“They died that we might live.” These words echo from the base of The Cenotaph. The Cenotaph stands here in Esplanade Park. It is a powerful reminder of sacrifice.
The Cenotaph is not just stone. It is a symbol of remembrance. It honors those who gave their lives in World War I and World War II. Imagine this park in 1922. The young Prince Edward of Wales unveils The Cenotaph. He later became King Edward VIII. A chaplain blesses The Cenotaph. He says, “The stone is well laid and truly laid to the Glory of God and the memory of the illustrious dead.”
The Cenotaph was designed by Denis Santry of Swan & Maclaren. It is modeled after the Whitehall Cenotaph in London. The foundation stone was laid in 1920. Sir Lawrence Nunns Guillemard was present. He was the Governor of the Straits Settlements. Georges Clemenceau also attended. He was the French Premier.
Look closely at The Cenotaph. Notice the bronze tablets. They list the names of 124 men from Singapore. These men died in World War I. The original five steps represent the war years from 1914 to 1918. A sarcophagus crowns The Cenotaph. It features bronze lion’s head handles. Below, a bronze medallion shows a laurel wreath. It encloses a crown. This symbolizes the crown colony.
After World War II, the memorial expanded. It now commemorates those who died in the second World War too. The phrase “They died that we might live” appears in four languages. These are English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil. The extended steps mark the years 1939 to 1943.
From 1922 to 1941, annual ceremonies took place here. These honored the fallen soldiers. Armistice Day was commemorated until the Japanese Occupation. Memorial services stopped. They resumed after 1945. Since 1946, this has been known as Remembrance Day.
The Cenotaph stands nearly 18 meters tall. It is made of local granite. Fourteen pylons display famous World War I battles. Each battle has a laurel wreath above it.
In 2010, The Cenotaph became a National Monument. It stands alongside the Lim Bo Seng Memorial and Tan Kim Seng Fountain. The Cenotaph is a lasting tribute. It is a place for reflection. It reminds us of the price of peace. It also reminds us of the sacrifices made for our freedom.