The story begins in the 19th century when Sentosa Island was protected as a passage meeting Keppel Harbour. In 1827, it was fortified to serve the defense purpose. But rapid growth of harbor led to the concern of over protecting the coal stocks. And thus, Fort Siloso, Fort Serapong, Fort Connaught and the Mount Imbiah Battery were set up. By 1930, Sentosa Island was extensively fortified. Now, the actual story begins that form the most important part of the history of Sentosa Island.
It must be remembered that Sentosa Island was a British military fortress during the second world war. Artillery guns were kept in Fort Siloso and a brilliant plan was chalked out to protect the island from Japanese invaders. British believed that the sea in the south would guard the island. But, unexpectedly, Japanese sounded more intelligent when they invaded Singapore from the north. In 1942, Sentosa island became the camp for the British prisoners of the Japanese. This is not the end of the story. A twist in the history of Sentosa Island came with the surrender of Japan after 1945. The island was again taken by the British.
In 1947- Sentosa island became a centre of locally enlisted First Singapore Regiment of the Royal Artillery (1st SRRA). Later on it was replaced by Gurkha infantry units and Fort Siloso and Fort Serapong became Catholic retreat and Protestant Church respectively.
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