CHALLENGES
Surmounting Infrastructural & Engineering Issues from 2014 to 2016
When SHC took over the Battlebox in 2013, the underground command centre was flooded at times. It was dark. It was lacking in power. It was not in a state fit for public access, let alone opening as a museum.
There were serious infrastructural and engineering issues with the ageing underground command centre. There was no proper line drawing for electrical wiring in the Battlebox, and SHC inherited a confusing electrical wiring system, which made troubleshooting electrical issues an uphill task. During heavy rain, flooding occurred at significant portions of the Battlebox, such as the Engine Room and the Fort Canning Centre entrance. The outdated and spoilt air-conditioning system and outdoor power generator required complete replacements. For two and a half years, from 2013 to early 2016, SHC’s historians had to become engineers to understand and solve the myriad of issues with the Battlebox. SHC poured in significant money and resources during this period - up to $620,000, and countless man-hours - to bring the Battlebox up to scratch.
The reason SHC took time to fix the infrastructural and engineering problems was to ensure that the solutions undertaken were foundational. SHC respected the historic value of the Battlebox, and did not want superficial solutions that would have allowed it to conduct basic programmes to generate revenue in the short term, but seriously impaired the Battlebox in the long term. SHC is grateful to Mr Kong Yit San, then assistant CEO of NParks’ Park Management and Lifestyle Cluster, for his assistance and support during this period. Eventually, most of the teething issues were fixed. SHC’s in-house Research Team drew upon decades of experience and knowledge in military history, principles of war, and historical research to curate new galleries, exhibits, and a guided tour. SHC finally soft-launched the museum on 13 February 2016, while the official launch took place on 28 June that year. The Battlebox started out by offering daily guided tours through the underground complex, entry into the Battlebox being through these guided tours only. |
The Blow of COVID-19
Unfortunately, another monumental challenge came up for the Battlebox - COVID-19. From early 2020, Battlebox’s robust visitorship plunged as borders closed and social distancing measures were imposed.
Despite a steep decline in revenue against mounting operational costs, SHC decided not to give up management of the Battlebox. SHC held on the Battlebox at significant cost to the group of companies.
Giving up the Battlebox was never an option for SHC, because they understood its immense value to Singapore heritage.
Instead, to reduce losses, SHC cut the Battlebox’s opening hours, from six and a half days a week to three days a week - Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Despite a steep decline in revenue against mounting operational costs, SHC decided not to give up management of the Battlebox. SHC held on the Battlebox at significant cost to the group of companies.
Giving up the Battlebox was never an option for SHC, because they understood its immense value to Singapore heritage.
Instead, to reduce losses, SHC cut the Battlebox’s opening hours, from six and a half days a week to three days a week - Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
From 2014 to 2023, the Battlebox was only able to operate to the maximum of its potential for just four years - two years were spent on massive infrastructure upgrades, while COVID-19 had a significant impact for another two years.
Nevertheless, during these four years, we have managed to elevate the Battlebox to world-class status and recognition.
Nevertheless, during these four years, we have managed to elevate the Battlebox to world-class status and recognition.
A Surge in Visitors |
Universal Praise |
Before SHC took over, the Battlebox attracted just 10,000 visitors a year. Under SHC’s management, visitorship grew to 37,000 visitors a year before COVID-19 - a growth of almost 300%.
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That’s not all - most of these visitors have been effusive in their praise of the quality of the programmes on offer at the Battlebox.
They have lauded the Battlebox’s guided tour for its factual yet compelling storytelling, which has retained the authenticity of the site’s rich heritage. The tour, they said, is one of the best they have ever experienced in their lives. |
World-Class Rankings
Such praise has been reflected in TripAdvisor rankings. From 2016 to 2022 - a whole six years - the Battlebox was Singapore’s #1 museum on TripAdvisor. In 2018, it became the 6th-best museum in all of Asia, ranking just behind Japan’s Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
In August 2021, in the thick of the pandemic, TripAdvisor awarded the Battlebox a “Best of the Best” accolade. This meant that in terms of a historical attraction, the Battlebox ranked in the top 10% in the world; in terms of a historical tour, it ranked in the top 1% in the world.
NOTABLE VISITORS
The Battlebox has also become a top choice for groups and delegations interested in finding out more about Singapore’s military history, the Fall of Singapore, and lessons to be learned from it.
Over the years, the Battlebox has hosted VIPs such as Ministers and political secretaries, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, chiefs of air, land, and sea forces, and royalty.
Over the years, the Battlebox has hosted VIPs such as Ministers and political secretaries, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, chiefs of air, land, and sea forces, and royalty.
Military and school groups, including teacher trainees from the National Institute of Education (NIE), frequently visit the Battlebox to learn what happened in Malaya and Singapore during World War II, the consequences of defeat, and the lessons to prevent history from repeating itself. These are essential components in the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) History and National Education syllabi.
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Even the son of LG Percival, Brigadier (Retired) James Percival, visited the Battlebox in February 2019, 77 years after his father made the decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese inside the underground command centre.
After the visit, James Percival told the media that in the Battlebox, “the portrayal of the campaign is infinitely better now than it was when I was here before (SHC took over as management). It’s more comprehensive and I think it’s a fairer assessment of what went on than it had been before.” |
SCHOOL PROGRAMMES & ENTERING TEXTBOOKS
In 2021, the Battlebox achieved mainstream status in Singapore’s education system, when it appeared inside the MOE textbook for the Secondary 1 History syllabus, Singapore: A Journey Through Time, 1299-1970s. Photos of the Battlebox were used as part of the section on Singapore during World War II. This was the first time the underground command centre was mentioned in a national school textbook.
SHC attributes this success to years of educating both teachers and students on the Battlebox and its critical wartime role, and making the Battlebox a top choice for educators and students wishing to learn about Singapore wartime history. |
A Royal Award for SHC Director - and the Battlebox
In June 2022, SHC’s Director Mr Jeya Ayadurai was awarded the prestigious Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) - an award earned by no more than 10 Singaporeans since the end of World War II.
Mr Jeya was recognised for his services in “preserving Singapore, British, and Commonwealth military history and war remembrance in Singapore”. A significant factor was SHC’s efforts in conserving and promoting the Battlebox, and telling its story to visitors from all over the world.
Mr Jeya has dedicated the award to, among others, the Battlebox team who has worked tirelessly over the last nine years.
Mr Jeya was recognised for his services in “preserving Singapore, British, and Commonwealth military history and war remembrance in Singapore”. A significant factor was SHC’s efforts in conserving and promoting the Battlebox, and telling its story to visitors from all over the world.
Mr Jeya has dedicated the award to, among others, the Battlebox team who has worked tirelessly over the last nine years.