LTA Adnan bin Saidi

A hero is someone that is willing to give his all to save his people, his comrades, his friends or his family. A hero is someone that is able to achieve what they want by hard work and not at the expense of others. A hero helps without second thoughts.
Adnan bin Saidi, was a Malayan soldier of the 1st Infantry Brigade which fought the Japanese in the Battle of Singapore. He is regarded by Malaysians and Singaporeans today as a hero for his actions on Bukit Chandu.
Adnan is not a hero by special circumstances. Adnan refused to surrender till the very end even though he is on the verge of death.
Adnan led a 42-strong platoon from the Malay Regiment in the defense of Singapore against the invading Japanese. The soldiers fought at the Battle of Pasir Panjang, at Pasir Panjang Ridge in the Bukit Chandu area on 12–14 February 1942. Although heavily outnumbered, Adnan refused to surrender and urged his men to fight until the end. They held off the Japanese for two days amid heavy enemy shelling and shortages of food and ammunition. Adnan was shot but carried on fighting. After the battle was lost, they wounded Adnan. Then he was taken prisoner by Japanese soldiers, who tied him to a cherry tree and bayoneted him to death.
Because of his actions Adnan is currently considered by Malaysians and Singaporeans today as a hero. In their textbooks, he is also credited as the soldier who caught the disguised "Indian troops" marching error in four abreast (Japanese marching style) instead of a line of three (British style of marching).
When Singapore surrendered, the Japanese Kempeitai attempted but failed to find and murder Adnan's family in revenge.Kent Ridge Park, close to the site of the battle, now bears a plaque in commemoration of Lt Adnan Bin Saidi. A museum at Bukit Chandu stands in memory of the bravery of Malay Regiment soldiers. This regiment would later become the Royal Malay Regiment of the Royal Malaysian Army.



Done By :
Toh Hong Chew (37)
Yap Ji Yong (38)
Zhang Yu Chen(40)
Han Jia Jun (25)
Chen Min yang (24)

S. Rajaratnam, Singapore's hero-Group 10

Group 10
Ronnie Poon
Ivan Tan
Tan Zheng Yuan
Tan Alvin
Yeo Hock JIn
History of S.Rajaratnam
1915-Born in Sri Lanka
1937-Went to KIng's college
1954-Confounded people's action party with Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee and others'
1959-Served as minister for culture
1965-Served as minister for foreign affairs
1966-Wrote the national pledge
1968-Served as minister for labour
1980-Served as second deputy prime minister
1988-Retirement
1988(post retirement)-Served as the senior distinguished fellow at the institute of southeast asian studies.
22 feb 2006-Passed away peacefully at his home in chancery lane


Major contributions
1966-wrote the national pledge
1970-Helped singapore gain entry into the united nations and later into the non-aligned movement.
1971-Introudec tough labour laws in an attempt to restore singapore economical stability.
1954-1988
PLayed a key role in the successive pragmatic and democratic People's action party which radically improved Singapore's economic situation, alongside huge developments in social development on the island with massive expansion of healthcare programs, pension,state housing and extremely low employment.

In regonition of his visionary leadership in helping to shape Singapore's development, the S.rajaratnam Scholarship was set up in 1990 and renamed S.rajaratnam professorship in Strategic studies in 1999.

Group 4 - Elizabeth Choy

Lim Pei Qi (09)
Lim Zheng Yi (10)
Melissa Sim (12)
Tan Shu Ying (16)
Vanessa Kee (18)

Elizabeth Choy

A hero displays courage and the will for self sacrifice in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness. That is, heroism—for some greater good of all humanity. This definition originally referred to martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.

Qualities of a hero:

• Sacrifice-Sacrifice is the forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered having a greater value or claiming.
• Determination-Determination is a fixed intention or resolution; a firmness of purpose or resolve.
• Loyalty-Loyalty is the feeling of allegiance or the act of binding oneself to a course of action.
• Courage-Courage is that firmness of spirit and swell of soul which meets danger without fear.
• Dedication-Dedication is a selfless devotion; complete and whole hearted fidelity or the act of binding oneself to a course of action.
• Intrepidity-Intrepidity is firm, unshaken courage.
• Valor-Valor is courage exhibited in war, and can not be applied to single combats.
• Selfless-Selfless is the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others and acting with less concern for yourself.
• Conviction-Conviction is a fixed or strong belief; a necessity of the mind or an unshakable belief.
• Focused-Focused is the ability to direct one's energy toward a particular point or purpose; to concentrate one's energy.
• Gallantry-Gallantry is adventurous courage, which courts danger with a high and cheerful spirit.
• Perseverance-Perseverance is a persistent determination.
• Fortitude-Fortitude has often been styled "passive courage," and consists in the habit of encountering danger and enduring pain with a steadfast and unbroken spirit.
• Bravery-Bravery is daring and impetuous courage, like that of one who has the reward continually in view, and displays his courage in daring acts.

Heroes are selfless people who do not just care about the well-being of themselves. Instead, whenever there are others in need, they will arise in these ‘special’ circumstances to lend a helping hand. Elizabeth Choy secretly brought food, medicine, money and even radios British internees.


Even though Elizabeth was found out and interrogated by the Kempeitai, she did not admit being a British sympathizer. She was repeatedly tortured and starved but her psychological resilience helped her to endure the interrogations by Japanese captors. She was released only after 200 days.


A hero would face challenges like personal fear of lacking in confidence, deep personal doubts as to whether or not they are up to their challenge and physical hurdles or people bent on thwarting his or her progress.


Elizabeth Choy faced physical and mental challenge when she was imprison. Mrs. Choy, along with the other 20 or so male prisoners, had to live in those squalid conditions with very little food, ventilation and clean water. They were also not allowed to talk or move from their cross-legged seating position. Although they were not allowed to speak, the prisoners continued to communicate with each other through the use of sign language which was taught by one of the fellow prisoners.
Mrs. Choy had been brutally treated during her internment. She was subjected to beatings by the Japanese officers and was even electrocuted in front of her husband. “When my interrogators could not get any information out of me, they dragged my husband from Outram Prison, tied him up and made him kneel beside me. Then, in his full view, they stripped me to the waist and applied electric currents to me. The electric shocks sent my whole body into spasms. My tears and mucus flowed uncontrollably.” Quoted Elizabeth Choy.


References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero
• http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d46/psy/dev/Fall01/hero/qualities.html
• http://historyof07.blogspot.com/2007/08/elizabeth-choythe-war-heroine-elizabeth.html

Videos





*The contents of this video below contains chinese language. However, we find the contents very meaningful

Sir Winston churchill

Group 8:

Khiu Jiaen(6)
Lau Singwei(8)
Puah Shuyun(14)
Soh Liyuan(15)
Vivian Chng Minhui (19)
Yee Jiayu(22)

Sir Winston Churchill







A hero is an everyday person that can change the world for the better. It could be simple like helping one person out or by helping millions, at the same time, gaining respect from everyone. Churchill is a hero because of his steadfast refusal to give up the fight against Nazism, especially at a time when many other leaders would have given up.

Churchill did not arise for himself, achieving what he wants to achieve. Instead, he sacrifices and volunteers himself in order to make life more blissful for the people – he wanted to win the World War 2 battle.

Heroes often have their own stand and values; they adopt an uncompromising stance which may put them in disadvantage. General Wavell, the British commander in the region, was ordered by Churchill to fight to save Singapore and he was ordered by Churchill not to surrender until there had been "protracted fighting" in an effort to save the city. "We shall never surrender," said Sir Winston Churchill during World War II. Thus, a hero must be selfless and have a strong sense of determination. Even though, the enemy outnumbered the British in everything including air power, firepower and armies. The British had a good chance of losing and killed. He played a key role in turning the RAF Bombers into the most powerful single Allied force in Europe in 1942-44. Yet because of Sir Winston Churchill unbreakable spirit, he led them to victory!

Group 1- Lim Bo Seng

Group members:

Cheong Jie Qi (3)

Denise Teo (4)

Jaime Yee (5)

Ng Yi Mei (13)

Wong Man Ling (21)

A hero is a person admired for courage, especially in war. A hero is one who wishes for world peace and shows patriotism. He is one who stands strong in the face of danger and is even willing to sacrifice himself no matter what it takes. Heroes are those who achieved what they want to achieve. The things that they want to achieve are things that are not meant for their own benefit, but for the benefit of the people, country, and the community.

Lim Bo Seng is a pivotal hero in Singapore for his resistance to the Japanese forces during World War II. He was one of the leaders in Force 136, a group of resistance fighters which helped British recapture Malaya and Singapore form Japanese. During the 1940s, Lim Bo Seng was incarcerated by the Japanese. He was under duress by the Japanese to cooperate with them. The Japanese even got Mr. Lim’s friends to persuade him in assisting them but to no avail. Instead, he reminded the comrades to remain firm and not to surrender to the Japanese. Mr. Lim also protested against the ill-treatment of his comrades in the prison and the prisoners-of-war by refusing food. He asked the warders to distribute his share of sweet potato to his comrades. Despite punishment and tortured by the Japanese soldiers, he tolerated the pain and refused to reveal the names of the other leaders and the hideouts of Force 136. Mr. Lim even said “Since I’m in your hands now, I have nothing to say. I’m prepared to die." Lim Bo Seng could have betrayed his nation to avoid all the suffering and yet he did not do so. He died in captivity, becoming a martyr. Hence, Lim Bo Seng is a man who is a quintessential of a hero and should be respected by all the generations.

 

References 

http://personaldevelopment.suite101.com/article.cfm/who_are_our_heroes

http://www.yourdictionary.com/hero

http://historyof07.blogspot.com/2007/08/lim-bo-seng.html

http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=Seng_memorial_ms_06_ul

http://books.google.com.sg/books?id=HYSWagKRleUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Lim+Bo+Seng&source=bl&ots=XnS6uFtB9m&sig=3UQtxQ9bmO7BPpi-56I87x7WJOI&hl=en&ei=O2oETM6tKInCrAe15f3dAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=13&ved=0CEEQ6AEwDA#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

 

 

END

History Group 8: Teo Jia Hui (17); Ng Boon Tao (29); Cai Wen Xing (23); Leong Say Hao (28)

Winston Churchill is a great example of a hero. A hero need not be someone with special skills but someone with a will to help others. Winston Churchill tried to warn people about Hitler's plan, trying to keep them aware that a war is impending, even though the people did not want to heed him. After refusing an armistice with Hitler's Germany, he staryed to prepare his people for a long war. He quickly started preparing the British for the war, almost single-handly, he started to create the basis for the later Allied counter-attacks of 1942-45 and together with the help of Lord Beaverbrook, they geared up aircraft production and engineering, to help Britain in the war.

As Churhill returned to the Admiralty from his audience with King Geogre VI, after being asked to form a new coalition government the evening of May 10, 1940, the son of Lord Randolph Churchill, who once told him he would never amount to anything, was momentarily nearly overwhelmed with the enormity of the ask placed squarely into his hands. His driver and bodyguard, Inspector Walter Thompson observed that he started crying, and as he turned away, he started muttering to himself. Yet, despite his steely sense of purpose, Churchill was unable to completely hide the magnitude of what was now his responsibility. "God alone knows how great it is," he quietly remarked. "I hope it is not too late. I am very much afraid it is. But we can only do our best." His fears were only momentary. When he arose the following morning after only a few hours of sleep, he said to his wife, "Only Hitler can turn me out of this job." The challenges Churchill faced were monumental. The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France had been inveded on May 10 and all except France would fall under the Nazi jackboot within a short time. France's agony would last a few weeks longer but with the same dismal result. the British Expeditionary Force would be shattered and virtually all of its equipment and arms lost but its men miraculously saved to eventually fight another day. Winston Churchill would never give up on anything. When faced with an enormous task out of a sudden, he took the task in hand and did his best with all his will.

References:
http://www.google.com.sg/imagesl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&q=superman+flying&revid=1682197837&sa=X&ei=S8EZTKyyJo6OkQWj3KmWBg&ved=0CCAQ1QIoAA
http://www.google.com.sg/imageshl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch3A1&sa=1&q=winston+churchill&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=winston+&gs_rfai
http://www.google.com.sg/imageshl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch3A1&sa=1&q=winston+churchill+and+obama&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/churchill-and-obama-leadership-challenges-in-tough-times.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/churchill_defender_01.shtml

Videos:

Done by:
Teo Jia Hui (17)
Ng Boon Tao (29)
Cai Wen Xing (23)
Leong Say Hao (28)

Abigail Sim,Sng Ler Jun,Tan Guan Yu,Leong Kai Wen and Phang Yong Kang

Our hero, Elizabeth Choy, is someone, who in the face of adversity, display courage and possesses the will to self sacrifice for some greater good of all humanity. A hero would often believe in what they are doing and not care about the others. A leader worries about himself and whether he is doing the right thing but does not worry about his followers, while a hero understands that if he is doing the right thing, then his followers will follow him.

She is also the one who secretly brought food, medicine, money, messages and even radios to British internees. Although her life is at risk, she did not mind as she believes that’s the only way people would not have to be under the mercy of the cruel and inhumane Japanese soldiers. Later on, she was caught and tortured but still she did not gave in to the Japanese neither did she ‘betray’ the British. The Japanese finally released her from prison, after learning that they would never get the confession. This clearly shows the selflessness of Elizabeth Choy.

Video on Elizabeth Choy:

From Sng Ler Jun,Abigail Sim,Tan Guan Yu, Don Seah Wei Kang, Leong Kai Wen and Phang Yong Kang