Description
About the Author

A memoir of Lim Chin Joo, this is a book about his life as a kampong boy growing up against the backdrop of the Second World War, who was later caught up in the anti-colonial struggles that led to his 9-year imprisonment without trial in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a personal account of an important period in the history of Singapore which shaped Singapore in its formative years.

Covering the main historical events in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s, and major personalities (including Lee Kuan Yew, Lim Chin Siong, TT. Rajah, Lim Hock Siew, Robert Soon and Lee Siew Choh), it brings back the historical setting of Singapore’s anti-colonial struggles and fight for independence, a tale of how the young idealists pursued their dreams and ideals, how the history shaped their life stories, and the price they paid for their dreams. Rare photographs of people, places and events have been added as valuable illustration.
Born in 1937, Lim Chin Joo studied at The Chinese High School in the 1950s. In 1957 he was detained without trial by the Colonial Government under the provisions of the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance and released only in 1966. While under detention he succeeded in obtaining an external degree in law from the London University through self-study. After his release he joined the Singapore Government’s administrative service but left to pursue private legal practice in 1973. As a retired lawyer he now serves in various capacity some of the civic organisations in Singapore.

Memoirs

My Youth in Black and White