AT YOUR SERVICE
In December 1965, the People’s Defence Force
(PDF) Bill was passed, which called on militar y
volunteers to train on weekends. Within four
months, around 3,200 men volunteered to
join the PDF. However, the number was still
insuf ficient. The British government announced
their withdrawal from Singapore in July 1967, and
the Singaporean government made the decision
to establish a citizen army through conscription.
The first man to enlist in Singapore’s National Ser vice
was 18-year-old Mr Albel Singh. He registered at
the Central Manpower Base on Dempsey Road on
March 28, 1967. Today, he is 63-years-old. This year,
Singapore celebrates 50 years of National Ser vice.POWER PLAYPOWER PLAY