Messages posted by: bethanywine

Where did you get that information Pete?

I have just read your update. How wonderful. He was brought home. I am so very pleased. Next time I'm in Belfast I will visit the cemetery. I do wish I could contact his sister. He had a son - a baby when he died - a young boy when I met him in 1970. In case you wonder why I was so keen to help - my husband also fought in Indonesia with the Paras.

Thanks for the reply Pete. I note the information on Edward was given by his nephew. Could this be the son of his sister who I met in 1971? Would there be any possibility of contacting him? It is a mystery because other RM's killed in the Indonesian confrontation who are buried in Kranji are listed on the site. How I know of him is quite a story. I was living in Singapore in 1970. I was contacted by a letter from his sister ( from Belfast ) then a young girl ( won't go into how she found me its complicated ) She told me her brother had been killed in Indonesia, was buried in Singapore but quite shockingly they had no idea where. She asked for my help. We eventually found his grave after visiting the wrong cemetery and thankfully one of the workers there was able to tell us he had been moved to Kranji. We found him and took flowers, photographs to send to his family - long before the days of mobile phones, actual photos sent in air mail envelopes!. When we left Singapore in 1971 I met his family. I later contacted RM told them the story and heard soon after from his sister that she and his mother were being flown out to Singapore to pay a visit to his grave. It was their turn to send me photos. We kept in touch for a while but years pass . I have thought about him every remembrance Sunday ever since. One of the best things I did in my life.

RM 17368 Edward McCrae Died 13th April 1964 I cannot find his grave listed in Kranji War Cemetery yet I am certain I visited his grave in 1970 on behalf of his family. I met his family in Belfast on my return home from living in Singapore in 1971. I know his body was moved from another cemetery in Singapore to Kranji but I am puzzled as to why there is no record on CWGC site of his grave. I would appreciate any contact with his sister or any member of his family.