People’s Defence Force is established

The People’s Defence Force (PDF) was established as a part-time paramilitary defence force following the enactment of the People’s Defence Force Act 1965.^[1] The People’s Defence Force Bill was passed in parliament on 30 December 1965.^[2]

The PDF’s predecessor was the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC), which began as the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps in July 1854.^[3] Formed to help the local constabulary in maintaining law and order in colonial Singapore, the corps comprised volunteers from both the European and local communities.^[4] The SVC played major roles in the security of Singapore, including quelling the sepoy mutiny in 1915 and defending Singapore against the Japanese during World War II. During the Indonesian Confrontation (1963–1966), the SVC was mobilised to protect key installations in parts of Singapore.^[5]

The PDF was conceived as a reserve combat unit to supplement the regular Singapore Army in the defence of Singapore.^[6] As a defence force based on volunteerism, the PDF reduced the need to raise and maintain a large army on a permanent basis. This was crucial at the time, as Singapore had just gained independence and had limited financial resources.^[7] In addition, a volunteer force was considered as the fastest way for the nation to build up a credible defence force before the conscription-based national service was introduced in March 1967.^[8]

During its formative years, the PDF had about 3,200 volunteers who were placed in a number of battalions, including the original 10th PDF infantry battalion, engineers unit, artillery unit and a women’s battalion.^[9] The volunteers came from all walks of life – ministers, civil servants, doctors, teachers and even street hawkers.^[10] They served in various capacities, ranging from staff positions at the then Ministry of Interior and Defence to non-commissioned officers in the field.^[11]

However, after the introduction of national service, the number of people volunteering to serve in the PDF began to shrink.^[12] Without sufficient numbers to form full-strength battalions, the PDF underwent a reorganisation in May 1974, which saw the amalgamation of the different volunteer units into a single unit known as the 101 People’s Defence Force Battalion (101 PDF).^[13] By then, the PDF had also been restructured to include regular personnel and operationally ready national servicemen.^[14]

In March 1984, 101 PDF was disbanded, thereby bringing an end to its volunteers branch.^[15] The reservists branch of the PDF, however, continued to exist and was split into 1 PDF Command and 2 PDF Command on 1 April 1985.^[16] On 6 December 2004, 1 PDF Command was drawn down and its units transferred to the Combined Arms Division to enhance its operational capability.^[17] On the other hand, the capability of 2 PDF was enhanced over the years. Today, it plays a key role in protecting key installations and in coordinating military resources to assist other agencies during civil emergencies.^[18]

References
1. Republic of Singapore. Government Gazette. Acts Supplement. (1966, January 6). People’s Defence Force Act 1965 (Act 23 of 1965, p. 19). Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RSING 348.5957 SGGAS; S’pore to have volunteer fighting force. (1965, December 31). The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report. (1965, December 30). People’s Defence Force Bill (Vol. 1, col. 769). Singapore: Govt. Printer. Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN; The Straits Times, 31 Dec 1965, p. 4.
3. Choo, M., et. al. (Eds.). (1981). Singapore Armed Forces (p. 34). Singapore: Public Affairs Dept., Ministry of Defence. Call no.: RSING 355.0095957 SIN.
4. Choo, 1981, pp. 34–35.
5. Choo, 1981, pp. 35–37.
6. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report, 30 Dec 1965, col. 767; The Straits Times, 31 Dec 1965, p. 4.
7. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report, 30 Dec 1965, cols. 767–768.
8. Government of Singapore. (2012, August 23). The Lions’ trial. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from Ministry of Defence website: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/2PDF/History.html
9. Ministry of Interior and Defence. (1969). Our security, 1819–1969: Nation-building through service in the armed forces and the police (p. 38). Singapore: Govt. Print. Off. Call no.: RSING 355.22 SIN; Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report. (1977, February 23). Debate on president’s address (Vol. 36, cols. 400–401). Singapore: Govt. Printer. Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN.
10. Ministry of Interior and Defence, 1969, p. 38; ‘Volunteer as part-time soldiers’ call by Othman. (1971, May 30). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
11. Ministry of Interior and Defence, 1969, p. 38
12. Ministry of Interior and Defence, 1969, p. 38.
13. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report, 23 Feb 1977, cols. 401–404.
14. Koh, T., et al. (Eds.). (2006). Singapore: The encyclopedia (p. 409). Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. Call no.: RSING 959.57003 SIN-[HIS].
15. Wai, R. (1984, April 1). Well done! ...and thanks. The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
16. Government of Singapore. (2013, November 4). Brigades and battalions: HQ 21 Singapore Infantry Brigade. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from Ministry of Defence website: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/2PDF/Brigades_Battalions_2PDF.html
17. Government of Singapore. (2004, November/December). Reorganising 1 PDF, progressing in transformation. Army News, 114, 2. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from Ministry of Defence website at: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/dam/imindef_media_library/graphics/army/army_news/download_our_issues/pdf/0013.pdf
18. Government of Singapore. (2010, May 4). The 2 People’s Defence Force. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from Ministry of Defence, website: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/2PDF.html