Architecture & Artifacts (Exterior)

As far as we know, there was no military unit in the Malayan and Singapore Theatre during World War II with just an anchor symbol. Based on this anchor emblem, we believe that it is associated with the Navy.

It is a mural crown, which is a crown representing city walls and it was an ancient Roman military decoration which later became a symbol of heraldry. Based on the mural crown emblem, we believe that it is associated with the Land Forces (Army).

It is a Naval crown, which was a crown surmounted with prows of ships and it was also a Roman military award relating to
the Navy. A crown represents power, glory and sovereignty. Another possibility could be that this emblem represents the Malayan Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (MRNVR).

It is an Astral crown, which has stars and wings from some of the points in the crown.
It is likely that this emblem represents some Air Force, possibly the Malayan Volunteer Air
Force (MVAF).

The Rod of Asclepius is a simple rod entwined by a serpent, traditionally symbolising healing and medicine. It is likely that this
emblem is associated with some Medical Corps unit. The Royal Army Medical Corps emblem is more elaborate and besides the rod of Asclepius, includes a crown, a wreath and the Latin motto “In Ardis Fidelis” (“Faithful in Adversity”).

It consists of a shield, depicting symbols of Australia’s six states, and is held up by the native Australian animals, the kangaroo, on the left and the and the emu on the right. The Australian 8th Division and some Australian Force elements were very much involved in the Battle of Singapore and Malaya and this Coat of Arms could have commemorated the contribution and sacrifices of the Australian Army and some Air Force elements (RAAF).

It consists of an American bald eagle supporting a shield with 13 stripes of red and white representing the original 13 States with a blue bar uniting the shield and representing Congress. The motto “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of many, one), refers to this union. The olive branch and 13 arrows grasped by the eagle allude to peace and war, and the constellation of stars symbolises the new nation While the Americans were not involved in the Singapore and Malayan campaigns, they were heavily involved in the Pacific Theatre (e.g., Iwo Jima, Tarawa, Guadalcanal, Midway, Papua New Guinea, Solomons etc and the Philippines). However, we believe that that American seal was included as they were an important ally during the Second World War.

It is a Chinese dragon, but the national emblem of the Republic of China during World War II was not this emblem – it was the Blue Sky and White Sun of the Kuomintang. Thus, it is unlikely that this dragon was intended to represent China, as no Chinese army was involved in the Singapore or Malayan campaigns. It is likely that this emblem commemorated the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army or Dalforce, which was named after their commander, Lieutenant Col John Dalley of the Federated Malay States Police Force. It was created on 25 December 1941 and members, both men and women, were recruited from the different socio-economic groups of Chinese in Singapore and this irregular force, which had no uniforms, emblems or flags was part of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force during World War II. It was estimated that the Force suffered 300 casualties and many of them were captured and subsequently tortured and executed during the Sook Ching (“Purge”) massacre. The Dalforce was considered to be among the most motivated force to fight against the Japanese in the Singapore and Malayan campaigns.

It consists of a shield with a lion within grasping a sword and some arrows and which in turn is supported by two lions with the words “Je Maintiedrai” (I Shall Maintain) at the base. Above the shield there is a mantle and pavilion and topped by  a crown. The Netherlands fell to Nazi Germany on 15 May 1940 and the nation was thereafter under German control for about 5 years during World War II. However, there was some Dutch Airforce elements that were involved in the Malayan Campaign. On 8 December 1941, the Dutch government in exile in London, declared war on Japan and some Dutch soldiers were involved in fighting against the invading Japanese Army in the Dutch East Indies (now known as Indonesia).

This is the Order of the Star of India, which was an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. This Order had 3 classes – Knight Grand Commander, Knight Commander and Companion and it became dormant after the partition of India in 1947. The motto was “Heaven’s Light our Guide” and was often used as an informal emblem of British India. It is likely that this emblem was to commemorate the contributions and  sacrifices of the Indian soldiers in the Malayan and Singapore campaigns. They comprised more than 50% of the Allied infantry forces, which totalled about 80,000, in the Malaya/ Singapore campaigns. Many of them were young, inexperienced and poorly trained as the more experienced Indian officers and  NCOs were sent to the Mediterranean campaign. The Indian forces in Malaya/ Singapore included the 9th Indian Infantry Division, 11th Indian Infantry Division, 12th Indian Infantry Brigade, 44th and 45th Indian Infantry Brigade and 28th Gurkha Infantry Brigade.