Formerly known as "Pulau Blakang Mati" (translation in English: Island of Death from Behind), Sentosa, an offshore island located right next to Singapore, is a prevalent island resort in Singapore. As a result of the popularity which Sentosa gains among the people, who would have ever imagined that Sentosa was once so-called 'black-listed'? In the 19th century, Sentosa was considered imperative because the island protected the Keppel Harbour. Plans of fortification as well as reinforcement on Sentosa as part of the defence plan have been drawn up as early as 1827, however, these fortifications were only materialised in the late 1880s. Forts built on Sentosa island were namely Fort Siloso, Fort Serapong, Fort Connaught and the Mount Imbiah Battery.

By the late 1930s, Sentosa was profoundly reinforced; itself being the crucial component of Singapore fortress as well as the base of the Royal Artillery. In World War 2, the British set up artillery guns in Fort Siloso facing the sea, in expectation of the seaward Japanese assail. Japanese eventually captured Singapore and on 15th February 1942, the island became a prisoner of war camp. Under the Sook Ching Operation, Chinese men, who aroused the Japanese's suspicion of being involved in certain anti-Japanese activities, were savagely gunned down. The then Sentosa island was one of the killing fields. After the Japanese surrendered in 1945, the island became a basic military training ground area for the locally enlisted men from Singapore. In 1967, the island became the base for thew Singapore Naval Volunteer Force. In addition, the School of Maritime Training as well as the First Naval Medical Center was also set up there. In the 1970s, the government decided to refurbish the island into a holiday resort for both locals and tourists. In 1972, "Pulau Blakang Mati" was renamed "Sentosa"