Singapore had become a British province following the signing of the Anglo-Dutch treaty of 1824. Singapore grew and became a flourishing port. After World War One the British government decided to build a naval base in Singapore as a defence against possible Japanese expansion.
In the early 1940s the Japanese decided that the capture of Singapore would give Japan a base from which to launch attacks on allied-held positions in the area.
On 8th December 1941 the Japanese invaded British Malaya, to the north of Singapore. On 31st January 1942 the last British troops left Malaya. As they left they blew up part of the causeway that linked Malaya to Singapore.
On 3rd February 1942 the Japanese began shelling Singapore and on the evening of 8th February a Japanes force of 4,000 invaded Singapore. The Japanese troops landed in the sector defended by the Australian 22nd division. Fighting went on all night but by early morning the Australians having suffered numerous casualties were forced to retreat leaving the beach around the causeway undefended. This opening allowed the Japanese to land armoured vehicles.
On 10th February Winston Churchill sent a message to allied commander General Archibald Wavell stating that Singapore was to be held at all costs. This message was relayed to Arthur Ernest Percival commander of the Singapore garrison.
Despite fierce and continued fighting the allies continued to lose ground and civilian casualties increased as the Japanese advanced. On 13th February Percival requested permission to surrender but this was denied. On 14th February Japanese troops entered the Alexandra Barracks Hospital killing all inmates during the day.
By the morning of 15th February the Japanese had broken through the last allied defence line. With little food or water and virtually no ammunition Percival had little choice by to surrender. About 90,000 troops were taken prisoner, many dying during captivity.
