Changi Chapel and Musuem

Serene, tranquil, may be how you will describe The Changi Museum. Relocated to its new home on 15 February 2001 and officially opened by then our Trade and Industry Minister BG George Yeo, the Changi Museum is dedicated to honouring POWs of WWII. Why, it was here, in Changi Prison then the site of the World War II POW camp where many Allied detainees from the World War II became prisoners and were subjected to cruel and horrific conditions at the hands of the invading Japanese forces. The museum pays tribute to victims of the Japanese Occupation with a painstaking collection of wartime memorabilia and well-detailed documentation of the life of a POW in searing clarity. And that’s why the whole place is so quiet, because of the respect the visitors have for the deaths of brave soldiers who fought in the war. The museum is made out of 5 zones as shown here

Zone 1: Storyboard
Further down the Museum will be the storyboard displays. There are also showcases containing tools, materials and personal belongings of POWs and other artefacts related or used during World War II. The items displayed in the showcases are donated from organizations, POWs and their families, as well as other visitors
The storyboards will tell the visitors what happened during the war. It also showcases quotes from POWs, locals and war veterans. These quotes tell us about their experiences in war and what life was like during the war.
Zone 2: Changi Prison
This section on covers life in Changi Prison before, during and after the Second World War. It helps visitors understand the restrained prison life especially during the Second World War where 4 prisoners were squeezed into each cell of the Changi Gaol (before it was renamed to Changi Prison)　
A floor plan of an actual Changi cell in the Gaol is mapped on the floor in front of the glass exhibits that explains life in Changi Gaol during the Second World War.

This segment also displays a block of the original Changi Prison wall, Changi Prison cell door (as shown on the left) and barb wire which was acquired by the museum when the prison was torn down in 2005.
Lastly, visitors can view a replica of one of the surviving Changi Quilts.
Several women who were interned in Changi prison during the Occupation, were given six inch squares of rice sack cloth. Each embroided her name, indicating her survival and well being. Under the pretext of a gift, the quilts were handed over to the civilian men for the POW hospital. Knowledge of the women's well being boosted the men's morale.

Zone 3: Mural

The museum has replicated what is known as the Changi Murals.
The Changi Murals were drawn by Bombardier Stanley Warren, who was incarcerated by the Japanese. Stanley Warren began painting the murals as his appreciation to God for keeping him alive. Stanley Warren improvised by using camouflage paint, crushed snooker chalk and aircraft paints to paint Bible scenes. Many of the tools prisoners like Stanley Warren used were smuggled in by fellow Prisoners of War. These were painted in a small room at Block 151 Roberts Barracks, also known as St. Luke's Chapel, which was located just beneath the dysentery ward where Stanley Warren was recovering The murals were completed in May 1943 and in total, Stanley produced five murals on the walls of the Chapel. The murals were rediscovered in 1958 and a search for Stanley Warren was undertaken successfully. With the help of local authorities, Stanley returned to Singapore on a number of occasions to restore the murals


Zone 4: Wartime Artists

During the war, many prisoners and civilian internees alike, recorded their experiences through drawings and paintings. The museum displays several paintings and drawings that depict life during WWII. There are also artefacts that cell inmates innovated and mainly recognises the ingenuity of many of the POWs and civilian internees who were incarcerated in Changi during the Second World War. Their ingenuity was not only shown through art but also making of useful items like ashtrays, made from simple materials, which are on display here

Zone 5: End of War
Museum has included a new section called "End of War" read up the timeline of events that led up to the war. Also in this section, the museum has displayed an original 15th Century Samurai sword that was surrendered by a Japanese General.
This zone includes one more section called "We Remember" where inspiring stories of bravery, sacrifice, perseverance and camaraderie, are on display for visitors to read and learn about. These stories include stories of many war personalities like Elizabeth Choy and secret missions like Operation Jaywick and Rimau.
The Museum included an small area called the "Kokonut Grove".
Entertainment during the war was limited but the prisoners of war managed to set up a place inside the Changi Gaol where they would hold their performances. One of the performing theatres was named Kokonut Grove.
In the Museum, a stage-like backdrop was done up to imitate the Kokonut Grove. In place of live performances, is a television screen which plays selected videos related to the Second World War. These videos can be viewed for free by our visitors.
Surroundings
The Changi Cell is located at the side of the Changi Museum. Once entered, visitors can listen to an audio recording on how the locals suffered in the hands of the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation. It also gives visitors an idea of the atmosphere of a prison cell for those incarcerated during the Second World War
This plaque of the Changi area was commissioned by the Australian Government
The Changi Tree, also known as the Chengai Tree is also planted in the Museum's grounds (second picture). The original Changi tree was the tallest tree in Singapore and could be clearly see from afar. From the 1938 photograph, its significantly different height can be seen by observing the height of the trees surrounding the Changi tree. The Changi Tree at that time was taller than a 20-storey building. Unfortunately, the Changi Tree was blown up by the British (before the attack of Singapore) to prevent its use as a military marker by the Japanese. This magnificent tree also gave the area of Changi its name
In-House / Audio
Visitors can take a 45-minute guided In-House tours (in English) around the site. Regular rate: S$8.00 per adult and S$4.00 per child
For more details and enquiries on bookings, please contact us at (65) 6 214 2451 (changi_museum@pacific.net.sg) or at (65) 6 325 1631 (discover@journeys.com.sg).


Changi Chapel

Now, the the Changi Prison Chapel that stands opposite Changi Gaol is a replica of the Chapel built by the prisoners of war who were held in Changi Gaol during the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945. Changi Prison Chapel is a symbol of man's faith in God under extreme deprivation. Numerous prisoners of war worshipped regularly in this Chapel. Several other Chapels were built but most were destroyed by the Japanese. Many of the Changi Chapels adornments like the Brass Cross are poignant remainders of a horrific war. The Brass Cross is made of spent ammunition casings, from the valiant World War II soldiers' guns. The Chapel has also created the board of remembrance

and many relatives of fallen soldiers' have pinned messages for the dead.the spirit and commitment of those who rose from the depths of adversity.
Through documentation of significant events of the Japanese Occupation, the Museum also serves as an important educational institution and resource centre. As for the Prisoners-of-War (POWs) and their families, it is a site that allows for closure of the many emotional scars inflicted by the war years.The Museum tells of the POWs faith and belief in God and country, that kept these men alive through all the horrors that War, entails. Strong Men that have survived through the World War II strife's have made it through forgiving their keepers, but never forgetting the pain and struggle the Prisoners of War had to endure.

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