Make 2005 the year to visit Singapore. Join us as we commemorate the 60^th Anniversary of the End of World War II in the Asia Pacific. Throughout 2005, we will be organizing a host of events and activities to salute the unsung heroes of the Second World War.

February 15 Civilian War Memorial Service / Total Defence Day War Memorial Park

This day in 1942 is remembered by many as the day the island of Singapore tragically fell into Japanese enemy hands.

Join generations of Singaporeans as they honour and pay tribute to their loved ones who perished during the Japanese Occupation.
Held at the War Memorial Park, where the Civilian War Memorial structure stands, at Beach Road, this annual Memorial Service has been held for the last 38 years to commemorate the loss of precious civilian lives. At the close of the service, an "all clear"signal will resound to mark the restoration of peace.

• Time : 9.30am - 10.30am
• Admission Fees : Free
• Location : War Memorial Park, Beach Road
• Nearest MRT Station : City Hall

February 22 How the Japanese Occupied Singapore and why people should care. Singapore History Museum

This is a public lecture on the Japanese Conquest by Associate Professor Brian Farrell. He teaches Military History in the National University of Singapore and has written books on the WWII. These include: "The Basis and Making of British Grand Strategy 1940 - 1943: Was There a Plan?" and "Between Two Oceans: A Military History of Singapore From First Settlement to Final British Withdrawal". More information on the speaker can be found at http://fashost.fas.nus.edu.sg/hist/hisbpf.html

• Time : 7.30pm
• Admission Fees : Free
• Capacity : Limited to 193 participants
• Location : Singapore History Museum
• Address : 30 Merchant Road #03 - 09/17 Riverside Point, Singapore 058282
• Phone : (65)6332 4075
• Nearest MRT Station : Clarke Quay
• Website : http://www.nhb.gov.sg/SHM

March 11 Launch of Labrador Tunnels Labrador Park

One of the strategic defence sites utilised by the British to protect the harbours of Singapore, Labrador Park is well - known for its historical relics from World War II. Two tunnels were discovered at the park in 2001. To re - create the war - time atmosphere, the two tunnels were preserved in their original state as much as possible. Another new key feature at the park is a 6" cannon that was uncovered at Beach Road in 2001. The National Parks Board, together with Singapore Explorer Pte Ltd, will be launching the tunnels and cannon at Labrador Park on 11 March 2005. More details of the tunnels and cannon will be announced during the launch.

• Admission by invitation
• Members of the public can visit the tunnels on the weekend of Mar 12 - 13 during the Reveal of Labrador Park & Carnival (More details below).

March 12-13 Reveal of Labrador Park & Carnival at Labrador Park

Underground tunnels will be opened for the first time to the public. Learn more about our Singapore History as you venture into the secret tunnels. So come down and enjoy 2 days of family fun at Labrador Park.

Organised by the Singapore Armed Forces Veterans League (SAFVL) and the WVF, members from 19 countries in the Asia/Pacific region will gather in Singapore to discuss various topics pertaining to their theme "Towards World Peace Through Education and Information Sharing". They will focus on reconciliation, remembering that 2005 marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the war. Through this meeting, they aim to make a significant contribution to international understanding, co-operation and peace. Attendance is by invitation only.

• Interested parties can contact : Sarah, SCAP
• Phone : (65) 63554509
• Email : scap@safvl.org.sg

A unique and poignant exhibition, the Singapore Philatelic Museum in collaboration with the National Heritage Board uses philatelic materials like covers and stamps, audio visual interviews and documentaries to explore the emotions of the people who survived the war and the new challenges they faced in post - war Singapore. Some of the items on display will include letters written by Prisoners-of-War to their families, a telegram from the War Office in UK and a letter from Buckingham Palace signed by King George VI.

• Opening Hours : Monday (1.00pm - 7.00pm); Tuesday - Sunday (9.00am - 7.00pm)
• Admission Fees : S$3 (Adult), S$2 (Child; 3 - 12 years old)
• Location : Singapore Philatelic Museum
• Address : 23 - B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807
• Phone : (65) 6337 3888
• Nearest MRT Station(s) : City Hall / Clarke Quay
• Website : http://www.spm.org.sg

September Shuttle Service Weekends in September Pasir Panjang Heritage Trail Reflections at Bukit Chandu: Kent Ridge Park

Enjoy a complimentary shuttle service to Reflections at Bukit Chandu(RBC)
at the following times:

Pick Up Times - from Harbourfront Centre, Bus Stop B03
(Opposite Seah Imm Food Centre) : 11.00am, 1pm & 3pm

Send Off Times - from RBC Carpark C : 12.40pm, 2.40pm and 4.45pm

• Opening Hours : Tues - Sun (9.00am - 5.00pm)
• Admission : S$2.00 (Adult) S$1.00 (Child/Senior Citizen)
• Location : Reflections at Bukit Chandu
• Address : 31K Pepys Road
• Phone : (65) 63752510
• Nearest MRT Station : HarbourFront
• Website : http://www.s1942.org.sg/bukit_chandu/homepage.htm

September 3, 10, 17 and 24 "Light After Dark" Hippo Bus Tours

Enjoy a breezy night ride with open-air WWII related movie screenings and dinner of "combat rations", as the open top Hippo bus brings you to visit various WWII sites.

• Time : 6pm - 10pm
• Tour Price : S$33 (Adult), S$17 (Child)
• Venue: Ducktours booth, Suntec City
• Phone: (65) 63386877
• Website : http://www.ducktours.com.sg

Academics, Veterans and members of the public with a keen interest in military history should register now for a rare experience - an open public forum where war veterans of the combatant countries and members of the wartime generation will engage in debates about what the war meant for them and its legacy. First person accounts will be given by war veterans from countries like Australia, UK, Malaysia, and Singapore. Participation is to be by advance registration. Please contact organisers below. For more details, please go to http://www.hsse.nie.edu.sg/events/eow2005/main.htm

• Time : 12.30pm - 5.30pm
• Admission : Free
• Location : Singapore History Museum
• Address : 30 Merchant Road #03 - 09/17 Riverside Point, Singapore 058282
• Phone : (65) 6332 4075
• Nearest MRT Station : Clarke Quay
• Website : http://www.nhb.gov.sg/SHM

This 2 - day unique historical event is the only international academic conference and meeting of world authorities on the pacific war. Associate Professors Kevin Blackburn and Karl Hack, war historians from the National Institute of Education, have assembled around 70 international experts from over 20 countries worldwide to explore many salient issues pertaining to the war. These concerns will be addressed through papers, multi-media presentations like film screenings, and oral history recordings. Academics, historians, journalists and those with prior knowledge of specialized reading are welcome to participate. Prior registration is required. Do register early to avoid disappointment.

For more information on this conference, please go to http://www.hsse.nie.edu.sg/events/eow2005/main.htm

• Time : 9.00am - 5.30pm
• Admission : S$200 (Special: S$50 for veterans)
• Location : Singapore History Museum
• Address : 30 Merchant Road #03 - 09/17 Riverside Point, Singapore 058282
• Phone : (65) 6332 4075
• Nearest MRT Station : Clarke Quay
• Website : http://www.nhb.gov.sg/SHM

September 9 Veterans Homecoming at Fort Siloso Fort Siloso, Sentosa

Starting 9 September 2005, Fort Siloso commemorates the 60^th anniversary of end of World War II with events starting 9 September 2005. The day's programme includes a Veteran Tribute Ceremony, Meet the Veterans sessions, band performances and a commemorative enactment, which will be featured throughout September.

• Time : 10.00am - 6.00pm (Last entry: 5.30pm)
• Commemorative Enactment: 12.30pm, 2.30 pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm
  (from 10 September to 30 September)
• Admission: Adult S$8/ Child S$5
• Location : Fort Siloso, Sentosa
  (By Sentosa Bus: Blue, Green and Red Line)
• Phone : (65) 1800-736 8672

The visitors during the month will be offered an attractive Fort Siloso Package.


Fort Siloso WWII Commerative Package
Components of package as follows:
- Island Admission via bus
- Admission into Fort Siloso
- *Sentosa Mineral Water
- *Fort Siloso Cap
- *Limited Edition Fort Siloso Comemortive Collar Pin
 
*Redeemable at QuarterMaster Store at Fort Siloso
 
Package Price:
Walk-ins: $16.00 per person (U.P. $28.80 per adult, $25.80 per child)
Coupon-holders: $14.00 per person (A coupon portion is available in the Ex-Services Association of Singapore, ESAS Magazine Sep 05 issue)
Islander Card members: $6.40 per person
Terms and Conditions for coupon and islander card members: Each coupon/card entitles holder to purchase a maximum of 5 tickets.
 
Packages are available at all the ticketing counters on Sentosa.

September 10 Commemoration Ceremony/Launch of new exhibits at Changi Chapel & Museum

A short commemoration ceremony, which will be conducted at 11.00am to commemorate the end of World War II, will precede the launch of never before seen exhibits at the Changi Museum.

• Time : 11.00 am
• Admission : Free
• Location : Changi Chapel & Museum
• Address : 1000 Upper Changi Road North
• Phone : (65) 6214 2451
• Nearest MRT Station : Tampines
• Website : http://www.changimuseum.com

September 11
60th Anniversary Afternoon Tea
Eden Hall

His Excellency Mr Alan Collins CMG, the British High Commissioner to Singapore, will be hosting afternoon tea on Sunday 11th September 2005.  He would like to extend an invitation to all UK veterans, accompanied by their friends and relatives, who will be visiting Singapore over the period to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Ending of the War in SE Asia.

Also present will be UK Military and Ministry of Defence personnel and local guests, including members of the Ex-Services' Association of Singapore. The event is by invitation only.  If you would like to attend, please send full name, date of birth and contact details for yourself and your friends/relatives, along with a short historical background of yourself, preferably by e-mail to:

Liz Brown
Defence Section
Tanglin Road
British High Commission
Singapore 247919
Tel: +65 6424 4235
Fax: +65 6424 4230
E-Mail: sixtieth@fco.gov.uk

Note: Dress code - Smart/Casual e.g. shirt & tie, no jacket required

September 11
Launch of Sembawang Memorial
Sembawang Wharf

In December 1941, Force "Z" of the Royal Navy comprising the battleship HMS Prince of Wales, battlecruiser HMS Repulse and 4 destroyers sailed from the then Naval Base Sembawang to confront the Japanese invasion fleet off Kota Bahru. Devoid of air cover, their defences were overwhelmed by a force of some 90 Japanese bombers/torpedo planes. Despite robust retaliation, sadly the 2 capital ships went down fighting with large losses of life. This memorial, located close to where Force Z sailed from, will be dedicated to this courageous action and to the ships and men of Force Z particularly those who never returned and who gave their lives so that others might live in freedom.

• Time : 6.00pm
• Admission by Invitation (Note: Space is very limited therefore attendance will be by invitation only, with priority going to Force "Z" Veterans)
• Location : PSA Sembawang Wharves
• Organisers: Royal Navy Liaison Office (RNLO) & The British High Commission (Singapore).
• For more details, please contact the office at rnlo1@singnet.com.sg
  
  

September 11 Singapore Film Society WWII Commemoration DoubleBill Film Showcase

An Asean premiere, the first film is "DO YOU KNOW SHONAN-TO: PORTRAITS OF HUMANITY UNDER THE SHADOW OF WAR" by Mr Ikeda Hachiro, who will be present for a post-screening discussion. This documentary chronicles an inside story that happened in Singapore during WWII. During the Japanese Occupation, when the National Museum and Botanic Gardens were in danger of being destroyed, a group of British, Japanese and Chinese bravely casted aside national boundaries and worked together to preserve Singapore's priceless cultural and botanical heritage.

The second film is a contemplative anti-war film "BURMESE HARP" by renowned director, Ichikawa Kon in 1985, adapted from the novel by Takeyama Michio. "While the depiction of the soldiers may be idealized, The Burmese Harp transcends its limitations to become a universal testament not only to the madness that prevailed in Burma, but to the unspeakable horror of all war." - Howard Schumann. Screening Hours : 2.00pm and 4:15pm Admission : Free Admission on First-Come, First-Served basis. Location : Alliance Francaise Auditorium Address : 1 Sarkies Road Phone : 90170160 Nearest MRT Station : Newton Website : www.sfs.org.sg

September 12 Kranji War Memorial Dedication Service Kranji War Cemetery & Memorial

A day to remember - this day 60 years ago saw the end of World War II in the Asian Pacific. To honour and commemorate all those who sacrificed their lives, this annual Dedication Service will be conducted at dawn at the Kranji War Memorial where most of the fallen are buried.

• Time : 7.00am
• Admission : Free
• Location : Kranji War Cemetery & Memorial
• Address: 9 Woodlands Road
• Phone : (65) 6269 6158
• Nearest MRT Station : Kranji