A Splendid Little Colony: British Singapore 1819 - 1963


Sir Song Ong Siang


Sir Song Ong Siang (1871-1941), a third-generation Straits Chinese, was a lawyer and active citizen of the Crown Colony of Singapore. For all his contributions rendered, he was conferred the Order of the British Empire in 1927 and Knight of the British Empire in 1936 by King George V.

Source: Alan Chong, ed. Great Peranakans: Fifty Remarkable Lives
This portrait was painted by the German artist Julius Wentscher in 1936. In evening dress, Sir Song has his knighthood badge around his neck, and the silver star of the order and the Colonial Auxiliary medal on his chest. A copy of his book, One Hundred Years’ History of the Chinese in Singapore, is displayed on the table, together with a Bible and other bound books. The portrait was placed, along with others of prominent men, in the Victoria Memorial Hall for many years. Today, it is placed in the permanent display section, “Modern Colony,” in the National Museum of Singapore.


A Splendid Little Colony: British Singapore 1819 - 1963 | Singapore


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