HISTORY OF
THE GUARDS FORMATION
1st January 1975 marked the beginning of a new chapter in the SAF
the emergence of the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB). Two
months later, it moved from its original location at Headquarters
Singapore 3rd Infantry Division (HQ 3 DIV) to Seletar West Camp. At
that time, there were only four officers, five specialists and a
few clerks. On 24th December 1975, the first Brigade Commander of 7
SIB, COL D R Jambu, PPA, was appointed.
A year after her inception, 7 SIB took command of the Infantry
Training Depot (ITD) on 1st January 1976. The 7th and 8th Singapore
Infantry Regiments (SIR) came under its command on 9th February
1976.
On 1st July 1976, 7 SIB was officially declared operational. In
view of its operational role, ITD was removed and the SAF Guards
Unit (SAFGU) was added to the remaining 2 battalions. On 14th
November 1977, President Benjamin Sheares presented the
Inauguration Plaque to the Brigade Commander, then COL Kwan Yue
Yeong during a ceremony held at SAFGU, Portsdown Camp. This
signified the official opening of 7 SIB.
SAFGU was renamed 1st Battalion Singapore Guards (1 Guards) in
1977. A year later, 8 SIR was renamed 2nd Battalion Singapore
Guards (2 Guards). 7 SIB was accorded elite status on 1st April
1978. The sub-units then included 1 Guards, 2 Guards, School of
Commando Training, 1st and 10th Commando Battalions. 7 SIR was
transferred to 3 SIB.
On 6th April 1979, a special parade was held at 1 Guards with the
Chief of General Staff (CGS), then MAJ-GEN Winston Choo, presenting
beret with the new Cap Badge Backing to 7 SIB. CGS explained that
the backing was designed for the use of the Guardsmen as a symbol
of elitism.
On 1st July 1980, the Commando sub-units were transferred out. 7
SIR was reverted to 7 SIB and renamed as 3rd Battalion Singapore
Guards (3 Guards). On 31st July 1980, the men of 7 SIB were
presented with Stable Belts, an elite symbol the men deservedly
earned for their excellence in training, performance, discipline,
conduct and bearing.
President Devan Nair presented l, 2 and 3 Guards with their unit
colours on 11th June 1983 at Jurong Stadium. The old Colours of
SAFGU. 7 SIR and 8 SIR were retired.
The presentation of the Guards Tab to the Guardsmen on 23rd June
1989 marked another milestone towards the recognition of the
Guardsmen as elite soldiers of the SAF. 9th June 1994 saw the
Guards vocationalists honoured with the distinctive Guards Khaki
Beret.
On 17th December 1991, the 7th Brigade Training School (7 BTS) came
under the command of 7 SIB. However, from September 1996, all Basic
Military Training (BMT) was undertaken by Basic Military Training
Centre (BMTC), and 7 BTS was closed down.
11th October 1994 marked the formalisation of Guards as a
formation. A parade was held at Nee Soon Camp to mark the
inauguration of HQ Guards as Senior Specialist Staff Officer (SSSO)
HQ with the Chief Guards Officer (CGO) at the helm. Henceforth all
Guards vocationalists, including 7 SIB, came under the
administration and command of HQ Guards.
