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Chronicles of Old Singapore: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Loh Kah Seng
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I’m Dr Loh KS, a people’s historian. I’m interested in the history of Singapore and the lives of its people. In Chronicles of Old Singapore, I speak to people about their memories of Singapore before it became a global city today. We discuss three topics: 1. People and places. 2. Change and continuity. 3. The importance of heritage. Caveat: this is a podcast based on personal memory. As has been well-documented in oral history, memory is not always reliable and what is recalled here should not be taken as fact.
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- 3 days ago45 min
Rajandeeren Kanayan – Silat & Gan Eng Seng School, Blair Plain Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Rajandeeren Kanayan recalls his schooldays at historic Gan Eng Seng, the school of choice for those staying in the port area. He also endured torturous sea journeys to India and sold kueh and newspapers as a youngster. Today, Rajandeeren reflects on how Tanjong Pagar has changed as Singapore has evolved and his close ties to India. The past, no matter how nostalgic, can never be brought back again.Part 1 | https://youtu.be/fnQd1vRvS-Q Part 2 | https://youtu.be/h3zEdSfmoMc00:00 Gan Eng Seng School05:57 School Crest: Onward!12:00 Schooling in the ‘60s15:37 My Father in the Harbour Board & PSA20:32 Torturous Journeys to India24:50 My Ties with India27:06 My Mother in the Household29:18 Hawking Adventures40:06 Back to Tanjong Pagar & Reflections
- 1 weeks ago42 min
Mejar Singh Gill – Soldiering in the Early SAF Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Hear LTC (Retd) Mejar Singh Gill recount the neglected history of 1 and 2 SIR. The first especially was formed by David Marshall in 1957 before Singapore became independent. When 1965 arrived, the government launched a crash programme to build new military facilities and recruit Israeli ('Mexican') advisers. There was an unexpected windfall - the British were closing down their bases and there were excellent facilities and camps to take over.Part 1 | https://youtu.be/XcXl6KVlekc Part 2 | https://youtu.be/gW4QIH0UU6I Part 3 | https://youtu.be/oapXReFCjfA00:00 Changes in Training & Officer Training05:40 Books on SAF History08:35 Role of David Marshall 14:39 Contributions of 1 & 2 SIR18:56 Crash Military Programme21:33 Taking over the British Camps28:29 From Internal Security to National Army31:06 Israeli Advisers35:31 My Military AppointmentsWelcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
- 1 weeks ago39 min
*Jason Boh – Hainanese of the Naval Base & Sembawang Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Jason Boh talks about his schools near the Naval Base. But the British era was coming to an end. The 14th Mile was demolished when the British forces vacated the base and the villagers and base families largely dispersed. Jason reflects on the changes and what still remains. The Sembawang experience forged in him a can-do spirit and a curiosity about the world. He hopes that the old colonial houses will be preserved as a second round of redevelopment sweeps the north of Singapore.Part 1 | https://youtu.be/09uy8ANKTjA Part 2 | https://youtu.be/8qVvwKbAiCg00:00 Canberra & Naval Base Schools08:00 Leaving 14th Mile12:34 The Sembawang Experience17:27 A Multiracial World20:30 The British Pullout25:17 Keep the Colonial Houses32:15 Hainanese of the Naval Base35:17 Changing SembawangWelcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
- 3 weeks ago36 min
Abdullah Hussain & Saiful Nizam – The Many Styles of Silat Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Abdullah Hussain & Saiful Nizam talk about the people in Seni Gayong – the silat elders as well as female members called Ibu Gayong (‘the mothers of Gayong’). We discuss their accomplishments in researching the history of Silat Gayong, but also new challenges in training the younger generation as well as documenting silat as Malay heritage martial arts.Part 1 | https://youtu.be/-lIX85ayth4 Part 2 | https://youtu.be/STNXrISrJI800:00 Changing Times for Silat06:00 Grading in Perak12:26 Ibu Gayong15:58 Silat Seni Gayong Pasak18:27 Effendy’s Research & Book 20:29 The Crest25:48 Performance on Islanders’ Day27:27 Challenges 33:58 Documenting SilatSilat Seni Gayong Naga Bura, https://www.gayongnagabura.org.sg/Dr Mohamed Effendy Abdul Hamid, Silat Seni Gayong PASAK Singapura: A Historical Legacy. The book is available in the National Library.Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
- 3 weeks ago49 min
Woon Yew Thong – Jurong Crescent Road & Nanyang University Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Woon Yew Thong began to research his family history when his father Woon Khai Boon passed away 10 years ago. This centred around the staff quarters at Jurong Crescent Road where they lived (since demolished and expunged). His father worked as a technician at the nearby Jurong Transmitting Station. In the distance was the Chinese-medium Nanyang University, founded in 1956. This expanse of rural Jurong Road is now replaced by the Pioneer MRT station and mall.Part 1 | https://youtu.be/GVbfvy0vxR0 Part 2 | https://youtu.be/orYO2hFbtX000:00 Introduction02:25 My Search for the Past08:31 Staff Quarters 14:39 14½ Mile before Pioneer18:05 Old Nanyang University24:32 The Jurong Transmitting Station28:46 60 Jurong Crescent Road38:19 Layout of the House45:39 Christmas PartiesJurong Crescent Road – Priceless memories of the 60’shttps://woonfamily.com/jurong-crescent-road/ Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
- 3 weeks ago19 min
Charles Ngui – EDB’s Masters & Apprentices Part 4 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Charles Ngui and I ponder about how the contributions of the Light Industries Services can be recognised in the new millennium. Drop us a note if you are interested to help us document and celebrate this rich industrial heritage of Singapore.Part 1 | https://youtu.be/6-u7rymWSKk Part 2 | https://youtu.be/UtyDCpVboNY Part 3 | https://youtu.be/v2eHkDbDJ3Y Part 4 | https://youtu.be/Tz-PjDMHJvk00:00 Teaching the Youngsters05:13 Soft Skills08:59 The OEAA Apprentices11:02 Tool & Die14:03 LIS in Memory & HeritageWelcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
- May 18, 202651 min
Selamat Kadari – People of Kampong Amber Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Selamat Kadari remembers his old house on stilts at 117 & 117A Kampong Amber, which was demolished in the 1980s to make way for condos. He led a group of five former neighbours – Shirley Soon, Imma, Bah Bah, and Nelson – in a remarkable effort to map the residents and houses of the kampong. In this Malay-majority settlement were the rich and famous, Peranakan, Sikhs and Chinese, as well as the historic Singapore Chinese Swimming Club, Mandalay House and the Seaview Hotel. 00:00 Introduction02:05 117 & 117A Kampong Amber 07:28 Map of Kampong Amber10:57 Lee Kip Lin & Dick Lee16:30 My Parents22:52 House on Stilts28:43 Daughter Sri32:51 Families & Children 41:29 Incomes & Work48:23 Getting MarriedWelcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
- May 13, 202644 min
Mejar Singh Gill – Soldiering in the Early SAF Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. LTC (Retd) Mejar Singh Gill remembers his callup to National Service in 1967 and signing up as a regular in the Singapore Armed Forces. Historically-minded as always, he traces his journey to the military histories of the Punjab Empire, the colonial armies of the past and the Singapore Naval Base in Sembawang. He talks about the tough training (he took it well), a little-known group of instructors called the Boxers, and meeting other young men from all walks of life.Part 1 | https://youtu.be/XcXl6KVlekc Part 2 | https://youtu.be/gW4QIH0UU6I Part 3 | https://youtu.be/oapXReFCjfA00:00 Introduction02:25 My Last Rank & Command06:47 Sikh Military Traditions12:41 Race in the Colonial Armies18:38 The Military in the Naval Base22:50 National Service Callup in 196730:59 All Walks of Life 35:30 The Boxers40:33 The TrainingWelcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
About Chronicles of Old Singapore
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I’m Dr Loh KS, a people’s historian. I’m interested in the history of Singapore and the lives of its people. In Chronicles of Old Singapore, I speak to people about their memories of Singapore before it became a global city today. We discuss three topics: 1. People and places. 2. Change and continuity. 3. The importance of heritage. Caveat: this is a podcast based on personal memory. As has been well-documented in oral history, memory is not always reliable and what is recalled here should not be taken as fact.
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