History - Text
History at a glance - Photos
History of The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa
On Monday 16 May 2005, a historic journey took place, taking staff and students of the Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Business programme from the Temasek Polytechnic campus at Tampines Avenue 1 to their new island resort home on Sentosa.
With the establishment of The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa, the Parade Square came alive after 33 years! Known as the Main Barrack Square of the Blakang Mati Artillery Barracks in the 1880s, the building was originally built to accommodate men from the British Royal Artillery. The Blakang Mati Artillery Barracks also hosted ceremonial parades for luminaries like His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1959), Field Marshall Sir Gerald Templer (1960) and the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, His Excellency Edward Heath (1961). The Parade Square also saw farewell parades for the various military units which left the island. It was later used by the Singapore Armed Forces Artillery Unit until 1972.
The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa’s campus is one of the few in Singapore which can boast a history spanning over a hundred years. Since 2005, The Tourism Academy has occupied four of the oldest buildings surrounding the historic Blakang Mati parade square. These blocks have been carefully renovated and restored to retain their historic appearance, and now provide a rich learning environment for students of the academy.
From Pineapple Plantation to Parade Square
Where pineapples once grew in the mid-19th century, today stands the parade square and its sturdy buildings, constructed at the turn of the 20th century to provide permanent housing for British soldiers. The soldiers had been on the island since at least 1878, when Fort Blakang Mati East (later renamed Fort Connaught) was constructed, followed by Fort Siloso and the infantry redoubt on Mount Serapong.
The parade square area became the main barracks for the gunners manning the forts. Initially, these were temporary structures of wood and thatch, but by 1904, the main barrack blocks were up and the square looked almost as it does today. The blocks around the square were for junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted personnel, about 40–50 men in each block. Officers and senior NCOs were housed elsewhere, and married personnel lived off School Road (today’s Gunner Lane and Carlton Walk near the Amara Sanctuary Resort). Later additions to the compound were the 1937 building which housed the Rare Stone Museum in the 1980s (presently CapitaLand Institute of Management and business or CLIMB) and the 1940 three-storey blocks housing the present-day Mövenpick Treasures Resort.
Where Pirates Once Lurked …
The history of the island of Blakang Mati is shrouded in legend and mystery. Even the name is ominous – “blakang mati” (old spelling of ‘belakang’) in Malay means "death from behind", possibly an allusion to an unexpected death. Prior to the British arrival in the 19th century, the island was rumoured by some to be a pirates’ lair; by others to be the site of a great battle between pirates and the local inhabitants.
The most persistent story is that of a large granite outcrop that once stood at the narrowest end of the straits between Blakang Mati (at Siloso Point) and the main Singapore island (at Labrador). Said to mark the boundary of pirate-infested waters, this landmark was variously known as Long Ya Men (Chinese for “dragon’s tooth gate”, a name that dates back to the 14th century), Batu Berlayer (Malay for “sailing rock”) and Lot’s Wife. It was blown up by the British in the mid-19th century to widen the channel to the harbour.
Pirate tales aside, little is known about Blakang Mati or the parade square area. Besides an 1846 map showing pineapple cultivation in this area, the only other clues to the past are the artefacts found by archaeologists, revealing facets of military garrison life from the late 19th century through the 1960s.
The Military Takes Over
The bulk of the soldiers stationed on Blakang Mati were artillerymen manning the coastal defence guns at Fort Siloso, Fort Connaught, Fort Serapong and Imbiah Battery. At the time of the outbreak of WWII in the Pacific (December 1941), Singapore was prized as the most fortified British possession in the East. With its airfields, large naval base built to service the fleet and numerous coastal gun batteries, it seemed to be an impregnable stronghold.
In truth, it was hardly that well-defended. The giant naval base had no warships, and the airfields were littered with obsolete planes that had been rejected for service in Britain. Perhaps the only teeth in “Fortress Singapore” were the coastal defence artillery, which held the greatest concentration of heavy artillery outside the UK and boasted five of the largest calibre guns (15 inch) in the Empire. This posed a sufficient threat to prompt the Japanese to undertake a long overland attack through the Malay Peninsula, rather than risk an invasion by sea that might be bombarded by these guns.
When war did arrive at Singapore, the guns of Blakang Mati saw their share of action, firing away overland during the last three frenzied days of battle. But they were not enough to turn the tide. The British surrendered on 15 February 1942, and the gun batteries were blown up or deliberately broken up to prevent them from falling into Japanese hands.
Blakang Mati continued to be a home to the artillery gunners as the Japanese used the island as a prisoner of war (POW) camp during the Occupation. Following the Japanese surrender in 1945, these roles were reversed and the former captors became POWS on the very same island.
Post-War and the Withdrawal of the British
After WWII, the parade square served as a staging area for other military units heading off to the front during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960), and Konfrontasi (Confrontation) with Indonesia (1963–1965). 1959 marked a turning point in British governance in Singapore: the island-state was granted autonomous self-government and would join Malaysia in 1963. At the same time, the British were planning to withdraw its military forces from the region, although it still had to maintain a sizeable presence to tackle ongoing conflicts like the Malayan Emergency (until 1960) and Konfrontasi (Confrontation, 1963–1965).
With Singapore’s independence in 1965 as well as the end of Konfrontasi, Britain proposed to pull out its forces from Singapore by the mid-1970s. However, economic stagnation back home led the British government to speed up this withdrawal, which was completed by December 1971. Existing military facilities were transferred to the government of Singapore and Blakang Mati became a training ground for the new Singapore Armed Forces.
The British withdrawal also had severe economic consequences for Singapore. The bases had generated some 20% of the island-state’s GDP and provided over 70,000 jobs, both directly and in terms of services supporting the military. To counter these losses after the British left, Singapore drew up plans to diversify its economy, including plans to convert Blakang Mati into an island resort for both tourists and locals.
In 1972, the island was renamed Sentosa (which means “tranquility” in Malay). Within a few years, a golf course was constructed and several attractions, including Fort Siloso, were opened
Heritage at The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa
Since 2006 The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa has been actively researching its campus past, and several student-led projects were undertaken in addressing the history and heritage of the site. Events and names from the forgotten past were once again resurrected and the historic pioneers given their long overdue recognition for their contributions to Blakang Mati and Singapore.
Visit the Reception gallery and campus today to find out more about the parade square and its history.
The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa : History illustrated.
Map 1.A close up from one of the earliest map detailing the Parade Square and vicinity. The six main barrack blocks and married personnel quarters are all depicted. The text “Soldiers Quarters” on the top left aptly centers on the Square. Blocks E and F flanked the Square in the north, while Blocks C and D are to the south. Block A is just above the word “Swamp” with Block B to its ten o’clock position. From Admiralty Chart 1891 corrected Feb 1906. (Public Records Office, Kew United Kingdom)
Map 2.The Parade Square as it stands in June 1922. The football field has yet to be constructed, and in its stead the large recreation ground served as both a training and a sports field. Note the present day Treasures Resort building west of the Square is not indicated as it is only built in 1940. Blocks G and H on the extreme right are the married personnel quarters. Not to be confused with the married Officer’s quarters which are segregated in a different and more luxurious compound. Fire hydrants and lamp posts are indicated as F.H. and L.P respectively. Tracing of 1897 Map corrected June 1922. (National Archives of Singapore)
| Photo 1. View of the Parade Square looking east from the Recreation Grounds. Today the camera man would be standing on the site of the Treasures Resort. The structure next to the left barrack block is yet to be constructed indicating the photograph was taken sometime prior to 1937. (Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 2. This photograph was taken from the first floor balcony of Block B. While not very clear, the uniforms of the parading troop suggest that they are naval personnel. Note DUKW amphibious vehicles in background. (c. post war period Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 3. Aerial view of the Parade Square. The football field to the right was only constructed sometime after 1922. The building in the foreground is likely to be part of the medical or hospital complex. (c.1922-1937 Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 4. Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu garlanded with flowers and receiving a hero’s parade. The award of the Victoria Cross is an event worthy of celebration by the whole battalion. (Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 5. Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu of the 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles decorated with the Victoria Cross. Rambahadur’s extreme feat of valor occurred in Borneo during the Confrontation where he single handedly destroyed a machine gun post and, under heavy enemy fire, went back twice into the open to drag his injured comrades to safety. Since the decoration’s inception in 1856, only 1,355 were awarded, and in the Malaya Command, only 6 were ever awarded, of which 5 were during the Second World War. (Sentosa Archives) |
Photo 6. The pair of 8 inch guns from Fort Serapong on display at the Parade Square. A plaque was attached to each gun which reads “In memory of Royal Artillerymen who served on Blakang Mati 1885-1890”. (Sentosa Archives) |  |
| Photo 7. An unidentified unit on parade. The uniforms and arms carried suggests the period of Malayan Emergency or Confrontation with Indonesia. (Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 8. Officer of General rank inspecting native unit in parade uniform. Date unknown. (National Archives of Singapore) | |
| Photo 9. Malay gunners “taking their posts” with 25 Pounders. Their turn out and service dress suggest a demonstration shoot. Clearly blanks were used for such shoots in the Parade Square! (National Archives of Singapore) | |
| Photo 10. Malay gunners in ceremonial dress lined up in front of their 3.7 inch anti-aircraft gun. The present Sijori Resort can be seen in the rear. (National Archives of Singapore) |
| Photo 11. L.E.P. Training Centre Orderly Room. The locally raised units are usually under the command of white officers and trainers, though as the British gradually withdrew from the Southeast Asian theatre, a larger number of native officers have their own commands. (c.1945-58 Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 12. In the Dining Room. (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 13. One of the leisure and recreation rooms, either in the Mess or the company’s Reading Room. (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 14. The enlisted men’s barracks. The lines strung across the room are for the mandatory mosquito netting. (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 15. Senior NCOs and Officers can expect more comfort and privacy with the allocation of individual rooms. (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 16. Another view of the enlisted men’s barracks. Interestingly, note “great coat” clearly not for the tropics (!), hanging above the duffle bags. Strangely, the soldier sleeping nearest the camera is wearing his socks in bed. (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 17. Indian “Bearer” polishing a soldier’s webbing with a can of trusty Brasso. On the ground before him are a pair of ankle high combat boots, two pairs of service dress shoes, and a forage cap. (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 18. Local personnel apart from manning the guns and fighting in the jungles, also double as entertainers! (Author’s Collection) | |
| Photo 19. The island’s shuttle bus in front of Block F (present day Block A of The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa), aptly named “Island Bus”! (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) |
|  Photo 21. Clowning around on the balcony. (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 22. Civilians on the first floor balcony observing a parade or event, probably wives of the military personnel. (c.1945-58 Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 23. Rubby match in the Football Field. (Post 1940 Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 24. “Only on the sports field are the native and European troops equal.” Game of tug of war. (Post 1940 Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 25. A Malay football team and their trophy. (1949 Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 26. Native troops serving as Honor Guard for the parade. (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 27. An unknown Gurkha company on parade. (c. Post war, Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 28. More parades. (c.Post war, National Archives of Singapore) | |
| Photo 29. Close up of parade dress and ceremonial uniform. (c.Post war, National Archives of Singapore) | |
| Photo 30. Gathering before Block E (today Block C of the Tourism Academy) of what appears to be a fatigue party of native troops officered by naval officers (in white caps). (Date unknown, Author’s Collection) | |
| Photo 31. The search light unit of the 1st Singapore Regiment RA on night parade. (c.1950s Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 32. 3.7 inch anti-aircraft guns lined up with their carriages and range detection finder equipment (far right). (Date unknown, Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 33. Gun drills on the Parade Square. Here, a pair of 25 Pounders fire in unison while the European officers (foreground) look on. (Date unknown, Author’s Collection) | |
| Photo 34. Military band marches beneath the Royal Artillery colors. (Date unknown, National Archives of Singapore) |
| Photo 35. Night parade, native troops conduct a slow march pass the visitors’ stand. From the number of civilians present, it is likely this is a passing out parade of locally enlisted personnel. (Date unknown, National Archives of Singapore) | |
| Photo 36. The Parade Square retained some of its military association when Blakang Mati took a new lease of life as a tourist and recreational venue. Here, military aircraft forms an outdoor display. (c.1980s, Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 37. Old soldiers never die, they just keep coming back! A former military man revisits the Parade Square. (Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 38. Yet another former soldier casts his eye over the Football Field. (Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 39. Standing at ease at the foot of his old barrack block. (Sentosa Archives) | |
| Photo 40. Capturing a last memory of the Square and barracks. (Sentosa Archives) |
| Photo 41. Formation insignia of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. “Ubique Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt” -Everywhere, where right and glory lead. (Author’s Collection) | |
| Photo 42. The Tourism Academy before restoration (2003) | |
| Photo 43. The Tourism Academy before restoration (2003) | |
| Photo 44. The Parade Square after restoration (2005) | |
| Photo 45. The Tourism Academy after restoration (2005) | |
| Photo 46. The Tourism Academy & Parade Square after restoration (2005) | |
