During 1942, mainly between March and August, three signature quilts were made by the women interned by the Japanese in Changi Prison in Singapore. This is the British Quilt. Apologies for the quality of the picture but this is what is available.
To see better detail, go to Changi Quilts – Images
It is now in the possession of the British Red Cross.
When Singapore surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, the Australian and British troops, along with their families and civilian personal were interned in Changi prison. The women and children were housed in a separate wing. As a way of communicating with their men, the women embarked on making these quilts.
They were given a 4″ square of flour bag fabric or sheeting. Their supply of threads and needles was limited and treasured. Each woman stitched her name on a square and included an image which would have meaning for her man. For instance, the British quilt shows a mother rabbit with a baby rabbit wearing a blue ribbon collar to indicate that a son had been born in prison.
Supposedly made for the wounded in Changi hospitals, the quilts were actually meant to relieve boredom, to boost morale, and to pass information to other camps.
This is the Australian quilt which was made in the same way and for the same reasons. It, and the Japanese quilt can both be seen in the Australian War Museum in Canberra.
The Japanese quilt contains no coded messages and there are duplicates of some of the images used in the British and Australian quilts. The goal was to not offend the Japanese so that quilts would be seen by the husbands and friends of the women.
The squares were assembled with posterity in mind. On the reverse side is a note advising that the quilts be dry cleaned.
For more information https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/quilt
Olga Henderson is a survivor of the camp and talks about her experience and how a group of girls scrounged the materials and made this quilt. I hope that you will watch this short video.
We are privileged to be able to see these Embroideries that Record History. Our thanks to the ladies who were motivated to use needle and thread and to create them.
It seems to me that some time has to lapse between an historical event and it being recorded by stitchers. Is anyone stitching a record of the Trump Presidency? Is there a quilt or tapestry chronicalling the wars in Vietnam or Afghanistan? If so, I would love to know about them and share them with you.
I’m a keen student of British military history and indeed, my Uncle Bill, Royal Artillery, was MIA in Malaya in Feb. 1942.
My friend Bill Reed, also Royal Artillery was on the Burma/Siam railway and wrote a book “Back to the River Kwai” about his experiences as a Jap PoW. My brother-in -laws father, Alfred Salmon, Royal Engineers, was taken prisoner and last seen in Changi Jail, then nothing.
Cartoonist Ronald Searle wrote a book, illustrated by many of the sketches that he made a great personal risk during his time as a PoW in Changi Jail. Many of these sketches were later used as evidence during the Japanese War Crimes trails.
Four years of my 31 years service in the RAF was in Singapore/Malaya/Thailand in the 1960s. I spoke to many Malay and Chinese people who were there during the Japanese Occupation, some of their stories were quite harrowing.
Hello Alan,
Thank you for your comment on the Changi Quilt posting. I am very glad to hear froim you. It was a dreadful time for everyone. It is important that these memories and the sacrifices made be kept alive and not drift into oblivion.
Would you like me to re-post the blog on Changi along with your letter? Ones never knows what will happen in the world of blogging. I did not know any of the information you included in your letter.
Tours Ann B.
Hi, My grandmother was Trudi Van Roode. I know very little about her. She worked in Raffles in Singapore and was imprisoned in Changi. I have visited the Changi museum and I know she embroidered a table with food (to the right of the GR square). I’m wondering if anyone can share any insight or stories. Thank you
Hello Gillian,
It is so long since you wrote to me about your grandmother, Trudi. I am so glad she survived Changi and had a family. I t was as tough experience and not everyone came through it. I have been to Raffles Bar and have never seen any other bar quite like it. we had one if their famous drinks bur it was basically iced water. But it was welcome as it was a hot day which is normal in Singapore. I know no more about Changi than I published. I include the only other reply I received.
All good wishes, Ann
alan mudge says
January 8, 2020 at 08:42
(Edit)
I’m a keen student of British military history and indeed, my Uncle Bill, Royal Artillery, was MIA in Malaya in Feb. 1942.
My friend Bill Reed, also Royal Artillery was on the Burma/Siam railway and wrote a book “Back to the River Kwai” about his experiences as a Jap PoW. My brother-in -laws father, Alfred Salmon, Royal Engineers, was taken prisoner and last seen in Changi Jail, then nothing.
Cartoonist Ronald Searle wrote a book, illustrated by many of the sketches that he made a great personal risk during his time as a PoW in Changi Jail. Many of these sketches were later used as evidence during the Japanese War Crimes trails.
Four years of my 31 years service in the RAF was in Singapore/Malaya/Thailand in the 1960s. I spoke to many Malay and Chinese people who were there during the Japanese Occupation, some of their stories were quite harrowing.