Lim Bo Seng: Hero of Force 136
Lim Bo SengTowards the end of 1941, the Japanese advanced into Malaya. This prompted men such as Lim Bo Seng to come forward to mobilise people for the war effort. His dedication and commitment to the cause of fighting the Japanese eventually cost him his life.
Just before Singapore fell to the Japanese in early 1942, Lim escaped and joined Force 136. This was a special operations force formed by the British and Chinese governments to support resistance groups and co-ordinate guerrilla operations.
Lim helped to train resistance fighters against the Japanese. He assumed different names and infiltrated towns to gather news of Japanese troop movements. He was also sent to China to recruit Chinese resistance fighters.
Force 136 members posing after the warHowever, in March 1944, Lim was captured and tortured by the Kempeitai (Japanese Military Police) who wanted information about Force 136 and its activities. Despite being tortured, Lim refused to reveal names of fellow guerrillas or about Force 136. After months of imprisonment and torture, he died in Batu Gajah jail on 29 June 1944.
After the war, the British brought his remains back to Singapore and re-buried him with full military honours at MacRitchie Reservoir. He was also posthumously awarded the rank of Major-General by the Chinese Nationalist Government.
On 29 Jun 1954, the 10th anniversary of his death, the Lim Bo Seng Memorial was unveiled at the Esplanade in recognition of his heroism and selfless sacrifice for his country.
Left: Lim Bo Seng's grave at MacRitchie Reservoir
Right: The Lim Bo Seng Memorial at the Esplanade
courtesy of
www.mindef.gov.sg
