Guy Charles Madoc was an ornithologist and a member of the Colonial Police of Malaya. In 1943, despite being held prisoner in Changi Prison, he produced a book, ‘An Introduction to Malayan Birds’, using a borrowed typewriter and salvaged materials. The singular copy of this book was circulated among other prisoners during his time there and had since become one of the most important early works on birds in the Malay Peninsula region. 

Guy’s story is currently featured in the Heritage Gallery of the Museum, along with a replica of his original manuscript, and a specimen of a subspecies of the blue rock thrush that was named after him and collected by Guy himself. 

We had the honour of hosting Ms Fenella Madoc-Davis, the daughter of Guy Charles Madoc, at the Museum. During her visit, she viewed the very specimens her father had collected many years ago, now carefully preserved in the Heritage Gallery and collections. 

LKCNHM, NUS Libraries and Assistant Professor Anthony Medrano from NUS Department of History, had discussed the idea of digitising Guy’s manuscript for posterity, and to be made accessible and available for future research within and beyond the university. Ms Fenella generously accepted the proposal for a NUS-funded comprehensive digitisation of the manuscript. A digital copy of the manuscript will be available online, preserving this precious war artefact for many years to come.

On 15 January 2025, Ms Fenella also took part in a dialogue session, ‘Birding in Wartime: Documenting Avian Fauna in Singapore’s Changi Prison’, co-organised by NUS (through the Department of History, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and NUS Libraries) and the Bird Society of Singapore, as one of the panellists. The sharing session was a tribute to Guy’s work and its broader significance to current-day ornithological research in Singapore. 

Participants had the opportunity to listen to Ms Fenella’s stories about her father and his work and even see the original photographs he took while birding in post-war Malaya. 

The Museum also partnered with NUS Libraries to present an exhibition on the broader history of ornithological research and birding in Singapore, featuring selected books and specimens. Some highlights include publications and bird specimens collected by prominent figures in Singapore’s ornithological history, including Guy Madoc. 

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ms Fenella for her generosity and collaboration on this meaningful digitisation project and the sharing session. Her willingness to support the preservation of her father’s extraordinary work, as well as her personal reflections on Guy Charles Madoc’s life and contributions, haves been invaluable. It was an absolute pleasure to host her at the Museum and share in the experience of reconnecting with the legacy of her father’s work. We look forward to continuing this journey of preserving history and inspiring future generations through the power of knowledge and collaboration!