The Changi Chapel
On the day I went to The Changi Chapel and Museum, there was this burly overseas visitor sitting in the chapel alone, sobbing his heart out. I sat far away in a shady corner and waited. I did not have the heart to intrude on his private moment of grief. It was a good 40 minutes later that I got to take a good look of the chapel.
handwritten messages and dedications left by visitors
The Changi Museum commemorates the WWII Allied POWs who suffered horrific treatment during the Japanese Occupation.
Visitors can read about what happened during the war from its storyboard displays. It showcase quotes from POWs, locals and war veterans. These quotes tell us about their experiences in war and what life was like during the war.
On display were tools, materials and personal belongings of POWs and other artefacts related or used during World War II, donated by organizations, POWs and their families, as well as other visitors.
Within the POW camps, the soldiers had to fight against humiliating diseases, death and food shortage. The thought of seeing their loved ones again gave them the power to endure so much.... but sadly, many of them didn't make it in the end.
More than 3 years of history and tales of 50,000 civilians and soldiers are enclosed in the Changi Chapel and Museum. A detailed map on the Japanese expansion into Southeast Asia and also a remembrance wall that recognizes the various units that defended Singapore before the Fall is displayed.
light a candle in memory of those who sacrificed in a war
For the Prisoners-of-War (POWs) and their families, it is a site that allows for closure of the many emotional scars inflicted by the war years.
The Changi Chapel and Museum
1000, Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707
Opening Hours : 9:30am - 5:00pm daily.
Last admission is at 4.30pm (Including Sundays and Public Holidays)
The Changi Museum is open to the public and there is no admission charge.
No photography is allowed in the museum.
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photohuntFirst Commenter - Lina
He must have lost a dear one during the war.
ReplyDeleteIt must be heart felt moments for loved ones visiting the chapel and remembering those who have passed on.
ReplyDeleteLet there be peace and not war in the future.
ReplyDeleteboth our countries share war-time memories of Japanese occupation. this is a great tribute to those who perished in that war.
ReplyDeleteIt's kinda like a historical place to be right? The chapel looks really old already. :D
ReplyDeleteAll these poor people who suffered because some crazy men just love to fight (not themselves of course) I am sure if women were the leaders in the whole world there would be less or no wars anymore.
ReplyDeleteNice! I'll visit this the next time I'll visit Singapore. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. This is one of my favourite museums in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Singapore many years ago, I used to pass the prison on my way to work at the RAF station at Changi. This post brings back many memories for me.
ReplyDeleteinteresting info..
ReplyDeleteThe man must surely have lost a family member maybe his father who never returned home after the war. So sad.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the poppies pinned on the message board.Relating to Armistice or Veterans Day.It always moves me very much.Thank you ECL for shedding a light on this subject.
hi, thanks for this informaton.. i liked the chapel.. i use it as an insipiration when we make chapel for our subdivision.. thanks again.. have a nice day
ReplyDeletehttp://annkschin.blogspot.com/2008/11/kranji-war-cemetery-and-second-world.html
ReplyDeleteI lived in Singapore for 16 years, and used to take my foreign visitors to Kranji memorial. I always shed a tear when I am there as I read the names of the soildiers buried there, esp the young one.
In deed like you, I hope there won't be another WW. My parents lived through WW2. Even in the 1970s, I lived through a 24 hour curfew. That was real bad.
Thanks for visiting.
What a great post. Had known about Changi during the Japanese occupation but have yet to pay a visit to the museum and chapel. Now you make me want to do so when I next visit Singapore.
ReplyDeleteit was a painful episode for our countries.. world war ll.
ReplyDeleteI would like to light a candle in memory to those who have sacrifised their lives durng the war.
ReplyDeleteNice old chapel! I would love to visit it! : )
ReplyDeleteHave to wait for 40 mins for this visitor to sob his heart out? Well, it's good of you not to interrupt him!
ReplyDeleteMust be quite interesting reading all those historical displays! Definitely a good place for families of POWs to remember their loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a very significant place for many Australians as they were prisoners of war in that area.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend ECL.
I like that little chapel
ReplyDeletemany people lost their loved ones during the war...i hope no more fights and evey nation will just be in peace