tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post9138850907056308393..comments2024-03-04T17:32:08.378+08:00Comments on Princess Elizabeth Estate, Hillview: Tragedy at Sleepy ValleyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-32355468706366707992022-03-19T09:28:25.603+08:002022-03-19T09:28:25.603+08:00Hi ongong,
The location is given above under the r...Hi ongong,<br />The location is given above under the related links.<br />Click on the item "Searching for a unmarked grave at Sleepy Valley" James Tannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543278061861378044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-50983523779992884122022-03-19T00:19:59.712+08:002022-03-19T00:19:59.712+08:00Hi may i know where exactly is the burial site as ...Hi may i know where exactly is the burial site as indicated in one of your pictures above in bukit batok? Thank you very much.ongong8https://www.blogger.com/profile/12258423197724045343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-23702842413894596102020-11-09T17:11:46.512+08:002020-11-09T17:11:46.512+08:00Hi Roberta,
Yes I have read Ian Sagger's book...Hi Roberta, <br />Yes I have read Ian Sagger's book and was in fact in direct contact with him during the time I was research details of the battle. I have a personally signed copy of his book!<br />I have another article somewhere in the blog about his father, Major Bert Saggers and how he led his men to safety the day before the ambush at Sleepy Valley. Thanks for visiting my blog<br />James Tannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543278061861378044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-64803527555583108542020-11-09T16:35:18.186+08:002020-11-09T16:35:18.186+08:00Hi there. Have you read "To Hell-Fire, Purgat...Hi there. Have you read "To Hell-Fire, Purgatory and Back" by Ian Saggers, the son of Major Saggers. The book by Peter Thompson 'The Battle for Singapore' may also give some background info., but James has the best information put together about Sleepy Valley.Bobbie Edeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17826517750376013703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-32719390390397914862020-10-29T21:37:41.311+08:002020-10-29T21:37:41.311+08:00Appreciate if anyone has any battle accounts at Bu...Appreciate if anyone has any battle accounts at Bukit Mandai especially Jelebu Hill by 27th A. Bde.B.S. Aujlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00868995356950556533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-44493695111726458112019-11-14T22:58:23.999+08:002019-11-14T22:58:23.999+08:00Thanks, James! 1st time i am learning of all these...Thanks, James! 1st time i am learning of all these n i just realised i actually drove through Sleepy Valley this evening ! As i drove near Old Toh Tuck Rd n noticed the hilly terrain, i even wondered what the industrial estate looked like in the old days!Edwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18286851953949756336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-19168634146950480462018-07-24T19:07:42.217+08:002018-07-24T19:07:42.217+08:00Thank you James. My grand father was in X battalio...Thank you James. My grand father was in X battalion that night but died during the retreat. Phoenix42https://www.blogger.com/profile/14235571294702520922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-1576329973173301432018-07-09T20:52:12.097+08:002018-07-09T20:52:12.097+08:00Thanks James. Important stuff. My G’father was Ray...Thanks James. Important stuff. My G’father was Ray Harris of 2/20 and X Bns who went MIA with Lt Richardson following that X Bn attack. Later this month I a, taking my father / his son for a final trip Tom Singapore. He’d ask me to try and narrow down the area where his was likely killed. <br /><br />Many many thanks.<br /><br />Paul Harris, Canberra AustPhoenix42https://www.blogger.com/profile/14235571294702520922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-54265273231504065282018-07-09T20:47:10.346+08:002018-07-09T20:47:10.346+08:00Thank you for this James. My G’father was Ray Harr...Thank you for this James. My G’father was Ray Harris (2/20 & X Bns) and was killed along with Richardson near that old Trig point. Later this month, I am taking my father / his son for a final trip to Singapore (he’s 78 and not well). He’d ask me to try and narrow down where Ray and Richardson had gone missing. Many many thanks. <br /><br />Paul Harris, Canberra AustPhoenix42https://www.blogger.com/profile/14235571294702520922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-5690108917205146462017-12-25T06:21:13.606+08:002017-12-25T06:21:13.606+08:00X Battalion was ordered to defend the area along J...X Battalion was ordered to defend the area along Jurong Road around what was then marked as the "Jurong Trig Sta I" (Jurong Trigonometry Station No. 1).<br />This hill was removed and the area flattened during the development of Bukit Batok. <br />It was located where the Bukit Batok Industrial Park A is today.James Tannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543278061861378044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-16867581803679282582017-12-21T16:57:41.481+08:002017-12-21T16:57:41.481+08:00Dear james
I have seen your photo on the location ...Dear james<br />I have seen your photo on the location of X battalion final ambush. Can you tell me exactly where it was located. Give me sufficient details where I can find it. Many thanks.<br /><br />Leslie Goh<br />I am a Singaporean. I lived in marine parade.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04837330611716908868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-60452493164765058472017-11-12T12:39:53.122+08:002017-11-12T12:39:53.122+08:00Hi James and Roberta.
Roberta, I read your very i...Hi James and Roberta. <br />Roberta, I read your very interesting article on The Battle of Sleepy Valley in the GSQ Newsletter which led me to re read the book "To Hell-Fire, Purgatory and Back" by Ian Saggers, the son of Major Saggers. <br />My father was a soldier with the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion and a POW on the railway. Due to injuries he received in Burma my father became a medical orderly working with Dr Albert Coates.<br />Thank you Roberta and James for keeping the history and the stories alive. I am returning to Singapore next year to revisit areas of interest such as the Battle Box which was closed for renovations on my last visit.<br />Regards<br />Margaret Thompson, Brisbane, QldAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824727229617980317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-13673462269028964082017-04-12T11:13:31.441+08:002017-04-12T11:13:31.441+08:00Thanks James, I'll do that. I was in Singapore...Thanks James, I'll do that. I was in Singapore in 2000 and visited the Kranji War Cemetery and was able to see Max's plaque as you mention. What a moving, yet beautiful place.<br />Regards<br />Wayne Wayne Evansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-80708389075000812652017-04-12T10:50:35.531+08:002017-04-12T10:50:35.531+08:00Hi Wayne,
According to the CWGC reords Corporal Be...Hi Wayne,<br />According to the CWGC reords Corporal Bedggood, your uncle, is inscribed on the Singapore Memorial at the Kranji War Cemetery (column 121) under the 2/19 personnel.<br />This means that his body was never not found or clearly identified after the war.<br />Could you send me an email direct to hjtann@mac.com so that I can attach a few notes to you.<br /><br />Cheers<br />James<br />James Tannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543278061861378044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-56652045289637305292017-04-11T20:25:18.452+08:002017-04-11T20:25:18.452+08:00Hello James
I thought my reply didn't go throu...Hello James<br />I thought my reply didn't go through hence my later the e-mail. <br />My Uncle's name is Reginald Max Bedggood,NX35342 though he was called Max.<br />He was attached to the 2/19 Battalion A.I.F., B Company. He was stationed at the NW coastline when the Japanese invaded Singapore on 8/2/42. Casualties were so high that the Battalion no longer existed and was reorganised into a composite "X" Battalion with about 150 former 2/19. On 10/2/42 the Battalion moved position to it's assigned area, then called West Bukit Timah and now called Bukit Batok. More specifically, they made their way to 9ms Jurong Road which is now opposite Bukit View Secondary School. They arrived there about midnight on 10/2/42. The Japanese 18th Division were coming down Jurong Road and attacked at 3am 11/2/42. It appears the Japanese were aware of "X" presence and waited for the appropriate time to attack. Their attack was aided by burning fuel tanks nearby, brightly illuminating the sky. About 280 soldiers were killed and only about 120 escaped. The Japanese army then went on to Sleepy Valley where your article picked up.<br />I would very much welcome any comments about this evening and particularly the aftermath in terms of what happened to the bodies of these men.<br />It would also be good to hear from Roberta, Paul and any other people who may have some connection with this area. <br />Thank you again for what you done so far.<br /><br />Regards<br />Wayne Evans<br />Blue Mountains NSW<br />Australia<br /><br />Wayne Evansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-88123886307100911682017-04-11T18:03:08.059+08:002017-04-11T18:03:08.059+08:00Hi Wayne,
Could I have the name of your uncle and ...Hi Wayne,<br />Could I have the name of your uncle and any other identification? Prior to being in X Battalion, which unit was he in?<br />James Tannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543278061861378044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-64657965049148204802017-04-11T14:17:51.904+08:002017-04-11T14:17:51.904+08:00Hello James and Roberta
I have read both your blog...Hello James and Roberta<br />I have read both your blogs with interest. My Uncle was part of "X" Battalion and also killed in the area, on the same day, 11/2/42. "X" Battalion were located about 500-1000 yards North West of Sleepy Valley. They were ambushed as they slept at 3.00am 11/2/42. 280 soldiers were killed with only 120 escaping. The Japanese 18th Division then drove further SE towards Sleepy Valley.<br />We would dearly like to know more about events of that early morning and particular what happened to the bodies of "X" Battalion. Any help or leads would be gratefully appreciated.<br />Regards<br />Wayne Evans<br />Blue Mountains, Sydney<br />Australia<br /> <br />Wayne Evansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-67131160200462754492016-11-27T21:57:13.195+08:002016-11-27T21:57:13.195+08:00Hi James
I'm sorry I didn't realise you ha...Hi James<br />I'm sorry I didn't realise you had replied to my post. My Dad's cousin was Douglas Arnold White, he ended up in the Special Reserve Battalion and was killed on 11 Feb 1942. His body was one of those identied by Major Bert Saggers when the Japanese allowed him to return to the spot to bury his men ten months later.<br />We're currently in Singapore so went out to Eng Kong Gardens today to visit the spot where he was found at Eng Kong Gardens. Such a peaceful spot and quite moving to be there - but a shame there is no plaque or monument to mark that tragic event.<br />Doug was re-interred by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and buried at Kranji after the war. Doug's nephew has supplied me with much of the information I have and has visited Doug's tombstone at Kranji which is marked 'Buried near this spot'. <br />We have visited Kranji ourselves in a previous visit, but at the time I didn't realise Doug was buried there.<br />Many thanks for your posts - it was vital in helping me compile the facts around Doug's death.<br />Regards<br />Roberta Edes (from Brisbane, Q'ld)Bobbie Edeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17826517750376013703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-70242444870860898772016-03-03T19:56:14.590+08:002016-03-03T19:56:14.590+08:00Hello Roberta,
May I know the name of your cousin ...Hello Roberta,<br />May I know the name of your cousin who was killed there?<br />Is he interred at the Kranji war cemetery?<br />Maybe I can check it up for you.James Tannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543278061861378044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-22332133038499018182016-03-03T19:27:36.522+08:002016-03-03T19:27:36.522+08:00Excellent info in your story James. I have a dist...Excellent info in your story James. I have a distant cousin who was killed and one of the 62 identified by Major Saggers and originally buried at that spot. Thanks so much for this blog. <br />RobertaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-35648965195579475092014-11-10T22:44:06.480+08:002014-11-10T22:44:06.480+08:00Hi KeeN,
I may come round to write about the battl...Hi KeeN,<br />I may come round to write about the battles at Ama Keng and Keat Hong as it's closer to where I live and can somehow tie it into my blog ?? Recently I was recounting the battle movement of the Imperial Japanese Guards to a friend who gave a talk at RI. The Guards moved and fought across what is now RI and the former san teng cemetery as part of the strategy to capture Woodleigh and MacRitchie. Even the boys weren't aware that Bishan was a battleground.James Tannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543278061861378044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-87874702731220710652014-11-10T20:58:15.065+08:002014-11-10T20:58:15.065+08:00Wow, thanks for throwing more light on this battle...Wow, thanks for throwing more light on this battle which my father witnessed! Great stuff! Now when I pass through Woodleigh area I will view it a little differently. Any chance of you putting up some accounts or records of the Woodleigh and even the Keat Hong battles? KeeNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07696718153298922747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-65581140820686166092014-11-09T17:08:56.361+08:002014-11-09T17:08:56.361+08:00Hi Keen Len,
I believe I have seen and read your b...Hi Keen Len,<br />I believe I have seen and read your book at the National Library.<br />I am very sure that there are a lot more battles that have been unrecorded. Even for the battle at Sleepy Valley, I had to peruse several records before having a clear idea of what happened there. All these because the official records normally skim through the events. In this case, maybe it was because it was debacle for the British forces and so left untold the better? After all, as they say, history is written by the victors. For the story of Sleepy Valley, I had to go back to the Unit records and stories told by the soldiers themselves of what happened there.<br />There are also several mentions of fights at Nee Soon, Mandai and Woodleigh. The Woodleigh battle would be part of what your father described at Paya Lebar as the Japanese Imperial Guards were ordered to take the Woodleigh Pump station around the 13//14 Feb 1942. There is a detailed record of the fighting that took place at Keat Hong defended by the Indian Hyderabad unit and the Argylls and Sutherland boys but even this battle is seldom quoted.<br />James Tannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543278061861378044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-913150976872784782014-11-09T09:09:06.274+08:002014-11-09T09:09:06.274+08:00Hi James,
Thanks for a really enlightening post! ...Hi James,<br /><br />Thanks for a really enlightening post! My late father who was a history buff like yourself would have been thoroughly fascinated by this account. He had a fortnightly column in the Straits Times Life! section from 1998-2002 known as 'Long Life' where he shared historical accounts about growing up in Singapore from the 1930s-1980s. After he passed away in June 2002, I compiled all his published writings and got them published as a book by Landmark Books with support from Lee Foundation in 2005. He had a chapter in the book entitled 'Battle Sites of WW2' and he recounts an unrecorded battle that took place in Upper Paya Lebar Road. You can read that chapter in the attached links below:<br /><br />https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5cQY69Tq5fISThOWXlURHlBMnc/view?usp=sharing<br /><br />https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5cQY69Tq5fIcktjQnlOMFFhVEU/view?usp=sharing<br /><br />https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5cQY69Tq5fITUhaU0xET3V1NlU/view?usp=sharing<br /><br />Wondering whether you might be aware of such a battle that took place in that vicinity as witnessed by my late father.<br /><br />I think there might be quite a number of such unrecorded battles prior to the fall of Singapore in February 1942.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Keen Len <br /><br /><br /><br />KeeNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07696718153298922747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291749928176751452.post-25635481607371177542014-02-20T00:13:49.418+08:002014-02-20T00:13:49.418+08:00thank you so much for this article. i had grew up ...thank you so much for this article. i had grew up in bukit batok, but i didn't know about this story.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13917725853362483756noreply@blogger.com