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Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi was born at Kajang, Selangor. He was the eldest in his family. His younger siblings, Ahmad Saidi and Amarullah Saidi were soldiers as well. Ahmad was killed in action after his ship, the HMS Pelanduk, was sunk by the Japanese enroute to Australia. Amarullah survived the war and he now resides in Kajang, Selangor

Adnan was married to wife Sophia Pakir, an Islamic religious teacher. She died in 1949. They had two sons and a daughter.

Lt. Adnan Saidi received his education in Pekan Sungei Ramal in the English medium. He was a diligent student and excelled in his studies. Upon graduation, Adnan was chosen to be a trainee teacher and taught at his alma mater for over a year.Adnan Saidi chose instead to pursue the military vocation.

In 1933, when he was 18 years old, Adnan Saidi joined the Malay Regiment. A year later, he was chosen as best recruit. In 1936, Adnan was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.In 1937, he was chosen to represent his platoon in a military ceremonial parade in London to honour the ascension of King George VI to the throne. Shortly thereafter, Adnan Saidi was promoted yet again to Company-Sergeant-Major and headed for Singapore for an officers’ conversion course. Upon graduation as 2nd Lieutenant, Adnan Saidi became the leader of the 7th Platoon, ‘C’ Coy which also known as charlie company.

Adnan led a 42-strong platoon from the Malay Regiment in the defense of Singapore against the Japanese invaders. The soldiers fought at the Battle of Pasir Panjang, at Pasir Panjang Ridge in the Bukit Chandu which is also known as Opium Hill on February 12-14, 1942.

Although heavily outnumbered, Adnan refused to surrender and urged his men to fight until the end. They held off the Japanese for 48 hours amid heavy enemy shelling and shortages of food and ammunition. Adnan was shot but carried on fighting. After the battle was lost, the wounded Adnan was taken prisoner by Japanese soldiers, who tied him to a cherry tree and bayoneted him to death.

Lieutenant Adnan’s family was informed of his death through a telegram. A few days earlier, Madam Sophia had delivered their third child.

The nightmare did not end there for Lt. Adnan’s family. The Japanese began hunting down his family. A neighbour had warned that the Japanese were looking for Adnan Saidi's family. They were to be killed too. Worried that the Japanese would be able to track down his family, Mr. Amarullah Saidi had to give away his brother’s photographs and belongings. No one dared to keep Lt. Adnan’s belongings.

Today, the only things of his father which Mokhtar Saidi has are three medals which were awarded to Adnan by the British.