Lt Colonel (Retired) Jaswant Singh Gill
IHFS – Excellence Award For Armed Services Achievement
A great man to whom many Singaporeans owe so much.
He was born in a small Punjabi town of Moga and was brought to Singapore by his father’s brother when he was 5 years old. He was educated in Singapore and decided to become a teacher and was soon a Principal of Pearl Bank School.
When many children came from India they were over aged. He gave them admission in the school and gave them a chance to be educated and become useful citizens who contributed to the progress of the country.
MP Pritam’s Singh’s father Amarjit Singh and uncle Manjit Singh are examples of such people as well as Harbans Singh, who for many years, was the Vice President of the Sats Worker’s Union. Also similarly helped were many other Punjabi children. He also was a volunteer in the navy and was on deputation as the Chief of Navy to take over command of the Navy when Britain withdrew it’s Navy from Singapore and the East of Suez.
He spoke at the 1967 ceremony when we first hoisted our white naval ensign for the first time. In that address, he said “Now that the new white ensign of our own young country will fly here and in our ships, I hope that you will all remember that its reputation is in your hands. And that you would resolve to do your best to ensure that it will always be regarded with honour and respect wherever it flies.”
The country isdeeply indebted to Commander Gill and all of our navy pioneers. Just as our white ensign continues to fly daily, his words will be etched in our minds as we continue with our daily resolve to bring honour and respect to our country.
He also was a founding member of Singapore Khalsa Association and was for many years its president. He also volunteered to serve as Principal of Khalsa Punjabi School in Khalsa Dharmak Sabha.
A multi-faceted achiever, of whom Singapore can be justly proud.