Page 29 - Stories from our Grandparents

orld War II began in Europe 1937
when it slipped its way into Southeast y name is Edward Yong.
Asia in 1939. Singapore, which was Mr Edward Yong Men Win I have served in the SAF
Wthen known as Syonan-to, was for 35 years, attaining
By Yong Yi-Tze Elliot BORN 1940
occupied by the Japanese troops, who sought land Singapore was renamed NCC ACSI Mcolonel as my highest
and resources. The locals then, mostly spoke in to Syonan-to rank. As a pioneer contributor
Bahasa Melayu as well as their respective mother (Light of the South) to Singapore, this is my story.
tongues due to the lack of Western education. from 1942 to 1945
I was born on September 18, 1940, right after World War 2 started. After the
My grandfather, Mr Ismail, however, Japanese invasion two years later, my family was forced to flee to the outskirts
was English-educated and could of Malaysia in a village called ‘Ampang’ to avoid contact with the Japanese.
converse in various languages Mr Ismail Bin Hj. Ali BORN 19xx We stayed in a house my father and uncle had built, using a small piece of
including some Japanese. Being land to grow crops, while my father returned to Singapore to work. Due to our
the most suitable for the job, he By Nur Shayiqah Binte Mohd Eusoff poverty and lack of medical supplies, my eldest sister passed away.
Millennia Institute
was given the task of representing
and attending to the needs of the In October 1964, as a young lieutenant, I was informed about our
fellow locals on behalf of the Japanese occupants. His duties included deployment to Sabah due to the conflict between Malaysia and
translating for the Japanese men and keeping track of the distribution of Indonesia known as the Konfrontasi. We were stationed at camps
rations to the people. scattered around the border between Sabah and Indonesia to
defend the border and ensure that there were no incursions by
Moreover, my grandfather was well-compensated for his cooperation with the the Indonesian armies. I served as an intelligence officer, working
Japanese. If not for his education, my grandfather would have been forced to to gather intelligence about the enemy through information from
be a labour worker. My father, Mr Eusoff, recalls memories of my grandfather combat reports and reconnaissance patrols.
talking about how the Japanese troops would force Muslims to pray towards
the direction of Japan, instead of Mecca, to show gratitude and respect towards Being out in the field during an actual war was a tense and
their supposed “saviours”. Locals resorted to just staying at home in order to stressful experience, especially when I knew that the security
pray facing the Mecca to avoid being caught by the Japanese troops. In order to of our country was at stake. Yet, it was exhilarating as I finally
discourage Western influence, the Japanese set up schools and forced people
to learn their language. Textbooks were printed in Japanese. got to put what I learnt in training to use.

Every morning, children had to stand facing the direction We are fortunate that Singapore today is not in a constant state of
of Japan and sing the Japanese national anthem, which was war and has increased its preparedness for any external threat. I
am proud that we have progressed this far and I feel that the most
called Kimigayo. important things in my days were the good values that I learnt. I hope
that future generations will also experience a fulfilling
Despite the harsh and bizarre circumstances, he life by pursuing a career they enjoy, as I feel that
experienced, my grandfather managed to live through if you enjoy what you do, you will do it well with
the war unscathed. Learning about my grandfather’s integrity and honesty.
experiences during the war has taught me many
things such as to never take my education for granted
and to always use my knowledge to the best of my
28 Grandpa Stories abilities and also to my advantage. Grandpa Stories 29