The 3rd Day of war with Japan the Battleship, HMS The Prince of Wales, and the Battle Cruiser HMS Repulse, were sunk off the coast of Malaya. Part of Force Z, which had sailed from Singapore and was commanded at sea by Admiral Sir Tom Phillips (Known as Tom Thumb due to his 5ft 4 inch stature.)

Phillips was trusted by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and both had a strong belief that Fortress Singapore could be defended from an inferior Japanese Army by a strong Naval deterrent force.

Philipp’s signalled. ‘We are out looking for trouble, and no doubt we shall find it.’ Prophetic words that would prove disastrous for him personally. It is likely he was ignorant of events at Pearl Harbour 2 Days earlier, and the ability of the Japanese Air Force. Attacked by Japanese Bomber and Torpedo Bombers, and in an engagement lasting less than 3 hours both ships were sunk with the loss of 840 lives. A total of over 2300 sailors survived. Admiral Phillips went down with the Prince of Wales. Singapore fell 7 weeks later.

Today’s post was chosen by Francis Mullen, SGWT Battlefield Guide due to his personal connections to Singapore. Francis always makes a pilgrimage to Kranji CWGC cemetery and memorial when visiting Singapore. There are 22 known burials of sailors from both ships, who were injured in the brief engagement and either died by the time they reached Singapore or shortly afterwards.