Heart and Soul: Tham Sien Yen, a forgotten hero of Force 136 and the fight against Japanese Occupation

Capt Tham Sien Yen with Colonel John Davis. Photos: Tham Yew Chin

Heart & Soul

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Outraged by the atrocities committed by the Japanese Army in Nanking and other Chinese cities, Tham Sien Yen volunteered to travel to Chungking, the wartime capital of China, to undergo military training and fight against the Japanese invasion.

Upon completing his training, he participated in several battles. However, the Chinese forces were outmatched due to the Japanese army’s superior weaponry, training, and discipline, leading to the fall of multiple cities.

On Dec 8, 1941, the Japanese army invaded Malaya, landing first in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Following the Fall of Singapore on Feb 15, 1942, the Japanese unleashed a reign of terror.

Born in Ipoh in 1918, Tham was deeply disturbed by these atrocities and worried about his family’s safety in Malaya. Realising that the battle in China was not his only fight, he decided to join Force 136 and return to Malaya to operate behind enemy lines. To receive advanced training, Tham and his fellow recruits were flown over the treacherous Himalayan mountains to India.

Capt Tham Sien Yen, alongside his comrades, fought against the Japanese invasion of Malaya in the 1940s.

At the British army camp on Mount Singrah, India, Tham and his recruits underwent intensive training as commandos and intelligence agents. After months of gruelling preparation, Tham and his comrades, led by their British commanding officer John Davis, embarked on a perilous submarine journey from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) towards Malaya.

After days at sea, they finally spotted Pangkor Island in the distance. Using dinghies, they paddled furiously toward the shore of Bukit Segari. From there, they navigated through dense jungle terrain to establish their first base.

The team built a temporary shelter from bamboo and attap leaves. However, with food supplies running dangerously low, Davis sent two men to the nearby Segari village on a crucial mission – to establish contact with local sympathisers and secure provisions. Against all odds, they returned with supplies and favourable reports, successfully gaining the trust and support of the villagers. These sympathisers played a key role, even obtaining crucial residency and travel permits from the Japanese authorities.

To expand their network and recruit more members, Tham returned to his hometown of Ipoh. He carried no weapons, only money, gold bars, and a poison pill – his last resort if captured and tortured. In addition to reuniting with his family, he successfully persuaded his schoolmate to join Force 136.

For better security, the team relocated from Bukit Segari to the MPAJA (Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army) camp at Bukit Bidor. During this dangerous journey, MPAJA guerrillas helped carry their heavy supplies and equipment. Whenever exhaustion set in, the guerrillas would sing rousing songs to boost morale. Eventually, they reached Bidor Peak safely.

Soon after, their respected leader, Lim Bo Seng, arrived from India, uplifting spirits. Prior to his arrival, tensions had arisen between some Force 136 agents, but Lim’s calm and strategic leadership helped restore unity, ensuring smooth operations.

The most significant milestone at Bidor Peak was the signing of the Blantan Treaty between British officers and the MPAJA leaders. According to the agreement, the British would provide funds, weapons, and training, while the MPAJA would supply manpower for a joint offensive against the Japanese.

The joy over the treaty was short-lived. News soon arrived that Lim Bo Seng and many Force 136 agents had been captured. Lim was brutally tortured in Ipoh and later died in Batu Gajah prison. The morale of the resistance fighters plummeted, and his loss deeply devastated them.

One day, the Japanese launched a fierce attack on their camp. In their hurried escape, British officer Frank Quayle lost a bag containing secret codes and a large diamond, infuriating Davis. With their camp destroyed, they had to rebuild on higher ground with the help of MPAJA guerrillas. Food shortages forced them to survive on tapioca, wild vegetables, and whatever they could forage.

Despite hardships, Tham’s comrades managed to repair their broken transmitter, restoring communication with their base in India. This breakthrough led to crucial supply drops, including weapons and reinforcements, some of whom were Gurkhas. These airdrops significantly boosted their morale.

During one such drop, more than 1,000 Japanese soldiers ambushed the landing site. After an intense firefight, Davis managed to lead the new recruits to safety, though they had to abandon equipment tangled in the trees.

In another skirmish, an MPAJA guerrilla was gravely wounded. As Japanese troops closed in, he detonated a grenade, killing several enemy soldiers before succumbing to his injuries. Enraged, the Japanese retaliated against innocent villagers, burning homes and executing civilians in Bidor.

On Aug 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender. Tham and his Force 136 comrades celebrated with their MPAJA allies at Bidor Peak. The following day, with heavy hearts, they bid farewell to the guerrillas who had fought alongside them for over two years.

Capt Tham Sien Yen (left) with his Force 136 comrades Yi Tian Song (centre) and Wu Chye Sin.

As they descended the mountain, a large crowd of MPAJA supporters greeted them warmly. Despite their ragged appearance, their sincerity moved Tham and his comrades. Many of these villagers had suffered greatly, some even tortured or executed by the Japanese for aiding the resistance.

Upon reaching Tapah, they were welcomed as heroes. However, the Japanese Kempeitai officers, still wielding their samurai swords, threatened to execute anyone who defied their orders. After a tense standoff, the Japanese ultimately surrendered to the MPAJA.

Following the war, Tham was demobilised and awarded $7,000 by the British government. In a special ceremony in Singapore, Lord Mountbatten honoured him with the Military Star and promoted him to captain. He was also invited to participate in the historic Victory Parade in London alongside fellow Force 136 members and MPAJA guerrillas. The grand event, attended by thousands of troops from various nations, marked a triumphant closure to his wartime service.

Lord Louis Mountbatten presenting the Military Star award to Capt Tham Sien Yen.

Tham’s unwavering courage and resilience stand as a testament to his commitment to justice and his determination to protect his homeland. Although he and his fellow Force 136 agents remain largely unrecognised, their sacrifices serve as a poignant reminder of the trials endured during the most tumultuous period of our nation’s history.

Captain Tham died on Sept 27, 2003.