Welcome to the history book that never was (History Project 2006)

These oral histories were done as part of cross-curriculum learning at Kent Ridge Secondary School in 2006. For an English and History project, students had to interview a relative, preferably a grandparent, and type a 700-1000 word biography.

It was an enriching experience for all three classes of Secondary Two Express students who learnt more about their relatives and the hardships they had faced in their lives. Many students expressed a deeper appreciation for their relatives and had grown closer to them.

I had the intention of printing a booklet but never got down to it. I have written consent from the relatives giving permission for their life stories to be published. So here they are...belatedly...on a platform that is accessible by anyone around the world.

This is "My Story". Other voices from the Singapore Story. Enjoy.

My Story

You have studied key events of Singapore’s history from Settlement to Nation, 1819-1971. You are encouraged to interview an older relative about what life was like in the past. The interviewee should be a grandparent or grandaunt or uncle, if possible. If you are close to someone who is not a relative, who lived through these events, you may also interview them.

If possible, you should get a simple tape recorder or an MP3 player to record the interview.

Format: Preferably typewritten or neatly handwritten. This will be your family heirloom!! You can pass this story to your children.

A: Interviewer (When possible, this information should be placed on the tape before the actual interview.) Your name Date of interview Location of interview B. Interviewee Full Name (also Maiden) Present address Birthdate Place of birth Names and birthdates of brothers and sisters C. Background information of interviewee's parents Parents' Names Residence Occupation Family life with parents D. Childhood Days Games played Holidays Mischief and pranks Punishments Responsibilities - eg. Duties around the home E. School Days Name of schools attended and location Teachers remembered School activities Subjects taken F. Religion Place of worship Type of worship G. Courtship-Marriage What were the rules of courtship?      2.   What was your wedding(s) like? H. Community activities Committee positions Political positions Volunteer services I. Housing     1.   Village/Squatters/Houses     2.   Public Housing (HDB)

J. Social Life Weddings Funerals Parties Gatherings Shopping/Relaxation K. Hobbies/Interests L. Sports M. Trips and vacations N. World War I or 11 OR National Service from 1967 Where were you when this event happened? How were you/your family affected? 3.   What was life like during this period? O. Disasters Storms/Floods eg. Bukit Timah     2.   Fires eg. Bukit Ho Swee Fire1961 P. Strikes, Unrest, Riots      1. Maria Hertogh Riots 1950      2. Student Strikes and Labour Riots 1950s      3. Racial Riots 1964, 1969      4. Indonesian Confrontation 1963-4 Q. Politics      1. What was being under the British rule like?      2. What was being under the Japanese rule like?      3. What was being under David Marshall's              governement from 1955-6?      4. What was being under Lim Yew Hock's         government like from 1956-9?      5. What was being under Lee Kuan Yew's govt         like from 1959?      6. What was being under Malaysia 1963-5 like?      7. What was being under Goh Chok Tong's         leadership like?      8. What is being under Lee Hsien Loong's govt         like? R. Any words of advice, personal creed or motto?