The Civilian War Memorial is a monument dedicated to civilians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942-1945). It is located on a parkland, along Beach Road, opposite Raffles City, in the Downtown Core of Singapore's Central Region. The structure of four pillars soar to more than 68 m symbolising the shared 'war experiences' of the Chinese, Indians, Malays, and other races. It resembles two pairs of chopsticks, so it is affectionately called the "chopsticks" memorial because of its unusual design. Since its completion and unveiling on 15 February, 1967, exactly 25 years after the "Fall of Singapore", every year on 15 February, ex-servicemen, families and others gather at the memorial to commemorate that fateful day.
HistoryIn World War II, Singapore fell to the Japanese Forces, who occupied Singapore from 15 February 1942 to 15 September 1945. The total loss of civilian lives in the 'Battle for Singapore' remains uncertain. A major massacre was that of "Operation Sook Ching" (which literally means "to purge" or "to eliminate"). The atrocities which occurred started on 18 February 1942, shortly after the fall of Singapore. Among the civilians who lost their lives were a large number of Chinese. The torture and killing was a mass exercise to wipe out potential threats. These atrocities continued until the Japanese surrendered in World War II. The numbers of those taken away and massacred can never be accessed, but unofficial figures put the number of dead at about 50,000 people.
Discovery of Human Remains
On 15 February 1962, in a headline, "Mass war graves found in Siglap's 'valley of death'", the Straits Times reported the discovery of five separate war graves located in a "Valley of Tears" in the Siglap area. Twenty years ago, on its rugged countryside, hundreds of civilians of which a large number were Chinese residents, were rounded up by the Japanese Army, machine-gunned, and buried in several places. The massacres by the Japanese took place during their occupation in 1942-1945. The human remains were uncovered during sandwashing operations in an area off the 7.5 mile Siglap Road. Subsequent investigations were carried out by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce team of Messers. Ng Aik Huang, Toh Keng Tuan, and Lam Thian
HistoryIn World War II, Singapore fell to the Japanese Forces, who occupied Singapore from 15 February 1942 to 15 September 1945. The total loss of civilian lives in the 'Battle for Singapore' remains uncertain. A major massacre was that of "Operation Sook Ching" (which literally means "to purge" or "to eliminate"). The atrocities which occurred started on 18 February 1942, shortly after the fall of Singapore. Among the civilians who lost their lives were a large number of Chinese. The torture and killing was a mass exercise to wipe out potential threats. These atrocities continued until the Japanese surrendered in World War II. The numbers of those taken away and massacred can never be accessed, but unofficial figures put the number of dead at about 50,000 people.
Discovery of Human Remains
On 15 February 1962, in a headline, "Mass war graves found in Siglap's 'valley of death'", the Straits Times reported the discovery of five separate war graves located in a "Valley of Tears" in the Siglap area. Twenty years ago, on its rugged countryside, hundreds of civilians of which a large number were Chinese residents, were rounded up by the Japanese Army, machine-gunned, and buried in several places. The massacres by the Japanese took place during their occupation in 1942-1945. The human remains were uncovered during sandwashing operations in an area off the 7.5 mile Siglap Road. Subsequent investigations were carried out by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce team of Messers. Ng Aik Huang, Toh Keng Tuan, and Lam Thian
Date accessed: 16/2/13
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