Civilian War Memorial

The Civilian War Memorial stands as a monument with four white pillars reaching about 70 meters (230 feet) high, located in War Memorial Park in Downtown Core. The grounds include landscaped areas and are designed as a quiet place for remembrance.

Opened in 1967, the memorial honors thousands of civilians who died during the Japanese occupation of Singapore from 1942 to 1945. It was built as the nation sought to commemorate this period and establish remembrance for future generations.

The four pillars represent the different communities of Singapore – Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian people – who all endured suffering during the occupation. Visitors see this as a shared memorial that recognizes their common loss.

The site is easily accessible from Beach Road, and Esplanade MRT station is nearby for convenient public transport access. Morning or early afternoon visits tend to be quieter and more suitable for reflection.

The memorial contains 606 urns holding remains of unidentified civilians discovered in mass graves at different locations across Singapore. These urns are housed within the complex, each one representing someone whose name was never recorded.

Location: Downtown Core

Inception: January 1967

Architects: Swan & Maclaren Architects

Official opening: February 15, 1967

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Website: https://nparks.gov.sg/visit/parks/war-memorial-park/special-features/civilian-war-memorial

GPS coordinates: 1.29294,103.85484

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:43