At that time small community of Czechoslovaks lived in Singapore. Most of them where the pioneers of the Bata Shoe Company, a Czechoslovak enterprise that left permanent imprints in the economy and culture of Singapore.

When the Japanese invasion began, the Czechoslovaks fought to defend Singapore, their participation in the famous battle of Pasir Panjang is well documented.

In total 10 Czechoslovaks lost their lives during the battle, in Japanese captivity or during attempted evacuations.

The Czech Republic is proud of these fellow citizens, who did not hesitate to defend and lay down their lives for their second home, which they found here in Singapore in the 1940´s.