Adnan Saidi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adnan Saidi
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Saidi in 1937 as a colour sergeant
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| Born | 1915 Sungai Ramal, Kajang, Selangor, Federated Malay States, British Malaya |
| Died | 14 February 1942 (aged 26–27) Pasir Panjang, Singapore, Straits Settlements |
| Buried |
Kranji War Memorial, Singapore
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| Allegiance | Royal Malay Regiment |
| Years of service | 1933–1942 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Service number | ZV 90 |
| Unit | 7th Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Malay Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Kampar Battle of Pasir Panjang † |
| Awards | 1939-1945 Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-1945 |
| Spouse(s) |
Sophia binte Pakir
(m. 1938–1942) |
| Children | 2 sons 1 daughter |
Adnan bin Saidi (Jawi: عدنان بن سيدي; 1915 – 14 February 1942) was a brave military officer from Malaya. He served in the army during a time when Malaya was ruled by the British. In 1942, Adnan was a lieutenant. He led his soldiers to fight very bravely against the Japanese army in Singapore. This battle was called the Battle of Pasir Panjang. Adnan was killed during this fight. Today, he is remembered as a national hero in both Malaysia and Singapore.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Adnan was born in 1915 in Sungai Ramal, Malaya. This area is now called Bandar Baru Bangi. His family was Minangkabau. He was the oldest of six children. Adnan went to Pekan Sungei Ramal School. After school, he worked as a trainee teacher there for more than a year.
Military Career
Adnan joined the Royal Malay Regiment in 1933. He was chosen as the best new soldier because he performed so well. In 1936, he was promoted to sergeant. A year later, he marched in a parade for King George VI's coronation. He even earned a special medal for it.
In late 1941, Adnan moved to Singapore. He was there to train as an officer. He lived with his family in a house meant for army officers. After his training, he became a lieutenant. He was put in charge of the 7th Platoon in the 1st Battalion of the Malay Regiment. In December 1941, he sent his family back home to Kajang, Selangor. He wanted them to be safe.
The Battle of Pasir Panjang
In February 1942, Adnan led his platoon of 42 men. Their mission was to defend Singapore from the Japanese army. They fought at Pasir Panjang Ridge near Bukit Chandu. This battle lasted from February 12 to 14.
Adnan and his men were greatly outnumbered. But Adnan refused to give up. He told his soldiers to fight until the very end. They held off the Japanese for two days. The Japanese used heavy artillery and tanks. Adnan's men also faced shortages of food, medicine, and bullets.
On the last day, Adnan and his men had only a few grenades left. They had to fight the Japanese up close with their bayonets. Adnan was shot, but he kept fighting. During the battle, Adnan was very smart. He spotted Japanese soldiers trying to sneak into their base. They were dressed like "Punjabi soldiers." Adnan noticed they were marching in a Japanese style, not a British style.
Adnan's Final Moments
It is widely believed that Adnan was killed during the Battle of Pasir Panjang. This happened on February 14, 1942. The exact details of his death are not fully known.
The Japanese army's official story says Adnan was killed. They say he was then hung upside down from a tree. This happened after he bravely refused to surrender for two days. Other stories suggest he might have been tied to a tree. Then he was repeatedly stabbed with bayonets. British reports confirmed his body was found hung upside down. This has been written in many history books. His remains are buried at the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore.
Personal Life
Adnan married Sophia Pakir in 1938. She was a religious teacher. They had a daughter who sadly died soon after birth. They also had two sons. Their names were Mokhtar and Zainudin. Mokhtar remembered his father as a strict man. He believed in discipline. He said his father was "always serious and fierce... yet had a good heart." Sophia passed away in 1949.
Adnan's younger brothers also served in the army. Ahmad was killed in action in January 1942. His ship was sunk by a Japanese air raid.
Adnan's Legacy
Adnan is seen as a war hero in Singapore. This is because of his brave actions at the Battle of Pasir Panjang. A Singaporean newspaper, Berita Harian, helped make him known as a national hero in 1995. In 1999, Singapore's Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong, honored Adnan. His story then began appearing in school history books.
Adnan is also well-known in Malaysia as a national hero. His story was made into a novel. This book is used in secondary schools as part of the Malay language lessons.
War Memorials and Recognition
A special plaque honors Adnan and the Malay Brigade. It was put up in 1995 by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. It is located at Vigilante Drive, Kent Ridge Park, Singapore.
A old house at Bukit Chandu was turned into a center. It is called Reflections at Bukit Chandu. This center teaches visitors about the Battle of Pasir Panjang.
Pasir Panjang MRT station has an art program. It features posters for a made-up movie about Adnan. The movie is titled Lieutenant Adnan. The actor Aaron Aziz plays Adnan in these posters.
Portrayals in Film and TV
Adnan has been shown in several films and TV shows.
- In 2000, Malaysian actor Hairie Othman played him in the film Leftenan Adnan.
- An unknown Malay actor played him in the 2001 Singaporean TV series A War Diary.
- Aaron Aziz also played Adnan in a 2004 TV series called Life Story. This show covered Adnan's personal life too.
- In May 2016, Singaporean actor Fadhlur Rahman played Adnan. This was in Heroes: Battle of Bukit Chandu. Adnan's granddaughter was interviewed in these episodes.
Singapore's Bicentennial
On June 5, 2019, Singapore President Halimah Yacob launched special money notes. These $20 notes featured Adnan and seven other historical figures. This was to celebrate Singapore's bicentennial in 2019.
See Also
- Battle of Pasir Panjang
- Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Images for kids
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Saidi in 1937 as a colour sergeant
