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Originally a small rubber growing village on the northeastern end of Singapore, the fate of Changi changed when the British government decided to build a new naval base in the Far East. After much delay and deliberation, the work towards building the base began in 1933. During the Second World War, Singapore had to be surrendered to Japan. A few blocks away from the Changi Prison were the Changi Camp where a POW hospital was built. In Barrack Block 151, Padre Stallard convinced the Japanese to build a little chapel. During this time British bombardier, Stanley Warren was moved to the block. Many in the barrack knew his talent for art. He was asked by some padres to paint the walls of the prisoner's chapel. Stanley began work on the murals in 1942. Stanley painted 5 murals from the gospel, depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Paint was difficult to find and only a few colors could be acquired. The murals were 3 meters long and the scenes depicted were The Nativity, Saint Luke in Prison, The Last Supper, The Crucifixion and the Ascension. Stanley completed the 5 murals in May 1943. Due to continued illness Stanley was moved to Kranji where he stayed till the end of the War. However he later got to know that his murals and the chapel had been demolished during Allied bombing. In 1988 the chapel was reconstructed and a museum next to the Changi Prison. The Museum displays a collection of photographs, paintings of the POWs offering insight into the lives of the prisoners.
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