Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore

Selarang Barracks Changi – Singapore

This Barracks was situated on the north eastern tip of Singapore on the Changi Peninsular, within the Changi Cantonment.  This military establishment consisted of the Roberts (Royal Artillery), Kitchener (Royal Engineers), as well as the Birdwood, Selarang, Wavell and Teloh Paku Camps.  In addition, to accommodate the Punjabis of the AA Regiment, there were two barracks blocks(India Barracks) and a number of wooden huts.
The Changi Cantonment was in fact a small city with a hospital, gaol, cinemas, sporting facilities, married quarters, schooland all the amenities  required by the officers and enlisted ranks and their families within Changi and its environs.  The seven three-storied concrete buildings of Selarang where the AIF would be billeted had been the former home of the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  The AIF area was situated on 140 acres of rising ground that was grassed and dotted with palms and trees. The buildings were roughly quadrilateral with about 800 yards between two sides, and 1,100 yards between the other two.

Below:  Selarang Barracks.

Changi Work Party by Leo Rawlins

 

The POWs at Changi were under the control of their own officers consequently there was less contact between guards and prisoners.  It was only on the work parties the POWs had dealings with the Japanese guards.  Once leaving Singapore, the rules changed altogether.  The POWs were at the mercy of their guards.

Soldiers that were in this camp

Location of Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore (exact)