The Nanyang Volunteers of the Burma Road

Published on 12 Apr 2026 7:00:20 PM

During the Sino-Japanese War, businessman Tan Kah Kee rallied over 3,000 Nanyang volunteers, Chinese, Malay, Indian to drive and maintain supply convoys along the treacherous 1,150-kilometre Burma Road, China's last lifeline to the outside world.

Among them were three Sikh brothers from Taiping, Perak: Dara Singh, Kartar Singh and Sardara Singh.

From 1939 to 1942, nine batches made the perilous journey, with nearly half perishing from disease, accidents, or Japanese air attacks.

Their names are preserved today at memorials in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, a lasting tribute to their courage and sacrifice.

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Keywords
news, thestartv, the star, nanyang volunteers, burma road, sino-japanese war, taiping, dara singh, kartar singh, sardara singh, drivers, mechanics, memorials, tribute, sacrifice

Keywords:
news, thestartv, the star, nanyang volunteers, burma road, sino-japanese war, taiping, dara singh, kartar singh, sardara singh, drivers, mechanics, memorials, tribute, sacrifice