Fall of Singapore – 80th Anniversary

The 15 February marks the anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, one of the worst military disasters to befall Australia, and one of the greatest defeats in British history.

 

Where

Cenotaph, Martin Place

 

When

Tuesday 15 February, 11am

 

Contact

RSL NSW

1300 679 775

events@rslnsw.org.au

More Information

February 15 marks the 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore in 1942, one of the darkest days in Australia’s wartime history.

On this day an estimated 130,000 British troops became prisoners of war, including 15,000 members of the 8th Division, 2nd AIF.

Australian losses during the campaign were severe. Some battalions lost half their strength in the space of a few weeks. In one of the costliest campaigns for Australia in the Second World War, 1789 Australians were killed and 1306 were wounded. In a single week of fighting on Singapore Island, more than 880 Australians were killed. It was one of the few campaigns in which the total dead exceeded the number of wounded.

You can read more about the Fall of Singapore here

 

This 80th Anniversary commemoration is open to the public, we ask that you comply with the latest health advice, including:

  • Stay home if you are feeling unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 or have had symptoms of COVID-19 within the 72 hours prior and have not received a negative COVID-19 test result.
  • Stay home if you have been to a location on a date and time that NSW Health has issued a self-isolation and get tested immediately alert (nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates) or if you have been directed by NSW Health that you must self-isolate.
  • Wear a mask when onsite
  • Practice high-level hygiene, including washing your hands and/or using sanitiser regularly, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and refrain from shaking hands with fellow veterans.
  • It is recommended that guests carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser.
  • Check in using the QR code on entry