BIDADARI CEMETERY MEMORIAL PLAQUE FUND

Total so far as of 15th May 2003: £1850.18

This Christian cemetery is situated in Singapore and contains the remains of approximately 58,000 people. The cemetery was opened in 1908 and closed in 1972, being the 35th to be closed and redeveloped by the Authorities, in this instance for shops, offices and flats. Within its perimeter are buried many Merchant Seamen, ex-Blue Funnel/Glen Line, Straits Steamship, CP Ships as well as other companies. Also there are ex-Servicemen who fall outside the Commonwealth War Graves Commission remit, Federation of Malaya police, killed whilst in service, B.O.A.C. crash victims and, last but not least, those who perished in the interment camps, most notably Changi.

The Singapore Authorities originally proposed to exhume all the remains, cremate and then dispose of the ashes at sea. Grave markers would be destroyed, except those remains claimed by direct family members; to date the number claimed falls well below ten per cent. (Update: as of this month, July this figure is fifteen percent) There have to date been several time extensions.

The www.merchantnavyofficers.com site was first alerted to Singapore's proposals last July when a gentleman signed in with the information on our noticeboard. Since that time we have campaigned for recognition in the form of a memorial for those who are buried at Bidadari. We contacted the British Government, War Graves Commission, Church authorities, Royal British Legion and many other organisations connected to the Merchant Navy and the Armed Services, as well as others which came to mind. In most cases, no response of any relevance was forthcoming. Once again, in the case of the Merchant Navy, it would seem it is the forgotten service in spite of the tremendous losses incurred during World War II both at sea and in the prison camps at Singapore and its surrounding waters.

Left with no other option, five of us, who are either ex-Merchant Navy officers, or have strong connections with the Merchant Navy and Singapore, embarked on what proved to be lengthy negotiations with the Singapore Authorities for proper respect to be shown to those who lie within the cemetery, having died far from home and who gave so much to make Singapore the great city it is today.

We are pleased to announce that we have been given permission to erect a bronze memorial plaque to their memory. The plaque will be placed in a Garden of Remembrance which will be built when the cemetery is fully exhumed as well as a story wall outlining their contribution played in the history of Singapore.

The final act is for us to raise the necessary capital to pay for the plaque, its shipment from the foundry, and erection in the garden. Please help us in raising the required funds, by forwarding a cheque, regardless of the amount, in order that there will be a lasting memorial to all who gave so much, who never came home and to this day have been more or less forgotten.

Please send your donation for any amount, cheques payable to The Bidadari Memorial Fund and sent to Southampton Direct Business Centre, Lloyds TSB Bank PLC, P.O. Box 1050, Southampton, SO14 2FD, Hampshire, England. Please enclose a note with the account number and sort code on it to avoid any cheques going astray. This request has been made by the bank (the account number is 02173028, sort code 30-98-73). For those wishing to pay by a direct mandate the account number is 02173028, sort code 30-98-73. If anyone has any problems please contact us direct at Fred@merchantnavyofficers.com.

Every month the running total will appear on the site until the Fund is closed.



Suggestion for the design of the plaque.