Lieutenant Meiklejohn: 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion AIF

Lieutenant John Thompson Meiklejohn was a member of the Australian 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion which was part of the Australian 8th Division’s 22nd Brigade. His story of heroism while leading his men, is the story of the initial invasion of Singapore on the night of the 8th February 1942.  

The grassy slopes of Sarimbun Beach (overlooking the Straits of Johore) where the Japanese invasion force first landed on Singapore on the night of the 8th February 1942. On the other side of the straits is Malaysia (then Malaya).

The 22nd Brigade went into action against the Japanese in Malaya shortly after the Japanese invaded Malaya on the 8th December 1941. From that time, the brigade fought well registering several victories over the advancing Japanese. However, like other allied forces, the greater number of Japanese and without adequate air support and communications, forced the Australians to withdraw. They were amongst the last to cross the Straits of Johore back onto Singapore Island in late January 1942.

Battle weary, the 22nd Brigade was given a large area of the north west coastline of Singapore, to defend from possible invasion. This area overlooked the narrowest section of the Straits of Johore and comprised mainly of rivers, swamps and jungle. The Tengah Airfield, the largest military airfield on the island, was located to the south of the brigade’s position.

For over a week, the Japanese remained at Johore while they planned their next move. The British High Command was convinced that the Japanese would attack from the north east of the island and consequently positioned the freshest and most of the allied forces there. Realising this, the Japanese created deceptions that only served to confirm the British High Command’s suspicions.

Panel 135, Singapore Memorial

Meanwhile, several sightings of large numbers of Japanese troops were made near where the 22nd Brigade was dug in. However, these were also considered as deception tactics by the Japanese to make the allies think that an invasion would come from the north west instead of the north east as the British High Command expected.

On the night of the 8th February 1942, the Japanese commenced bombardment of the brigade’s positions. Again, the British High Command considered this to be only a decoy and remained convinced that the main attack would come from the north east. The bombardment had a devasting effect on the brigade’s position, power to lights installed along the waterway was cut but more importantly, communication lines were destroyed. Shortly after, about 15,000 Japanese came across the strait in barges and attacked the area defended by the 3,000 strong 22nd Brigade.

Without adequate communication, the Japanese easily outflanked the thinly spread Australian positions. The Australian 27th Brigade was positioned close-by at Kranji but was not allowed to go to the assistance of the 22nd Brigade as the British High Command, not reaslising the gravity of the situation, remained convinced that this was just a diversionary attack and the main attack would still come from the north east.

Our man, Lieutenant John Meiklejohn’s situation was becoming desperate. Without communications, he realised the risk of his section being cut off and with ammunition running low, he ordered his men to retreat. In doing so, they encountered a party of Japanese resting on a jungle path. The Japanese were engaged and while covering the withdrawal of his men, Meiklejohn was killed.

As it so happens, the Japanese’s main objective was to capture the Tengah Airfield which they did the following day. The remaining Japanese invasion force would come across the straits at Kranji Beach and the Causeway, an area defended by the Australian 27th Brigade. The British High Command remained resolute that the main attack would come from the north east. The 27th Brigade along with the decimated 22nd Brigade were forced to retreat against overwhelming odds. The attack from the north east never came. It was too late. The Japanese now had a foothold on Singapore. The allies would surrender on the 15th February 1942.

During the Malay-Singapore campaigns, the Australian brigades would suffer 73% of the casualties but only comprised 13% of the allied forces.

Lieutenant Meiklejohn’s body was never recovered and today his name is inscribed on Panel 135 of the Singapore Memorial.

When you visit the Singapore Memorial, take time to find the panel and pay tribute to a true hero and the gallant members of the 22nd Brigade who fought so barvely on the night of the 8th February.