HOURS after Private Joe Foo Wei Rong died, Defence Ministry (Mindef) investigators discovered a medical certificate (MC) inside his personal locker in his bunk.

The 20-year-old national serviceman had collapsed during training on the morning of Sept 30.

The MC said the 20-year-old had 'sprains and strains of knee and leg' and should rest on Sunday and Monday, Sept 29. He was also supposed to receive light duties for the next four days, Sept 30 to Oct 3.

However, on the first day of Pte Foo's 'light duties' on Sept 30, he joined platoon mates in their morning basic exercise routine, which included push-ups, sit-ups and a session at the chin-up bar.

While attempting his seventh chin-up, the full-time national servicemen fell from the bar and lapsed into unconsciousness. He could not be revived and died later in a hospital.

Pte Foo's grieving father, who took him to the Singapore General Hospital on Sunday for a hamstring strain, earlier told The Straits Times his son had received an MC following the visit to the hospital's emergency room. This led Mr Foo Heng Lye, 51, to question why his son took part in the morning exercises despite having an MC.

While investigations continue, it appeared Pte Foo had not submitted his MC to the camp authorities. In a statement yesterday, Mindef said the camp's medical centre showed no records of his medical certificate.

It is standard practice for MCs obtained outside of camp to be submitted to military doctors for endorsement. The standard practice for servicemen who receive MCs issued by external doctors is to submit them to military doctors for endorsement when they return to camp.

Told about this yesterday, Mr Foo said he would await the outcome of investigations, which is are expected to take about three months.

The inquiry is also expected to look into whether military doctors had known that Pte Foo had a seizure back in 2004, another concern raised by his father after his son's death.

Pte Foo cleared all pre-enlistment medical tests and was certified combat fit with the highest grading of Pes A.

Mr Foo, who thanked his son's military superiors for the support rendered, joined the sombre and silent sending-off for his son yesterday morning.

Some 40 family members and friends from Presbyterian High School and Singapore Polytechnic attended the military funeral at Mandai Crematorium. They were joined by over 100 servicemen, including those from Pte Foo's unit, the 4th Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment.

They walked in procession along the driveway to the cremation hall behind the coffin, which was borne by Pte Foo's platoon mates and later placed on a gun carriage. Soldiers who wore black bands on their left arms lined part of the driveway and saluted the coffin as it passed.

Keeping with Chinese custom, his grieving parents did not join in the procession. They also did not go into the viewing gallery when his body was cremated. Both were weeping uncontrollably and had to be supported by family members.

The funeral service, which began at 9.45am, was a simple one. Prayers were chanted by a single Taoist priest, and Pte Foo's older brother offered joss sticks. No eulogy was given.

There was a tense moment when Mr Foo was presented with a folded national flag and a peak cap. He stood up and accepted both items, but he was clearly heartbroken. He said, 'I don't want the flag. I want my son back.'