Twenty-four thousand names. That’s what stands between us and a true understanding of sacrifice at the Kranji War Memorial. The Kranji War Memorial stands as a testament to the lives lost defending Singapore and Malaya during World War II. It honors those from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, the Netherlands and New Zealand. They fought against the invading Japanese forces.
This memorial isn’t just a collection of graves. It represents the three branches of the military. The columns symbolize the Army marching in formation. The cover over the columns mimics the wings of a plane for the Air Force. The shape at the top resembles a submarine sail for the Navy.
Look around. The walls of the Kranji War Memorial bear the names of over 24000 Allied personnel. These are individuals whose bodies were never found. Their names are inscribed on both sides of 12 columns. Among them are 191 Canadian airmen. The memorial is set on a hilly terrain. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains these grounds.
The Japanese 25th Army marched down this very Woodlands Road on 9 February 1942. The Kranji War Memorial and Cemetery have been meticulously recorded. The War Graves Photographic Project did this in association with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Each grave and every column has been documented.
The War Cemetery holds the remains of 4458 Allied servicemen. They rest in marked graves laid out in neat rows. Over 850 of these graves are unidentified.
Towards the north end lies the State Cemetery. Here are the graves of Yusof bin Ishak and Benjamin Henry Sheares. They were the first and second presidents of Singapore. To the west are the Military Graves. These are for Commonwealth soldiers who died during the Konfrontasi and Malayan Emergency. Sixty-nine Chinese servicemen are also buried here. They served as members of the Commonwealth forces and were killed by the Japanese in February 1942. There are also 64 burials from World War I.
Previously this site was a hospital burial ground. This was during the Japanese occupation. It became a military cemetery at the end of the war. Military servicemen buried elsewhere in Singapore were reburied here. The names of Indian servicemen are inscribed on the memorial walls. This is because they had already been cremated. This aligns with Hindu customs.
The Singapore Memorial, as the Kranji War Memorial is known locally. It stands over the war cemetery. It bears the names of 24346 Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen. These are the ones for whom no remains could be identified.
There is also a memorial to almost 800 casualties. These are mostly from Undivided India. They were cremated as part of their religious beliefs. At the end of the occupation, wounded civilians and servicemen were brought to the hospital in large numbers. Many died. A mass grave was established for over 400 bodies. After the war, a cross was built over the grave. The Bishop of Singapore consecrated the site. This was done rather than disturb the grave in a futile attempt to identify individual casualties.
The Kranji War Memorial remains a powerful symbol. It reminds us of the human cost of war. It also honors the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom. Take a moment to reflect on their stories. Remember their names.