Title
An unemployment card issued by the British Military Administration
Year/Period
1945
Region
Singapore
Dimension
Object size: 6.1 x 8.5 cm
Accession No.
2008-06730
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Low Sze Wee
NLB Type
Document
The British Military Administration (BMA) was the post-war interim government that was set up in September 1945 by the returning British forces to oversee Singapore’s reconstruction. It was headed by Lord Louis Mountbatten, with Patrick McKerron as the Deputy Chief Civil Affairs Officer for Singapore. The BMA made progress in maintaining law and order, restoring public utilities and in reopening schools but was plagued with inefficiencies and corruption. The period of military administration ended in April 1946 with the formation of the Malayan Union, and Singapore became administered as a Crown Colony under the governorship of Sir Franklin Gimson.
