Lim Bo Seng, the Singapore war hero, he contributed so much to Singapore during the 1940s. What he had done during the World War II will never be forgotten..
He was an anti-Japanese resistance fighter. During the Second Sino-Japanese war, Lim Bo Seng participated actively in activities organised by the Nanyang Federation to boycott Japanese goods and raise funds for the Chinese army. He had put in a lot effort for the Chinese army and protecting Singapore.
Despite the fact that he is a native Chinese who moved to Singapore as a child, Lim Bo Seng treats Singapore as his homeland. He led efforts to raise funds to help China fight Japanese invasion in the late 1930s. When the Japanese captured Singapore, he escaped to India and joined Force 136, a group of resistance fighters organized by the British.
However, Lim Bo Seng was captured by the Japanese under Marshal Onishi Satoru at a roadblock in Gopeng the next day. He was taken to the Kempeitai headquarters for interrogation and he refused to provide the Japanese with any information about Force 136 despite being subjected to severe torture. He did not mention anything about Force 136, upon his heroic act, I feel proud of him. He protested against the ill-treatment of his comrades in prison. He fell ill with dysentery and was bedridden by the end of May 1944. Lim Bo Seng died young at an age of 35. He died in the early hours on June 29, 1944. He was later buried behind the Batu Gajah prison compound in an unmarked spot. Lim Bo Seng had undergo so much torture for the sake of Singapore, I believe every Singaporean will feel grateful of what he had done to Singapore.
A funeral service was held on 13 January 1946 at City Hall to mourn Lim Bo Seng’s death. His remains was transported in a coffin to a hill in MacRitchie Reservoir for burial with full military honours. Lim was posthumously awarded the rank of Major-General by the Chinese Nationalist Government.
Lim Bo Seng’s efforts will not be forgotten by Singapore. Being a safe and peaceful country, everyone thanks Lim Bo Seng. The torture he undergo, the efforts he put in, his braveness and perseverance, will be our heart forever.
Lim Bo Seng, the loving husband, the caring husband of seven children, the national hero of Singapore..