performed significantly better in the interview stage and had a greater chance
of being selected.
I clearly remember the day I was selected for the tour. It wasn’t a school day for me in Albany, so when I
received a call from my HASS teacher I got worried that perhaps school was still on! Mrs Thomson, my
teacher, built up anticipation over the phone before delighting me with the news of my selection. I’d like to
say I burst into excitement but it really did take a few minutes to sink in. After hanging up the phone I
logged into the website myself and when I saw my name there amongst nine others, that was when the
emotions really sank. I spent the remainder of the day with great anticipation and excitement.
I am both excited and eager for the opportunities which lie ahead. The thing I am looking forward to the
most on the tour is experiencing a new culture. I have never been outside of Australia and I know
Singapore is a culturally diverse country. I am also interested in seeing how it thrives with such a high
population density and how it acts as a centre for trade across the world.
March Briefing
The March Briefing was an amazing opportunity to meet the students and teachers who would be attending
the tour. It was also a great experience to go to the Army Museum, WWII Tunnels and Kings Park, where
we could both learn and reflect on the past.
Meeting everyone filled me with even more
anticipation for Singapore. We began the
weekend with several ice-breakers including
‘historical charades’ and I found everyone
bonded really fast which was great. After getting
to know everyone over the weekend, I knew it
was going to be a better experience than I had
previously anticipated as we would be able to
comfortably share experiences with each other;
something I think is very important in terms of
learning.
Attending the Army Museum was definitely the
highlight of my weekend. Having previously
visited the museum I did not expect to
experience it so vividly. The ability to link specific people, places and events to the topics I had researched
(General Gordon Bennett and trade) made the guided tour especially inspiring and insightful. Our tour
guide, Brian King, amazed us with his knowledge about WWII and was able to answer our questions. This
helped expand my understanding about my research topics and, more importantly, inspired me to continue
to explore them while I am in Singapore.
One thing I found fascinating in both the tour guides and war veterans we met were the stories they told. I
had the privilege of speaking with WWII veteran John Gilmour, who attended our presentation ceremony.
He delighted me with insightful stories such as sabotage of Japanese ships during his years as a POW and
helped me envision what it would have been like as a POW. I will take these stories with me to Singapore
in the hope that I can further develop my perception of WWII and the experience of Japanese POWs.

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I am eager to gain an accurate perception of war and its consequences as I want to help preserve the
Anzac legacy. Thanks to the March briefing, I now realise that this experience will allow me to do so. The
tour will not just be a personal one, but one I can share with my community to help educate them and
preserve our history.
Day 1: 16 April 2017
I must admit, the anticipation for the tour truly didn’t set in until we reached the Perth Airport. Having woken
up at 5:30am, I was more tired than eager during the car trip from Albany. When we finally reached the
airport, seeing the other students filled me with excitement and a new found anticipation. It had been a long
wait, but the tour was finally in action.
The plane trip was pleasant, with minimal turbulence. Although I
was in the middle seat, I caught glimpses of Singapore’s ports
and vast number of ships through the windows. Seeing these
ships helped me make links to the research I had done on the
history of trade and its present state. Later on, our tour guide
mentioned that Singapore imports everything and lead me to
believe that without primary production, trade must be the main
form of labour.
Changi airport itself proved to be a very pleasant scene, with low
levels of security, and the presence of nature was immediately
felt in surrounding plants and water features. Another thing which
struck us upon exiting the plane was the humidity and heat. Having come from Albany, it was a big change
to what I am used to which I’m sure will take a while for me to adjust. It also made me think of how some of
the Australian troops may have struggled with climatic conditions during the war.
Today was an eye-opening experience for me to the possibility
of world-wide multiculturalism. For the first half of the day we
visited a large variety of religious temples and walked through
parts of the city. It was amazing to see the variety of cultural
backgrounds so closely integrated into a community. Our tour
guide Joe informed us that there are no cultural/race specific
areas in Singapore, and in some situations this is even
reinforced by law! I began to think that maybe there is a
correlation between integrated cultures and peace. This idea
was reinforced by Brandon’s speech on multiculturalism which
was largely based upon personal experience. He told us how
his community united in events linked to the different cultures
present, and how people would attend even if the particular
event was unrelated to their own culture.
This sense of unity which emerges from multiculturalism was
something I thought was evident in Singapore. While walking
through the streets, we encountered people of many ethnic
backgrounds and the diversity was apparent in the temples. It
really made me think about the importance of social tolerance, especially in relation to difference in
religious values. I think perhaps during war and the Japanese occupation of Singapore, the community
would have bonded. It’s an odd concept to think that war, ultimately a division of people, could also rally the

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multicultural Singaporean community to unite. This is something I really hope to explore in the next few
days.
The second key thing I really noticed today was the natural side of Singapore. In every direction there were
trees hanging over roads, or vines and flower on the railing of buildings. This incorporation of nature into
such an urban environment inspired me on a personal level, because I know it’s a step towards stopping
climate change. If all cities were as biophilic as Singapore, perhaps we would not be facing the current fear
of global warming.
While we explored much of Singapore’s past during the Japanese occupation, the main theme of today was
about changing perspectives. We welcomed our articulate tour guide Chris who made a very interesting
point about the way we view things and interpret events. He explained to us that there is always an
alternative side to an event and that these differing
perspectives and contexts can be optimistic and also provide
an understanding of seemingly irrational actions. An example is
the battery that allegedly faces out towards the sea instead of
the land. Many people interpret this as yet another error in the
Fall of Singapore, however there is an alternative view point;
perhaps having those guns facing out stopped the Japanese
from invading from that direction and so in essence was
purposeful. This unorthodox way of viewing things and being
willing to adjust to different ideas is something I think we could
all apply to areas of our lives; however it was great being able
to contextualise the idea with WWII.
When we later visited the Changi chapel and museum I really
put this new found concept into the context of the Japanese
occupation of Singapore. As Chris told us about ‘bushido’ and
the great honour and responsibility Japanese soldiers had, I began to see their motives for war. I think this
is the most valuable life lesson I’ve learnt so far on the tour. Although I don’t approve of the Japanese
cruelty, with different perspectives in mind I can begin to understand their motives for war.
Our first stop today was the Old Ford Factory (now a historical museum), the site of the official surrender of
Singapore to the Japanese. I found the very first room of the museum very interesting as it split the
perspectives of the Japanese, Allies and civilians during the Fall and Japanese occupation of Singapore.
The civilian experiences were something I had briefly touched upon at the Changi museum yesterday,
however today I really gained insight into this new world. I discovered that while the POWs had
undoubtedly suffered, the locals were treated with the
similar vigour from the Japanese. This theme was
evident throughout the museum, which included very
personal accounts of the Sook Ching massacre. . The
accounts were spoken with a visual projection of five
silhouettes of victims who had eluded the massacre.
This relatively simple visual display allowed me to truly
listen to the personal accounts without distractions
and immerse myself in the experience. This exhibit
was the highlight of the day.

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Later in the afternoon, we ventured to the Labrador Nature Reserve and the first thing that hit me was the
sound. The constant screeching of cicadas was almost deafening and allowed me to envision the Allied
soldiers’ experience of sound. Not only would they have trekked through harsh, unforgiving marshes, but
they would have to put up with the shrill sounds of the jungle at all hours of the day and night. I am now
eager to view and even venture into some of the marshlands like our Aussie troops did to gain a real sense
of their experience. I am hopeful this opportunity will present itself in the coming days. I’ve come to realise
today that reliving experiences truly is amazing and better than anything a textbook or even documentary
could provide. It gives me something I believe I can better reflect on during Anzac or Remembrance Day in
the future. It is certainly an experience I will continue to hold close to heart.
Visiting the Fort Canning Battle Box today allowed us to
appreciate what the Fall of Singapore meant, and the immense
pressure placed upon military officers. We saw the navy, air force
and army split into different sections which heightened the lack of
each. One by one, the tour guide explained to us the Japanese
superiority in all of the military branches (including army because
despite their lack of troops, the Japanese had tanks). This
breakdown really proved to me that it wasn’t the fault of the
officers in Singapore for the loss of the island. There were many
competing pressures from the British Government, to the speed
of the Japanese, to the Battle Box itself. Filling the air would have
been loud noises amongst the intense heat from the high density of personnel crammed in the tunnels. The
experience shifted my blame more so to the British Government, however I also understand their reason for
not sending reinforcements.
I think many people fail to appreciate Singapore’s history and its impact the world in which we live. During
our visit to the Battle Box, I came across a statement indicating that many believe Singapore’s history only
dates back 50 years. I was amazed that people could have this view especially after learning the impact of
Singapore’s fall around the world. The Fall of Singapore for instance, has much more significance because
of its effect on British colonies. The failure of the British in defending Singapore, both through lack of
supplies and conflict between officers lead to a rejection of British colonial rule. This had direct implications
in Singapore of course but, due to the scale of the loss, was of global significance. As other British colonies
heard about the failure of the British, they too lost faith and began a movement of nationalism and
independence. This has largely impacted the world we live in today and perhaps without this great failure,
many British ruled colonies would still be present.
Returning to the mythical 50 year history, I think now it’s vital that we share our experiences with the
community, to preserve this knowledge of how independence can occur and ultimately predict future
outcomes.
The visit to Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) today gave us insight into the local perspectives of the Fall of
Singapore and allowed us to compare our two nations in many ways. I found the comparison of our
education systems very interesting as HCI has a very focused academic structure whereas Australia’s is
more open and opportune. At HCI their score in exams determines which subjects they take and there’s
little personal input. In that sense, I’ve learnt to appreciate the variety and freedom we have to choose
subjects directly affecting our own education.
There is an alternative side, however, as Hwa Chong students are able to specialise in certain subjects with
much more depth than we do in Australia. However, I personally value a balanced education more, and

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again I appreciate what I have a lot more after today. One of the students also mentioned to me that after
they have finished school, many travel abroad for university because of the variety of choices available. We
later discussed national identity and how Australians always tend to think of Gallipoli as our defining point in
history. The ideas of mateship, courage and leadership are evoked when we consider Anzac Day. It’s come
to form our national identity and is why I believe we have a strong commemoration of our troops’ sacrifice
to this day. In contrast, the Singaporean students believed there wasn’t such a strongly flavoured national
identity present in their country. While Singapore is a well-
integrated and very culturally accepting country, it lacks a
sense of belonging and true national identity.
What surprised me was that Singaporeans don’t consider the
Fall of Singapore to be a defining moment in their history. The
students explained that this was because, at the time, the
majority of people didn’t feel Singapore was home. Rather,
they had emigrated from China, Indonesia, Malaya and
various other countries causing them to think of these places
of origin as their true home. A lot of focus is placed on the
evolution of society in Singapore, and I found it interesting that while we have a stronger identity as a
nation, Singapore has thrived through its ability to not only learn from the past, but also to move on. It really
made me consider the importance of both aspects in a society, and I think an understanding of these
different values with the HCI students is something we’ll both take away from the experience.
Environment was the theme of today with our tour taking us
to the Singapore Zoo, where we explored the diversity of
animal life. Upon our arrival it was evident that conservation
was the message they wanted to convey; posters and signs
advocating animal protection could be found throughout the
zoo. A negative light was shed upon animal traffickers with
signs emphasising the extremities some people go to
merely for a different flavour of soup. I often consider the
environment when making decisions, however after leaving
the zoo today I can see just how important it is to protect.
We need to reconsider our actions against the environment
because as we often forget, you can’t eat money.
It was nice to see how open and free the animals were at the zoo. Many zoos confine their animals to areas
specific to their species, however at the Singapore Zoo numerous environments were found to hold a large
variety of creatures, closely mimicking their natural habitats. Also, animals at zoos are usually seen purely
as a tourist attraction: seeing how unlimited the animals’ boundaries were, and the quality of life they
appeared to have gave me reassurance for our future.
Although war and conflict weren’t intended themes of the day, I was able to link our conflict in wars with the
animals’ conflict with us. In so many aspects it’s similar; notably in the sense of destroying animals and
habitats for land and resources. Today’s visit made me consider humanities place amongst other animals
and ask why we place so much importance on our materialist prospects and products over the miracle of
animal life. After all, why should we be so much more important than any other animal?
The Malay perspective was explored today with a journey to Bukit Chandu Museum. The museum made
excellent use of technology to provide a visually enthralling experience. In particular I enjoyed the animated

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recreation of the Battle of Pasir Panjang, which I feel captured the emotions of both the Malay and
Japanese troops and, more importantly, built that emotional connection to the event and people. What
amazed me was that despite the fact that the Malay regiment was evidently doomed, they fought to the
bitter end under a similar code to the Japanese; “death before dishonour”.
One thing I’ve forgot to mention during my tour journals is our tour guide Chris and his depth of insight into
not only the fall of Singapore, but also war in general. The thing I find so inspiring about Chris is his ability
to evoke emotional and deep level thinking. An example of this today was a debate surrounding the
bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where he was able to get us to think about how different cultures
see the bombings: Japan focuses on the horrors which came as a result of the bombings and not why they
were dropped or how the Japanese treated their prisoners of war: America, on the other hand, chooses not
to look at the after-effects of the bombing but rather tries to justify the bombing by showing what might
have been. This selective use of information from the whole truth is a barrier I feel we must push past in
order to move forward.
Today we travelled to the Australian High Commission in Singapore where we met Colonel David Hay,
Sharifah Khairunnisa and Clele White. The main thing I took away from Colonel Hay’s talk was how
respected Australians are in other countries because of our soldiers' efforts in war. He told us the story of
the slouch hat, which has ultimately become the symbol of Australia’s wartime efforts. When people of
foreign countries saw the colonel wearing the slouch hat, they thanked him, and consequently Australia, for
our soldiers’ efforts. For me, that appreciation of Aussies has embellished the significance of our past, as I
see its implications in today’s world. Many of our encounters with the local people of Singapore have shown
just how much they appreciate Australia, an appreciation which I’m sure goes back to WWII.
Another topic Colonel Hay touched upon was Anzac Day’s meaning. He explained to us how Anzac Day
means something different to everyone and depending on your experience, its meaning changes. I found
significance in this statement as the tour has drastically changed my perspective of Anzac Day. I now
appreciate how the ‘Anzac spirit’ has shaped our national identity and values.
The conversation with Sharifah and Clele later challenged some of my associations with DFAT. Previously I
had only considered them as the people who dealt with Australians when they were in trouble in other
countries. Today however, I saw another side, notably their importance in international relations. Sharifah
explained to us the huge role DFAT play in country relations; ensuring Australia is represented positively in
other countries. The Department puts a strong focus on relationships between people, cementing the
various economic and political agreements. To hear that relationships govern inter-country bonds rather
than pieces of paper gave me
confidence for our nation’s future.
I think the visit also made me question
some of the strong negative
connotations I’ve previously held with
the word military. I tend to think of war
and violence when the word comes to
mind, however Colonel Hay showed
just how much difference the armed
forces do make, and that much of what
they do is peacekeeping rather than
fighting in wars. I was inspired to
investigate this new side of the military

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in order to better understand its role in preventing conflict and violence.
In the afternoon we had a change of scenery, journeying to Singapore’s Art Science Museum. The exhibit
we visited had the theme “future world” and combined technology with creativity and art. It was amazing to
re-immerse ourselves in the forgotten world of our childhood mindset. To have your own creation come to
life is a dream I think every child has, and so through this experience I think many of us were able to
reopen the door to the creative aspect of our lives.
Day 10: 25 April 2017
Today we reached the much anticipated climax of our tour: Anzac Day. The time had come for us to reflect
upon the tour and what we had experienced over the past ten days. We began the day with a dawn service
at the Kranji War Memorial Cemetery, run by the New Zealand High Commission. As the day’s duty
student, I had the honour of laying a wreath on the group’s behalf. Having never laid a wreath before, I was
immensely proud to represent my State and country in this ongoing tradition, especially with the
significance of Anzac Day new to me. No longer was it just about remembering those who fought, it was
about carrying the knowledge of the death of their humanity so that we may prevent future conflicts.
What amazed me about the Anzac ceremony was the large number of countries involved, including Ireland,
Canada and Korea. For me this really highlighted the unity of nations we can appreciate today and a
worldwide acceptance of Australian and New Zealand culture/identity. A particularly moving part of the
ceremony was the Turkish Ambassador’s reading of the famous words attributed to Atatürk. The speech
expressed the idea that our troops are now resting in the arms of friends, despite lying in “faraway
countries”. I found the ideas inspiring in terms of striving for world peace, and it reinforced acceptance of
different people and cultures. This was also shown in the cemetery with an integration of all who fought and
lost their lives, regardless of rank, race or religion.
After the service, we were lead on a short tour and then were
left to reflect upon our experiences and place poppies for the
fallen soldiers. As I walked through the cemetery I was truly
shocked by its enormity, which emphasised the sheer number
of troops who had fallen. I took time to read the headstones,
many with messages from family and close friends. Reading
these connections enlightened me to the significance of such
a loss. Every one of these people had fought for the freedom
of their loved ones and never got to say a final goodbye. It
alerted me to perhaps the most important part of this tour; to
preserve the memory of sacrifice, in order to stop future
conflicts, and to nurture and protect all people of this world, regardless of our differences. Ultimately we are
all equal in the face of death.
Day 11: 26 April 2017
As I sit here in my room, surrounded by old comforts, I
reflect upon an experience which began just eleven
days ago… except it began before that; at the March
Briefing. One could even argue it began with those first
words being written for our essays. How little we knew
about what this tour would teach us, and how it would
impact our lives.
While today marks the end of our tour, it also marks
the start of a new stem for opportunity and experience.

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From this stem new branches will grow, stretching out into the vast expanse of knowledge and opportunity.
Personally, the tour hasn’t just been an experience - an event tied to one place and one time. No, for me
the tour has been an inspiration - to learn new things, to chase my dreams, and above all, to grow as a
human being. I have learnt so much about Singapore’s past and how it continues to influence the island
nation, and many other nations, to this day. I have gained an insight into Australian identity, and how the
values and traditions we embody today wouldn’t be here if not for the sacrifice of our troops. Not only that,
but their ideals of courage and mateship have become a part of all of us, and that is something for which
we should be thankful.
The tour has given me a definite appreciation for history, now that I see just how much the past influences
our modern world. Many of my own beliefs were challenged throughout the tour as I was opened up to a
world of cultural diversity. The interaction with other kids with similar interests over the duration of the tour
was amazing, and to share thoughts and opinions freely is something I really valued. The bonds we formed
are sure to hold for a lifetime and I feel like a much more confident and well-rounded individual thanks to
the inclusivity of the tour group. I’m sure our commitment to the Anzac legend is far from over, as we
continue to educate our communities and uphold the values forged at Anzac Cove.
Conclusion and Acknowledgements
Although the tour itself has come to an end, it seems my role
as a tour member is just beginning. The next stage of my
journey is sharing the experience with my local community.
This is perhaps the most important stage of the tour as it is
about continuing the Anzac story and upholding an
appreciation of Australia’s military history among the youth. I
feel confident in my role and believe I have the ability to
inspire and educate other students towards a new historical
point of view.
I would firstly like to acknowledge the Premier and State
Government of Western Australia. Without you this tour
would not exist, so I am immensely grateful to you for making this incredible opportunity available. To the
RSL, DFAT and DVA, I thank you all for supporting and following our journey. To John Gilmour, with whom
I had the privilege of speaking at our presentation ceremony, thank you for sharing countless tales of your
experience as a POW with me, they’re stories I’ll never forget. A big thanks to all the tour guides at both the
March Briefing and on tour- I really appreciate the personal insights you gave us into Singaporean culture
and WWII. In particular I’d like to thank Chris Cher, whose words of wisdom allowed us to gain a much
greater insight into the Fall of Singapore. The knowledge you gave us is indescribable, and all I can say is
thank you for making me question my perspective of the world and way of thinking.
I’d like to say a huge thanks to my HASS teacher Mrs Thomson who encouraged me to re-enter the
competition after narrowly missing out on last year’s trip. Perseverance clearly pays off. I thank you also for
supporting me with the tedious editing of my essay and preparation for the interview. A huge thanks goes to
Norman, Mery and Sam for not only organising the trip, but for being such lovely people who we could
openly go to for advice and also just to talk about our experience. I don’t consider you staff members
anymore, I gladly consider all of you lifelong friends. Finally, I’d like to thank my fellow youth ambassadors.
You guys truly made this tour special for me, allowing for great depth of conversation through relationships
which are sure to last a lifetime.

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Patrick Reilly
Year 10
Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School
(formerly of Boyup Brook District High School)

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Introduction: Pride
On the morning of Remembrance Day late last year, I woke up feeling much the same as any other
morning. Until my mother reminded me that it was the day the ten winners of the Premier’s Anzac Student
Tour 2017 would be announced. My older sister, Caitlin, went to North Borneo in 2013 as part of the same
tour and had actually received news of her selection before November 11 so the tour participants were able
to attend the Remembrance Day service at King’s Park. As a result, I was expecting to be notified in the
week leading up to the official announcement. After checking the PAST website, and not seeing anything,
my day continued. If it had not have been for my online HASS teacher and the lesson we had at 9:50 that
morning, I would have found out about my selection much later. She was able to put me onto the Premier’s
official announcements website where I was absolutely overwhelmed to find my name and school written
side-by-side. After the pressure of the week I had all but given up on being selected, so my nerves very
quickly turned to pride and excitement as I went to see the school HASS teacher and the principal who
were both overjoyed with the news. November 11, 2016 is certainly a day I look back on very fondly.
In terms of the tour and the personal connections I have with Singapore during WWII, although not
direct, are still important to me. My great-grandfather, George Connor, served as a sapper in the 2/4
Australian Field Squadron in Borneo during WWII. As a sapper, he was assigned the role of driving the
officers of the Australian Army. Although he did not serve in Singapore, I still hope that I am able to get an
idea of his experiences during his time, and hopefully share my experiences with him upon my return.
I thoroughly enjoy the company of others, especially those who share my keen interest in the history of our
nation and the rest of the world. I very much look forward to being able to get to know the nine other tour
participants as well the teachers and organisers who attend the tour. I am looking forward to sharing such a
rare experience with company such as the other students. I intend to represent Western Australia as well
as possible, being reverent
and respectful to the
Singaporean people, their
land and their culture.
While on tour, learning as
much as possible about
Singapore is a priority. With a
history as rich as Singapore's,
it is easy to gain knowledge
about colonisation, war and
general history of the tiny
island. I am thoroughly
looking forward to the tour
and the prospects it holds, and feel I am very privileged to be granted this amazing opportunity.
Brian King, Barry Ellis, Jan McLeod and Jenny Knight all talked to the tour group on various topics at the
March Briefing. They were four everyday people who taught me a lot and had an extraordinary impact on
me.
Brian King, a tour guide at the West Australian Army Museum in Fremantle, showed outstanding
understanding of WWII, especially with our tour focusing on Singapore. He answered all of our questions
with as much detail and accuracy as he possibly could, giving us a context of the Fall of Singapore that will
help immensely during our time abroad.
Barry Ellis is a tour guide at the Leighton Battery, also in Fremantle. The most striking thing about his tour
was his insightful, immense knowledge. Never have I seen a guide who knew so much about the place they
March Briefing: Seeing Something Greater

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were representing. Barry told everything we would ever need to know, plus more. He gave us a perspective
of the war that I had never considered. Australia believed that we would be under attack, and Fremantle
was believed to be most at risk. The Leighton Battery and tunnels were the line of defence against
Japanese forces that were supposedly going to take the Fremantle Port and invade our country. Barry was
able to paint a clear picture in our minds of the attitude and the situation of our nation during the middle and
later parts of WWII, broadening our perspectives and knowledge to encompass the people at home while
our brave soldiers were defending our nation overseas.
Jenny Knight is the Executive Officer of the War Widows’ Guild of Western Australia, who along with Jan
McLeod, the President, spoke to us about the work of the Guild and how they support widows around the
state. Offering yet another perspective of war, telling us about the experiences of the partners left behind by
war or the effects war had on their loved ones. The passion of the Guild, which is in decline due to a
lessening population, is unprecedented. What struck me, not only with the ladies from the Guild, but with
Brian and Barry as well, is the passion they showed for the preservation of our war history and their love for
our culture.
It was after I had heard what all of these people had to say, that I finally realised the real reason I was here,
and the real reason the tour existed in the first place. I was a part of something far greater than myself,
greater than the essay I wrote, even greater than the tour itself. Once selected to participate in this tour, a
responsibility was placed on me, responsibility that I only became properly aware of and properly
understood on the evening of Friday, 3 March.
I have a responsibility to carry on the legacy of all the people involved in wars, to share my experiences
and the experiences of others that are not able to share their own anymore. I will gain a perspective that
few Australians are fortunate enough to have, and as a result, will give my best possible representation of
those perspectives to as many as possible. I now realise what it means to be an ambassador for Western
Australia and for Australia, and I am determined to fulfil my role. The passion of Barry, Brian, Jan and
Jenny awakened me to my responsibilities, and after meeting them, I have been inspired to persist until I
have well and truly served my State and country.
I don’t want their efforts to sustain our remembrance of history to be in vain.
Day One: Anticipation
Easter Sunday - a day highly anticipated by myself
and 12 other people embarking to Singapore on this
day as part of the 2017 Premier's Anzac Student
Tour.
After landing, successfully making it through customs
and getting on a bus, I began to finally get a proper
view of the place that I have read about and
researched for the last few months. The first thing
that struck me was the heat and the humidity. I was
obviously aware of the fact Singapore has a tropical
climate and that it would be hot, but it still didn't
properly prepare me. The most humorous part about
that is the fact that we arrived late in the evening,
hardly the heat of the day.
Something that amazed me was the size of this humid, green, densely populated nation. I knew that it was
very small, but I was extremely surprised to find out that it only stretches 47km east to west, and north to
south is only 27km as the crow flies. To put that into perspective, it is 42km from my home to Boyup Brook,

15
the nearest town. The fact that an entire nation's width can fall within just a few extra kilometres of that
distance is something that I personally struggle to comprehend.
My learning today has excited me to spend the next ten days in this city nation, learning about its war
history, cultural history, and what has shaped it to make it the bustling, technological and trade world leader
it is today.
Day Two: Acknowledgement
Our first full day in the Lion City. Our first full day of bustling streets, lush foliage, modern infrastructure and
our first day of the unfamiliar Singaporean tropical heat. Being in the Lion City, it was only fitting that we
started our journey at the famous Merlion, one of the city's most well-known tourist attractions.
Once I became aware of where we would start, I imagined a large man-made lion crossed with a mermaid,
with a few people standing at the base posing for photos. That was what I was expecting anyway. As I
approached the footbridge which would enable us to stand over the reservoir and take photos of the
futuristic Marine Bay Sands hotel, I realised the Merlion was not going to be surrounded by just a few
people. We made it to the peak height of the bridge and the Merlion finally came into full view about 100
metres away. What I saw between us and the sculpture was very different from the image that had initially
been in my head. The remainder of the footbridge and the platform that stood over the water at the foot of
the Merlion was completely covered by people, hundreds of tourists, wanting to see this breathtaking
sculpture and capture the moment forever on their phones or cameras. I could not believe the sheer
number of people on the platform.
I thought it was quite spectacular actually, and I ended up taking more photos of the masses of people than
I did of the water-spitting Merlion itself. All these people have come to tour Singapore in all its current day
glory, see the amazing skyline and the immaculate city streets, maybe go to the zoo, or do the walk along
the tops of super trees. But I wondered - how many of these tens of thousands tourists are aware of the
past history of Singapore?
So much to do on
this tiny red dot
island, so much to
see; but there is also
so much to learn.
Prior to landing here,
I thought I knew a
fair amount, but after
spending the day
touring the island,
visiting mosques, temples and museums, I have found there is far more to Singapore than I could have
ever imagined. I am here for many reasons, but the main reason is because of my keen interest in history,
whereas the majority of the people I was amongst today at the base of the Merlion are obviously here to
see Singapore how it is today, not how it was in the past.
Today alone I learnt more than I could have possibly imagined about the history of Singapore. I have finally
begun to realise how far this 'tiny fishing village' (in the words of our tour guide) has come. So many people
walk unfamiliar streets and journey to unfamiliar places without fully understanding or having any
knowledge about the past of that place. We trudge the footpaths and ride along the roads without properly
acknowledging everything that has happened to shape the place. As a whole society, we take things as
they are, how we see them. We don't question enough, we don't delve into the depths of the history of the
ground we stand on enough. It's not something we can change, but I will always try to be more aware of
what has influenced the identity of a place, town, city and country.

16
Day Three: Adaptation
This was our first day delving deeper into the war history of Singapore, especially looking at the Fall of
Singapore. We began by our guide, Chris, taking us to Changi Beach where he displayed several maps
showing us how and where the Japanese landed and conquered the Allied Forces in Singapore.
That is when we were told about the 8th Division. The 8th Division was an Australian regiment that fought
as part of the effort to defend Singapore from the Japanese invasion. It consisted of about 20,000 soldiers,
so they made up about fifth of the Allied Forces in Singapore. They had never seen proper conflict, and had
only arrived from Australia after recently completing their training. Their lack of experience in war and their
lack of adaptation to battle and the conditions was highlighted as a major weakness by our highly
passionate and knowledgeable tour guide.
After visiting the Changi Museum and Chapel, we made our way onto the bus that would take us back into
the city to complete our day's learning and touring. Rain is always threatening in Singapore, and today was
no exception. While we were on the bus it started to rain, and rain it did. After the bus trip was finished, we
made a quick dash into the National Gallery to start our afternoon adventures. After the National Gallery,
we then made adaptations of our own; umbrellas emerged from backpacks and rain jackets and ponchos
were put on to keep us dry in the heavy tropical rain that didn't seem to be going anywhere. We had
adapted, very minutely, to better our chances of getting through the rainfall without getting too wet.
As we walked
along in the rain,
visiting Old
Parliament
House, the Lim
Bo Seng
memorial and the
memorial for the
British people of
Singapore who
had lost their lives
in the two World Wars, I began to realise that the footpaths were empty - we were the only people outside. I
obviously put this down to the rain, and the fact the locals know not to be outside at this time of the day
because of the weather. They are more experienced and adapted to Singapore and the conditions than we
are, and as a result they stayed dry while we got drenched.
The battle hardened Japanese soldiers who had fought in China and all the way through Southeast Asia to
make it to Singapore were far more adapted to the situation and knew what was required to succeed. Many
of those in the Allied Forces were not experienced and, as a result, were unsure of what Singapore
required to be defended from the ruthless Japanese onslaught. Their health, fitness and youth were their
greatest strengths but ended up being their greatest weakness; it was one of the many Achilles' heels of
the 'invincible Singapore'.
Day Four: (In)Justice
Three full days spent in Singapore, and already my understanding of this city and its war history has been
extended by an amount that I could not have possibly imagined a week ago. The Fall of Singapore, the
events leading up to it, and Singapore in general are topics I thought I was relatively knowledgeable about.
As I have spent more time on the island, I have realised this isn't quite the case. From the outside, yes, I
had insight to the topic however, there is a lot is to be said about being fully immersed in your topic when
attempting to broaden and deepen your knowledge. For example, being in the actual place that the history
and events occurred is definitely an advantage. Similarly, being around the right people who can enhance

17
your experience maximises your processing of information (tour guides, teachers, students with similar
historical interests).
Today we explored the Old Ford Factory, which is now a museum boasting detailed, personal exhibits
about the Fall of Singapore and the Syonan-To period, which was between the Fall of Singapore and the
end of the war during the Japanese occupation of Singapore. We also spent some time learning about
'Force Z', a commando unit that successfully infiltrated Singapore and caused significant damage to the
Japanese naval fleet in the port. Finally, we visited Labrador Park to walk through the nature reserve,
exploring the battery that was situated on a hill overlooking the entrance to Keppler Bay.
During our time in the Old Ford Factory, I came across an exhibit outlining the war crime trials that took
place to mete justice to Japanese soldiers for their actions during the taking and occupation of Singapore.
As I read and investigated further, it occurred to me that I have never heard of any Allied Forces being
accused or prosecuted for war crimes. I am not in a position to comment on whether or not any Allied
soldiers committed crimes during WWII, but I do find it strange that I have never heard about or read about
any sort of accusations or trials against Allied soldiers. During a discussion with our guide and several
members of the group, I learnt that there is evidence suggesting that war crimes had been committed by all
who participated - Allies and Japanese alike. During that discussion, I was also reacquainted with a
statement that I had learned and subsequently forgotten: history is written by the victor.
While the Allies were victorious in WWII, the atrocities committed by Japanese military against Prisoners of
War and civilians came to light. Those accountable were brought to trial and punished accordingly, giving
those affected the justice they deserve. With victory falling on the Allied side, their wrongdoings seem to
have been ignored or exonerated. This does not seem right. All is fair and just for those who are
responsible for war crimes to be punished, there is no denying that. In contrast, what about the soldiers and
their families who did not gain justice for crimes committed against them? As an Australian citizen and an
indirect member of our alliances, many of which we have maintained since WWII, this sits uncomfortably on
my conscience.
This is a prime example of historical bias: history is written by the victor; justice for some, maybe an
injustice to others.
Day Five: Preparation
With our tour of the unknown 'Battle Box' on the all-important itinerary for today, I awoke and prepared for
my day while I anticipated today's adventures nine metres below Fort Canning Hill. As with everything we
do, preparation is the key, and in order to be prepared
for today I had to ensure that I had everything that I
needed: water, rain jacket, umbrella, hat, sunscreen
etc. I am no stranger to being prepared when it comes
to this tour, almost everything I have done has required
some form of proper preparation, whether that be
planning for a research assignment or making sure that
I have been mentally prepared for the emotional strain
this tour may possess, I've always had to be prepared.
In the Battle Box, the tour very hastily made it clear to
me that the Allied forces in Singapore were not
prepared for the Japanese attack. General Arthur
Percival, the man in charge the of the Allies in
Singapore, had made a request for the British War Office to send approximately 600 aircraft, 300 tanks and
a naval fleet to strengthen Singapore and ensure the safety of the Crown Colony. The return for the request
came in the form of 181 outdated aircraft, from late in WWI, a fleet of two warships and several smaller

18
cruisers with no tanks sent at all. This was due to the fact that all available tanks had been deployed in
North Africa, which was must have been seen as a higher priority to Britain than Singapore.
Percival was aware of what was required to keep Singapore and Malaya in British hands, the mother
country wasn't able to supply Singapore with its needs, and in turn, it was under-prepared. Despite the lack
of preparation, the Allied superiors chose to use their advantage of soldiers on the ground as an excuse to
promote superiority over their enemies. Ignoring the fact that the ocean and air were in Japanese control,
they continued to create an illusion to the lower ranking soldiers and civilians that they were in an invincible,
impenetrable fortress. As a result, I believe the officers themselves began to fall for their own illusion. This
illusion could also simply be referred to as the arrogance of the Allied forces in Singapore.
We are all aware of the result of the Battle of Singapore, which alternatively has become known more
commonly as the Fall of Singapore. It is humiliating and heart-breaking. The number of prisoners of war
taken following the surrender stands the highest amount any army has taken in history, about 120,000. This
is devastating, but the reality is, it all happened because Singapore was not prepared. Yes, the Japanese
had tanks, war vessels and aircraft that were at the time the best, fastest and most technologically
advanced in the world, but the Allies were not undermanned, they were underprepared. They were not
materially prepared, or physically prepared for the sort of warfare that the Japanese brought with them
across the Johore Strait. By the time the men at the helm of Singapore, sitting in that small room in the
Battle Box, had come to terms with how completely and utterly underprepared they were, it was too late.
They had no choice but to surrender their fortress to a numerically impoverished Japanese force.
Day Six: Identity
After an early morning run through
Fort Canning, further exploring the
hill and battling the humidity, I was
excited for a day at Hwa Chong
Institution, a selective all-boys’
school for some of Singapore's
best students. The visit would
consist of touring and learning
about the history, values and goals
of the school, spending some time
in a history class to see how things are done at an elite Singaporean school, and finally some question time
with a group of the students to gain an insight into each other's background and daily lives.
Throughout the day, it became evident that there was a strong focus on the WWII and the post WWI
periods in the school. This period encompasses the Battle and Fall of Singapore, the time of Japanese
occupation and the period of nation building where Singapore gained independence from the Crown,
merged with Malaya and finally became a republic. There was also an emphasis on the period following
them becoming a republic, where they worshipped founding father Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister,
and his People's Action Party worked tirelessly to lay the foundations of modern day Singapore.
The students of Hwa Chong Institution, our tour guides and many of the museum exhibits I have come
across all seem to have the same belief that this 30-40 year period in modern Singaporean history has
shaped the nation and its identity greatly. The perseverance shown by the Singaporean citizens during this
time of hardship and instability is a credit to their strength as a country. The school students seem highly
knowledgeable about these events, and it is evident that a fair amount of effort has been injected into the
learning of their recent history. The way that the Singaporean people seem to always draw from this time
period when in discussion about their country reminds me of our nation's attitude towards the Gallipoli
campaign of WWI. I see striking resemblance in the way our countries have grasped these events, and how
the people involved shaped the way we see ourselves and the way the remainder of the world views us:
Singapore's recovery from the depths of Japanese occupation to their complete independence and nation

19
building to become the thriving economic hub they are today is something which generates great pride; we
are also proud of our heritage left on the shores and hills of the Gallipoli Peninsula. It is only natural for a
young nation like Singapore to draw on such a pivotal point in their history to gain their own sense of self-
worth and their identity, just as we did the years following WWI.
Day Seven: Innovation
The Singapore Zoo is known not only for its large range of exotic and rare species, but also its focus on
conservation and sustainability. After spending the day roaming and exploring the world famous zoo, I
came to realise why it was so renowned. Among the concrete paths and tropical vegetation I witnessed the
much proclaimed diversity of the wildlife and was amazed at the display of sustainability and the promotion
of conservation.
In terms of size, the Singapore Zoo is large, but if you look at size compared to number and volume of
animals, the ratio would tell you that the animals don't get much room. This is definitely not the case. Zoos
have their critics for obvious reasons, but the Singapore Zoo definitely puts doubts in the minds of those
critics. Everywhere you look, there are signs promoting sustainable living and the conservation of the
natural environment. At every enclosure, information boards explain about the animals and whether or not
they are in any sort of risk, and if so, they provide ideas about how we can be a part of the solution rather
than exacerbate the problem. Friendly staff also endorse the messages of conservation and sustainability
during shows that involve the animals, adding extra emphasis, and leaving a lasting impact on viewers.
The way the Singapore
Zoo has managed to
pack in so much into
the available area has
distinct resemblance to
Singapore itself. With
an area of only 720
square kilometres,
Singapore has a
thriving population of
over five and a half million. There is almost a non-existent homelessness rate as people have found ways
to house themselves in ways that would be widely unheard of in Australia, especially Perth. With such
limited space available, the people of Singapore have been forced to be innovative, thinking outside the
box in order to build an entire nation. Much like the city itself, Singapore Zoo overflows with innovation in
every direction. One of our tour guides highlighted the fact that Singapore has not only built along the
landscape but has had to build 'up and down as well'. The vast majority of people live in apartment style,
high rise housing, the railway system is underground and some have even begun to venture below the
ground for storage. The Singaporean Government deserves much credit for being able to keep this city
clean and as sustainable as possible, while managing such a large population. Australia and the rest of the
world, developed and developing, could take much inspiration from the population dense, environmentally
aware Singapore that promotes innovation and sustainability.
Day Eight: Selflessness
The Battle of Bukit Chandu. The numerically disadvantaged Malay Regiment, led by Lieutenant Adnan bin
Saidi, engaged with the rapidly advancing Japanese forces at Bukit Chandu. Despite encountering great
odds, they managed to hold them at bay for more than 24 hours. Displaying an inspirational show of
courage, the Malayan forces battled on, with only bayonets and their fists, long after they had run out of
ammunition. Adnan refused to surrender his dwindling forces or accept defeat, forging a path of honourable
death which his loyal troops were willing to follow.

20
The Malayans, choosing to put death before dishonour, were undeterred by the Japanese when ordered to
strip their military uniforms and badges, and accept defeat. Upon their refusal, the Japanese opted to hang
Adnan and his remaining troops from a tree by their feet in order to force them to admit that the battle had
indeed been lost. Adnan stubbornly and courageously never gave in to the torture and once again, his
troops followed his admirable lead.
The way the Malayan Regiment
conducted themselves during the
Battle of Bukit Chandu and its
aftermath is an inspiration to all who
encounter the story. The Japanese,
believing that taking Bukit Chandu
would be far easier with a much more
insignificant casualty rate, were
angered by the proud, selfless fighting
style of the Malayans. The 'death
before dishonour' attitude displayed
by the Malayans drew many
comparisons to Japan's long-lasting Bushido Code, which was originally practiced by the Japanese
samurai, telling them to die fighting rather than surrender. The Battle of Bukit Chandu could be seen as the
Japanese having a 'taste of their own medicine', with the Malayans deciding to selflessly give their lives to
maximise the damage inflicted on their enemies and temporarily halting the rapid Japanese advance on
Singapore.
The Malayans' complete and total willingness to die in the name of defending Singapore shocked the
Japanese troops and caused a major speed-bump in what was a considerably smooth and swift invasion.
Actions and events such as these do leave many questions in one's mind. If the entire Allied force in
Singapore had fought like the Malayan Regiment, would things have panned out differently? We will never
know, but it certainly gives food for thought.
Day Nine: Appreciation
With a visit to the Australian High Commission on the itinerary for this morning, we arose and prepared for
the day with a sense of importance, which is only natural considering our intended location. Upon arrival,
we were greeted by Colonel David Hay and two ladies, Clele White and Sharifah Khairunnisa, who work in
the High Commission for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Austrade respectively.
We began by listening to a busy Colonel Hay
discuss his role in the High Commission and the
importance of Anzac Day and the Anzac legacy.
He offered us a valuable insight into the importance
of maintaining strong military relationships with
Singapore as well as all other allies, a job for which
he is largely responsible. His knowledge of history
enabled us to see Singapore and its relations with
Australia from yet another perspective, deepening
and broadening our understanding even further.
After the Colonel departed our small group in order to board a flight to Brunei for an Anzac Day service
tomorrow morning, Clele and Sharifah proceeded to inform us of other roles that the High Commission
plays in Singapore. For example, maintaining relationships with Singapore in a political and economic light
rather than a military sense. The High Commission work on promoting Australia to the Singaporean public
in order to attract tourism, workers and people wishing to study abroad. While trying to develop and keep a

21
positive impression of Australia running at the forefront of the Singaporean media and public, they also
organise the trips and itineraries of politicians who come to Singapore for official business. I very quickly
realised that Embassies and High Commissions do far more than help Australians in need overseas with
things such as stolen belongings or lost passports.
It’s the development and maintenance of international relations that is by far the most important role of the
Australian High Commissions and Embassies around the world. After our visit to the High Commission in
Singapore I came to the realisation that it was absolutely fundamental for Australia to sustain strong
international relationships with all nations after the conclusion of WWII, especially Southeast Asian
countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. If not more so, was political reconciliation with Japan. If this had
not happened as smoothly and swiftly as it did, a strong economic tie may have been lost with a new-found
powerhouse nation of the modern era.
Japan and Australia now have durable trade relationships, with Australia supplying many natural and raw
products to its counterpart and gaining manufactured goods, such as vehicles and machinery, from Japan.
The reconciliation with Japan and the continued relationships with Southeast Asia has greatly benefited
Australia socially, politically and economically over the last 70 years. It is critical that we maintain these
healthy ties in order to continue to reap the benefits. The role that the people who work in our High
Commissions and Embassies play is exceptionally important and should not go unnoticed, especially
considering the difficulty of their job and the fantastic job they do.
Day Ten: Rawness
The most important day of the tour was upon us, as was the 4:30am wake up that came with it. We arrived
at the Kranji War Memorial and Cemetery about an hour later, to be seated in a position that enabled us to
view the entire ceremony with ease.
The official ceremony began at
6:30am, opening with a brief
welcome and introduction followed
by the assembling of the guards,
who were Navy personnel from New
Zealand. The formalities continued
with heartfelt readings and
addresses from New Zealand and
Australia’s High Commissioners as
well as the Turkish Ambassador to
Singapore and Reverend Mark
Dickens. After the readings, the
wreath laying was carried out,
backed by the nostalgic sound of the bagpipes playing prominently in the background. As the Anzac Day
tradition asks, the last post was played flawlessly on the bugle followed by an emotionally rich minute’s
silence. Finally, the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand were led by the choir from the
Australian International School and the ceremony was concluded.
For a fifteen year old from a small country town of no more than 2,000 living within the shire boundaries,
going to the Dawn Service at Kranji has been totally and utterly bewildering. Previously, I have only ever
attended the mid-morning services at Boyup Brook, but never a dawn service. Having this morning’s
ceremony as my first dawn service was more emotional than I had expected. Adding to that stimulation was
the significant location, surrounded by almost 4,500 headstones of Allied soldiers who served and died
during WWII, and sitting in the shadow of the imposing memorial with the names of 24,000 Allied
servicemen and women whose remains were never found. These factors, along with deeply-felt songs and

22
readings, all contributed to creating an emotional whirlpool that I was caught up in. A truly moving
ceremony.
Not only were the sensory properties of the Kranji service emotionally rich, but also my lead up and
preparation to the ceremony. I have spent more than a week in Singapore, learning about its history,
people, culture, and most importantly, its WWII history. I have heard and memorised countless stories and
atrocities committed during this period in Singapore, with few of a good nature to counteract the evil. To
attend this morning, to be able to link my depth of knowledge that I have learnt from a distance with the
emotion of the hurt and pain felt by these soldiers, their families and their friends, was an experience that I
almost have no words to describe. When asked how I found the ceremony, I would reply with the words: ‘It
was pretty raw to be honest’, simply because that is all I had to describe what I witnessed and the way I
felt.
Having been through the loss of a family member recently, I was able to empathise with those who lost
loved ones prematurely, which in turn brought back waves of the pain and hurt that they may have been
dealing with. I found that whenever I heard mention that the men and women were ‘fathers, mothers, sons,
daughters, husbands, wives’, I was sucked further and further into that emotional whirlpool. For me, Anzac
Day, no matter where I am or what I am doing, will never be the same.
Day Eleven: Farewell
The day we’d all been dreading.
And here it was, hitting us like one of the buses or trains we had been aboard during our previous 10 days
spent exploring the island. In case you wondered how we were feeling, it wasn’t that great. We pushed
smiles to our tired faces as we boarded a bus to greet the driver who had got out of bed far earlier than we
had. After all, he was the man who determined if we got to the airport safely or not.
If it’s okay, I’m just going to fast forward to after we had made it through customs, flown about 5000km and
made it through our second set of customs. We are now at the very end of our trip; there was nothing else
to come. No more on the all-important itinerary for us to look forward to or wonder about. That was where
the journey had ended. We exited the airport, some with tears, some without. Actually, most were in tears.
We said our final farewells for the tour and sent everyone off with good wishes for the remainder of their
year in school, sport and life. Despite our farewells, we were all sure and still hold that certainty we will see
each other again.
As I walked with my father towards the car, zigzagging between countless other vehicles, I thought once
again of soldiers and their families during times of war and conflict. Bidding their farewells to loved ones,
just as we did at the airport, but with doubt in their minds as to whether or not they would return. Despite
promises being made by both parties involved in the emotional goodbyes, the wellbeing, safety and survival
of service personnel could not be guaranteed. Soldiers, warriors, knights, samurais and numerous others,
for thousands of years, have bid farewell to loved ones in order to fight knowing that they might lose their
lives for a cause they deem worthy.
As a result of the war or conflict they were leaving the people around them to engage in, it is only natural
that many will lose their lives, and never make it home. I could try to imagine what would be worse: saying
goodbye to a loved one knowing that you may never see them again, and dealing with that truth while they
are gone, or knowing that you will never see them again. Either way, being lucky enough to grow up during
my generation, so far I have never had to experience either of those terrible feelings. So as I watched the
airport slowly get smaller and eventually disappear in the rear-view mirrors, I realised how truly grateful I

23
am for all those who have served or are currently serving, those who have enabled us to have a safer and
more harmonious present and future.
Reflection
In order to reflect on my journey, I am going to keep it short and sweet. I feel that if I let it drag on too much,
I will overcomplicate things and, as a result, confuse myself and whoever has managed to make it to the
twenty-third page of this journal.
Taking part in the Premier’s Anzac Student Tour of 2017, without a doubt, has been the most eye-opening
experience in my life to date, and I would say it will hold that imaginary title for an extended period of time.
It has enabled me to better myself as a person, as a student and a historian. My knowledge and
understanding of WWII, especially in Singapore and Southeast Asia, as well as my emotional connection to
those who made any sort of sacrifice during that period, soldiers and civilians alike. My perspectives,
morals, attitudes and beliefs were enhanced, challenged and changed throughout the entire tour,
something that I credit to our exceptional tour guides and local personnel that gave us an extra insight that
we never could have gained as regular tourists.
I have met and got to know 12 other like-minded people who share my keen interest in history. Their
company is a large part of what made the tour so special, and as I looked around our group on several
occasions, it was totally clear to me why they were selected as youth ambassadors on the tour.
From the very beginning, when I began to research and write my essay, there was obviously extra work
that I would have to do in order to benefit the greatest. Although at times, especially after I had been
selected, it did challenge me, I look back on it now and realise the extra work was far from extensive and I
am extremely happy I completed the tasks. As a result, I have done nothing but reap the benefits the tour
has granted me.
My most heartfelt and genuine thanks are extended to the Hon Mark McGowan, Premier of Western
Australia, the Department of Education, tour organiser and coordinator, Ms Samantha Boswell, those who
aided me during the selection process, and finally, the tour chaperones and participants for helping to make
the tour such a truly humbling, eye opening and amazing experience.

24
Brandon Rowe
Year 12
Girrawheen Senior High School

25
March Briefing
On 2 March, I was called along with 9 other overly excited students, into the city for the Presentation
Ceremony where we would be given our official tour awards. The part which excited me the most was not
the certificate or getting it presented to me by the then Minister for Education, Hon Peter Collier. The most
exciting part was, for the first time, meeting the other 9 students and 3 teachers with which I was going to
experience the Premier's Anzac Student Tour. After the ceremony we retired to the accommodation at the
School of Isolated and Distant Education in Leederville. There, the students and teachers were given an
informal setting to meet each other and get to know one another.
On day two of the briefing, some of the students awoke at 5 o’clock in the morning and went for an early
morning stroll around Lake Monger, before returning to the dorms and having some breakfast. After, we
headed out to some of the WWII related sites for the day, like the Leighton Battery where our guide, Barry
Ellis, showed us around and gave a thoroughly educational and enjoyable tour of the guns and tunnels.
After returning to the dorms, we met with members of the War Widows’ Guild, Jan, who is the President of
the WA branch, and Jenny. Meeting them and hearing some of their stories was a highly emotive
experience for myself and many of the other students.
On the final day, we prepared for our personal commemorative ceremony at Kings Park. I was particularly
looking forward to this day as I was the one who was going to be laying a wreath and reciting The Ode at
the memorial. After cleaning up and packing everything up, we set off. At Kings Park we had a look at
some of the sights like the State War Memorial and the Sandakan Memorial. We walked down a path lined
with trees and commemorative plaques and listened to the stories of the men they represented.
The briefing was a fantastic and informal way to get to know the others who I will be going on the tour. It
had a great balance of fun, bonding activities as well as informative and educational experiences.
Day 1
It was a fine 24o
C day when our group left Perth at 2:20pm
on Sunday, 16 April. We set sail (or more accurately ‘wing’)
for Singapore, where, much to everyone’s surprise, it was a
humid 28o
C when we landed at 7pm.
After a fairly peaceful flight, we landed at Changi Airport. As
we disembarked the plane many of us were so surprised to
see the extreme amount of foliage and plants that the
Singaporeans had fit into the airport. Walls were lined with
plants and water features. In awe, we gawked at the plant
life we were surrounded by just as we met with our tour
guide, Uncle Joe.
As the group were driven through the city, we stared in wonder at the buildings and the many different ways
that the Singaporean Government had incorporated an immense amount of plant diversity into the city-
scape. In amazement, we watched as each building became more entwined with nature than the last.
Even on such a small island, they manage to reserve so much space for greenery. The sheer scale of the
forestry within the city itself was astonishing. Trees pieced the landscape just as much as the buildings did.
As we gathered in the YWCA Fort Canning Lodge foyer, and were given our room keys, we looked out of
the windows at the view that stood before us. We eagerly waited to see the city under the light of day.
Would it be just as wonderful?

26
Day 2
To truly experience a country, one must first
envelop themselves in the culture. This is what the
aim of Day 2 was for me.
The highlight of the day was becoming entranced in
the diversity of cultures and religions that Singapore
had to offer. At first, we travelled to the Sultan's
Mosque where Joe explained the basic premise of
Islam and a bit of the history of the temple and the
misconception regarding the ‘symbol of Islam’.
After walking around Arab Street and admiring the
street art and (for lack of a better word) ‘odd’
signage that stated the house rules of a local bar,
we left.
We then drove through Little India before visiting a Hindu Temple. While in the temple, I gawked at the
ornate paintings and statues that juxtaposed the scenes at the Mosque where (as per Muslim tradition) no
symbols, statues, or paintings appeared on the walls.
At a Buddhist/Taoist temple on the outskirts of the hustle and bustle of the Singaporean CBD, we arrived
and looked around at one of the major sections of the building - the Ancestral Worship room. I was
particularly interested to find out that after a relative passed, those still living would rent a space in the altar
for a plaque to be sat honouring their family member.
In all, the day was quite a unique experience getting to see the foundation of many of the families of
Singapore. Yet, with all of these different types of religions - Abrahamic, poly-theistic, and ancestral- the
people of Singapore do not discriminate as is common in Australia. To see the contrast between the two
countries is phenomenal.
Day 3
A sense of solemnity and respect grew in the room because our groups’ main focus for the day was
Prisoners of War.
To start our day, we took a short drive to Changi Beach where our war tour guide, Chris, explained to us a
few of the major events in the Fall of Singapore. He brought along maps to help not only with the
explanation but also to help put those
explanations into one, coherent perspective.
Emotions grew more as we travelled to the
Changi Museum and Chapel. I became
quite emotional at the sights, photos, and
stories of the experiences of the POWs.
However, I managed to keep control and
persevere through the exhibit. I found it
interesting to learn that the Changi Chapel
was built by the POWs and that many of
them made crucifixes out of artillery
shrapnel calling them a “symbol of hope in
the shadow of death”. Many in our group
were moved by the stories of what the

27
POWs experienced and witnessed, myself included.
A member of the group said that the legacy [that the Anzacs] built during WWI, was tested and
strengthened during WWII. I don’t believe this to be the case because I think that the soldiers at the Fall of
Singapore built a completely new legacy of hope, trust, and brotherhood during this time, even in the face
of death every single day.
Day 4
Napoleon Bonaparte said, “what is history but a fable agreed upon?” I believe that what Napoleon was
trying to convey is that versions of history will never be the same as long as people are told many different
‘truths’. As Vladimir Lenin also said, “a lie told often enough becomes the truth.”
At the Old Ford Factory, the first exhibit showed different perspectives of the Japanese and the Allied
Forces in regards to the Fall of Singapore. However, the most overlooked and vital perspective was that of
those who called Singapore home. As I was looking at many of the exhibits at the Factory, I was
astounded at the extent of propaganda, even in the post-Fall publications. The most noticeable form of
propaganda was how the Western Forces translated the Japanese words spoken by Generals and
politicians. When translating, words were used that attempted to make the Japanese seem as though they
were innately dull when it came to vocalising a speech or even a sentence. This was clearly evident when
both British and Japanese quotes were juxtaposed.
Though much of the media vilified the Japanese for what they did, it is also true that the Japanese did
conduct many heinous and excessive punishments for petty crimes such as a child being stabbed through
the thigh for taking food. However, it was quite heart-warming to read stories of a select minority of
Japanese soldiers who helped the Singaporeans by ‘turning-a-blind-eye’ to minor crimes and warning them
when they should run.
Today was particularly hard as I know people whose families have fled from their home-countries due to
the oppression that their conquerors have imposed during post war regimes.
Day 5
As I walked the cold and desolate corridors of The Battle Box, I
was haunted by the footsteps of the past. The Battle Box was built
as a secret underground base of operations by the British. It is
also the backdrop for the decision that would change the course of
WWII. The Battle Box was the sight of the decision for the Allied
Forces to surrender to General Yamashita. Filled with life-sized
wax figures depicting the scene, my emotions grew as I came to
the realisation that we could not change the critical decision that
was made in that room. The decision caused many men to lose
3½ years of their lives as POWs.
The short films played at The Battle Box were confronting. I found that the hardest to watch was when the
British POWs were in the camps and institutions and yet still acted in a fairly civil manner towards their
Japanese overlords; in particular, I could see that Percival was barely able to maintain a professional
demeanour when he met with General Yamashita during his imprisonment. This genuinely shocked me;
footage of great military generals usually shows them as strong and imposing figures of history. Here was
another side to the story.
Though, even with this confronting imagery, I was able to keep an open-mind and take in as much
personally unbiased information as possible.

28
Day 6
Today was a day of much affable reflection and discussion. Our group was welcomed by the humanities
class at Hwa Chong Institution, a
highly-regarded and famous boys'
school in Singapore.
In the morning we attended the
lower school history classes where
it was quite interesting to see how
the cleverness and humour of some
of the Year 7 boys. The facetious
comments that some of the boys
made were quite intriguing.
The wealth of knowledge that was
exchanged was not only immense
but also meaningful and impacting.
We heard not only about personal
opinions but also of family stories
and the deep scars, both physical
and mental, that WWII left
Singaporeans.
While the students and tour members spoke, barriers were broken down and new relationships formed.
These were relationships of cultural integration and acceptance.
Hopefully, communications and relations with the students of Hwa Chong Institution will continue into the
foreseeable future and this closeness can be reflected in future international affairs. We all look forward to
hearing for our Singaporean neighbours in the coming times.
Day 7
During the amazing adventure that was the
Singapore Zoo, I was uplifted with the
plethora of diverse life of both animals and
plants that was on display. However, I was
also confronted with constant reminders and
pictures of the disturbing industry of much of
Asia - the illegal animal trade.
One of the oddest exhibits was that of the 13
year old polar bear. The reason I found this
strange was because the zoo had taken an
animal that had evolved to survive and thrive
in the frozen tundra of the far north, and had
placed her in a country that was well known
for its intense humidity and rainfall. Seeing
this ill-adapted creature in a completely
abnormal habitat reminded me of the British and Australian Forces in Singapore and the fact that not only
were they ill-equipped for the environment, they were also ill-adapted. The Japanese did not suffer from ill-
adaption as much as the Western Forces. However, though they struggled in the environment, like the
polar bear, Allied service people fought on and persevered.

29
Another interesting aspect of the zoo was the conservation message that appeared on their signs and in
shows throughout the day. The message was made clearly evident that many of the creatures were not
meant to be kept locked away in an enclosure, they should be able to roam free in the wild. The zoo taught
children as young as five the importance of environmental conservation and the changes that can be made
is we reduce, reuse, and recycle.
It was extraordinarily heart-warming to see such young children embrace the vitality of nature and the
animal life that dwells within.
Day 8
One of Singapore’s most illustrious soldiers of WWII was Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi. While at the Bukit
Chandu Museum, I watched a short film that detailed the events of the Battle of Pasir Panjang. To see,
even a cartoon version, of the battle was extremely emotional. To see a re-enactment of the fervour that
bin Saidi and his men fought was amazing. It was
inspirational to see how when faced with no
ammunition, dwindling men and impossible odds, he
ordered his men to fight on with hand and sword
until that last man fell. They did. The fact that even
in the face of death, these men stood tall and strong,
was truly awe-inspiring.
It was confronting to see the brutality of the
Japanese on film. It is one thing to read about it, it is
another to see it. It was depressing to hear that the
Japanese beat, killed and hung the Malayan
Regiment by their feet from a tree simply because
they refused to strip and die naked. If they were
going to die, they were going to die in their uniforms.
I found it very difficult to put those images behind me
for the rest of the day and I am fully aware that these images will stay with me to the grave. But I don’t
care. They showed the truest of all human nature - we are strong when we are weak.
Day 9
Today, we met with Colonel David Hay from the Australian High Commission. He explained that the reason
that he has such pride when wearing his Australian Army slouch hat was because his previous superior
officer, Sir Peter Cosgrove, found great pride in wearing his. Colonel Hay went on to say that he also
wears it because when in a Yugoslavian village, he was approached by an older woman and thanked
because of the work the Australian soldiers did for her village when she was a young girl. Hearing how the
slouch hat has become an international symbol of Australian kindness makes me proud to say I am
Australian.
After the High Commission meeting, we went to the Singapore Art Science Museum to consider
possibilities of the future prior to the Anzac Ceremony tomorrow morning.
Once we finished our futuristic tour, we left Marina Bay Sands and headed for the Stamford American
International School where, much to my surprise, only about 50% of the student held an American
passport. I had the chance to speak to many of the students there, all of whom originated from a variety of
different backgrounds and cultures. This drew a direct parallel to the country of Singapore itself. While
there were many people in the ‘American’ school, very few were actually American and while there are
many people in Singapore very few of them identify as ethnically ‘Singaporean’ with the majority being
Chinese or Malay.

30
It was also interesting to be able to compare Stamford with
Hwa Chong Institution as I found that the schools are run are
quite differently. Despite both schools following an
International Baccalaureate program, Hwa Chong runs in a
unique fashion. Stamford, on the other hand, runs a more
US based structure with the calendar staggering much like
the US where the students get a two month holiday over
summer.
It was extremely interesting to be able to contrast the three
styles of schooling that I have experienced: Australian,
Singaporean, and American.
Day 10
An ever-changing presence of sadness, respect and solemnity grew at Kranji Memorial as the morning sun
rose to embrace us in its warm rays of hope.
While at the Kranji Memorial Dawn Service, I felt
deeply sorrowful as we honoured the lost servicemen
and women who gave their lives to fight for the
honour of the country they called home. Having a
first generation Scottish migrant ancestor who fought
for the Australian Armed Forces at the outbreak of
WWI, I felt humbled to be able to commemorate
those who lost their lives, like he did, for our country.
Seeing the 4,500 headstones and 24,000 names was
extremely eerie. People hear about the number of
victims in wars but to see just a fraction of them en
masse was most definitely a different story. It was
frightening to see from the graves how many people
had died during such a narrow period of time.
I approached a member of the tour who was weeping at a headstone and when I asked if she mourned a
family member, she replied, “no, there are just so many”. I was comforted to see that I was not the only
one who found the sheer number of graves distressing.
In all, the day was an emotional rollercoaster. However, it was a rewarding rollercoaster. I now feel that
immense connection to our WWII heritage due to my involvement in the Premier’s Anzac Student Tour.
Day 11
“Laughter is not at all a bad beginning to a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one.” Oscar Wilde
Coming on this tour has been such a great opportunity. When I entered this competition, I thought it was
going to be very structured and that none of the students were really going to connect or bond with one
another. This was clearly not the case. On the last day, everyone on the tour was extremely emotional.
By the time it sank in that this would be the last time all 10 of the students and 3 of the teachers were going
to be together, I felt extraordinarily sad. I know that we will keep in contact with each other over the phone
and the internet, but it will not be the same as seeing them all day, every day. I have felt closer with the
students on this tour than I have with people I see every day at school for the past 5 years.
Now that it has sunk in that I may possibly never see some of these people again, I don’t want it to end.
These people are no longer, they have truly become my ‘tour family’. I am not used to becoming so close

31
to people in such a short amount of time, but I’m glad I did. I will never forget what we have gone through
together and the stories we have shared. I will miss everyone; you all have a special place in my heart
forever.
Acknowledgments
From the deepest recesses of my heart I would like to thank: the Premier of Western Australia, Jan and
Jenny who represented the War Widows’ Guild of Australia (WA); the tour organiser and teacher
chaperones - Samantha Boswell, Norman Paini, and Mery Jones; my history teacher, Jacqueline Bolt as
she is the reason I applied for the PAST 2017; the many tour guides who accompanied us on our
adventure of the tour. I deeply appreciate the opportunity, and thank everybody involved with the
continuation of the tour.

32
Caitlyn McKenzie
Year 12
Holy Cross College

33
Sculptures by Bathers, Fremantle
Introduction
The entire week leading up to Friday, 11 November 2016 was full of anticipation and excitement. Every
time I walked past my history teacher we'd signal how many days were left until the results came out for the
Premier's Anzac Student Tour for 2017. Finally, the Friday had come – and it was rather bittersweet. I had
just returned from a touching Remembrance Day ceremony in Ellenbrook when I was summoned to the
front office. After what felt like hours, I was met by the principal and my history teacher who had a
noticeable skip in their steps! I knew it had to be good news, as neither of them would stop smiling.
We entered the conference room then amazing news was shared with me, and I burst into tears of joy. It
was such an incredible moment, knowing that my hard work had paid off and I had such an amazing
opportunity ahead of me. After all the congratulations and photos, I called my mum, and the first thing I said
to her was, “Mum, I'm going to Singapore!” But, of course, she had been constantly refreshing the
Department of Education website and was aware of the news long before I was! Nonetheless, she was just
as excited.
The whole experience leading up to the announcement of the results was so humbling, and it gave me
confidence in myself and my abilities, which is just as valuable as the tour itself. I'm extremely excited for
the tour, and have already begun counting down the days until it commences!
March Briefing
Day 1 - Presentation
Being officially presented with a certificate of recognition was such an extraordinary feeling in itself.
However, what was most memorable about the day was being surrounded by the nine other students who
were feeling similar emotions to me which was comforting. The support from my family and from my
principal, too, was very humbling.
Day 2 - Museums and Historical Tours
The passion and commitment that was demonstrated by our tour guides was so admirable, and it
strengthened my appreciation for the history of our nation. The tour guides were devoted to teaching our
generation about the sacrifices our service personnel made, and shared stories of both heroism and
tragedy that have shaped our country. This was incredibly inspiring, and has encouraged me to form a new
resolution: to continue to educate future generations about the backbone of our world as it is today –
something that the Premier’s Anzac Student Tour will enable me to do.
Day 3 - Memorial Service
My mindset for our walk through the memorial avenue in
Kings Park was one of solemn respect and utmost
appreciation for the sacrifices and unquestionable bravery
of the fallen Western Australian soldiers who lined the
paths we walked. What resounded the most with me was
the concept of ‘reconciliation.’ For our future to be
ensured, it is essential that we do not hold grudges
against those who were against us during the war, but to
forgive and, most importantly, put our effort into ensuring
that such atrocities never occur again.

34
Day One - Departure
Arriving at Perth International Airport was such an elating
feeling. The moment I had been counting down to since
11 November 2016 had finally arrived, and I was beyond
excited. Unsurprisingly, the stylish nature of our tour polo
shirt attracted some attention, and when answering the
questions about what our tour was for, and seeing the
pride on the faces of the inquisitor, it further enforced the
importance of being a youth ambassador.
Undoubtedly, there were a few nerves when it came to
take-off, but the prospects of what lay ahead, as well as
the warm hospitality of the stewards, was incredibly
calming. The highlight of the flight – words I never thought I would hear coming from my own aerophobic
mouth – was flying in over Singapore Port and seeing the vibrant and busy harbour, which alluded to a
country with a blossoming trade industry.
What resonated most with me upon landing in Singapore and journeying through Changi Airport, was the
abundance of greenery that occupied locations both within the Airport and in the streets that we travelled.
I'd heard of the beautiful landscapes and incredible gardens that exist within the country, but seeing it with
my own eyes was breathtaking.
Driving past the high rises and landmarks that characterise how the world sees Singapore, I'm intrigued to
dig deeper and discover more about the historical struggles and triumphs that have shaped the Lion City
into the successful nation is it today.
Day Two - Cultural Appreciation
Waking up to the sounds of a main road, yet birds too, was a very pleasant early morning surprise –
offering just a taste of what Singapore held.
I was particularly excited to visit Marina Bay as my grandparents travelled to
Singapore several years ago and sent me a postcard featuring the Marina Bay
Sands Hotel. Leading up to the tour they were eager for me to see the
magnificent architecture of Moshe Safdie – or maybe they just wanted me to
stand where they stood, admiring the same view. Nevertheless, seeing the
modern and urban Hotel and city landscape, immersed in the luscious foliage of
native trees, was an unforgettable sight. I hope that other countries also adopt
the ‘Green City’ idea, and encapsulate the modernity of our world, while also
glorifying the flora and fauna of their particular country.
Visiting the Sultan Mosque, Arab Street, as well as Hindu and Buddhist temples,
allowed for the opportunity to fully see how rich our world is when it comes to
different cultures and religions. Never before have I been able to travel to four different places of worship
within the timeframe of a few hours. Not only did it put into perspective how abundant culture is within
Singapore, but also how accepting and mutually respectful these religions, and the people of the religions,
are towards others.
What resonated with me most, was a goddess-related symbolism that our tour guide – ‘Uncle Joe’ Nin
explained. One of the three main goddesses of Hinduism (Goddess Lakshmi) is often painted with a lotus
flower. Joe explained that in the Hindu religion, lotus flowers represent new, beautiful things growing from
Embracing Hinduism

35
Changi Beach
adverse origins. This religious motif is exceedingly powerful, as it offers a sense of hope to anyone who has
experienced difficult times, promising a brighter future. Despite the difference in faith, I believe that I will
forever remember such an encouraging symbol, to give me optimism in times of doubt.
Day Three - Events of WWII
Heading into today, it was inevitable that emotions were going to be prevalent.
Changi Museum and Chapel had a very solemn atmosphere – not surprising, yet touching in some
respects. Two main aspects of our visit to the Museum and Chapel stood out to me the most. Firstly, the
resilience of the prisoners that was inspired by and reflected in their commitment to their faith, and finding
refuge in God. What was most astounding was the Changi Cross, made by a prisoner of war from metal of
artillery. Not only does this emphasise how the men clung to their
faith in times of turmoil, but also how resourceful and pragmatic
they were in trying to normalise their horrific experiences. I am
incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to leave a
message of gratitude towards the sacrifices made by the men on
the Chapel wall, and also to pray in front of the Changi Cross, in
the same way that the prisoners of war would have 75 years ago.
Secondly, what provoked a response of sympathy and sorrow,
while also providing a more localised perspective, were the
letters and postcards sent to prisoners by their families. Reading
the words exchanged between the distant relatives reinforces the seemingly overlooked fact that the men
indeed had wives back home missing them, children growing up in their absence, and parents praying for
their safe return. This encourages me to question what our world would be like had those service personnel
and their families not made immense sacrifices in the name of peace and freedom.
In the words of George Yeo, Minister of Trade and Industry (2001), “It is very important that we do not take
peace for granted - that we do not assume that there will always be harmony; that there will be no more
war; that there's no need for us to defend ourselves.”
Day Four - One Place, Many Stories
Today can be summed up by one particular word: juxtaposition.
Our day started in the Old Ford Factory Museum where we walked around the
building where the monumental surrender of Singapore was formally signed
by British General Arthur Percival, under heavy pressure from Japanese
General Tomoyuki Yamashita. This was significant for me, as I had
extensively researched Yamashita for my biographical production for the tour,
so I was stupefied by the opportunity to stand in the same room.
On the theme of juxtaposition, the Old Ford Factory provided an incredible
insight into the many different perspectives that existed surrounding the Fall of
Singapore. Two significant examples of this were the displayed quotes from the Japanese Prime Minister
Hideki Tojo, who stated that “the capture of Singapore signifies the birth of a new Asia, and a turning point
in world history”. This optimistic view of the monumental Allied defeat of Britain's ‘impregnable fortress’ is
profoundly contrasted against British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill's interpretation of the Fall of
Singapore, which was displayed on the opposite wall: “the worst disaster and largest capitulation in history”.
With Gallipoli Bear, Private
Ernest Harvey, at the Old
Ford Factory Museum

36
Arriving at the Labrador Nature Reserve, the concept of juxtaposition still resonated with me. There was an
uncanny rivalry between the rhythmic snapping of the cicadas in the tropical jungle-like greenery of the
Reserve and the lapping waves of the Singapore Strait. Furthermore, the land featured distinguishable
changes from the barren landscapes that existed during WWII, to the built-up, luscious scenery that is
present today. This offers the opportunity to examine the progress that has been made over the past 75
years, and how much effort the country has put in to developing into the modern, urban nation we see it as
today.
Our tour guide, Chris, told us today that there is something truly magical and eye-opening about being in a
certain place, which brings about an awe-inspiring epiphany which will not be forgotten.
Day Five - Strategies and Surrenders
The Fall of Singapore has such an extraordinary history behind it, that it is hard to fully grasp how
monumental this event really was. Visiting the Fort Canning Hill and the Battle Box today provided me with
the opportunity to cement the significance of the defeat of the Allies: “the sun had set on one nation, but
had risen on another”.
There is something truly incredible about being in a location that transports
the mind into a bygone-era. This applies heavily to the Battle Box where we
had the opportunity be in the same room that Arthur Percival and eleven
other high-ranked military officials held the mere fifteen minute meeting
where they formally decided to surrender Singapore to Yamashita and his
troops. Being in the enclosed room, it almost seemed as though the
environment was mimetic of the situation - a closed room signifying a closed
decision.
What shocked me, however, was to learn how Winston Churchill viewed the
possibility of surrender. Churchill announced that the Allies must not
surrender at any cost and must also not consider the civilians of the nation
when making a decision. The heartless and insensitive reaction of the leader of the biggest Empire in the
world is quite confronting, as he seemingly had no regard for the humanity that remained. However, this
was a direct contrast to the twelve Allied officers who made the executive decision to surrender, as they
understood that water supplies were depleted (due to devastating bombings of the water sources and pipes
in the city) and that to continue to defend the island nation would result in unnecessary casualties on the
Allies' behalf.
What was also particularly interesting, despite its obvious importance, were the security measures that the
men in the Battle Box took to ensure that no crucial information was leaked. There were countless
propaganda posters warning about the danger if the enemy managed to access secret military information.
Furthermore, when men from the communications room had to deliver information to another part of the
bunker, they had to travel in pairs to protect the exchange of valuable data.
Day Six - Witnesses of History
I had much anticipation leading up to our visit to Hwa Chong Institution (HCI), and was impressed by the
nature of the school, the students and the education system itself.
What was immediately obvious upon arriving at HCI was the amazing architecture of the school buildings.
The school is nearing its centenary, and the age is evident in colonial-style buildings, high ceilings, white
plaster, archways and waterfalls, which were all common characteristics around the campus. Ponds and
Spice Garden Trail at
Fort Canning Hill

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