Farrer Park

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Farrer Park is a subzone of the Rochor planning area in the Central Region of Singapore, as defined by the Urban Redevelopment Authority bounded by Serangoon Road, Rangoon Road, Race Course Road, Northumberland Road, Tekka Lane and Bukit Timah Road.

Location

The name "Farrer Park" historically referred to an open field situated to the west of this subzone, now commonly known as Farrer Park Field, located within Kallang planning area.

Etymology

Farrer Park and Farrer Road were named after R. J. Farrer (died 1956), who was Municipal Assessor and later President of the Municipal Commissioners in the 1920s. In 1952, there was an unsuccessful attempt to change the name of Farrer Road in order to avoid confusion with Farrer Park, situated in a different location.

Role in Formation of Indian National Army

General Mohan Singh

Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon writes....

Singapore capitulated on February 15, 1941 and British Forces surrendered unconditionally to the Japanese.(p.91)

The defeated and demoralized Indian soldiers collected themselves at Farrer Park in Singapore. Farrer Park was a big specious ground off Serangoon road by Kenden Kerbau hospital in Singapore. It was otherwise known as Old Race Course. (p.93)

Iwaichi Fujiwara, a Japanese officer, Giani Pritam Singh Dhillon and Captain Mohan Singh, Captain Mohammad Akram of 1str Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment accompanied by some Japanese and Indian Officers appeared at Farrer Park. Lt Col Hunt, a British Staff Officer of the Malayan Command , had come to hand over to the Japanese all the Indian troops who had now become Prisoners of War. (p.93)

Major Fujiwara addressing the POWs expressed that it was his firm belief that world peace and the liberation of Asia could not be achieved and maintained without a free and independent India. He further said that if Indian POWs in Malaya were prepared to fight the British imperialism for the noble cause of achieving the independence of their motherland, the Imperial Japanese Government would advance all out support. He suggested the formation of Indian National Army. He handed over all the POWs in Malaya to Capt. Mohan Singh, the G.O.C. of the Indian National Army. (p.94)

At the stage on Farrer Park Capt. Mohan Singh addressed the POWs and decided to form an organized and disciplined power in the form of Indian National Army. The erstwhile POWs were to become now the soldiers of India’s Army of Liberation, the army that was to fight under its own leadership, with a real and just cause to wage war. (p.95)

Giani Pritam Singh, a civilian from Bangkok, spoke at Farrer Park. He acquainted us with his activities outside India particularly in Siaam and especially since the time hostilities broke out in the far east. He said that he had accompanied the Japanese from Bangkok with only object of saving Indian lives, property and all that was dear to them. He was happy to have achieved success in his object thus far. He showed pleasure at our having survived the campaign and the interest shown by us in the proposed Indian National Army, for which he placed all his services at our disposal. His speech was followed by an informal introduction of some officers to Major Fujiwara. Later a musical program presented by Jamadar Ram Singh of the Gurkha regiment (later major in the Indian National Army) and his party entertained the troops. Uncertainty and gloom had Vanished. The erstwhile POWs were to become now the soldiers of India’s Army of Liberation, the army that was to fight under its own leadership, with a real and just cause to wage war. A new era had dawned. All were happy. That night was spent at Farrer Park. (p.95)

Capt. Mohan Singh was from the same unit from which was Dhillon. He was a close friend of Dhillon. (p.96)

On February 17, 1942, Dhillon decided to join the Indian National Army and took the vow not to drink till India became free. (p.96)

Next morning Capt. Mohan Singh issued orders to march off all the units of various camps on the island where the units were to occupy their allotted accommodation. Dhillon’s unit was to proceed to Neesoon Camp. (p.96)

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