I peeked out of my office window and the sky was clear and bright. This was a strark contrast to the last three days when it rained heavily. I immediately picked up my gear and hopped onto my ORCA ebike to visit the Bukit Batok War Memorials. It was situated inside the Batok Batok Nature Park.
The Bukit Batok War Memorials consisted of the Syonan Chureito and British War Memorial. Syonan Chureito was a Japanese memorial built by the Japanese to honour their comrades during the battle for Singapore. The Syonan Chureito was unveiled on 10 September 1942.
The ride from my office at WCEGA Plaza was a smooth one until I reached the foot of the hill along Upper Bukit Timah Road. In front of me was a long 400m upslope of around 15 degrees. Luckily my ORCA was a 48V ebike, if not I probably would have to push the bike upslope.
I “cruised” up the slope effortlessly, overtaking a group of mountain bikers with their 27 speed machines. I could see their stunned faces until one of the riders commented: “His bike has motor.”
Upon reaching the top, a flight of stairs awaited me. These were probably the same steps that lead to the hilltop where the Syonan Chureito was situated. The Syonan Chureito was a 12m high wooden pylon crowned with a brass cone ontop of two tiers of earth and cement.
A small shrine stood right behind. It housed the ashes of the Japanese soldiers killed in the Battle of Bukit Timah. Further back was a 3m high wooden cross. It was the British War Memorial to commemorate the dead Allied soldiers.
The Syonan Chureito was destroyed by the Japanese soldiers towards the end of World War II. The British War Memorial was also removed but there was no information as to who and why it was removed. A television transmission tower stands in its place now.
In 1995, the National Heritage Board placed a memorial plaque along the stairs to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
I could not help but felt a sense of relief that in my lifetime I did not have to go through the grim realities of war. I hope that my children and their children would be the same.
Source:
National Library Board, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1224_2008-12-12.html
Princess Elizabeth Estate, https://ijamestann.blogspot.com/2012/06/bukit-batok-hill.html
Bicycle Shop in Bukit Batok
Address:
CAMP BICYCLE BY MOBOT (WEST)
1 Bukit Batok Crescent, WCEGA Plaza, #03–16
Singapore 658064
Tel: +65 8826 9010
* Park at Level 1 covered carpark near to Lift Lobby 1 and take the lift to Level 3.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday, 10.30am to 7pm
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