CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD

1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/2bfc39f6-5a2f-47ef-976a-5d3ce9be7f25/1.jpg?sfvrsn=cc26558e_1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/24oct24_news1
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/24oct24_news1
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD
24 Oct 2024 | MILESTONES

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD

//ARTICLE BY Donahue Foo /PHOTOS BY John Enoch Wong & courtesy of interviewees

NS has left indelible memories for these SAF pioneers from the 8th Engineers Officer Cadet batch, who celebrate their 50th anniversary since they were commissioned in 1974.

Batchmates CPT (Ret) Tan Bong Hoon (second from left) and LTA (Ret) Tham Kwok Leong (second from right), along with their retired instructors CPT (Ret) Chew Chan Yeow (far right) and LTC (Ret) Low Mun Kit (far left), have been holding monthly “lim Kopi" sessions with fellow engineers for the past five decades.

The 8th Engineers Officer Cadet (OCT) batch of 1974 was among Singapore’s earliest combat engineers, tasked with roles such as laying mines, constructing bridges, and handling heavy machinery.

Together, they endured some of the most intense training conditions in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), shaping them into resilient and capable officers.

Celebrating their batch’s 50th anniversary on 8 Oct, Captain (CPT) (Ret) Tan Bong Hoon, Lieutenant (LTA) (Ret) Tham Kwok Leong, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (Ret) Low Mun Kit and CPT (Ret) Chew Chan Yeow – all of whom are now in their 70s – shared their experiences with PIONEER.

Back in the day: Cadets at Pulau Senang, where they conducted demolition works during a company-sized exercise.
The engineers' 50th annual gathering on 8 Oct, a nod to their batch number.

A former Sword of Honor recipient, CPT (Ret) Tan led his platoon in field engineering, which included tasks such as laying mines and constructing vital bridges to support infantry units.

The skills he gained during his OCT training – particularly the importance of teamwork and perseverance – have greatly influenced his professional life.

“My biggest takeaway from NS (National Service) was the importance of teamwork. We had to rely on each other to get through the toughest times, and that’s something I’ve carried with me into my career,” said CPT Tan. The 73-year-old now runs a medical device manufacturing business.

CPT (Ret) Tan’s (sitting, second from left) advice for the younger generation of engineers? "Just go for it" and enjoy their training, and embrace the importance of accepting one another.

For LTA (Ret) Tham, he was at the forefront of heavy plant operations, guiding teams in using bulldozers and cranes to build structures like a three-story-high bridge.

“The work was intense – we spent days securing each bolt and panel to make sure everything was aligned,” recalled the 73-year-old.

LTA (Ret) Tham (centre, in black top) encourages the current generation to support one another in building a strong mindset to overcome adversities.

The experience taught him invaluable skills in discipline and problem-solving, which he applied throughout his time as a civil engineer.

Building those massive bridges taught us perseverance and the value of working together. That mindset has helped me throughout my engineering career.”

Instructors providing the officer cadets with a summary of their exercise.

Shaping mindsets, enduring tough times

As their instructors then, LTC (Ret) Low and CPT (Ret) Chew played critical roles in shaping the mindset and technical abilities of the 8th Engineers OCT batch.

LTC (Ret) Low focused on building his cadets’ mental resilience, often reminding them that success depended as much on their mental strength as on their physical endurance.

One of his favourite quotes that he used to encourage his cadets was from Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount Everest: “When the body wants to give up, the mind must keep pushing.”

Officer cadets being instructed on how to construct a timber bridge.

CPT (Ret) Chew, a specialist in timber bridge-building, was responsible for teaching the batch essential field techniques.

Training was especially tough during their time as they were using old equipment that was heavy and labour-intensive, said the 72-year-old, who is now a professor.

But he always reminded them to stay true to the engineers’ motto, “Advance and Overcome”.

“We hone our men to overcome any adversity or challenge they face in their operations.” 

Officer cadets being transported back to camp after an exercise.

Advance and Overcome

From laying mines in harsh conditions to constructing complex infrastructures, one of their most memorable projects was the Bailey bridge – a portable, prefabricated bridge originally developed by the British during World War II.

LTA (Ret) Tham and his team assembled the Bailey bridge under tight deadlines, which required great precision and teamwork. “Each panel weighed 600 pounds, and aligning them took incredible coordination,” he recalled.

The iconic Bailey Bridge: Building this by hand was a feat of physical fitness, mental resilience and teamwork for the engineers. 

For CPT (Ret) Tan, one of his most challenging tasks in leading field engineering operations was a mine-laying exercise in Mandai, where heavy rain tested the team’s endurance.

“The biggest takeaway from my time in NS is the importance of working together as a team. It’s something I’ve held onto for life,” CPT (Ret) Tan said, reflecting on how these lessons have impacted his professional life.

Building the unbreakable bridge

Fifty years on, the men continue to share a bond as strong as the bridges they have built together.

It’s the shared hardships during those two-and-a-half years of training that created an unbroken camaraderie.

“When you’ve pushed through hardships together, it’s those shared experiences that bind you,” said LTC (Ret) Low. 

LTA (Ret) Tham echoed this sentiment, highlighting how these bonds have persevered. “We still meet up regularly. Even when some of us have health issues, we’re always there for each other. We’ve become like family.”

The 8th Engineers OCT batchmates keep in touch through regular “lim kopi” (colloquial for drinking coffee) sessions and reunions, reminiscing about their shared experiences.

It’s a bond and friendship that they are proud of, as aptly summed up by CPT (Ret) Chew: “Old soldiers never die, they only fade away.”

Suggested Reading
Cover story
SISTERS IN ARMS
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

One's got her feet firmly on the ground, the other's hungry for adventure – CPT Rebekah Abbott and CPT (Dr) Hannah Abbott share the joys of growing up and signing on with the military.

Cover story
FOUR WOMEN, 4 SERVICES, 19 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

Meet ME6 Toh Bao-En, LTC Nah Jinping, LTC Tong Wei Lynn and SLTC Tung Wanling.

Feature
NS ALLOWANCE TO INCREASE FROM 1 JULY 2025
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

The increase is among a series of various measures to enhance the National Service (NS) experience and recognise servicemen’s contributions. 

Cover story
SAF TO GET NEW INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE, 2 MORE SUBMARINES; BUILD UP UNMANNED CAPABILITIES
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen highlighted the SAF’s long-term approach to building a next-generation fighting force, during the Committee of Supply debates on the defence budget. 

Feature
SAF SET TO EXPAND PULAU TEKONG TRAINING AREAS; SAFTI CITY OPEN FOR TRAINING
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

Pulau Tekong will be expanded to stretch 10km, and is part of the SAF’s investments in training infrastructure for more effective and realistic training.

Combat medic learns to save lives in SAF-SCDF attachment
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

LCP Chen Anhong stepped up to treat patients and provide emergency medical services during his six months with the SCDF.

Feature
MATCH MADE IN THE SAF
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

MAJ Jayaram Venugobalan Naidu and Kasturibai Athmaram went from schoolmates to soulmates after a chance posting to the same unit reconnected the two.

HE STRUCK (DIVERS’) GOLD
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

Inspired by his father who was a Commando NSman, 3SG Fong Zheng Wei went from failing IPPT to achieving Divers’ Gold.

TWICE THE STRENGTH, DOUBLE THE PRIDE
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

3SG Irfan and 3SG Iryan Hidayat have walked almost identical paths all their lives —from attending the same schools to enlisting for NS and, now, graduating as newly minted sergeants together.  

Feature
AFTER “EVER AFTER”
MILESTONES
24 Oct 2024

From best friends to lovers, and now parents of two (with a third on the way!): Army couple CPT Nuraishah and 3WO Shahibul share how their love is still going strong.