Singapore army officer honours late father by engraving name on prestigious British sword award

LTA Tang was in the midst of his 44-week long training in Sandhurst in December 2023, when he learnt that his father was in critical condition.

The late Mr Tang had been ill since 2021, when a cyst formed on his right leg and further complications led to an amputation.

“It’s (in) that moment when you feel helpless; don’t know what you can do. All I wanted was to at least see him one more time,” said LTA Tang during an interview with the media on Monday (Apr 22).

He sought approval to fly back to Singapore, and visited his father at the hospital. It was then that LTA Tang promised that he would win the prestigious International Sword for his dad. 

“It was the last thing that I thought I could honour my dad with,” he said. 

A couple days later, his father took his last breath.

“My mum told me that (it was as if) he held on all the way till the end, till I’m back before he (died),” said the lieutenant.