On 15 February 2002, exactly 60 years after the fall of Singapore to the Japanese Imperial Forces, Lt. Dean and his family were invited by the National Archives of Singapore to the official opening of Reflections at Bukit Chandu, a World War II Interpretative Centre, commemorating the Malay Regiment who defended the western sector of Singapore in February 1942.

We are grateful to Lt. Dean's generosity in sharing his memories and experience recorded in our documentaries which are screened at both the Bukit Chandu Theatre and the AV Theatre at Memories at Old Ford Factory, a new permanent gallery on the significant 3 years and 8 months of the Japanese Occupation, which began when Singapore was renamed Syonan-to on 16 February 1942.

Listen to Lt. Dean's moving account about the Battle at Bukit Chandu and the courage and perseverance displayed by the Malay Regiment.

(clip 1) - Lt. Dean's account on the Battle of Bukit Chandu
(clip 2) - Lt. Dean's impression of the Malay Regiment
 

During the Japanese Occupation, Mrs Elizabeth Choy and her husband were jailed and tortured by Japanese Military Administration Department for helping to pass food, medicine and messages to British prisoners of war. Her psychological resilience helped her to endure the interrogations by her Japanese captors. After the war, Mrs Choy was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her valour during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.

In her reflection on the lessons learnt from the war, she said, “My values are quite changed. I am no more materialistic, even to this day. Never mind if I have no mansion, no diamonds...still I’m happy.”  The transcripts of her full interview are available at the Reference Room of the National Archives of Singapore.

Mrs Elizabeth Choy also made history by becoming Singapore’s first woman in the Legislative Council in 1951. She later became the first principal of the Singapore School for the Blind in 1956.