Stories in Minutes: Our Oral History on Social Media brings to you memories of people from all walks of life. Covering an eclectic range of topics, from an old building, vanishing trade, or a fond memory of a festival season, these shorts were produced by National Library Board’s Digital Experience – Marketing team in collaboration with National Archives of Singapore’s Oral History Centre. Come listen to the voices of our people! This list will be periodically updated as our collection grows.
Stories in Minutes
Finger Ink Painting
Madam Kwei Chin Pen, renowned for her 11-year tenure as Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's former Mandarin tutor, was also a talent in finger ink painting.
With encouragement from her good friend, Mdm Li Ruolian, Mdm Kwei embarked on her journey as a finger painter.
Hear Madam Kwei recount her artistic journey under the tutelage of Mr Chen Chong Swee, one of the first artists in Singapore to use Chinese ink painting techniques to draw paintings of local and Southeast Asian themes.
From the oral history interview with Kwei Chin Pen, Accession No. 001676, Track 18, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image Credits: Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Training as the Queen's Aide-de-Camp
Every International Women’s Day, we celebrate the milestones and achievements of women everywhere – and one such inspiring figure is Mary Quintal, the first female police inspector in Singapore.
Brave, determined, and articulate, Mary was recruited to the police force in 1949 and swiftly rose through the ranks to become an inspector in just six months. She was also the first woman to achieve the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police in Singapore, forging a path for other female officers to follow. Tune into this oral history account where Mary recounts what training was like as an Aide-de-Camp to Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.
From the oral history interview with Mary Quintal, Accession No. 002219, Track 5, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image Credits: Singapore Police Force Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Introducing Safety Doors at MRT Platforms
For many, taking the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to school or work is a daily affair.
Singapore was one of the first countries to introduce bi-parting glass screen doors at the platforms of our MRT stations. Have you wondered why?
Hear from James Koh Cher Siang, former Permanent Secretary of the National Development (1979-1987) as he talks about the reasons and thoughts prior to implementing them.
From the oral history interview of James Koh Cher Siang (Accession No. 002847, Track 3), Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image Credits: Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
A Saxophone Bar from the '80s
Ever wondered what a music bar looked like back in the day?
Hear from internationally acclaimed jazz musician Jeremy Monteiro as he described the setting and atmosphere of a saxophone bar in the late 1980s.
From the oral history interview of Jeremy Monteiro, Accession No.003016, Track 14, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image Credits: Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
The Fall of Singapore
On this day in 1942, Singapore fell to the Japanese, marking the start of a dark period in Singapore’s history.
Listen to an account by survivor of the Japanese Occupation, Ng Seng Yong, who witnessed how civilians were screened at Telok Kurau English School in 1942. Tens of thousands of civilians subsequently lost their lives during Sook Ching, a mass killing that occurred in the same year.
From the oral history interview of Ng Seng Yong, Accession No. 000283, Track 1, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image Credits: The Nanyang Miscellany Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
The Japanese Surrender
On 12 September 1945, the Japanese formally surrendered to the British by signing the Instrument of Surrender at the Municipality Building of Singapore, later known as City Hall.
Mrs Sheila Bruhn-Allan was an internee at Sime Road Internment camp who survived through the Occupation. Listen to how she recounted her excitement when observing the surrender, which marked the end of the Japanese Occupation of much of Southeast Asia.
From the oral history interview of Sheila Bruhn-Allen : Accession Number 002740, Track 6.
Image Credits: Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
Reflections on National Service
According to Ronnie Ma, Kampong Glam Citizens’ Consultative Committee Chairman, National Service serves as a social equaliser which embodies fairness and equality.
“Once you don that uniform, you are in it together. It’s a wonderful feeling,” he shares.
Since the introduction of the National Service (Amendment) Act in 1967, every young Singaporean man, aged 18 had to undergo National Service (NS) – regardless of their race, religion or social status. The implementation of NS played a pivotal role in establishing Singapore’s military after it attained independence in 1965.
The video contains an archived photograph of families bidding farewell to their sons, who were departing for NS at Pek Kio Community Centre in 1967.
From the oral history interview of Ronnie Ma, Accession No.004080, Track 5, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image Credits: Ministry of Information and Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
A Malay Teacher in a Chinese School
After graduating from college, Mr Maarof Salleh was assigned to teach Malay in a Chinese primary school. He described this experience as “challenging” as he had no prior background teaching in a Chinese school.
In understanding the cultural differences and learning styles, he tailored his teaching for his Chinese students. Tune into the full video to hear from Mr Maarof as he share valuable insights about his experience!
From the oral history interview of Maarof Salleh, Accession No. 002818, Track 6, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image Credits: Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
Introducing Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs)
In the early 1900s, the Ministry of Education introduced extra-curricular activities (ECAs) to develop non-academic competencies and interests while fostering social integration amongst students.
The ECA initiative started gaining momentum in the latter half of the 1960s when schools made more concerted efforts in planning and implementing them.
Hear from Joseph David, the former Deputy Director of ECA at the Ministry of Education as he shares about the ECA Centre, established in 1968 to promote ECAs in schools. ECAs were subsequently renamed co-curricular activities (CCAs) in 1999 to reiterate to parents, educators, and students that CCAs are not add-ons but an integral part of students' holistic education.
From the oral history interview of Joseph David, Accession No. 002309, Track 13, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore
Image credits: Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Designing the Merlion
How many Merlion statues are there in Singapore?
There are seven of them scattered throughout the island, with the most famous one being the 8.6-metre-tall statue designed by Kwan Sai Kheong and sculpted by Lim Nang Seng.
This statue was first unveiled on 15 September 1972, and is now located at the new Merlion Park, adjacent to One Fullerton at the Marina Bay waterfront.
Tune into hear from Lim Nang Seng as he explains his artistic approach behind the iconic Merlion statue.
From the oral history interview of Lim Nang Seng, Accession No. 000413, Reel 28, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image credits: Lim Nang Seng Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
October Cherries
The October Cherries was one of the most innovative and popular local band back in the late 60s and early 70s.
Far Away Now, one of their hit songs even made it to number one in Malaysia. Did you know, before the band was known as the October Cherries, they were called The Surfers?
In this oral history interview, hear from one of the band members, Richard Khan on how the band name, October Cherries came about. Let us know what is your favourite song!
From the oral history interview of Richard Benjamin Khan, Accession No. 003111, Reel 3, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
Image credits: The Straits Times, 29 July 1970, Page 7