Cenotaph in Tugu Negara Memorial Park, Kuala Lumpur

Cenotaph in Singapore

An Australian Bugler sounding the last post? in front of the cenotaph at its original location during 1941 ( source : life)

Possible location of the cenotaph at the location of the roundabout next to the railway station. The cenotaph A 1970's photo ( source: life

The cenotaph in Tugu Negara Memorial Park, Kuala Lumpur ( source : google picture)

I have been to Kuala Lumpur so often. But unfortunately I did not make it a point to visit the Memorial Park where the National Monument stood, even though I am a staunch military history buff. Anyhow, I was pretty curious when I came across a 1940’s photo of an Australian bugler standing next to a cenotaph. First glance, I thought it was the cenotaph in Singapore located at the esplanade ( Elizabeth Walk). However, on closer look, I realized that the icon on the memorial was a wreath unlike the King’s Crown which was on the Singapore Memorial.

After trawling through the virtual world, I realized that the cenotaph can be found in Kuala Lumpur at the memorial park where the Tugu Negara ( National Monument) is located and was officially opened in 1966

The Cenotaph was first located at the intersection of Jalan Tugu ( Cenotaph Road) and Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (Victoria Avenue) on the roundabout, close to the the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and marching distance towards and from the Merdeka Square ( the Selangor Club Padang) where parades were held. Due to the construction of bypass roads, the monument has been relocated in 1964.

As reported, the granite structure was built in 1921 on its original site to commemorate the fallen whom have been working in Malaya but has volunteered to go back to serve in WWI. The years of 1939-1945, and 1948 – 1960 have been added on in later years to commemorate the fallen during WW2 and the Malayan Emergency respectively.

Remaining Rickshaws in Singapore, Penang, Kuala Lumpur

Rickshaw in the Penang State Museum, Penang

Rickshaw in the Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

Rickshaw in the Raffles Hotel Museum, Singapore

Rickshaws in the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Penang ( google images )

Rickshaws in Singapore, Penang, Kuala lumpur

Colonials on a rickshaw-photograph taken in a studio in Singapore ( Raffles Hotel Museum)

Jinrikisha ( Rickshaw) Station at the junction of Maxwell Road, Singapore

A history board of the existence of Rickshaws

The Rickshaw Depot in Singapore ( 1903)

It was a poor old Chinaman

That dragged a rickshaw means,

He was not great, he was not wise,

Nor very, very clean,

But he was honester by far

Than many men I have seen.

And Oh! It was a soldier bold,

Who cursed the waning light,

And did beseech he might be blowed

Particularly tight

If that poor rickshaw man refused

To take him home that night.

The rickshaw man did do his best,

He limped, he hopped, he ran,

The soldier angrily did cursed

That poor old Chinaman;

“When will I reach Tanglin like this,

You d-----d old Chinaman?”

At last they reached the barracks far,

The Chinaman is glad,

But lo! The soldier gives no fare,

But swears at him like mad.

In fear the rickshaw man retreats,

His heart is very sad.

O! Intellectual Gentleman,

Please tell me if you can,

To drag a rickshaw or to steal

Which is the wisest plan?

- Singapore Jottings by D.I.N. 1885

After reading this poem in a book, I thought a spotlight on the Rickshaw man in Malaya and the Straits Settlements ( SS) would a befitting gesture to the poor migrants. The rickshaws were prevalent as a cheap mode of transport, but was phased out after the war – ironically with the introduction of the tri-shaws during the Japanese occupation of 1942-1945. Posted above is a history board of the rickshaws.

British Malaya Post Box Kuala Lumpur

A British Malaya Post Box during the King George V ( GR) - 1910 - 1936 - The GR could have been covered by the sticker

The Post Box stands outside the Central Market in Kuala Lumpur