Jim, Jumbo and the others watched the show and took numerous photographs of the badly damaged Japanese destroyer and two cruisers which had been used as floating anti-aircraft batteries, and the two German U-boats that were now being held in the naval base. Cameras clicked and rolls of film were used up as a sour-faced General Itagaki, his Vice Admiral and aides were brought aboard HMS Sussex to discuss the details of the surrender, and by six that evening the British flag was raised to signal that the Japanese had surrendered their forces on the island.

The formal and final surrender of the war throughout the Pacific would take place on the twelfth of September at Singapore City Hall, in the presence of Lord Louis Mountbatten.

Jim had become inured to the heat and humidity of Burma’s jungles, so he was feeling quite comfortable as he disembarked early the following morning and strode along the wharf with the others to their billets. Arriving at the small hotel which had been requisitioned by the army, he dumped his bags on the bed and set off to explore the town. Taking one of the many rickshaws, he told the bare-footed Malay boy to take him to Raffles, and then sat back to enjoy the ride, marvelling at the skinny youth’s ability to haul him and the sturdy rickshaw at a run through the crowded, noisy streets.

The evidence of war was everywhere in the dilapidated buildings, the untended gardens and rough roads, but there was an atmosphere of excitement and relief amongst the traders and those who trawled the markets for food, vegetables, trinkets and cheap second-hand clothing and furniture – and a real sense of purpose in the many army personnel already helping the new administration.

Jim grimaced at the sight of Japanese prisoners wearing little more than loose trousers as they dug ditches and repaired the roads. They don’t look so full of themselves now, he thought, but it’s the very least they deserve after the cruelty they meted out to their own prisoners.

As the youth ran along Beach Road, Jim was able to admire the façade of one of the world’s most famous hotels. Raffles rose two storeys high and filled an entire block behind a row of swaying palm trees. As the boy paused to let a large, official-looking car sweep out of the driveway, Jim realised that the old building had survived the years of the Japanese occupation rather well. The gardens were lush and well tended; the imposing edifice carefully maintained – no doubt because the Japanese officers wanted to experience the high life, and had turned the place into their headquarters.

He paid the boy what seemed to be a pittance and added a bit more before tucking in his shirt and straightening his hat. The tropical uniform of shirt and shorts had been crisp and fresh when he’d put it on this morning, but it was already feeling a bit limp and sweat-stained. Thinking he might not be allowed entry to such a posh place, he hesitated, but was greeted by a smart salute from the smiling Malay concierge who opened the door for him with a white-gloved hand.