by Raymond Lim

Created on: June 02, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2008

"Recollecting past events always give me the shudder", my mum said as I sat with her at the front porch of the verandah facing the garden one Sunday morning.

"I can still vividly recall the sound of war siren piercing loudly in my ears, followed by a mad rush of people running helter skater. I was bumped and felled by one of the panic stricken crowd of frightened people. I quickly picked myself up and ran as fast as my legs could carry me to my house which was two streets away. Rushing in and finding the house empty of occupants, I became hysterical and started yelling out for your dad and other family members' attention. I became berserk when there was no reply and after searching every nook and corner of the house frantically, I ran out into the street yelling and shouting out my family members' names. But my voice was drowned by the din and fuss in the streets. As I was about to faint, I felt a gentle pat on my shoulder and a familiar voice calling my name."

"My heart lighted up and I recollect my composure. I knew and recognized the voice before looking into his face with eager eyes that it was my husband", my mum said and continued with her narration.

"Dear", he asked, "Where have you been?"

"When we heard the siren all of us began packing whatever necessities and evacuated to an underground shelter. In our haste we did not notice that you are amongst us. It was only when all of us were in the shelter that I realized you are missing!" , your dad informed and added, "Without hesitation I quickly get out of the shelter to search for you and was lucky that I managed to find you here!"

That was the year 1942 during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya (Second World War 1939-1945). For 3 years and 8 months my parents together with their siblings and parents suffered considerably during the Occupation by the Japanese.

There was insufficient rice and food was scarce during this period. All of them survived on a day to day basis with some days passing without food to fill their empty stomach.

The extreme heat in the shelter and miserable living condition took their toll. Some of them fell sick and the shortage of food and medicine aggravated their situation and added to their sufferings

My mum being wealthy woman and living comfortably before the war suffered most, as she could not stand the pressure of war. She became depressed and had to be constantly looked after by family members.

Luckily my dad was a resilient man. Even though the war had deprived him of his business

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