Battlefield Wanderers

A collection of military history and battlefields by Midge Carter and Trish Woodman

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Singapore

In front of this building is a wall of old headstones, mostly with a link to the sea or the early days of settlement.

Also in Fort Canning is the fascinating World War Two bunker museum, named The Battlebox. This was where General Percival made the decision to surrender to the Japanese. Lifelike figures show us what the bunker would have been like at that time.

Entrance
Sacred to the memory of Capt. Archibald McTavish, late of the Str Armenian
Sacred to the memory of Capt. Archibald McTavish, late of the Str Armenian. Born at Garthbeg, Invernesshire on 8 August 1835. He died at Singapore on 21 June 1862. This tablet is erected to his memory as a last tribute of one who deeply laments his loss.
Captain Leslie
To the memory of Captain Leslie, Xshire Gtmnt Supt of Public Works. Died 1 May 1812.
Sacred to the memory of Mr John Hide
Sacred to the memory of Mr John Hide, Gunner of HMS “Renard” who departed this life on 4 April 1860. Erected by the officers and the ship’s company.
Erected in memory of James Anderson, master of the ship Rajasthan of Glasgow
Erected in memory of James Anderson, master of the ship Rajasthan of Glasgow, who died in Singapore on 6 December 1852. He was 30 years old.
Charles Bonnyface
Sacred to the memory of Charles Bonnyface, a native of Telpham, Sussex England, late midshipman on board the barque Warren Hastings of London, who departed this life on 19 September 1864. He was aged 21 years.
Captain Henderson
Sacred to the memory of Captain Henderson of the ship Renown, who died at Singapore on 8 March 1833.
Edward Graves
Sacred to the memory of Edward Graves, who departed this life on 14 September 1859. Aged 49 years old. Born in Salem, Mass, USA.
Charles Farmer Coventry
To the memory of Charles Farmer Coventry, late 1st Lieutenant of Her Majesty’s sloop Rapid, who departed this life on 13 March 1855. Aged 30 years old.

The plaques below honour George Drumgold Coleman, who was responsible for much of the initial infrastructure and architecture of Singapore.

Coleman took charge of the works at the Christian cemetery, which included the fencing of the burial grounds, the two gateways to the cemetery, known as the Gothic Gates, and the cupolas. He designed the cupolas himself. He is also famous for designing the Armenian Church of St Gregory and the Church of St Andrew. He was also known for designing and building several houses, one of which was used as Parliament House from 1965 to 1999.

Coleman passed away in Singapore on 27th March 1844 and was buried on Fort Canning Hill.

George Drumgold Coleman
Sacred to the memory of George Drumgold Coleman, Esquire, of Drogheda, Ireland, who was for many years the Superintendant of Public Works in this Settlement, the important duties of which department he was acknowledged to have discharged with zeal and ability, while the many public improvements which he originated and carried into effect will long attest the value of his services. Died 27 March 1844. This monument is erected by his widow.
George Drumgold Coleman
George Drumgold Coleman is Singapore’s pioneer colonial architect and also Raffles’ consultant for the first town planning of Singapore. In 1838 he was appointed as Superintendant of Public Works. He contributed much to the Settlement’s infrastructure by overseeing land reclamation, marsh draining, road construction and other massive public projects. He built many elegant private houses and churches, adapting the English 18th century Palladian and Georgian architecture to the tropics.
Emily Caroline
Daughter. Sacred to the memory of Emily Caroline, infant daughter of the Reverend Robert Burn. Born 18 May 1832. Died 1 June 1832. The less of this cold world, the more of Heaven. The briefer life, the earlier immortality.
Edmund Stevens
Sacred to the memory of Edmund Stevens, caulker, HM Sloop Rapid, who after having faithfully served in the Royal Navy as a Petty Officer 1st class, for the period of 20 years, departed this life 21 February 1853, aged 44 years and 1 month (unfortunately the remainder is impossible to read).
John Youltonis
Sacred to the memory of John Youltonis of HMS Sybille who departed this life 2 October 1854, aged 21 years. Erected by his shipmates as a tribute of their great regard.
Reverend Robert Burn
Father. To the memory of the Reverend Robert Burn, son of Major General Andrew Burn, late chaplain of this settlement. Born 18 April 1799. Born again 1811. Ordained 1822. Died 17 January 1833. His witness is in Heaven. His memorial is in the hearts of all who knew him. Reader whatsoever the hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave where thou goest.
Elizabeth, the affectionate wife of Geo. Gray, MM
Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth, the affectionate wife of Geo. Gray, MM, born in Sunderland, who departed this life on board the “Allendale” in Singapore Harbour on the 12th November 1861. Aged 47 years. Blessed are the dead in the house of the Lord.
James T Copeland MM
Erected by his beloved wife to the respected memory of James T Copeland MM, who ddeparted this life on the 24th day of July 1860. Aged 34 years. In the midst of life we are in death.
James Caswell of New South Wales
Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth, relict of the late James Caswell of New South Wales, who departed this life on the 4th November 1859, aged 52 years and 4 months.
Edward Presgrave Esquire, Hon EIC Civil Service at Singapore
To the memory of Edward Presgrave Esquire, Hon EIC Civil Service at Singapore, who died March 12 1850, aged 33 years. He was washed; he was sanctified; he was justified in the name of the Lord Jesus in the spirit of our God and now he is glorified.
Francis William Seale, Mate HC Pilot Service
Sacred to the memory of Mr Francis William Seale, Mate HC Pilot Service, aged 27 years, who departed this life in the full and certain hope of life everlasting, Jan 1 1851. Fondly loved and deeply lamented by his bereaved relatives.
James Brooke Napier
This gothics structure is dedicated to James Brooke Napier, the infant son of William Napier and Maria Frances Napier. James died at sea on 17th February 1848, at the age of 5 months and 24 days, while on HMS (Her Majesty’s Ship) Maeander. This memorial, the largest erected in the Government Hill cemetery, reflects the status of William Napier, the boy’s father.
William Napier, originally a merchant, became Singapore’s first Law Agent in 1833. He was a colourful character, earning the nickname “Royal Billy” Through the influence of his good friend James Brooke (“the White Rajah of Sarawak”), Napier became Lieutenant Governor of the British outpost of Labuan, which was off the north coast of Borneo. His deceased son was named after James Brooke.
ohn Ball, Boatswain US Navy
To the memory of John Ball, Boatswain US Navy, who died on board the US ship John Adams in Singapore Roads, March 16th 1839, aged 55 years.
This monument is erected as a tribute of respect for his long faithful devotion to the service of his country and for heroic bravery in the hour of battle. Alongside of him lie two of his ship-mates James Gibson and John Rice.
James Lyon Esq
Sacred to the memory of James Lyon Esq, who died at this place 22nd September 1841, aged 40 years.
This monument is placed here by a few of his brother Commanders as a token of their esteem.
John Ross, late marine surveyor
Sacred to the memory of John Ross, late marine surveyor for this Port and for many years a master mariner in the Singapore and Batavia trade. He died here on the 20th September 1844 aged 57 years and this small tribute of respect to his memory is erected by a few friends.
John Henry Francis
To the memory of John Henry Francis, late chief mate of the British ship Chilo, who died on board that ship on 28th April 1862, aged 37 years. He was the third son of William Skeggs Francis of Belle Grove, near Welling in the county of Kent, England.
Parry Lambert Brabazon
Sacred to the memory of Parry Lambert Brabazon, a brevet captain in the Bombay Artillery, the only son of Captain William Brabazon, many years the Master Attendant at St Helena, who died on this island where he came for a change of climate, on the 22nd May 1812, aged 31 years.
Leeondert van Soest
Sacred to the memory of Leeondert van Soest, merchant of Singapore, who departed this life on the 30th day of December 1859, aged 27 years and 6 months.
This tomb is erected by his affectionate widow Mary Ann, whom he has left with two children to deplore his loss.
Peter Parks
Sacred to the memory of Peter Parks, able seaman of the NEIC Auckland, who died at Singapore from injuries received in a fall from the fore topsail yard on the 5th December 1855. Aged 20 years.
This tomb is erected to the memory and as a tribute to his worth by his shipmates.
R Tomlinson RM of HM Surveying Schooner Saracen
Sacred to the memory of R Tomlinson RM of HM Surveying Schooner Saracen, who departed this life 19 March 1857. Aged 29 years.
This tablet was erected by his shipmates as a token of respect.
Seth Crowell Jnr, late Commander of American ship Robin Wood
Sacred to the memory of Seth Crowell Jnr, late Commander of American ship Robin Wood, who departed this life on the 19th July 1861. Aged 36 years.
Stephen Hallpike
Sacred to the memory of Mr Stephen Hallpike, one of the earliest European inhabitants of this settlement who, during his long life of active usefulness, acquired the high respect of all who knew him and died deeply regretted on the 21st June 1844. Aged 30 years.
Thomas Bernard Cox, Lieutenant Madras Artillery
Sacred to the memory of Thomas Bernard Cox, Lieutenant Madras Artillery, died at Singapore 2nd February 1843. Aged 19 years.
Thomas Richards, late chief steward of the steam ship ‘Singapore’
Sacred to the memory of Thomas Richards, late chief steward of the steam ship ‘Singapore’ who departed this life on the 25th December 1862. Aged 27 years.
The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Joseph Richard Scott Esq
Sacred to the memory of Joseph Richard Scott Esq, com of the HEI Co War Steamer Phlegethon, son of the late Capt RP Scott and nephew of the late Col. Hopetoun Scott CB, of the British Army. Born at 27th April 1798. Died at Singapore January 29th1815. Aged 16 years and 9 months and 2 days.
In life beloved, in death deplored.
In affectionate remembrance of his worth, this monument is erected by his bereaved widow.
Robert Thorndick of Uxbridge
Sacred to the memory of Mr Robert Thorndick of Uxbridge, apprentice on board the ship Rafael where he was much esteemed by all who knew him and is now deeply regretted. He departed this life on the 8th March 1849; aged 19 years.
‘In the midst of life we are in death”.