Testimonials
Many thanks for you time and effort today. I really appreciated filling in a lot of gaps in my knowledge.
Nick Smyth, Australia, April 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and certainly would be interested in booking another for when we eventually return!
Kaspar Reed, UK, February 2023
We hired Chris to provide a day's tour of the island focusing on the role of Roland's father's regiment during the Fall of Singapore. Chris responded promptly and helpfully to all our enquiries and requests before our actual arrival, and also gave us excellent advice about other aspects of our stay. On the day all the arrangements worked very well from the time Chris picked us up in the morning to dropping us off at our hotel in the afternoon. The tour itself surpassed our expectations. Chris had organised everything according to our brief,
even trying to pinpoint the exact position of Roland's father at surrender. This was no mean feat bearing in mind how completely the
topography of Singapore has changed since 1942! His clear explanations included a visual description of all the units (Allied and
Japanese) involved in the battle and brought vividly to life the inevitability of the Japanese victory. On top of his skills as an historical
guide, Chris was an open and friendly witness to life in Singapore in the 21st century. We would strongly recommend you hire him.
Helen and Roland Crooke, UK, February 2023
We had such a wonderful time on your tour yesterday and felt like we learnt a lot of new things! You were an amazing guide and we couldn’t have asked for a better one! Thank you so much for everything. Again, thank you so much for all your advice and the excellent tour yesterday! We head back to Perth tomorrow, but hope that next time we are back in Singapore we will try another of your tours.
Caitlin Page, Australia, January 2023
We did a private full-day battlefield tour for 4 people with Chris. It included visits to the Kranji landing beaches, the Kranji War Cemetery and memorials, the Former Ford Factory museum and the Changi Chapel and Museum. Chris presented all the information to us in a very clear and interesting way, including showing us on maps how battalions were mobilised during the Japanese invasion, which made it very easy to understand.
Having started the day with very little knowledge of this period in Singapore history all four of us went away from the day with a much greater understanding of how and why the fall of Singapore occurred. Chris was an exceptional host and guide, with a fantastic knowledge of this very interesting time in the history of Singapore, and I would recommend his tours to everyone.
Raelene Warner, Australia, October 2022
Nick Smyth, Australia, April 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and certainly would be interested in booking another for when we eventually return!
Kaspar Reed, UK, February 2023
We hired Chris to provide a day's tour of the island focusing on the role of Roland's father's regiment during the Fall of Singapore. Chris responded promptly and helpfully to all our enquiries and requests before our actual arrival, and also gave us excellent advice about other aspects of our stay. On the day all the arrangements worked very well from the time Chris picked us up in the morning to dropping us off at our hotel in the afternoon. The tour itself surpassed our expectations. Chris had organised everything according to our brief,
even trying to pinpoint the exact position of Roland's father at surrender. This was no mean feat bearing in mind how completely the
topography of Singapore has changed since 1942! His clear explanations included a visual description of all the units (Allied and
Japanese) involved in the battle and brought vividly to life the inevitability of the Japanese victory. On top of his skills as an historical
guide, Chris was an open and friendly witness to life in Singapore in the 21st century. We would strongly recommend you hire him.
Helen and Roland Crooke, UK, February 2023
We had such a wonderful time on your tour yesterday and felt like we learnt a lot of new things! You were an amazing guide and we couldn’t have asked for a better one! Thank you so much for everything. Again, thank you so much for all your advice and the excellent tour yesterday! We head back to Perth tomorrow, but hope that next time we are back in Singapore we will try another of your tours.
Caitlin Page, Australia, January 2023
We did a private full-day battlefield tour for 4 people with Chris. It included visits to the Kranji landing beaches, the Kranji War Cemetery and memorials, the Former Ford Factory museum and the Changi Chapel and Museum. Chris presented all the information to us in a very clear and interesting way, including showing us on maps how battalions were mobilised during the Japanese invasion, which made it very easy to understand.
Having started the day with very little knowledge of this period in Singapore history all four of us went away from the day with a much greater understanding of how and why the fall of Singapore occurred. Chris was an exceptional host and guide, with a fantastic knowledge of this very interesting time in the history of Singapore, and I would recommend his tours to everyone.
Raelene Warner, Australia, October 2022
Australian group, Aug 2022 (non-military itinerary)
Wanting to travel extensively over Singapore Island, I arranged a paid tour with guide. It was an inspired choice. On the shores of Straits of Johore, where the Australian 8th Division met the invading Japanese force. Seeing the terrain of any battlefield adds enormously to an understanding of that battle. What stood out here was the difficulties of (Japanese) landing through mangrove swamps (even at high tide), and the difficulties of defence in this area. My guide had maps on which he placed cards to indicate the placement of the different Australian (and British and Indian) Battalions, and their movements as the landing unfolded. Excellent!! Now understand that!!
A final word about my guide, Christopher Cher. He was excellent – highly organised, adaptable, knowledgeable. As 'guide-to-guide’, we were able to dig more deeply into what all these places offered and talk about lots more as we drove from place to place. I couldn’t recommend him more highly.
Ross Cleary, Canberra, Australia, June 2022
Wanting to travel extensively over Singapore Island, I arranged a paid tour with guide. It was an inspired choice. On the shores of Straits of Johore, where the Australian 8th Division met the invading Japanese force. Seeing the terrain of any battlefield adds enormously to an understanding of that battle. What stood out here was the difficulties of (Japanese) landing through mangrove swamps (even at high tide), and the difficulties of defence in this area. My guide had maps on which he placed cards to indicate the placement of the different Australian (and British and Indian) Battalions, and their movements as the landing unfolded. Excellent!! Now understand that!!
A final word about my guide, Christopher Cher. He was excellent – highly organised, adaptable, knowledgeable. As 'guide-to-guide’, we were able to dig more deeply into what all these places offered and talk about lots more as we drove from place to place. I couldn’t recommend him more highly.
Ross Cleary, Canberra, Australia, June 2022
Military History enthusiasts, Singapore, December 2020
Chris,
After 7 hours of discussing the trip on the way home, I wish to thank you for the exceptional privilege we enjoyed, having you as our tour guide. As you are aware I have personally travelled quite extensively and your attention to detail, assistance to members of our tour group and contagious personality together with your local knowledge of Singapore and its early beginnings, was the best I have ever experienced.
The standard of the coaches was also great and the bus drivers were always courteous. It was a busy trip but we managed to survive it with the aid of your humour. The meals were most enjoyable making this an all-round wonderful trip.
Thank you again and may I wish you great success with your business in the future.
Bruce B. Cameron OAM, Victoria, Australia, September 2019
Chris Cher from Battlefield Tours Singapore runs the most amazing bespoke experiences of Singapore battles, history and battlefield locations. He has a wealth of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of military history, tactics and strategies. I would highly recommend Chris if you have any interest in or links to military history in Singapore or WW2 campaigns in the Pacific region.
Supt. Patrick Jones AFSM CF FiFireE, ACT, Australia, August 2019
How very nice to hear from you and to be brought back to those fascinating two days with you on the battlefield ground. For me it was an amazing & informative time being escorted by you across the Japanese invasion route. The strategy & tactics employed were reminiscent of the WW2 Blitzkreig manoeuvres masterminded by the Germans. You are very much the professional, your knowledge, interpretation, presentation & depiction with your detailed maps give your guidance a true & meaningful relevance. My friend was also very pleased to have an up to date photo of his sister's memorial at Kranji. In summary, it was a first class experience with a personable expert battlefield tour guide.
- Lt Col (Ret.) Nigel de Foubert, UK, April 2019
Recommend @sgbattletours if anyone has Singapore stopover or holiday coming up.
- David Lonsdale, Australia, February 2019
My wife and I booked a Singapore to Shanghai Cruise in December-January 2018. As a military historian I wanted to see the landmarks of the 1942 battle for Singapore. As Chris and I exchanged emails about the tour my wife asked about seeing the other interesting parts of the city, like the Botanical Gardens, Gardens by the Bay, food courts, museums, the neighborhoods and sights like the pool on top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. We couldn’t have had a better guide. We feel that the Singapore visit was the highlight of our trip, thanks to Chris. Not only did he provide me with a comprehensive tour of the military sites I wanted to see, with a fine exposition of how the campaign developed, including maps and period photographs, but he also brought us to virtually all of the sights of modern Singapore. Of all the places we visited on our trip, Singapore was the one we would most want to revisit.
- Laurence A. Lyons, USA, December 2018 (multi-day itinerary, military and non-military)
It was a great trip to Singapore and your Battlefield Tour was the highlight. I can’t think of anything that you could have done to make it a better battlefield tour. I loved the “then and now” maps you provided at the various places where the Japanese attacked. I think the best thing about your tour was that you are deeply immersed in the military history of Singapore and Malaysia while at the same time bringing your experience as a soldier in the Singapore Army to the table. In a tour like this, there is simply no substitute for seeing the terrain that the battle was fought on. I couldn’t believe how narrow the Straits of Johor was and how short the causeway to Singapore. On top of that you did a great job of hitting the sweet spot between tactics and strategy. I will definitely contact you again when I return to Singapore.
- Brint Milward, Arizona, USA, June 2018
I found Chris to have an amazing breadth and depth of knowledge, of the Malaya campaign in general, and in particular, the action on Singapore Island, which he was able to deliver in an readily understandable manner. His explanations are backed by excellent historical reference material, including maps and photographs. Chris was very flexible in his approach to the tour, ensuring that I was able to complete my full itinerary. I wish Chris every success with his tours, he certainly deserves it based on my personal experience.
- David Thorogood, UK, May 2018
This was a great tour and Chris was very helpful, courteous and knowledgeable. He has a great understanding of the Singapore campaign.
- Maj (Ret.) Mark Allen, Australia, January 2018
One thing I’ve forgot to mention during my tour journals is our tour guide Chris and his depth of insight into not only the fall of Singapore, but also war in general. The thing I find so inspiring about Chris is his ability to evoke emotional and deep level thinking.
- Bryce
Chris, our war specialist tour guide, has an incredible ability to articulate such sensitive matters in a delicate manner. I admire how he can deliver intricate information in a way that provokes an emotional response from his audience, to the point where I was constantly challenged to reflect.
- Caitlyn
I would also like to thank Chris, our battlefield specialist, for his fathomless well of expertise. Benjamin Franklin once said that ‘an investment in knowledge pays the best interest’. If so, Chris would be one of the wealthiest in the world. I enjoyed listening to every single story he told.
- Ming Hui
- Department of Education, Western Australia - Premier's ANZAC Student Tour 2017, April 2017 (Link to Tour Diary)
Thank you Chris for making our stay so enjoyable. Your manner in explaining the history of Singapore was enlightening and interesting...We feel we won the jackpot when we got you for our tour guide.
- Audrey Luft, Edmonton, Canada, March 2017 (non-military itinerary)
Some time as I wait in the Changi Cove Hotel to go Changi Airport to thank you very much indeed for the day we had together. We had a very valuable day and I was most grateful for the way that you shaped it so successfully as we went along. I really did see everything that was relevant to understanding the battle as it developed.
- Mark Radford, UK, February 2017
Thank you Christopher for guiding us in Singapore. We enjoyed you and your explanation of the awesome highlights of this beautiful city.
- Bernard Dube, USA, August 2016 (non-military itinerary)
Chris,
After 7 hours of discussing the trip on the way home, I wish to thank you for the exceptional privilege we enjoyed, having you as our tour guide. As you are aware I have personally travelled quite extensively and your attention to detail, assistance to members of our tour group and contagious personality together with your local knowledge of Singapore and its early beginnings, was the best I have ever experienced.
The standard of the coaches was also great and the bus drivers were always courteous. It was a busy trip but we managed to survive it with the aid of your humour. The meals were most enjoyable making this an all-round wonderful trip.
Thank you again and may I wish you great success with your business in the future.
Bruce B. Cameron OAM, Victoria, Australia, September 2019
Chris Cher from Battlefield Tours Singapore runs the most amazing bespoke experiences of Singapore battles, history and battlefield locations. He has a wealth of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of military history, tactics and strategies. I would highly recommend Chris if you have any interest in or links to military history in Singapore or WW2 campaigns in the Pacific region.
Supt. Patrick Jones AFSM CF FiFireE, ACT, Australia, August 2019
How very nice to hear from you and to be brought back to those fascinating two days with you on the battlefield ground. For me it was an amazing & informative time being escorted by you across the Japanese invasion route. The strategy & tactics employed were reminiscent of the WW2 Blitzkreig manoeuvres masterminded by the Germans. You are very much the professional, your knowledge, interpretation, presentation & depiction with your detailed maps give your guidance a true & meaningful relevance. My friend was also very pleased to have an up to date photo of his sister's memorial at Kranji. In summary, it was a first class experience with a personable expert battlefield tour guide.
- Lt Col (Ret.) Nigel de Foubert, UK, April 2019
Recommend @sgbattletours if anyone has Singapore stopover or holiday coming up.
- David Lonsdale, Australia, February 2019
My wife and I booked a Singapore to Shanghai Cruise in December-January 2018. As a military historian I wanted to see the landmarks of the 1942 battle for Singapore. As Chris and I exchanged emails about the tour my wife asked about seeing the other interesting parts of the city, like the Botanical Gardens, Gardens by the Bay, food courts, museums, the neighborhoods and sights like the pool on top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. We couldn’t have had a better guide. We feel that the Singapore visit was the highlight of our trip, thanks to Chris. Not only did he provide me with a comprehensive tour of the military sites I wanted to see, with a fine exposition of how the campaign developed, including maps and period photographs, but he also brought us to virtually all of the sights of modern Singapore. Of all the places we visited on our trip, Singapore was the one we would most want to revisit.
- Laurence A. Lyons, USA, December 2018 (multi-day itinerary, military and non-military)
It was a great trip to Singapore and your Battlefield Tour was the highlight. I can’t think of anything that you could have done to make it a better battlefield tour. I loved the “then and now” maps you provided at the various places where the Japanese attacked. I think the best thing about your tour was that you are deeply immersed in the military history of Singapore and Malaysia while at the same time bringing your experience as a soldier in the Singapore Army to the table. In a tour like this, there is simply no substitute for seeing the terrain that the battle was fought on. I couldn’t believe how narrow the Straits of Johor was and how short the causeway to Singapore. On top of that you did a great job of hitting the sweet spot between tactics and strategy. I will definitely contact you again when I return to Singapore.
- Brint Milward, Arizona, USA, June 2018
I found Chris to have an amazing breadth and depth of knowledge, of the Malaya campaign in general, and in particular, the action on Singapore Island, which he was able to deliver in an readily understandable manner. His explanations are backed by excellent historical reference material, including maps and photographs. Chris was very flexible in his approach to the tour, ensuring that I was able to complete my full itinerary. I wish Chris every success with his tours, he certainly deserves it based on my personal experience.
- David Thorogood, UK, May 2018
This was a great tour and Chris was very helpful, courteous and knowledgeable. He has a great understanding of the Singapore campaign.
- Maj (Ret.) Mark Allen, Australia, January 2018
One thing I’ve forgot to mention during my tour journals is our tour guide Chris and his depth of insight into not only the fall of Singapore, but also war in general. The thing I find so inspiring about Chris is his ability to evoke emotional and deep level thinking.
- Bryce
Chris, our war specialist tour guide, has an incredible ability to articulate such sensitive matters in a delicate manner. I admire how he can deliver intricate information in a way that provokes an emotional response from his audience, to the point where I was constantly challenged to reflect.
- Caitlyn
I would also like to thank Chris, our battlefield specialist, for his fathomless well of expertise. Benjamin Franklin once said that ‘an investment in knowledge pays the best interest’. If so, Chris would be one of the wealthiest in the world. I enjoyed listening to every single story he told.
- Ming Hui
- Department of Education, Western Australia - Premier's ANZAC Student Tour 2017, April 2017 (Link to Tour Diary)
Thank you Chris for making our stay so enjoyable. Your manner in explaining the history of Singapore was enlightening and interesting...We feel we won the jackpot when we got you for our tour guide.
- Audrey Luft, Edmonton, Canada, March 2017 (non-military itinerary)
Some time as I wait in the Changi Cove Hotel to go Changi Airport to thank you very much indeed for the day we had together. We had a very valuable day and I was most grateful for the way that you shaped it so successfully as we went along. I really did see everything that was relevant to understanding the battle as it developed.
- Mark Radford, UK, February 2017
Thank you Christopher for guiding us in Singapore. We enjoyed you and your explanation of the awesome highlights of this beautiful city.
- Bernard Dube, USA, August 2016 (non-military itinerary)