Navy: 30th Anniversary: Onwards and Upwards

by Sarah Hardy, Republic of Singapore Navy (Collaborator)

A large-format celebration of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Singapore Navy. The Republic of Singapore Navy inherited its existence from the Royal Navy in the 1930s with only 2 patrol crafts. The Straits Settlement Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was established on 20th April 1934 and became the Singapore Division of the Malayan Volunteer Reserve during WWII in 1941. In Dec 1948, the Malayan Force was raised by the Singapore Government and was later granted the title of Royal Malayan Navy in 1952 in recognition of its services in action during the Malayan emergency. On 16th Feb 1963, when Singapore became a state of Malaysia, the Malayan Navy was changed to the Royal Malaysian Navy. During an impressive ceremony on 22nd Sept 1963, the Singapore division of the Malayan Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was formally transferred from the command of the Royal Navy to the Royal Malaysian Navy, thus becoming the Singapore Volunteer Force. On 9th Aug 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia to form an independent and sovereign nation within the Commonwealth. The following year on 1st Jan 1966, the Singapore Force's name was changed to the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force. During a historic ceremony held at Telok Ayer Basin on 5th May 1967, the Singapore Volunteer Force ensign was hoisted for the first time, marking the first step towards the formation of the Singapore Navy. A few months later in September, the Singapore Volunteer Force was changed to the People's Defence (Sea) under the Sea Defence Command (SDC). The SDC was then renamed the Maritime Command (MC) in Dec 1968, which is the predecessor of the Republic of Singapore Navy. The MC then went on an expansion programme to carry out its seaward defence more effectively. The Republic Of Singapore Navy came into being on 1st April 1975, when the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) established its component forces into 3 distinct services.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1997