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Creativity and Ingenuity of British Far East Prisoners of War, 1942 - 45
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Painting of a view to a wooden theatre stage. There is a coconut tree either side of the stage and a crowd of men all looking towards the stage. Add to board
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Painting by a FEPOW: Coconut Grove Theatre, Changi

Coconut Grove Theatre, Changi Gaol, Singapore 1945, painted by Capt T. Wilson RAMC. When the Japanese army invaded Singapore, they turned the existing civilian prison in Changi into a Civilian Internee camp. The military were held at Changi POW camp nearby. In 1944 the civilians were moved out of Changi Gaol and the remaining military POW were moved in.

To provide a respite from the harsh conditions, the prisoners organised their own entertainment, drawing on the wide range of skills of the inmates.

Image: Coconut Grove Theatre, Changi Gaol, Singapore 1945, painted by Capt T. Wilson © courtesy the Wilson Family