63 years ago today, one of the last defending battles for the City of Singapore was lost. Tomorrow (63 years ago), the British will surrender the Crown Colony of Singapore to the invading Japanese.
For those celebrating Valentine's Day, remember the other significance of 14th February. After you bring your roses to your love, you could also bring some to the Kranji War Memorial.
For those shooting butterflies in Alexandra Hospital, remember that Today (63 years ago) all the staff and patients at the hospital will be massacred and executed by the invading Japanese Army. A direct consequence of the resistance at Pasir Panjang Ridge.
comments on the Events are welcomed. (please ignore my poor photgraphic skills)
Deep rumbling guns, sharp whistle in the air;
Their shells rip in to churn our earth.
Then attacks propelled by fury. Yet no despair,
No crack in our resolve. Freedoms worth
Is the blood we shed. Our cause is just:
Sacrifice will never be in vain.
Taat Setia: we hold our hill, we must.
Come comrades, our spirits soar again.
The enemy are many; we are few
At one strategic point they boldly came,
Across a stream, up ravines sweet with dew.
We bayonet-drove, we slew; left many lame.
From that clash their hatred grew.
Days and nights are sad with mourning:
Houses broken; children we cant find;
The dead, the dying, the groaning.
War has no glory, only whats bitterly unkind.
We may yield the moment, never the inner self:
A soldiers oath, solemn made, is deep
With duty, honour, the fellowship of life itself.
These we cherish, keep
As companions of our memory,
As guardians of our sleep.
Edwin Thumboo
For those celebrating Valentine's Day, remember the other significance of 14th February. After you bring your roses to your love, you could also bring some to the Kranji War Memorial.
For those shooting butterflies in Alexandra Hospital, remember that Today (63 years ago) all the staff and patients at the hospital will be massacred and executed by the invading Japanese Army. A direct consequence of the resistance at Pasir Panjang Ridge.
comments on the Events are welcomed. (please ignore my poor photgraphic skills)
Deep rumbling guns, sharp whistle in the air;
Their shells rip in to churn our earth.
Then attacks propelled by fury. Yet no despair,
No crack in our resolve. Freedoms worth
Is the blood we shed. Our cause is just:
Sacrifice will never be in vain.
Taat Setia: we hold our hill, we must.
Come comrades, our spirits soar again.
The enemy are many; we are few
At one strategic point they boldly came,
Across a stream, up ravines sweet with dew.
We bayonet-drove, we slew; left many lame.
From that clash their hatred grew.
Days and nights are sad with mourning:
Houses broken; children we cant find;
The dead, the dying, the groaning.
War has no glory, only whats bitterly unkind.
We may yield the moment, never the inner self:
A soldiers oath, solemn made, is deep
With duty, honour, the fellowship of life itself.
These we cherish, keep
As companions of our memory,
As guardians of our sleep.
Edwin Thumboo