Civilian War Memorial

The Civilian War Memorial, located along Beach Road, was built to commemorate the demise of more than 30 000 civilians during the Japanese War and Occupation in Singapore (1942 - 1945). From afar, we were able to see the four pillars, which resembles two pair of chopsticks, soaring to about a height of 65 metres. These pillars symbolises the shared 'war experiences' as well as the unity of the four ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others) in Singapore.

"Memorial to the Civilian Victim of the Japanese Occupation (1942 - 1945)" 

written in four languages at the base of each pillar to represent the four ethnic groups

It was unveiled by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on the 15th of February 1967, exactly 25 years after Singapore fell into the hands of the Japanese. Since then, on every Total Defence Day (which also falls on 15 February), memorial services are held there for ex-servicemen, families and members of the public to gather and mark the "loss of local people" during the three and a half years of occupation.

Did you know that the memorial is built over a burial chamber?

In February 1962, a large number of remains belonging to victims of operation Sook Ching was discovered in Siglap "Valley of Tears" area. Subsequently, more mass graves with human remains were discovered around the island. Hence, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) spearheaded the responsibility to collect the remains of victims from all over the island and re-bury them beneath this monument.