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This chapel is modelled after St George’s Church, one of the numerous churches built by the prisoners of war in Changi during their internment.
Changi's proximity to the Straits of Johor made it a strategic location, and much effort was spent to turn it into a modern coastal artillery base and barracks.
On 8 December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army made landfall in northern Malaya.
By 1945, over 90,000 people would pass through Changi camp.
For the internees of Changi, the prospect of imprisonment was grim, but they were determined to endure what lay ahead.
To make the best of a bad situation, internees turned to ingenuity and improvisation to meet their needs.
Many internees turned to creative outlets during their imprisonment. Their surviving works allow us a glimpse into their lives.
Emperor Hirohito formally announced the unconditional surrender of all Japanese forces on 15 August 1945.
Though Changi today is a far cry from its former life during World War Two, its legacy will forever remain a part of the national and personal histories of the countries and lives it impacted.
