Chinese Volunteers in the Concentration Camp:

A Tragedy of the Fall of Singapore

by Captain Yap Pheng Geck,

Commanding Officer of the Chinese Company,

2nd Battalion, Straits Settlements Volunteer Force,

at the fall of Singapore [February, 1942].

[The following article appeared in the Singapore newspaper, the Straits Times of Tuesday, April 22, 1947, page 8, under the title shown above. The author, Captain Yap Pheng Geck was born in the Malaysian state of Johore on August 25, 1901, and later moved to Singapore with his family. He later published an excellent account of his life, which includes chapters on his service in the Singapore Volunteer Corps, under the title, "Scholar, Banker, Gentleman, Soldier: The Reminiscences of Dr. Yap Pheng Geck," published in 1982, by Times Books International, Singapore. This article, from the Straits Times is published here in full, including the editor's introductory notes.]

After the capitulation of Singapore on February 15, 1942, the Chinese Company of the 2nd. Battalion, Straits Settlements Volunteer Force, disbanded and went to their homes on the advice of their officers. This company was a Singapore unit.

After the Japanese occupied the city they massacred a large number of the Chinese Volunteers, estimated at over 200 out of 300 Chinese members of the 2nd. Battalion, S.S.V.F.

Some of these men were picked out at concentration camps by their own officers - an act which has caused intense bitterness ever since. But in this article, Capt. Yap Pheng Geck gives a detailed statement of what happened.

The Japanese military authorities were confused about the distinction between members of the Chinese Volunteers and the guerrilla force known as Dalforce, towards which they were merciless. It was clear from the interrogations that the only hope of getting the Chinese Volunteers treated as prisoners of war was to get them grouped as members of the S.S.V.F. and recognised as such.

The Straits Times prints this article because it is only fair that the full story of this tragic episode should be heard from the Chinese officers of the Chinese Company who found themselves in this terrible predicament.

On the morning of the 18th February, 1942. two Japanese M.Ps., accompanied by my C.S.M. [Company Sergeant Major], Lee Kiah Wah, and a Malay interpreter, called at my house at 29 Mohamed Sultan Road to take me. I was told by the Japanese through the interpreter that I was wanted for questioning about the Chinese Volunteers.

There were with me then, Capt. Fam Foong Hee, my second in command, and my runner, Lim Keng Siang. They both offered to accompany me. I asked the interpreter about this, and he spoke to the Japanese, who said that Capt. Fam alone might accompany me.

I was asked if I had any dangerous weapons in my house. I replied, "I have a sword for ceremonial parades." The Japanese then ordered that it should be brought along.

We were taken to the police station at Tanjong Pagar. I was not in uniform but I carried my sword.

Sword Surrendered.

There was a large crowd outside the station. The Japanese soldiers cleared a way for us, and we were led to a Japanese officer, sitting at a table in the centre of the hall. The Japanese officer's name is Tanaka [present tense used here as, at the time of this article, the Japanese officer was obviously still alive]. He spoke English. I was later given to understand that at the time I met Tanaka, the impression of the Japanese at the station was that they had got hold of one of the two missing Chinese generals from Chungking.

Tanaka waved me to sit down. I still held on to my sword. He then asked my name. I replied, "Captain Yap Pheng Geck." Then he looked surprised and asked if I had any papers. I produced to him my Army pass and my papers, showing my appointment as Welfare and Evacuation Officer, S.S.V.F. I also produced my British passport.

He asked if I was a Volunteer officer. I replied "Yes." Then he said, "You must surrender your sword." I handed it over ceremoniously, and he received it with ceremony. Then he ordered the Japanese to show me to another room.

Not Given Food.

In the room the two Japanese who took me asked for my other officers. I told them they were all at their homes. They ordered, "Send for them." I then ordered C.S.M. Lee Kiah Wah to fetch them.

A few hours afterwards the following officers (all of my own company) arrived, namely Lt. S.F. Ho, Lt. Kwang Kim Tang, Lt. Lee Choon Ngee and Lt. T.W. Ong. We were left alone in the room on this first day without any guard. We were permitted to smoke, sit down and chat. We were not given any food.

Towards evening of the same day one of the two Japanese who had arrested me in the morning took me alone to another room, where the other Japanese who took me in the morning was sitting at a table. With him were [a] Malay interpreter and a Chinese.

I was then put through a long interrogation. They asked about my "Commander," Tan Kah Kee. I said that Tan Kah Kee was never at any time my commander. Then they asked where my men fought. I told them my company never got into action. They looked annoyed and demanded what my company was doing during the war. I explained that they were in Beach Defence and were posted along the sea in the town area.

They repeatedly asked how many Japanese we killed. I told them no Japanese ever came within sight of our positions. We did no fighting at all, but we lost about six or seven men from bombing. They asked about Chinese fighting them at Bukit Timah and Pasir Panjang. I told them I knew nothing about that.

They tried to make me admit that Chinese Volunteers were anti-Japanese organisations, fighters behind the lines. Then I realised that they had got us confused with the Dalforce. They seemed very bitter against the Dalforce - they called them dirty fighters.

Japs Puzzled.

I had a hard time to explain that I belonged to the S.S.V.F. and that the commanders were British officers. I gave the names of Col. Grimwood, Col. McLeod, Captain Walls, etc.

They looked puzzled but interested. During the interrogation I took special care to emphasize the following points:-

That Chinese members of the S.S.V.F. were all British subjects, born and domiciled in Malaya.

That the Chinese Volunteer movement had a history of over forty years, starting in 1901, with Dr. Lim Boon Keng as one of the prime promoters. (I suggested that reference could be made to Dr. Lim Boon Keng for verification of my statements).

That practically all leading Malayan Chinese British subjects had at one time or another in early manhood been a Volunteer.

That the S.S.V.F. was not an institution specially organised for anti-Japanese purposes.

That the force was purely for local defence and for preservation of peace and order within the Malay Peninsula and the Straits Settlements only.

That it was a matter of civic pride for the Malayan Chinese to form part of the S.S.V.F.

That the S.S.V.F., after mobilisation, became part of the British Army in Malaya.

That during the 1914-1918 War, the S.V.C. (former name for the S.S.V.F.) was also mobilised.

That some time in 1931 or so, when there was an anti-Japanese riot in connection with the boycott of Japanese goods, the Chinese Volunteers were called up and performed duties in suppression of the riot.

That the Chinese members of the S.S.V.F. had nothing to do with Communistic activities. (I personally recruited men for years and strictly attended to exclusion of Communistic elements in pursuance of the policy of the S.S.V.F.)

That to the best of my knowledge, the Chinese members of the S.S.V.F. had no secret orders for continuance of the fight against the Japanese after the official surrender.

That after the official surrender local forces were disbanded, but that we fully expected to be taken as prisoners of war.

Put Into Lock-Up.

My interrogators appeared convinced and told me that if we were Communists or spies we would all be beheaded. They further added that it was important for the safety of our men that they should be identified and treated apart from Communists and guerrillas. They added that the S.S.V.F. should continue to do duties for them to preserve the peace and order of the town.

This interrogation took about two hours. On my release therefrom I rejoined the other officers and told them what happened. We decided we should do everything possible to contact either Col. Grimwood or Col. McLeod, or the Governor or Colonial Secretary.

At about 8.30 or 9 p.m. we were taken into the lock-up. This we thought was unusual and we made up our minds that we should ask to be treated as prisoners of war.

The next morning we were taken to the outside room again. This time a sentry was placed at the door, but we were still allowed to smoke and talk freely.

Asked For Governor.

When one of the Japanese who had interrogated me the previous day popped in to see us, I approached him and suggested he should help us to get in touch with Col. Grimwood or Col. McLeod. He said "All right."

Shortly after that another officer came. He enquired if we could tell him where Col. Grimwood and Col. McLeod could be found. We told him where their last headquarters were. He then ordered that some of us should go along with him and find them. I think Captain Fam and Lt. Ho went along with him.

I became very hopeful that our identity would be established. In the evening both Captain Fam and Lt. Ho returned and reported that they could not contact any senior officer of the S.S.V.F. I was dismayed.

I was so anxious to establish our identity that I even shouted to passers-by to contact the Governor or Colonial Secretary for us. I shouted to British officers and to Tan Chong Kow - an ex-officer of the S.S.V.F. - who passed by, to help us contact the Governor.

Jap Warning.

I was then called out again for interrogation, during which I begged that they should make enquiries from Changi jail for Col. Grimwood and Col. McLeod or even the Governor. They agreed to try.

Then I was asked to explain the organisation of the S.S.V.F. and its usual activites during normal peace time. Again I was warned that if the S.S.V.F. members could not distinguish themselves from the anti-Japanese volunteers and Communists they would be in serious danger.

I suggested to them to advertise in the papers for members of the S.S.V.F. They asked if I could identify them all. I replied that my officers might, but not all. Asked about their addresses, I told them that owing to bombing and evacuation, addresses were not going to help.

Then they demanded that somehow or other I should get the S.S.V.F. members together and separate them from other volunteers. I said I could get my officers to help. Then they asked me to get my officers to give the names of those under their command.

When sent back among my officers I told them what happened and asked them to write out from memory the names of men in their platoons, but to give no addresses for fear of complications. We could assist our men to identify themselves as members of the S.S.V.F.

I was very much concerned that, when taken, the members of the S.S.V.F. should not answer to the description of volunteers but as "members of the S.S.V.F. and part of the British Army."

Then, on the morning of the 22nd or 23rd of February, Capt. Fam, Lt. Ho and myself were taken out to Tanjong Pagar. The Japanese told me to watch a procession of men passing us [and] call out to our men. This, they said, was to help us identify them as members of the S.S.V.F.

At Tanjong Pagar there were several groups watching the procession - Chinese leaders, detectives, police personnel, R.A.A., Peace Preservation Corps members, Government servants, Communists, and our group. Men from the procession were sorted into groups. I exercised great care not to allow anyone not a member of the S.S.V.F. to join our group.

Later in the afternoon we were taken to Cantonment Road and Tiong Bahru. We saw men lecturing to crowds of men, women and children. The usual groups were all stationed in a row, while the people were made to march past us.

Were Strictly Correct.

Members of the S.S.V.F. in the procession broke off and joined us. We were very particular to allow only those to join us who were well-known to us as members of the S.S.V.F. Certain discharged volunteers and L.D.C. personnel begged to join our group. My decision was that we should be strictly correct not to admit any doubtful cases. Altogether about 35 men joined our group.

We were taken back to the police station. At the station we were all huddled together, about 150 to 200 in the lock-up. I got the members of the S.S.V.F. to sleep together. I instructed them all that they should insist on being called members of the S.S.V.F. I told them of the dangers of being loosely described as Chinese volunteers.

We were together closely packed like that for two nights. More and more men were thrown in among us until there was hardly standing room.

Tales of Massacres.

On the second night, we were so crowded that it became no more possible for our men to be separated from others.

On the third day we began to hear of indiscriminate slaughter of men by the Japanese. I was worried but I thought our crowd was quite safe. None of the members of the S.S.V.F. had been beaten. All the beating we saw then was a rap with a cane across the back of someone slovenly in his work.

In fact, the day before[,] the members of the S.S.V.F. were specially called aside and given a lecture by some Japanese. We officers were taken out to a separate room. We could hear cheers and claps. At the end of the lecture three employees of the Municipality among the Volunteers, including an officer (Lt. Kwang Kim Tang) were given passes and told to go home and resume their peacetime duties.

The men all appeared to be in good spirits.

Later C.S.M. Lee Kiah Wah, who was in the officers' group, was called away. He also was an employee of the Municipality. When he did not return to us we thought he too had been released.

Asked To Be PoWs.

The Japanese named Murokumo appeared very sympathetic to us. Murokumo assured us that we were not in any danger.

We asked discreetly about the rumours of slaughter and cutting off [of] heads. He burst out into laughter and asked us if we were afraid. We told him that we were not actuated by fear but wanted our position clarified and that we should be prisoners of war at the worst. He reassured us that there would be no danger for us and that we would all be released after investigation.

At about 2 p.m., on or about 24th February, all of us officers were picked out and put into an inner cell. The Chinese leaders were locked up in another cell, while the others in the station - about 200 or more - were all marched off and taken away in lorries.

(That was the last that Capt. Yap Pheng Geck saw of his comrades. We now know that they were massacred at Changi Point and elsewhere. Capt. Yap Pheng Geck himself had the grim experience of reading in a newspaper on Feb. 27 a report that he had been executed with Mr. Yeo Chan Boon. The next day he was told by a Japanese officer that he had been sentenced to death as a pro-British leader. On the following day, however, he and his brother-officers were released.)

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Other relevant sites on the Singapore Volunteer Corps include The Eurasian Company of the Singapore Volunteer Corps and The Chinese Company.

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Site created, June, 2004.