during the japanese occupation of malaya from 1941 to 1945, the ec was used as a military base, a factory, a military hospital, as well as a prison camp by the japanese. the school reopened in early 1946 after the end of japanese occupation. h. l. hill was appointed the headmaster of ec, and under his leadership, the ec returned to its status of a prestigious school. in 1949, the first group of girls was admitted to the ec.