Site #3: Lim Bo Seng Memorial

Lim Bo Seng Memorial

Lim Bo Seng Memorial is a monument at Esplanade Park in Singapore. It commemorates a local hero who was tortured to death by the Japanese during World War II.There are four plaques on the monument, in English, Jawi, Tamil and Chinese.
Since 1937, Lim Bo Seng prominent in anti-Japanese activities. When Singapore fell to the Japanese , Lim Bo Seng went to China. He was instrumental in the recruiting and training of secret agents and the setting up of British guerilla group called Force 136.
Lim Bo Seng arrived by submarine in Bagan Datoh, Perak, to join the British and Chinese guerillas.Unfortunately, he was captured by the Japanese, betrayed by Lai Teck, one of the members, who was a triple agent between Force 136, the Japanese and the British.
The Japanese tortured Lim Bo Seng to obtain information about Force 136 but he refused.He soon fell ill to lack of food and the unhealthy living conditions in the prison.He died on 29 June 1944 when he was only 35 years old and was buried in a shallow grave behind the prison.
On 13th January, 1946 he was buried with full military honours in Singapore.Later with funds from Hong Kong ,a pagoda-like memorial was build in his memory.