SCDF firefighter Kenneth Tay cremated after making ‘the ultimate sacrifice in service of the nation’ (2024)

SINGAPORE – About 50 family members accompanied the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of Captain Kenneth Tay Xue Qin as it left his wake in Telok Blangah for his cremation on May 20.

Mariah Carey’s Hero was played as the hearse headed for Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Bright Hill, where CPT Tay’s ceremonial funeral was held.

CPT Tay, 30, died while fighting a fire on board a ship on May 16.

After his body arrived in Bright Hill at 9.15am, his casket was lifted by eight officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s Marine Division, the 1st SCDF Division, and course mates from CPT Tay’s 17th Rota Commander Course.

The pallbearers moved the casket onto a carriage, which was linked to a Light Fire Attack Vehicle, also known as the Red Rhino, for the funeral procession towards the crematorium.

The procession was supported by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) Band, which played the traditional funeral song, Dead March, from Handel’s Saul.

An escort party of 16 SCDF officers followed the hearse as it drove past another 150 SCDF officers dressed in the SCDF No. 4 uniform, each sporting a black armband.

The officers were from across all SCDF divisions, and they lined the road leading to the crematorium hall.

Several SCDF personnel in ceremonial wear donned armbands with the word “marine” on them. Some officers cried as the body entered the crematorium.

CPT Tay’s body was dressed in his SCDF No. 1 uniform and adorned with the service medals he attained.

Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim attended the funeral with 200 SCDF personnel.

Wreaths were laid by SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap; the Marine Division commander, Colonel Ryan Ong; and the West Coast Marine Fire Station commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Alex Chan.

Mr Yap then presented the state flag and SCDF peak cap to CPT Tay’s parents, Mr Tay Teck Kian and Mrs Tay Yuk Moi.

CPT Tay’s mother wiped away tears after receiving them.

His parents did not observe the cremation because of Chinese custom, which advises against older family members sending off the young.

In a final farewell, a bugle call was sounded by the SPF Band to signify the end of CPT Tay’s duty to the nation.

A minute’s silence was also observed to honour CPT Tay, who SCDF said had made the ultimate sacrifice in service of the nation.

A shirt, a pair of blue jeans and boots that belonged to him were placed on top of his casket, and he was then cremated.

Family and friends declined comment when approached by The Straits Times.

On May 16, CPT Tay, a marine rota commander at the SCDF West Coast Marine Fire Station, lost consciousness while fighting a blaze on board China-flagged tanker Sheng Hang Hua 6. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Earlier on May 20, CPT Tay was honoured by SCDF during an observance ceremony at its headquarters in Ubi.

A fire call alarm rang there and across all 23 SCDF fire stations, the headquarters of all five divisions, and the Civil Defence Academy.

This was followed by a minute’s silence by all SCDF personnel, and a tribute by SCDF Commissioner Yap.

Mr Yap said that CPT Tay, who joined the SCDF in December 2017, would be remembered for his selflessness, professionalism and commitment.

He said: “This last fire call for Captain Kenneth remembers his dedication to duty from his years of service with the SCDF.

“In our one minute of silence, we honour his memory and give our highest respect to our fallen comrade.”

As a mark of respect, the blinkers and sirens of all SCDF emergency vehicles were turned on after the message was delivered.

Mr Yap said at the ceremony that those who knew CPT Tay would know how passionate he was about his duties, pointing out that CPT Tay was also a para-counsellor and career advocate in the SCDF.

He said: “This speaks volumes of his belief, passion, conviction and ambition of the life-saving force.”

Mr Yap added that the public depends on the SCDF and its officers like CPT Tay to help them in emergencies, which can be a matter of life and death.

“SCDF officers put our lives on the line whenever we enter a fire, in order to save others. But still, we believe, and we will always give our utmost each time when we respond to a call for help,” he said.

On social media, SCDF, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and other Home Team departments such as SPF and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority changed their profile pictures to black and white to mourn the loss of CPT Tay.

In a post on May 20, MHA described CPT Tay as a “braveheart who was highly committed and dedicated to his duties”.

This is the second time a firefighter has died in the line of duty here. On Dec 8, 2022, full-time national serviceman (NSF) Edward H. Go died after battling a blaze in a rental flat in Henderson Road.

The 19-year-old NSF was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant (1).

• Additional Reporting by Andrew Wong and Kyleen Cabael