Motto
To STRIVE, to SEEK, to SERVE
Strive: to aspire, to toil, to campaign, to endeavour.
Seek : to explore, to pursue, to examine, to study.
Serve: to attend, to support, to nurture, to organize.
The goodly heritage of King Edward VII Hall has been handed down to each successive generation of students by those who in their times also spent some of the best years of their lives under its roof, has graduated and then gone in their careers. Many certainly give credit to the Hall by their quiet dedication to their work. Some are giving distinguished service to the community in public services, arts and education. Over the years, an earnest tradition has been created by the quality of the men and women who despite differences in background have shown that the spirit of tolerance, unity and goodwill engendered in the Hall community will breed maturity and leadership. In the Antarctic memorial to the explorer, Robert Falcon Scott, is his line from Tennyson's Ulysses, To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.
Our Hall motto has incorporated the first part of the watchword and that of the Alumni Association of King Edward VII College of Medicine, i.e. "To minister, and not to be ministered unto" which quotes the Bible. It is our hope that these words "To strive, to Seek, to Serve" will be etched indelibly in the minds of all who enter the Hall.
Thus the triads "To Strive, To Seek, To Serve" comprise the ethos or philosophy of the Hall.
Crest & Arms
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Crest On a wreath of white and red, issuing from a tower, a sea eagle, displayed in black and white. Arms The KE Hall Arms has a lion langued (with tongue protruded) and rampant (standing up). The open book is displayed with the Askelepios rod and with entwining snake in red (gules) which was the arms of the King Edward VII College of Medicine. The open book signifies a search for knowledge, consonant with the aim of the University. The rod and entwined snake reminds us of our medicine college heritage and Hippocratic tradition. The lion has the flowing stylized mane of the Singapore Merlion, with black claws in attack and protruded red tongue displaying ferocity. The stance is one of resolute preparedness of action but against a background a white signifying peace. Such a posture is also characteristic of the young island of the Republic of Singapore. The crest has a tower derived from the former arms of Singapore. The white bellied sea eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster (Lang Laut), the largest bird in Singapore waters, inhabits a large region from Burma to Australia indicating the strategic location of our sea port in the Southeast Asian region. The sea eagle is seen frequently in the harbour and is known to rest in large nests in Sepoy Lines. |
History
Pre-KE Days
The predecessor of KE Hall was the Federated Malay States hostel that stood on the site which KE Hall of Sepoy Lines stands. Built in 1916, it was then an imposing 4-storey building overlooking the Singapore General Hospital. Housing 72 male students, its social life mainly centered around the billiards table that was its only recreational facility.
The War Years
Peace was shattered when the Japanese invaded and conquered Singapore. During the final days, one particular event was outstanding. February 14, 1942 saw the bombing of the hostel compound, resulting in the tragic death of one resident. Grief stricken, his comrades braved the danger of air raids and ventured out into the open to bury their beloved friend. They wrongly believed that the Japanese would not bomb the hospitals. Down swooped a bomber, and ten more residents accompanied their friend into the grave. The stunned survivors however, had little time to grieve, for the next day, Singapore fell.
Dawn of a New Era
When the war finally ended, the old FMS hostel gave away to a new hall of residence.
30th November 1957 saw the opening of King Edward VII Hall at Sepoy Lines. A new era began. During her fledgling years, the Hall grew from strength to strength.
Tennis and badminton courts were added and a new JCRC was established. An old KEVIIan wrote in 1965 about life in the hostel that "the students have endeavored to make the Hall a nucleus around to foster tradition and loyalty. Their efforts are now showing signs of success." Such were the early days. In the early 1980's, there was a talk of a new Hall in Kent Ridge. Among the KEVIIans, there was sadness that the Sepoy Lines era was coming to an end, but there was great excitement and expectations, too, with the move to Kent Ridge. Kent Ridge meant better rooms, better facilities and a beautiful view. But we had to retain our name and heritage, for another Hall on campus was supposed to take over the KE name. And fight, we did until at last, we were transported lock, stock and barrel, with name and pride in tact to our present site at Kent Ridge.
25th November 1988 saw the official opening of the new Hall by the then President of Singapore, Wee Kim Wee. It was a memorable event and one that caused everyone to reflect on how far we had come. The ceremony marked the end of an era for the Hall and the start of a new one. The residents for one were different already. More students from other faculties other than Medicine and Dentistry joined us. Everything got better. Inter-Hall activities prospered and the facilities were outstanding.
From our dim lights in the FMS Hostel to our arrival here in Kent Ridge, KEVIIans had these words to guide them, "To Strive, To Seek, To Serve". As the new breed of KEVIIans face the challenges of the new era in a different environment, these very words will surely serve, guide and inspire them as they did the KEVIIans of long ago.