Chronicles of Old Singapore

Mejar Singh Gill – Soldiering in the Early SAF Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

June 7, 2026·42 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Hear LTC (Retd) Mejar Singh Gill recount the neglected history of 1 and 2 SIR. The first especially was formed by David Marshall in 1957 before Singapore became independent. When 1965 arrived, the government launched a crash programme to build new military facilities and recruit Israeli ('Mexican') advisers. There was an unexpected windfall - the British were closing down their bases and there were excellent facilities and camps to take over.Part 1 | https://youtu.be/XcXl6KVlekc Part 2 | https://youtu.be/gW4QIH0UU6I Part 3 | https://youtu.be/oapXReFCjfA00:00 Changes in Training & Officer Training05:40 Books on SAF History08:35 Role of David Marshall 14:39 Contributions of 1 & 2 SIR18:56 Crash Military Programme21:33 Taking over the British Camps28:29 From Internal Security to National Army31:06 Israeli Advisers35:31 My Military AppointmentsWelcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

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