Civilian War Memorial

Civilian War Memorial

The Memorial is dedicated to all those who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942 - 1945). Four pillars soar to over 70 meters symbolizing the shared war experiences of the Chinese, Indians, Malays and other races. The remains of unknown victims are interred beneath the monument.

Among the civilians who lost their lives were numerous Chinese targeted by the Japanese under the Sook Ching ( Literally "to purge" or " to eliminate") operations. on 18 February 1942, large numbers of Chinese were forcibly assembled at designated mass screening centres. Many were unjustly accused of involvement in anti-Japanese acfivities, or arbitrarily condemned. No one will ever know how many were taken away and massacred. Unofficial figures put the number of dead at about 50,000.