Kranji State Cemetery
Rounding up this trip and article is the Kranji State Cemetery. The only national cemetery that I am aware of in Singapore. It is located just before the Kranji War Cemetery on the right side. It has an area of 2 acres and currently only 2 persons are buried there. They are Yusof Ishak and Benjamin Henry Sheares. The first and second President of the Republic.
The first thing I think anyone would notice is how large 2 acres is compared to the fact that only 2 persons are currently buried here.
The 2 photographs below are taken from the same position. The first shows Yusof Ishak's burial plot and the second Benjamin Sheares one.
First up Yusof Ishak. His burial
plot is covered and almost obscured by a hedge surrounding it. As you
approach it, the 2 grave markers are the only visible parts that you can
see far away.
The Coat of Arms can be seen on the grave markers.
On both sides of the stone block where the grave markers sit are the engravings in the 4 official languages of Singapore.
Finally, Benjamin Shears burial plot. In contrast it is very simply and unadorned. It is even missing the Coat of Arms which I felt should have been there.
Well that's all folks and I hope you enjoyed this article and if you do have the time, take a trip down and have a nice serene walk around these tranquil grounds. Practically no one goes there.
Back: CWGC Cemetery Office, Quarters & Nursery Area
Prologue
After perhaps what was years of procrastination, I have finally made my way with my Dad to Kranji War Memorial to visit the Kranji War Memorial. These men and women who had sacrificed more than anyone of us and it is with no small sacrifice of these people whom I strongly believe that we owe a lot to, but somehow sadly seem to overlook often, that has brought our nation where it is today.
Perhaps more would come I hope in the future to pay tribute, look around those who are no longer here and just say in their hearts a simple "thank you" and to carry on their memory. A small thing to do no? for something as intangible and invaluable they gave up. Whether it was for us, for comrades, for someone else, for King or for country, they deserve a note of thanks and gratefulness from us.
Someone summed it up nicely with an epitaph inscription in The War Cemetery in Kohima, Burma which reads "When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today".
Before we begin, for those who want a more in-depth background of the site and surrounding features, here are the recommended links below
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission link about Kranji War Cemetery. A PDF of the layout can be found at the CWGC website in a linked "View Cemetery Plan" on the right side.
- Wikipedia Page about Kranji War Memorial
- Wikipedia Page about Kranji State Cemetery
- YourSingapore a Singapore Tourism Board destination brand site about Kranji War Memorial
- Wikipedia Page about Cross of Sacrifice
Next: The Entrance
