Year 1963

Places

Japanese Soldier began landings in the North of Singapore

Sunday, 8th February 1942

The Japanese start their assault into Singapore and began landings in the North of the Island. The British and Commonwealth forces had fought a long, hard and courageous but losing campaign in mainland Malaya.


Japanese Bombers Pounded Singapore

Sunday, 8th February 1942

Japanese Bombers begin drop bombs in populated area throughout the island. Massive damage was caused by a Japanese air assault. Many civilians were killed in these air raids.


Pulau Ubin Occupied

Saturday, 7th February 1942

Pulau Ubin was occupied by the invading Japanese Imperial Army. Pulau Ubin is an island located off the north-eastern coast of Singapore.


Causeway Blown Apart

Saturday, 31st January 1942

The British Soldiers blew a 64-metre wide gap in the Singapore-Malaysia Causeway in an attempt to keep the Japanese Soldiers from entering Singapore. After the last British and Commonwealth troops to leave Malaya, the order to blow up the Causeway was given and at 0815hrs. Singapore's link with the Malay Peninsula was broken.


Cost of living bonus payout to benefit workers

Wednesday, 29th November 1939

Allowances to meet the increased cost of living due to World War II were paid out to thousands of workers in government service, the Admiralty, the Royal Air Force, the War Office and Harbour Board. The increases were as follows: those earning less than $1 a day would draw an allowance of $1 a month; those earning $1-$2 would get $1.50; and those earning more than $2 would get $2.


RAF Tengah Became Operational

Monday, 7th August 1939

The first detachment of RAF 11 Squadron was assigned to form the Royal Air Force Station Tengah. RAF Tengah is located in Tengah Airfield (now known as Tengah Air Base or Tengah Airbase). Tengah remain as RAF operational control 1971.


Supreme Court Opened

Thursday, 3rd August 1939

The Supreme Court building was declared open on 3 August 1939 by Sir Shenton Thomas and handed over to the Chief Justice, Sir Percy McElwaine, on the same day. The courthouse had 11 courtrooms and adjoining judges' chambers.


Ex-Warlord From China At Haw Par Villa

Wednesday, 22nd September 1937

General Chan Chai Tong, who is returning to China was entertained to a special dinner at Haw Par Villa. The Ex-Warlord from Kwantung (China) was treated to a 12-course Chinese dinner along with 30 rich merchants. Also present was Dr. Lim Boon Keng who until recently was a principal of Amoy University. Dinner was served on the floodlit lawn, but after the fourth course, there was a rush for the villa when it started to rain. Millionaire brothers, Messrs. Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par was also celebrating the "House Warming" of their new Haw Par Villa which was located on a small hill along Pasir Panjang Road.


Singapore's first civil airport opened

Saturday, 12th June 1937

The Kallang Airport, also known as the Kallang Aerodrome, Kallang Airfield and RAF Kallang, opened on 1937 as Singapore's first purpose-built civil airport, together with an anchorage for seaplanes. Land was reclaimed in the Kallang Basin to turn the swampy area into a cicular-shaped airfield and to build a slipway for the seaplanes.


Changi Prison Opens

Monday, 4th January 1937

Changi Prison is the last prison built by the British in Singapore. Changi Prison, a maximum security prison, was built and operationalised in 1936.  “It is hoped that in due course this Prison may become a training ground for the misfits of society, rather than a purely penal institution.” – OC Hancock, Inspector of Prisons of the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States, at the opening of Changi Prison on 4 January 1937. With this, a new philosophy of reform and rehabilitation was promulgated.


Newer Entries  |  Older Entries