The Nationalist

1943
July 1943 to 1945 : Indian National Army
In 1943, James was inspired by Subash Chandra Bose to join the Indian National Army in their mission to liberate India from colonial rule.  Under the INA, he served in Burma and was on the losing side at the Battle of Imphal. https://youtu.be/nifNQAYRvhA
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1946
1946 to 1947 : Relief Welfare Ambulance Corps
Once in Calcutta, James enrolled in the Bengal Technical Institute at Jadavpur, Calcutta (now known as Jadavpur University) in 1946. "I started my university education in India. But I was not meant to be an engineer. And so I left my engineering studies after a few months. The Muslim League...
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1950
20th January 1950 : Malayan Students Party
Dr. David Tan Chee Khoon, Mr. Aminuddin bin Baki and Mr James Puthucheary sponsored the establishment of "the Malayan Students Party within the University. Objects of the party will be to foster Malayan consciousness and civic responsibility among students, and to contribute to the development of the Malayan culture and...
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1951
8th January 1951 : Arrested By Special Branch
Lim Chan Yong, Joseph Tan and a group of them. And Lim Chan Yong squealed like a stuck pig. And Joseph Tan also squealed like a stuck pig. Then about five days later, they arrested all, the whole group. And the English-speaking revolutionaries got wiped out to a man. And...
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1953
21st February 1953 : Formation of the University Socialist Club
The Socialist Club was formed under the University of Malaya. James urged the Sidney Caine, the Vice Chancellor of the university to allow the students to form university political clubs. He stressed the importance of some venue or institution through which students could ventilate and exchange their political views. In...
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1954
1954 to 1959 : The Struggle for Independence
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23rd to 25th August 1954 : Acquittal At The Fajar Trials
During the trial the prosecution called Ong Pang Boon, later a PAP MP and Minsiter of Education as well as Ngiam Tong Dow as their witnesses. On the third day of trial Judge FA Chua threw out the case and acquitted the members of the Fajar 8 of all charges....
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1955
1955 to 1956 : Trade Union Movement
Lim Chin Siong was elected Secretary General of the Singapore Factory and Shop Workers Union (SFSWU) and James appointed secretary of the SFSWU in June 1955. James worked as a trade unionist and adviser to other trade union leaders. Several university activitists gave up promising careers to become trade union...
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1956
27th October 1956 02:00 am : Detention – The Sacrifice For Independence
Police raided the SFSWU HQ at Middle Road and arrested the leaders under the Preservation of Public security Ordinance. On 8th November 1956, a detention order was issued by the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of Special Branch for 5 of the union leaders. Lim Chin Siong was kept...
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1960
January 1960 to November 1964 : Operation Cold Store – The Conflict Within The PAP
Operation Cold Store, ostensibly to cull the Communist Open front, may have had more to do with the struggle to consolidate power for the P.A.P and Lee Kuan Yew.
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