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'''Christopher Parker''' (born [[August 24]] [[1983]]) is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[actor]]. He is most notable in the role of Spencer Moon in the [[BBC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]''.
==About==
He has also appeared in ''[[The Bill]]'' as an extra and as a [[stunt double]] in ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (movie)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', and he made an appearance following his fame on ''EastEnders'' on ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', in which he was a finalist.
In [[November 2004]] Parker hit the headlines in the UK because it was revealed he had attempted [[suicide]] by slashing his [[wrist]]s. It had been alleged by a tabloid newspaper that he had paid a girl to falsely claim that she had slept with him, in an attempt to dispel alleged rumours that he might be gay. Parker was placed on extended leave by Eastenders, but his contract was terminated shortly afterwards.
Fort Siloso is the sole surviving coastal gun battery from the twelve such batteries which made up '''‘Fortress Singapore’''' at the start of World War Two. ‘Siloso’ is a Philippine word meaning '''‘Jealous Person’'''.
[[Category:1983 births|Parker, Christopher]]
The Fort is currently situated on the theme park island of [[Sentosa]], open to visitors.
[[Category:English actors]]
[[Category:EastEnders_actors|Parker, Christopher]]
==History==
{{UK-actor-stub}}
From the 1920s, Japan had begun to emerge as a serious threat to British outposts in the Far East. With drastic cuts in her defence budget after World War I, the British could no longer maintain a strong permanent naval presence in the area. Britain therefore decided to implement the '''"Main fleet to Singapore" strategy''', to defend not only Singapore, but the rest of her empire in the Far East, and Australasia.
Singapore's strategic ___location as the western gateway to the Far East prompted Britain's ''''Overseas Defence Committee'''' to choose her, in 1921, as the site for a naval base. The Main Fleet would be based in Europe. It would sail to Singapore to protect Britain's Far East interests and possessions should they be threatened.
The success of this strategy hinged on the swift dispatch of the Main Fleet, and on keeping Singapore secure until it arrived.
To the British Overseas Defence Committee, it seemed clear that an attack could come from the sea and, or from Johore. They therefore devised a strategy that took these alternatives into account.
By 1939, the main defences of Singapore consisted of a series of Guns Batteries. Contrary to popular belief, the guns were made to fire both landward and seaward.
Certain that the Japanese would first attack from the sea, the British defence planners were confident that the Main Fleet and reinforcements would arrive in Singapore well before any landward attack. They were wrong.
==Main Coastal Batteries in the south of Singapore==
'''*Johore Battery'''
*These 15" guns had all round traverse and could be fired landward. But they were equipped only with ammunitions to counter armoured ships, and were not effective against land troops and field artillery.
'''*Fort Siloso'''
*Fort Siloso guarded the narrow western entrance to Keppel Harbour. By 1939, there were two 6-inch MK2 guns and two rapid firing 12 pounder guns.
'''*Buona Vista Battery'''
*The guns had only a limited traverse of about 180 degrees. In addition, given their limited range, they could only shell sections of the southwest coast of Johore.
'''*Labrador Battery '''
*Built in 1939, the Battery had a complex of gun emplacement and gun turret with two 6-inch guns facing south. They had a range of over 10 miles, firing 102-pound shells using 31-pound cartridges.
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