Year 1939

Tag: British Singapore

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.


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.


RAF Jubilee Celebrations Over The Padang

Saturday, 24th August 1935

Airplane from Royal Air Force (RAF) did multiple fly past at the Padang. This display is part of the celebration of King George V Silver Jubilee (25 years of rule).


Amy Johnson Landed At Seletar

Thursday, 1st May 1930

200 people gathering at the Seletar Aerodrome to welcome the arrival of Miss Amy Johnson, age 27, in her de Havilland Gypsy Moth aircraft en route to Australia. Amy became the 1st woman aviator to fly solo from England to Australia.


First Commerical Flight Landed in Singapore

Tuesday, 11th February 1930

A Commercial flight landed for the first time in Seletar Aerodrome, Singapore's first civil airport. RAF Seletar Station (Military) share the same airfield with the Seletar Aerodrome


RAF Arrived At Seletar

Wednesday, 11th January 1928

The RAF Team of the Far East Flight arrived in in a partially completed Seletar Aerodome in four Supermarine Southamption "flying boats" also known as sea-planes. The Group was led by Captain Henry Cave-Brown-Cave and Squadron Leader Gerry Livock. In 1924, Gerry made an air survey of Seletar.


First Air Survery Over Seletar

Sunday, 20th April 1924

RAF Flight Lieutenant Gerry Livock, 26, was flying the Fairey III D Float Seaplane as first expedition to the Far East. He was doing an air survery of Seletar and the swamp and forests of Northern Singapore.


Clock Tower Clock Ready

Monday, 1st January 1906

The Hall 54m Clock Tower that is towering between the Singapore Town Hall and Victoria Memorial Hall was inaugurated. The clock itself has a 4m diameter, weighs a tonne and cost $6,000. And was donated by the Straits Trading Company to the Singapore municipality.


Victoria Memorial Hall Opened

Wednesday, 18th October 1905

Victoria Memorial Hall was officially opened by the Governor of the Straits Settlements, John Anderson. It was build in memory of the late Queen Victoria. Public funds for its construction amounting to $368,000 were collected, exceeding the construction costs, thus leaving a surplus of $22,000 for refurbishments.


The Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements

Tuesday, 31st December 1901

The Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements (SS), comprising of Penang, Province Wellesley, Malacca and Singapore. On 1st Jan 1901, Singapore's Local Mean Time (Singapore Mean Time) + 6hr 55m 25s (103 degrees 51.16 seconds East of Greenwich Royal Observatory near London, England) was adopted by the Straits Settlements (SS) and the Federated Malay States (FMS) as the Standard Time. This was introduced because railway, postal and telegraphic services were becoming more common and a single standard time will ease scheduling problems. Singapore was chosen because it was the administrative HQ for the SS and the FMS then.


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