Singapore in 1941 seems a year that was well documented by the international media. We have seen an extensive set of photographs taken by Carl Mydans’ for LIFE magazine, which show both scenes in Singapore and Malaya, as it was being readied for war. Another extensive collection is that of Mydans’ compatriot, Harrison Forman, whose extensive collection of photographs also include rare photographs taken on colour film. Forman, a photo-journalist with a degree in Oriental Philosophy, wrote for the New York Times and National Geographic. His extensive collection of 50,000 photographs are in the His collection of diaries and fifty thousand photographs are found in the American Geographical Society Library of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
A selection from the Harrison Forman Collection of Singapore in 1941

A view up Collyer Quay. Buildings from left to right are the Union Building (later Maritime Building), Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Chambers and the GPO (now Fullerton Hotel).

North Bridge Road – where the Raffles Hotel extension is today. Note the number of Japanese owned businesses. The pre-war Japanese community, which was centred on Middle Road and several of the streets around numbered several thousand at its peak.

Middle Road, where the Mercure Bugis now stands.

Bencoolen Street.

Bencoolen Street, where Sunshine Plaza now stands.

Capitol.

A drinks vendor on Collyer Quay.

A bullock cart on Collyer Quay.

The Battery Road corner of Raffles Place looking towards Chartered Bank Chambers (Six Battery Road).

Raffles Place / Battery Road.

Electra House – Cable and Wireless (and previously the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co’s HQ – now SO Sofitel).

Gian Singh at Bank of China Building.

Battery Road.

Raffles Place.

Dhoby Ghaut (Cathay towards Prinsep Street).

Rare pre-war colour photo of Amber Mansions on Orchard Road (where Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station is today).

Rare colour photo of Battery Road – notice the row of rickshaws, which were withdrawn after the war.

Haw Par Villa – in full colour.

Reclamation off the Esplanade (what would provide land for Queen Elizabeth Walk).

Dhoby Ghaut with Cathay.
Thanks so much for sharing..those were the days my friend!
Such priceless photos and memories of Singapore scenes so well captured. Very grateful. Thanks! Have safe year.
I remember some of these places but did not visit them independently, until my teen years. Very nostalgic and appreciated. Keep them coming!
Wow …. what memories bring back. Many of these places were still there till mid-70’s or so.
Many of these buildings were unchanged when I first arrived in 1952. Wonderful nostalgia!
Fantastic pictures. I remember Singapore in the early 60s and this is how I will always remember it. Thank you
Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful moment in pictures well preserved. Beautifully taken and it sure makes me glancing over those nostalgic memoirs in tears.
Thanks for all these wonderfully captured priceless photos !!
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful memories . It’s so beautiful. Well done ! Keep this noble work going ! Cheers ! ❤️
From : Azeezah Gauthama
At age 77, my memory failed to capture the many scenes of old Singapore. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for sharing the historical past, Jerome! Enjoyed the coverage on Bain Street, Carver St, Cashin At and Empress Hotel.
I recognise most if not all the photos shown here. I arrive in Singapore on 1 January 1947 and the bullock carts and trishaws and trolley bus were the main forms of public transport.
Time flies! 75 years have slipped into eternity
How many more years are left for me in my pilgrim journey? Joshua Lim aged 92