Lim Bo Seng Memorial

Major-General Lim Bo Seng was one of Singapore's greatest war heroes. He was responsible for leading the anti-Japanese resistance movement during World War II which eventually led to his death.

Lim Bo Seng was born in China and came to Singapore at the age of 16. He studied in Raffles Institution and attended University of Hong Kong. Upon his father's death, he took over the family business and became a prominent businessman.

When the Sino-Japanese War started in 1937, Lim Bo Seng became the leader of the Kuomintang in Singapore and helped to collect funds to fight against the Japanese in China.

He fled to India when the Japanese invaded Singapore and helped recruit resistance fighers for Force 136, a Sino-British guerrilla group. He was later captured at a Japanese check point in Malaya in 1944. The Kempetai tortured him but he refused to reveal any information about Force 136.

He died a true martyr in Batu Gajah Prison on 29 June 1944 at the age of 35. His remains were later brought back to Singapore and buried with full military honours in Macritchie Park. His sacrifice saved numerous lives.

A memorial was originally built over his grave in Macritchie Reservoir on 27 June 1952 by the Lim Bo Seng Memorial Committee. When more funds to the sum of HK $85,000 were raised later, a bigger monument was erected at the Anderson Bridge end of the Esplanade Park. The new pagoda-shaped memorial was unveiled on 29 June 1954 by Sir Charles Leowen, the Commander in Chief of the Far East Land Forces, on the tenth anniversary of Lim Bo Seng's death. Four bronze lions guard the marble monument.

"I fully realised the risks involved, but once the job was started, it must be pushed to a successful end. You must not grieve for me. You should take pride in my sacrifice and devote yourself to upbringing of the children. Tell them what happened to me and direct them to my footsteps."
                                             - Extract from Lim Bo Seng's farewell letter to his wife (1945)

Address
Connaught Drive, Esplanade Park

Getting There
By MRT: City Hall (EW13/NS25). Short walk to Esplanade Park.

Related books
World War II and Lim Bo Seng

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