×
Honour Forgotten WWII Hero Tan Kay Hai
Onjali R.
started this petition to
The UK Government, President of Singapore, RAF Museum and Air Historical Branch
Estimated to have saved thousands of lives by single-handedly gunning down at least 17 Luftwaffe planes during WWII, 'daredevil' Tan Kay Hai's story remains missing from British and global history books alike.
It's time to change that, and to honour him in BOTH the countries he served: the UK AND Singapore.
WHY THIS PETITION?
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, yet too many men and women who fought to end Nazism from beyond Europe and the USA remain missing from our history books, their names, faces and feats unacknowledged and forgotten.
Ironically, in a war to end one of the worst forms of political racism/Nazism the world had ever witnessed, it is the same old strands of racisms which led to the erasure of non-White s/heroes from our global and collective conscience.
The wilful erasure of MILLIONS of people who also fought and died on battlefields across the world, has created generations of trauma, and continues to allow fascist hate and ignorance to breed.
Until we rectify the racisms of the past by honouring ALL our s/heroes, we will NEVER be able to end the racisms of today.
WHAT I AM CALLING FOR
I am calling on the UK and Singapore governments, along with the relevant bodies, to work together to establish a national, twinned memorial in honour of WWII RAF Wing Commander, Tan Kay Hai (DFC) in both countries.
I ask for this dual-nation memorial as an emblem of respect and remembrance for ALL forgotten men and women, who risked their lives to help Britain and Europe defeat Nazism, yet whose faces and names remain unknown.
WHY TAN KAY HAI?
Wing Commander Tan Kay Hai (DFC), was a Singaporean pilot who flew with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II on at least 190 missions.
Responsible for undertaking some of the most dangerous directives against the Nazi Luftwaffe over British, European and Middle Eastern skies, Tan Kay Hai was shot down, wounded, and taken prisoner during a sortie over northern France on 29 June 1944.
Escaping from a moving train whilst being transported by German forces as a Prisoner of War, he was rescued by US troops and continued in service to the RAF until VE Day.
His heroic actions and his extraordinary war record became the inspiration for The Lion Above the Door: my children's novel celebrating the forgotten men and women of WWII and the long-term impacts of historical racisms.
WHY NOW?
Following the publication of The Lion Above the Door in 2022, children across the UK and Singapore have begun enquiring if a memorial in either country, honouring Tan Kay Hai's feats and contributions to Britain's WWII efforts, is available.
The answer continues to be NO.
Nor is there a museum exhibit or honorific display (that I know of) celebrating his bravery and war record available anywhere in the world.
It is high time this was rectified.
Especially in the light of escalating conflicts, a rise of Far Right politics, and the ongoing repercussions of Black and Asian histories erased from mainstream education.
JOIN ME in this journey to honour the bravery and sacrifice of such heroes as Wing Commander Tan Kay Hai.
**FOR ALL CHILDREN WISHING TO SIGN THIS PETITION, PLEASE DO SO IN THE COMPANY OF A TRUSTED ADULT.**
It's time to change that, and to honour him in BOTH the countries he served: the UK AND Singapore.
WHY THIS PETITION?
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, yet too many men and women who fought to end Nazism from beyond Europe and the USA remain missing from our history books, their names, faces and feats unacknowledged and forgotten.
Ironically, in a war to end one of the worst forms of political racism/Nazism the world had ever witnessed, it is the same old strands of racisms which led to the erasure of non-White s/heroes from our global and collective conscience.
The wilful erasure of MILLIONS of people who also fought and died on battlefields across the world, has created generations of trauma, and continues to allow fascist hate and ignorance to breed.
Until we rectify the racisms of the past by honouring ALL our s/heroes, we will NEVER be able to end the racisms of today.
WHAT I AM CALLING FOR
I am calling on the UK and Singapore governments, along with the relevant bodies, to work together to establish a national, twinned memorial in honour of WWII RAF Wing Commander, Tan Kay Hai (DFC) in both countries.
I ask for this dual-nation memorial as an emblem of respect and remembrance for ALL forgotten men and women, who risked their lives to help Britain and Europe defeat Nazism, yet whose faces and names remain unknown.
WHY TAN KAY HAI?
Wing Commander Tan Kay Hai (DFC), was a Singaporean pilot who flew with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II on at least 190 missions.
Responsible for undertaking some of the most dangerous directives against the Nazi Luftwaffe over British, European and Middle Eastern skies, Tan Kay Hai was shot down, wounded, and taken prisoner during a sortie over northern France on 29 June 1944.
Escaping from a moving train whilst being transported by German forces as a Prisoner of War, he was rescued by US troops and continued in service to the RAF until VE Day.
His heroic actions and his extraordinary war record became the inspiration for The Lion Above the Door: my children's novel celebrating the forgotten men and women of WWII and the long-term impacts of historical racisms.
WHY NOW?
Following the publication of The Lion Above the Door in 2022, children across the UK and Singapore have begun enquiring if a memorial in either country, honouring Tan Kay Hai's feats and contributions to Britain's WWII efforts, is available.
The answer continues to be NO.
Nor is there a museum exhibit or honorific display (that I know of) celebrating his bravery and war record available anywhere in the world.
It is high time this was rectified.
Especially in the light of escalating conflicts, a rise of Far Right politics, and the ongoing repercussions of Black and Asian histories erased from mainstream education.
JOIN ME in this journey to honour the bravery and sacrifice of such heroes as Wing Commander Tan Kay Hai.
**FOR ALL CHILDREN WISHING TO SIGN THIS PETITION, PLEASE DO SO IN THE COMPANY OF A TRUSTED ADULT.**
Posted
(Updated )
Report this as inappropriate
There was an error when submitting your files and/or report.