On the 15th of February 1942, 14 972 Australians were marched to the northern tip of the Singapore island, where they were imprisoned at a military base called Selerang, near the village of Changi. Overtime any reference to the event was called Changi. Changi, is renowned as a brutal imprisonment, where Australians suffered tremendously both during the incident and for countless years after. The courage and strength shown by Australians and there determination to overcome the viciousness of Changi is forever instilled our History.

The Changi imprisonment had countless consequences. Australians suffered extreme trauma, both physical and psychological. These effects were particularly present throughout the ordeal; however, they were also ongoing for many years after. During captivity in the Changi, there was a dramatic increase in illness and mortality rates. The major factors for illness were the inadequate diet through lack of quality and quantity. Secondly, the hazardous and excess labour …show more content…
Many Australians experienced extreme weight loss during the Changi camp. Weight loss was a severe and universal problem. This was because, the energy required for tiresome labour, largely exceeded caloric intake. The Changi prisoners of war diet was entirely rice-based. Australians received minute portions of vegetables and occasionally meat or fish. Rather they were predominately served small amounts of poor quality rice. This resulted in an endless amount illness, included vitamin B deficiency, beriberi and thiamine deficiency. Painful lower leg neuropathy was especially common with symptoms worsening at night. It became known as ‘electric’ and more ironically ‘happy feet’. Autonomic and myelopathy syndromes were also suffered. It was typically manifested by bladder dysfunction. The list of illness caused by nutritional disease is endless. Many Australian’s suffered tremendously from this during the Changi Prisoners of