Remembering the Japanese Occupation in Joo Chiat.
Background
For the purpose of this interview, I am thankful to my Eldest Uncle(maternal), Mr
Koh Leong Kwan for giving me his valuable time and insights into the Japanese
Occupation. Mr Koh was born in Singapore on 15th July 1935. He’s parents, my
maternal grandparents, were Straits Born Chinese and he is a descendant of a unique
cultural heritage and lineage – the Peranakans. Mr Koh has spent the majority of his life
in the Peranakan community found in the Katong Area1 in Singapore. Up till today, he is
staying in a HDB flat in Tanjong Rhu which is still within the Katong domain. During the
Japanese Occupation Mr Koh and his family stayed in a kampung located along Joo
Chiat lane. The zinc roof house they stayed in survived up till 1990 when government
redevelopment meant that the kampung houses in the area had to go. I have my own
recollections of the house as I was privileged to have stayed in it on numerous
occasions when my mother has brought me to visit my maternal relatives. Mr Koh’s
experience of the Japanese Occupation are those of a 7-10 year old child. He was 7
when the Japanese arrived, and he was 10 when British rule was restored. My uncle,
Twa Koo (eldest uncle) as I call him, is a jovial and humourous man. He is more than
happy to tell me of his recollections of the Japanese Occupation. He is also educated
and well read and has a fond interest in history as well. I interviewed him on two
occasions at his home and the transcript is a vetted copy of the interview session.
1
Yeoh,B. and Kong, L. Portraits of Places: History, Community and Identity In
Singapore ed. (Times Editions Pte Ltd : 1995) – for a better idea of the Katong
community, see the chapter 6 – Exploring Local Cultures: The Construction and
Evolution of Meaning and Identity in Katong
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Period prior to war and the night of 14-15th February 1942
I started the interview by asking him about the period prior to war and how it was
like before the Japanese came. Mr Koh was able to relate to me that his family was
quite well off as his father worked in the Dutch-based Java Sea Insurance Company.
[line 25] “ We were quite well off and could even afford to hire an Ah Cheh
(servant) to help with the chores. I remember we were staying at 239 Joo Chiat
Road.”
On the night of 14-15th February, he remembers hiding under the table while artillery
shells could be heard whistling overhead. When the family emerged the morning after,
the house opposite, which belonged to a Jewish family had taken a direct hit from a
bomb.
[line 36] “ There was a big bungalow opposite our house and it belonged to a
Jewish family. The house took a direct hit and a huge chunk of bomb shrapnel fell
just in front of our doorstep. Can you imagine if that huge chunk had flown
through our house and injured somebody? I even saw a dismembered leg
hanging from a telephone wire. It was quite harrowing then. There was the
constant wheezing of artillery shells overhead and we were all hiding under
tables. Then I heard the footsteps…thump thump thump of soliders moving past
our house. They were Japanese soldiers and we were terrified then.”
Mr Koh had experienced the jarring effect of war on social life and normalcy. In
subsequent recounts of the Japanese Occupation which followed, Mr Koh’s accounts
are similar to other published literature of the period. However, one most take into
consideration that he was a child then. Some of his accounts were sketchy but there are
a few significant ones as well. A few poignant images have stayed etched in Mr Koh’s
memory and from these we are able to piece together a recollection of the Japanese
Occupation in Joo Chiat. His recollections reveal the innovative nature and
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resourcefulness of the people in surviving the occupation as well as the socialpsychological need for life to return to normalcy.
Innovation – “Living by our wits”
The most constant feeling that Mr Koh remembers of the Japanese Occupation is
hunger. Food was scarce during the Japanese Occupation and most people survived on
the bare minimum.
[line 84] “I can remember the constant pangs of hunger. Even though the rope
factory gave each of us a bun, it never eased the hunger. I used to drink plenty of
water just to fill my tummy.”
Together with his elder sister, he was able to secure a job at a Japanese Rope Factory
where they would get paid 5 katis of rice monthly for helping out in menial labour. His
parents did all they could to support the family. His father would sell ration cigarettes to
the blackmarket while his mum did all she could to scrounge for food. It was interesting
to hear the ways that the families innovated. A key necessity was moving in with
relatives. During the Japanese Occupation, the family moved in together with their other
relatives. This was vital as relatives could be counted upon for support to help raise the
family. They all moved together to 24 Joo Chiat Lane which is the kampung house I
remember as well.
Other interesting forms of innovation include the use of palm oil to fry “mee
goreng” and also the use of coal to power vehicles.
[line 143] “I remember my mother was also quite a wonderful cook. She was able
to cook “Mee Goreng” (spicy fried noodles) with palm oil and made other dishes
out of whatever little we had.”
[line 128] “Somehow they managed to get the taxis to run on coal.”
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Such innovations were reflective of a society’s need to return to normalcy and to
alleviate the harsh conditions at the time.
Life had to go on… Gambling!?
One of the most surprising things that my uncle could tell me was that gambling
was carried out at “Happyworld” which was an amusement park located in Geylang. His
parents would work there at night, manning the gambling stalls. He was even able to
describe some of the games to me. I found this really surprising because the last thing I
would expect people to do during these critical times was to gamble! Gambling as it
turned out was a form of recreation for the people. It was a form of escape from the
harsh conditions of the Japanese Occupation. People gained hope from winning at the
game of chance. As my uncle so aptly put it,
[line 138] “Life had to go on. It did not matter who was in control - Japanese or
British. It was definitely worse during the occupation. But everybody just tried
their best to survive and hope for better times.”
During the occupation, Chinese New Year and other festivals were still celebrated. My
uncle remembers playing with his kampung friends and swimming in the sea. Again we
can attribute such instances of social behaviour to a psychological need to return things
to their natural order, even in times of adversity.
The Japanese
There was however no escaping the brutality of Japanese Military rule. Mr Koh is
able to relate at least two instances when he was witness to their harshness. However
he did have this to add about the Japanese and the treatment he experienced.
[line 167] “As children, we were taught to be respectful of the Japanese,
especially the soldiers. Somehow I did not really fear them. I think the Japanese
had a soft spot for children. The Japanese I came in contact with, like the Rope
Factory manager, were jovial towards us kids.”
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In a humourous incident, he also recalls having to line the streets to greet a passing car
and the general inside. He is unable to remember who the general was.
[line 72] “There is a very funny incident I remember from my school days. A few
days after school started, all the children were made to line the roads at Kallang
Road. We were told that a general was driving by and when he did, we had to
shout “Banzai!” We also had to turn our backs around when the car drove past.
The general it seems was fearful of assassination attempts. So I lined the roads
with the other kids…turned my back around and shouted ‘Banzai!’ ”
In Mamoru Shinozaki’s book, Syonan-My Story, there is an interesting chapter2
regarding the Japanese love for ceremonies and also their adoration for children.
The most vivid image from the Japanese Occupation
In most cases of memories regarding the Japanese Occupation, people often
had harrowing tales or grotesque images to recount. For my uncle, his most vivid
memory remains otherwise. Here, in is own words, he describes the most vivid images
he has from the Japanese Occupation.
[line 172] “I must tell you about this wonderful moonlit night in late 1944. I cannot
remember the exact date but we were out sitting in the garden, my father, my
uncles and I. We were just relaxing, enjoying the night breeze, when we heard this
low drone up above us. We all looked up and silhouetted against the full moon
was the unmistakable shape of a plane. It was a wonderful sight, you could see
the moonlight reflecting of its silver frame and it just created this low drone. My
uncle remarked in Malay then, “That doesn’t look like a Japanese plane eh…could
it be British?” Surprisingly the plane flew pass without any Japanese anti-aircraft
fire or retaliation. In my later years, I realized that the plane I saw that night was
possibly a reconnaissance plane, sent on a bright moonlit night, and flying high
overhead, spotting installations to strike.
Why am I convinced it was a recon plane? Because a few days later, at
about 10am in the morning, while we were working in the rope factory compound,
suddenly we saw overhead, a wave of nine planes fly past. These planes were
huge and they flew in formation, nine together. That morning we stopped work
and stood transfixed as 3-4 waves flew over our heads. It was a magnificent sight.
Somehow we knew then, that these weren’t Japanese planes. We felt happy, I
Shinozaki, Mamoru Syonan – My Story (Asia Pacific Press : 1975) – see chapter 7 on General
Yamashita
2
5 - 14
think there was this feeling that our suffering was coming to an end. Nobody
scolded us for halting work. It was just a weird feeling, seeing those planes. Later
we heard the sounds of anti-aircraft guns and also the whistling sound of bombs.
When I went back that night, my father told me that the oil refineries in the
southern islands and parts of the harbour had been bombed. I think the planes
we saw were B-29s and they possibly came from Burma. There was a buzz
amongst the people. The British were coming back!”
The arrival of the B-29s occurred in late 19443 and my uncle, Mr Koh, was fortunate to
have witnessed them flying overhead. It was a key image in his memory because he
remembers it as a turning point then. For much of the population, the good times were
associated with British rule and not Japanese rule.
The Joo Chiat Community
In understanding survival during the Japanese Occupation, my uncle revealed a
community which pulled together and stood by one another. His family was fortunate to
have stayed in Joo Chiat where neighbours were well acquainted with one another. It
was interesting to note that the Japanese appointed his father as a warden for the area.
My mother has kept his letter of appointment as well as the badge identifying him as a
warden. He wore a one-flower badge4, no. 3075, which indicated that he was
responsible for thirty households in the area. His father however was treated with much
respect in the community.
[line 137] “However the Joo Chiat kampung we stayed in remain closely knit. Our
Chinese neighbours would vouch for my father that he was not a collaborator. As
I said earlier, my father was a peaceful man and was well-respected. Joo Chiat
kampung was a generally safe neighbourhood. We didn’t even have fencing
then.”
3
Tan, B.L. and Quah, Irene The Japanese Occupation 1942-1945 : A Pictorial Recard of Singapore
During the War (Times Editions Pte Ltd : 1996), page175 – a picture of B-29s and how many felt they
represented the tide of war was turning
4 Ibid. page 103 – pictures of the official documents of the auxillary police and a description of the APS
badges and the number of households they were responsible for.
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The Joo Chiat community in that respect was perhaps a slice of the island which
actually made the Japanese Occupation tolerable. Its proximity to the sea and its more
tolerable culture of Peranakan, Eurasian and Malay heritage provided the area an air of
recreation and play. The same Katong spirit exists up till today5.
Conclusion
In ending the interview, I am struck by what my uncle has to say about the end
of the Japanese Occupation.
[line 210] “After British administration had returned, I remember seeing red juicy
apples being sold at the markets for the first time in years. That was such a
beautiful sight. It spelt to me that the war and occupation was really over.”
It puts a younger generation of youths like me into perspective and how we often take
our supermarkets, abundant with stacks of food, for granted. As a matter of fact, we
take a lot for granted. For a generation who has never acquainted themselves with war,
we often forget that peace and prosperity is not a norm. It is only through the recounts
of a much hardened older generation that we can seek to have a minimal understanding
of the harsh conditions that they had to endure. Hopefully we might never have to “Live
by our wits” ever again.
5
Yeoh,B. and Kong, L. Portraits of Places: History, Community and Identity In Singapore ed. (Times
Editions Pte Ltd : 1995) – chapter 6 on Katong describes in detail the spirit that is prevalent there.
7 - 14
Bibliography
1.
Lee, Kuan Yew. The Singapore Story : Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore:
Times Editions Pte Ltd, 1998)
2.
Yeoh,B. and Kong, L. Portraits of Places: History, Community and Identity In
Singapore ed. (Times Editions Pte Ltd : 1995)
3.
4.
Tan, B.L. and Quah, Irene The Japanese Occupation 1942-1945 : A Pictorial
Recard of Singapore During the War (Times Editions Pte Ltd : 1996)
Shinozaki, Mamoru Syonan – My Story (Asia Pacific Press : 1975)
5.
He, Wen Lit Syonan Interlude (Mandarin Paperacks : 1991)
Additional notes
6.
A transcript of the oral interview is attached.
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Transcript of interview with Mr Koh Leong Kwan
Twa Koo(Eldest Uncle), you can begin with your profile.
Ok, Gene-boy(my family pet name). My name is Koh Leong Kwan and I was
born on 15th July 1935. I am the eldest son of 6 surviving siblings - one elder halfsister, three younger brothers and one youngest sister. The youngest sister is
your mother as you know.
What about your parents? When was Kong Kong(grandpa) born? Was he straits born?
Your Kong Kong was born in 1899. I’m afraid I don’t have the exact date.
But he was straits born and he passed away on 10th July 1962. Let me see if I can
find his date of birth (steps out of room and returns with an old diary – my Kong
Kong’s diary!). Hmm…nope it is not listed here. Well…he married Mdm Ong Teck
Neo who unfortunately passed away in 1923. Then he married her sister Mdm Ong
Chai Poh who is my mother. This practice was common at the time so it was quite
normal for a man to marry the sister of his bereaved wife. Your Twa Yee(Eldest
Aunt) was borne from the first marriage. The rest of your uncles and your mother
came from the second marriage. Actually you had 2 more uncles and another
aunt, but they passed away at a young age.
Can you remember conditions prior to Japanese Occupation?
My father was working for the Dutch-based Java Sea Insurance Company
at Battery Road. We were quite well off and could even afford to hire an Ah Cheh
(servant) to help with the chores. I remember we were staying at 239 Joo Chiat
Road. All this changed with the Japanese Occupation. Life was simple but it was
adequate. We did not have to worry about food or lodging. Prior to the war I
remember my mother had just signed me up for Primary Education. I was to
attend the following year in 1942 but of course things changed with the Japanese
Occupation.
Let’s talk about your war experience then. What are the experiences you can
remember?
Oh, Gene-boy, I was 6-7 years old then. I guess the things I remember were
the air raids and learning the drill of hiding under tables. I can also remember
bombings which took place near our house as well. There was a big bungalow
opposite our house and it belonged to a Jewish family. The house took a direct
hit and a huge chunk of bomb shrapnel fell just in front of our doorstep. Can you
imagine if that huge chunk had flown through our house and injured somebody? I
even saw a dismembered leg hanging from a telephone wire. It was quite
harrowing then. There was the constant wheezing of artillery shells overhead and
we were all hiding under tables. Then I heard the footsteps…thump thump thump
9 - 14
of soliders moving past our house. They were Japanese soldiers and we were
terrified then.
A few days later we heard about the British surrender and then my father
and all male Chinese in the area were called up to gather at the Telok Kurau
school field. We did not know it then, but this was the Sook Ching. I can
remember my father, his brother and their eldest cousin went away to the school.
Meanwhile our family moved to Lorong J Telok Kurau to stay with relatives, it was
also nearer to the Telok Kurau school. Only my father and his brother returned.
Their eldest cousin had foolishly admitted to serving with the Malaysian
Auxillarry Service. He was merely a “dead warden” who helped to carry away the
dead. It was quite sad that he was never to be seen again. We believe he was
killed by the Japanese and thrown in the mass graves at Siglap which were
discovered after the war.
After his return, my father moved our family to 24 Joo Chiat Lane which
belonged to his brother and it is here that we have stayed ever since. It’s the
same kampung house you remember as well.
What about the Japanese Occupation? Did you attend Nippon-go school?
Ah yes. I attended the school which was at the end of Joo Chiat Lane. Its
now Haig Girls School. I remember doing the calisthenics in the school
compound accompanied by Radio Tai Saw. We had to stand before the Japanese
flag and pay our respects every morning. Then we had to sing the Jap anthem in
the school field as well. We were given sago bread, which was horribly hard and
bouncy and also 2 spoonfuls of palm oil for nourishment.
There is a very funny incident I remember from my school days. A few days
after school started, all the children were made to line the roads at Kallang Road.
We were told that a general was driving by and when he did, we had to shout
“Banzai!” We also had to turn our backs around when the car drove past. The
general it seems was fearful of assassination attempts. So I lined the roads with
the other kids…turned my back around and shouted “Banzai!”
I only attended the Japanese school for a few months, then my mother
heard a rumour that school boys were recruited to serve as army bedman to carry
out menial tasks for the officers. My mother got me out of the school and found
me and my elder sister a job instead at a rope factory. The rope factory is situated
behind the current Joo Chiat Complex. For our labour, my sis and I would each
get a monthly ration of 5 kati(1 kati is about 600g) of rice each. That was not much
considering the number of mouths in the household. I can remember the constant
pangs of hunger. Even though the rope factory gave each of us a bun, it never
eased the hunger. I used to drink plenty of water just to fill my tummy.
In the early days of the Japanese Occupation, ration cards were also given
out and my parents would queue for 2-3 katis of wild boar flesh. My father would
10 - 14
also queue for cigarettes. I remember the famous cigarette brand “Koo-wah”
which were in high demand. They would then sell or trade these items at the
blackmarket. In the early days, British pounds was still being used and many
people hoarded them, awaiting the return of British rule. After a year, the
Japanese made it illegal to use British pounds and only Japanese currency could
be used.
How would you describe Japanese Occupation in the Joo Chiat area?
I do not know how the other areas are like. But I can say for certain that Joo
Chiat has always been a relatively peaceful place, even during the occupation. It
was a nice kampung. The neighbours looked out for one another.
I remember seeing Kong Kong(grandpa’s) Japanese badge and letter of appointment.
Can you remember his role then?
Ah, yes. My father was made a “Siedang” or a warden for the area. This
was organised by the Japanese and he had to do occasional night patrols. He
also had to report monthly to a supervisor of the Joo Chiat area.
Was there any resentment towards him because of this appointment? Did people
perceive that he was working for the Japanese?
Oh no. Definitely not. You must know what my father was like. Your Kong
Kong was a perfect gentleman. He was a soft-spoken man but he carried a lot of
respect in our kampung. At no time was he ever a Japanese collaborator.
What other means did you all employ to survive the occupation?
My parents worked at night at the Happyworld amusement park which was
at Geylang. They would run the gambling stores there. I remember there were
dice and card games, and “Telok Telok” - something like roulette. They would
work till about midnight and I would accompany them at times. Sometimes we
would sit the coal taxi back. That was a very smoky ride. <chuckle>
Coal taxi?
Yes. There was a shortage of oil remember. Somehow they managed to get
the taxis to run on coal. I remember they were extremely smoky and dirty but it
was not expensive to hire a ride.
Basically we survived on what we could. Times were harsh. We only had a
good solid bowl of rice once a month, the diet basically consisted of sweet
potatoes, tapioca and gruel. Somehow we managed to plod on. My parents did
whatever they could and so did my elder sister and I. We were living by our wits.
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Life had to go on. It did not matter who was in control - Japanese or British.
It was definitely worse during the occupation. But everybody just tried their best
to survive and hope for better times. We still celebrated Chinese New Year and
dressed in our “best clothes”. Even though some of it was 2nd hand shoes or
clothes it still felt good to celebrate the new year. I remember my mother was also
quite a wonderful cook. She was able to cook “Mee Goreng” (spicy fried noodles)
with palm oil and made other dishes out of whatever little we had. My parents did
all they could and scraped to bring our family up. My mum would also queue up
for water. Early in the morning she would carry two empty pails to the common
pipe and then make her way back. There was no tap to every household last time.
It was quite a sight to see the diminutive figure of my mother hauling two pails of
water back.
Its quite funny now that I am remembering so much things. I can also
remember going to the old Roxy Theatre at Katong to watch a cartoon. It was a
Japanese cartoon where a boy, who was born in a pumpkin, became the village
hero. Then they would also show the current news on screen.
There was no hiding from Japanese brutality though. There was an old
Malay encik(uncle) who I saw being slapped and kicked because he did not
remove his “songkok” (a hat usually worn from religious purposes) while bowing
to a Japanese guard at a sentry post. At the rope factory where we worked, we
also witnessed the infamous water torture being applied to a Malay security
guard who had stolen from the factory. From a distance we saw the Japanese
soldiers brutally kicking the man, forcing water into his mouth and subsequently
stepping on his stomach.
As children, we were taught to be respectful of the Japanese, especially the
soldiers. Somehow I did not really fear them. I think the Japanese had a soft spot
for children. The Japanese I came in contact with, like the Rope Factory manager,
were jovial towards us kids.
Can you remember any other significant events which occurred?
I must tell you about this wonderful moonlit night in late 1944. I cannot
remember the exact date but we were out sitting in the garden, my father, my
uncles and I. We were just relaxing, enjoying the night breeze, when we heard this
low drone up above us. We all looked up and silhouetted against the full moon
was the unmistakable shape of a plane. It was a wonderful sight, you could see
the moonlight reflecting of its silver frame and it just created this low drone. My
uncle remarked in Malay then, “That doesn’t look like a Japanese plane eh…could
it be British?” Surprisingly the plane flew pass without any Japanese anti-aircraft
fire or retaliation. In my later years, I realized that the plane I saw that night was
possibly a reconnaissance plane, sent on a bright moonlit night, and flying high
overhead, spotting installations to strike.
12 - 14
Why am I convinced it was a recon plane? Because a few days later, at
about 10am in the morning, while we were working in the rope factory compound,
suddenly we saw overhead, a wave of nine planes fly past. These planes were
huge and they flew in formation, nine together. That morning we stopped work
and stood transfixed as 3-4 waves flew over our heads. It was a magnificent sight.
Somehow we knew then, that these weren’t Japanese planes. We felt happy, I
think there was this feeling that our suffering was coming to an end. Nobody
scolded us for halting work. It was just a weird feeling, seeing those planes. Later
we heard the sounds of anti-aircraft guns and also the whistling sound of bombs.
When I went back that night, my father told me that the oil refineries in the
southern islands and parts of the harbour had been bombed. I think the planes
we saw were B-29s and they possibly came from Burma. There was a buzz
amongst the people. The British were coming back!
So the end of the Japanese Occupation was coming? Can you remembered when it
ended?
Well, we know now that the Japanese surrendered after the two atomic
bombs were dropped. Sometime in August 1945, we haven’t heard of the bomb
then, but we turned up at the rope factory one day and found that the workers and
machinery had stopped. We did not have to work anymore. The Japanese officials
told us the factory was closing and we were each given a dozen boxes of thread
as compensation.
A few days later, my father told me that the Japanese had surrendered.
I still had my boxes of thread so I started selling them for British pence
instead, 10p a ball. After British administration had returned, I remember seeing
red juicy apples being sold at the markets for the first time in years. That was
such a beautiful sight. It spelt to me that the war and occupation was really over.
What did you all do after the Japanese Occupation had ended?
It was really a time for picking up the pieces. Life was still hard, but it was
also gradually getting better. My family sold food at the Old Changi Market along
Geylang Serai. We made Goreng Pisang and other treats. I would also help an
uncle hawk Nonya kueh(sweets, cake) and other delicacies. I remember these
sold quite well, Nonya kueh was always popular. We also sold bread which we
bought wholesale from a bread confectionary.
Ah…I remember returning to school in 1946. They had free lunch given out
then.
Were there any racial riots or social conflicts then?
13 - 14
Oh yes there were. There were reprisals that took place and the Chinese
were weary of Malays who they suspected had collaborated with they Japanese.
The Chinese were moving around looking for known Japanese Collaborators and
seeking revenge. There were also Secret Societies like the 08 and 24 who had
established themselves in the area.
However the Joo Chiat kampung we stayed in remain closely knit. Our
Chinese neighbours would vouch for my father that he was not a collaborator. As
I said earlier, my father was a peaceful man and was well-respected. Joo Chiat
kampung was a generally safe neighbourhood. We didn’t even have fencing then.
At the end of the day, how would you describe your experience of the Japanese
Occupation?
I would say my experience was more akin to survival. We were always
hungry and we were never sure of the next meal. Remember that prior to the
occupation, we never worried about such things. Suddenly food was scarce and
there was never enough to fill my tummy.
I think we were always looking back to the days under British rule, days of
plenty, and that was our main resentment of Japanese Occupation. I think it
mattered little who was in control, so long as we were able to survive.
We were fortunate to stay in Joo Chiat, which had a close knit and
integrated community. Until today, even though most of us have moved to HDB
housing, I often bump into our old neighbours. The same neighbours who also
suffered through the occupation.
I am also proud of my father and you should be too. He really was a perfect
gentlemen. He and my mother did all they could to get us through. I’m always
saddened by the thought that they passed away before I could fully repay my
gratitude to them. I was not even able to give them my first pay cheque
Life still went on in the occupation. We were closer to the sea then, and I
would spend time swimming with the other kids as well. The other kids and I, we
still played our games and all.
I think the turning point was seeing those planes. They really were a
magnificent sight and the feeling of elation that followed is indescribable.
Ok, Twa Koo, thank you for telling me about your experience. Its been really good
hearing from you.
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