The Cenotaph Singapore-Honouring The Martyrs

Before we discuss more about this place, let’s dive a little deeper into it’s history and get more insights on the Cenotaph Monument.

History Of The Cenotaph Singapore

The Cenotaph Singapore, in the year 2010, was a gazetted national monument, including two other structures at the Esplanade Park, namely Tan Kim Seng Fountain, and the Lim Bo Seng Memorial. 

The Cenotaph Singapore was erected to honour the 124 men from Singapore who died during World War I. The Cenotaph remembrance was designed by the architect Denis Santry from Swan & Maclaren and was modelled after the Whitehall Cenotaph in London in England.

The foundation stone of the Cenotaph Singapore was laid on 15th November 1920 by the governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Laurence Nunns Guillemard. 

Unveiled on 31st March 1922, this Cenotaph is quite popular among tourists who pay a visit to the memorial to witness one of the most historical pieces of architecture in Singapore, which serves an evidence of the brutality of World War I. 

From the year 1922 to 1941, events in Cenotaph included several military processions and annual religious ceremonies that would take place at the Cenotaph as a part of the memorial services and to remember the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. 

Suggested Read: Arab Street In Singapore

The Cenotaph Architecture

The structure of the Cenotaph Singapore has been crowned with a sarcophagus with a bronze lion’s head handles. Below you can find the bronze medallion consisting of a laurel wreath of victory, which encloses a crown, which is a symbol of the Crown Colony. As you move a little lower, you will find the inscription, “The Glorious Dead” and below the inscription you will find the years of the war from 1914 to 1918. 

However, on the other side, you will notice that no names are listed to commemorate the World War II Casualties, with a phrase that reads, “They died that we might live” inscribed in four official languages including English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil.

There are extended steps added for World War II which bear the years 1939 to 1943, and was added in the year 1951.

There are a total of 14 pylons on both sides of the stone structure, which showcase the names of the famous World War I battles, each of which is surmounted by Cenotaph wreaths

The Cenotaph Visiting Time

Location Of The Cenotaph Singapore

Location: Connaught Drive, Esplanade Park, Singapore.

How To Reach The Cenotaph Singapore

If you are planning to take your own vehicle, then you can start from the Pasir Ris and head towards the East Coast Parkway(ECP), using the Tampines Expressway. Continue driving on the ECP, follow the signs for City and Central Area, and exit from Marina Bay. Merge onto Raffles Avenue and follow it till you reach Connaught Drive, and you find the Cenotaph on the left. The Cenotaph parking accessibility is very limited, and you have to pay a parking fee for your vehicle. 

• Parking Fees: Yes

2. Mass Rapid Transit

If you wish to take the Singapore MRT to reach the Cenotaph, then you should make your way to the Pasir Ris MRT Station, and board the East-West Line that goes towards the Bugis. Descend at the City Hall MRT and take Exit A towards Raffles City. Now walk towards the St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and continue along the roadside till you see the Connaught Drive. The MRT will cost you approximately SGD 2.0, which totally depends on the point from where you started. 

• Cost: Approximately SGD 2.0

3. BusesTo reach the Cenotaph by bus, you can take bus number 12, 16, or 35 from the Pasir Ris. You have to interchange and then descend at the City Hall. Walk towards the St. Andrew’s Cathedral and proceed towards the Connaught Drive. 

• Cost: Approximately SGD 1.50 

Suggested Read: Little India In Singapore

The Cenotaph Photography