“What if fairy tales were real?” I ask you as we approach Fairy Point. This serene spot whispers stories of Singapore’s past. It blends history and tranquility. Fairy Point at Changi Point offers scenic surroundings. It is located in Singapore’s rustic north-eastern corner. This area holds beauty and charm. Much of its natural geography remains intact.
Let’s step back in time to British Singapore. Changi Point was remote and dominated by mangrove forests. Yet, its charm was evident. Adventurous souls saw its potential as a retreat. Mr. Gottlieb was among the first. He built Fairy Point bungalow. It occupied prime real estate on Fairy Point Hill.
In the early 1900s a Japanese-owned hotel appeared. It stood along the beach east of Fairy Point. This wooden hotel perched on stilts over the foreshore. Rumors swirled about its reputation. Some whispered it offered more than just a getaway.
The British understood Singapore’s strategic importance. They decided to build a naval base. Coastal artillery was placed around Changi to defend it. Changi guarded the eastern entrance to the Johor Strait. The first section of the military cantonment was built at Changi Point. The Royal Engineers occupied this prime location and it became known as Kitchener Barracks.
However, Singapore fell to Japanese forces in 1942. Changi saw little military action. The coastal guns fired but did little to stop the advance. Armour-piercing rounds proved ineffective against ground forces. Changi’s guns were destroyed.
After the Fall of Singapore, Changi became a Prisoner of War camp. In 1942, 50000 POWs marched to Changi. They occupied its barracks and camps. Life as a POW was tough. The POWs lacked food. They faced diseases. Despite this, many found strength in organized activities. Sports provided a distraction. Theatrical performances and college-level courses also took place.
Comparisons revealed that Changi was “heaven” compared to other camps. Work teams were sent to various projects. Some were sent to the Thai-Burma Railway. This “Death Railway” caused extreme suffering.
Kitchener Barracks held the healthiest POWs. They were drawn into the first working teams. By 1943, the Japanese Army took over Kitchener and Roberts Barracks. They used POW labor to construct an airstrip.
After the war, the Royal Air Force found the airstrip useful. RAF Changi became the principal air station in the Far East. Kitchener Barracks became the headquarters of the Far East Air Force.
Today, much of the former Kitchener Barracks remains intact. Some structures are used by hotels and training centers. The officers’ residences at Batu Puteh Hill and Fairy Point Hill still stand. One sits on the site of Mr. Gottlieb’s bungalow.
Fairy Point Hill is now home to the Fairy Point Chalet 7. It stands at 697sqm. This colonial chalet offers spaciousness and a private lawn area. It faces the sea. It’s perfect for large gatherings and solemnizations.
So, as you stand here at Fairy Point remember its layered past. From a peaceful retreat to a military stronghold and a place of imprisonment. It is now a place of rest. Fairy Point embodies Singapore’s ever-changing story. It remains a place where history and serenity meet.