Conversations How a heroine of Singapore survived jail and torture in WWII
Oct 9, 2025
Historian Tom Trumble shares gripping tales of war hero Elizabeth Choy, who bravely resisted Japanese oppression during WWII. He recounts the daring sabotage mission Operation Jaywick, detailing how Australian commandos struck Japanese forces, triggering fierce reprisals. Trumble discusses the harrowing tortures Choy endured in Changi Prison, her relentless spirit, and her refusal to betray fellow resistors. After the war, her remarkable journey of forgiveness and postwar contributions highlight the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
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Teacher Turned Humanitarian
- Elizabeth Choy grew up in remote British North Borneo and became a devoted Christian teacher in cosmopolitan Singapore.
- She consistently helped struggling students and families, often using her own savings to support them.
Fall Of Singapore Shifted Imperial Confidence
- The fall of Singapore shattered belief in British invincibility across Asia.
- Tom Trumbull argues this event signalled the decline of British imperial influence in the Far East.
Smuggling Cash And Aid Into Changi
- Elizabeth Choy smuggled food, medicine and messages into Changi using an ambulance driver contact, John Long.
- She later helped smuggle large cash parcels ($10,000 installments) into the camp to sustain internees.
