A Singaporean visits the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and sees our history from a slightly different perspective.
a certain patriotic sentiment stirred in me when i saw the changi flag honoured at the shrine of remembrance.
i feel different to see a part of your own country’s history recognised in another continent, as opposed to visiting the singapore history museum. it brings to mind the collective experience that spans race and distance; that both australians and singaporeans were subjugated by the same oppressor, although to varying extents.
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Our local countrymen never want us to be reminded of the British and Australian sacrifices in the war too. Needless to say, the prisoners also consisted of British and Australian soldiers and who perished too besides the Chinese (I am one), Malays and the Indians. Can I say selfish they were… I don’t know! But I think the ANZUK had also played a part too in the defence because the families of these soldiers suffered in honour of their loved ones. Never mind Lim Bo Seng. Our dear Elizabeth Choy is British-influenced and so she also has played a part in our history. Just that we are being hidden from many facts in our history.
Posted on August 5th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
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