Tan Kim Seng Fountain

Who is Tan Kim Seng

Tan Kim Seng was a third-generation Straits Chinese. He was a wealthy trader and property owner with business interests in tin. Other than being a businessman, he was a philanthropist who contributed back to society by building a Chinese free school on Amoy Street by the name of Chui Eng Si E. He also built roads later named Kim Seng Road (between River Valley Road and Havelock Road), including a bridge that linked the road across the Singapore River.

Reasons for Having This Memorial

To commemorate Tan's generous contribution towards the building of the waterworks, the Municipal Commissioners erected the Tan Kim Seng Fountain at Fullerton Square. It was officially unveiled on 19 May 1882. Made by Andrew Handyside & Co from England, the Victorian-style iron fountain has three tiers and is decorated with classical figures. As part of a S$1.12-million restoration project, the 7-metre-tall cast-iron fountain was rust-proofed and a new foundation was built. On 28 December 2010, the Tan Kim Seng Fountain was labelled as a national monument.

Reflections

Previously, every time I walk past this place, I would only stop and admire the fountain. I would be wondering to myself: why is there a fountain built in the middle of nowhere? However, after this trip, I realised that the fountain was erected in memory of a great man, Tan Kim Seng. I also got to know more about the contributions he made for the society. Lastly, I realised that there is always a story behind the monuments that were erected and that the monuments preserve the legacy of these stories.

Trivia

One of our group member was so impressed by the fountain that he started dancing. :D

Suggested Activity

Find out if the design of this fountain reflects anything about Mr Tan Kim Seng. 

Cenotaph

The clear blue sky and the Cenotaph

Background Information

A cenotaph is an "empty tomb" or a monument erected in honour of a group of people whose remains are found elsewhere. The Cenotaph in Singapore is located at Esplanade along Connaught Drive. It is a war memorial that commemorates the men who died in World War I and World War II. In December 2010, it was declared a national monument together with two other structures in Esplanade Park: the Lim Bo Seng Memorial and the Tan Kim Seng Fountain.

Purpose of Erecting this Memorial

The purpose of the memorial was first in honour of a total of 124 men based in Singapore who died in World War I, their names carved on the base of the cenotaph. After World War II, the reverse side of the base of the Cenotaph was used to commemorate those who died in World War II. The names of those who sacrificed in World War II were however not carved on the base of the memorial. Instead, the phrase "They died so we might live" was inscribed in 4 languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

Reflections

This was our group's second stop at the Esplanade Park after the INA Marker. When we arrived there, the sky was clear blue and the sun was shining on the Cenotaph. It was a beautiful sight. This must have been Heaven's blessing on the people who sacrificed themselves for the peace we have today. I personally feel thankful for those who sacrificed, so that we may live. At the same time, I hope that there will be no more war because behind these names are the sorrows of their family members as well. Hence, I think that the significance of this monument is also to remind us to protect our nation from war and to cherish the peace that we have now. In my opinion, the reason behind inscribing the phrase "They died so we might live" in the 4 languages is to acknowledge the contributions the 4 races have made during the wars and serve as a reminder that there will only be peace if racial harmony is maintained.

Trivia

This is one part of the course for the annual Army Half Marathon (AHM).

Suggested Activity

Find out the number of times the Cenotaph was vandalised and the consequence for vandalising a national monument.

Indian National Army Marker

Our Group Casting a "AAH103" Shadow on the INA Marker

Background Information

The Indian National Army Marker, located in Esplanade Park, is a monument erected in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Purpose of the Indian National Army Marker

During the Japanese occupation of Singapore, one of the leaders, Subhas Chandra Bose, who led India during the freedom struggle against the British, visited Singapore to lay the foundation stone of this monument, which was to be dedicated to unknown soldiers of the Indian National Army, fighting in the jungles of Manipur, Assam and Burma. However, the original monument at Esplanade that was erected just before the Japanese surrender was demolished when the British returned. The current Indian National Army Marker erected in 1995 by the government was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Reflections

This was our group's first stop after the cluster by the Singapore River. We walked for quite a while in Esplanade Park before we could find this monument. In my opinion, this marker was not as prominent as the others. I wonder if this was because the contributions of the Indian National Army was not as significant as compared to, say, Raffles. Hence, this shows that the preservation of heritage is rather selective because by placing less importance on a monument, it is a subtle message that the authorities place lesser value in the promoting of the history behind the monument. 

Fun Fact

When we reached the monument, we decided to do something creative. We decided to leave our"mark" on the monument by casting a shadow of our course code "AAH103" on the monument!

Suggested Activity

Find out more information of the Indian National Army as well as Subhas Chandra Bose.