3 - CHILDHOOD – during the JAPANESE OCCUPATION
Soon the Army was proscribed. We children moved again, this time to Poh Leong Koek on York Hill, a Home for girls and women needing protection from vice syndicates. Before Major Grey and Captain Willis were imprisoned in Changi, they arranged for us children to be sent home if we had any relatives. As Mother had passed away Father’s second sister, Aunt FONG Heng, we called Ye Ku Ma, became our guardian. She took us out of Poh Leong Koek because she was not happy for my sister and me to be classified as needing protection from vice. At first she had problems to prove her guardianship of us, but finally we left, sponsored by her boss.
At that time my aunt was working as nanny to two young children of a Mrs. Wong in Outram Road. She stood guarantor for us. My sister and I were something of a novelty to the people in our street because we spoke English or “Singlish” we would say today.
In those days everything was in short supply. Whenever there were rumours of something available, be it food, firewood or anything at all, there would be long queues, some people camping overnight even. It was too much to expect the Wong family to keep two children for the work of one woman. I was coming to six years old and my sister 2 years younger. I could help round with the general housework like sweeping, dusting, emptying and cleaning the spittoons and chamber pots. My sister was too young, about 4 years old, needing care and attention. Fortunately a childless couple, Mr. and Mrs. Chow living next door, offered to take her into their home. Mrs. Chow went through a temple ceremony to have Pui Sim as their god-daughter; she lived with them for some time. However, one day the Chows decided to move to Kuala Lumpur. They would have taken my sister with them, but my aunt insisted that our family should stay together under all circumstances.
To keep us near her, my aunt found work for me in the neighbourhood, while Pui Sim took my place in the Wong’s household. The Japanese government opened a noodle factory a nearby. As part payment the workers were provided with 2 meals of rice. The manager was kind enough to let me help around and though not paid I did not go hungry. The only snag was that all the other workers were young men and my aunt was worried for my moral safety.
Ku Ma was very relieved when someone recommended me to a hairdresser in Tiong Bahru, working at home. The lady was a widow with a daughter, eleven years old; the idea was that I could be a companion for her. I was told not to let on that I was only 7, but pretended to be the same age as Pansy. She was out very often, at piano or other lessons during the day, so I was really needed as a maid. My work was general house-cleaning, to boil water for the clients’ hair wash, and to sweep the floor after each cut or perm. The first time I ironed the clothes, I accidentally burned my wrist! I should be able to do a better than I was doing. I well remember her slapping me for not cleaning her daughter’s shoes the right way. I had never worn shoes, let alone clean any before! I used to be in fear and trembling of her getting angry and caning me. I once hid her cane but she soon acquired another. Her complaints to my aunt meant I would be reprimanded again. A tenant in the same house advised me to pray to her deity – the goddess Kuan Yin. So I did, every morning and night, but it was no help. Then one day some next door neighbours told my aunt of my plight, so Ku Ma took me away.
This time I was sent to another family in the neighbourhood. The mistress was Mrs. Mary THAM, a very kind Japanese lady married to a Chinese shipping merchant. They had two young children, Maggie and Willie. I was very happy, helping their nanny, going for walks, feeding and playing with them. The only fly in the ointment was that the two domestic workers, were not on good terms; and sometimes I got hurt in the crossfire!
One day there was an air-raid with bombs falling all over the district. Almost every house in the vicinity was hit, but fortunately not many missiles exploded. However, in the distance the sky was filled with thick, black billowing smoke because the oil refinery in Alexanra Road was hit. The Tham family decided to evacuate to Sumatra. I could have gone with them, but Ku Ma declined the offer.
One day, not long after this, a plane was flying very low. I saw leaflets being dropped. It was to announce the end of the war! Soon military trucks and tanks paraded all over the streets of Singapore lined with people welcoming the liberators – the Allied forces!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
THIS IS MY LIFE - 2
2. CHILDHOOD – BROKEN HOME
Mother tried to put us in the care of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus in Victoria Street, so she could work for a living. The nuns apologised, because they had no room, but suggested trying The Salvation Army. So that was how my sister Pui Sim and I came to The Army Children’s Home at 380 Pasir Panjang Road where the matron was Captain Elsie WILLIS. I remember us all crying. As my mother was weeping I asked her why was she putting us in the Home when she was so unhappy; she should take us home! There must have been no way out. I remember my first meal of rice with brinjal, a vegetable I did not like. I left it in the bowl, but Lt CHUA Yam Neo told me to eat it up; and I did! It was not that bad after all!
Then the war began in Singapore. I can remember, one night we were woken from our sleep by the sound of sirens. We children were told to take our mattresses with us and go under the tables in the hall downstairs. I was about 5 years old and my bed was a cot. I could climb in and out by the sides, but could not lift my mattress over. I have vivid memories of my struggle and the tears of frustration!
One day, all the babies, children and girls from the various Army Homes were evacuated to the back part of CHQ at 207 Tank Road. At night we were literally packed like sardines, sleeping in rows on the floor. One of the first things the Japanese did was to cut off the water supply from Johore Bahru to Singapore. I was not the only one crying from thirst. Many of us children developed sores on our bodies. I still bear some scars on my right leg. For scratching, I had my hands in mittens. One morning I woke up to find my mittens covered with faeces from a baby sleeping next to me!
After a while the Japanese military took over the premises. The Army moved to 30 Oxley where CHQ, Central Corps and the children were housed. All expatriate officers were put in Changi prison, except for Major Bertha GREY and Captain WILLIS, to carry on for another 6 months, looking after us children. The two ladies continued to conduct Sunday meetings. A Japanese military officer used to come to the Sunday morning Holiness Meeting. He even participated in prayer. From one of his photos it seemed that he was a Salvationist from Japan. Of course, we could not understand a word he said. However, we children were happy with him, because he usually brought us sweets!
Meantime, Mother tried to find work as a domestic worker, known as a “ma-jie.” wearing a white Chinese blouse and a pair of black long pants, with her hair combed back into a knot under a false chignon, or hair bun. Then she became a waitress in the Empress Hotel in Middle Road. Life did not seem to treat her well; she fell sick and taken to Kwong Wai Siew – a free Chinese hospital; and she died in one of the infamous “death houses” in Sago Lane, in Chinatown. I can well remember squatting beside her body on a mat on the floor, folding joss papers to burn. We had other relatives in Singapore, but they did not attend the funeral because they were senior in age and in the family hierarchy. Though oldest among them all, Father’s second elder sister, Ku Ma had to take charge. Thus, Mother was buried in the Cantonese cemetery, Pek San Teng, where the present Bishan housing estate is located. My sister and I were too young to understand much, but were told to cry, and to cry louder as a sign of filial piety.
Mother tried to put us in the care of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus in Victoria Street, so she could work for a living. The nuns apologised, because they had no room, but suggested trying The Salvation Army. So that was how my sister Pui Sim and I came to The Army Children’s Home at 380 Pasir Panjang Road where the matron was Captain Elsie WILLIS. I remember us all crying. As my mother was weeping I asked her why was she putting us in the Home when she was so unhappy; she should take us home! There must have been no way out. I remember my first meal of rice with brinjal, a vegetable I did not like. I left it in the bowl, but Lt CHUA Yam Neo told me to eat it up; and I did! It was not that bad after all!
Then the war began in Singapore. I can remember, one night we were woken from our sleep by the sound of sirens. We children were told to take our mattresses with us and go under the tables in the hall downstairs. I was about 5 years old and my bed was a cot. I could climb in and out by the sides, but could not lift my mattress over. I have vivid memories of my struggle and the tears of frustration!
One day, all the babies, children and girls from the various Army Homes were evacuated to the back part of CHQ at 207 Tank Road. At night we were literally packed like sardines, sleeping in rows on the floor. One of the first things the Japanese did was to cut off the water supply from Johore Bahru to Singapore. I was not the only one crying from thirst. Many of us children developed sores on our bodies. I still bear some scars on my right leg. For scratching, I had my hands in mittens. One morning I woke up to find my mittens covered with faeces from a baby sleeping next to me!
After a while the Japanese military took over the premises. The Army moved to 30 Oxley where CHQ, Central Corps and the children were housed. All expatriate officers were put in Changi prison, except for Major Bertha GREY and Captain WILLIS, to carry on for another 6 months, looking after us children. The two ladies continued to conduct Sunday meetings. A Japanese military officer used to come to the Sunday morning Holiness Meeting. He even participated in prayer. From one of his photos it seemed that he was a Salvationist from Japan. Of course, we could not understand a word he said. However, we children were happy with him, because he usually brought us sweets!
Meantime, Mother tried to find work as a domestic worker, known as a “ma-jie.” wearing a white Chinese blouse and a pair of black long pants, with her hair combed back into a knot under a false chignon, or hair bun. Then she became a waitress in the Empress Hotel in Middle Road. Life did not seem to treat her well; she fell sick and taken to Kwong Wai Siew – a free Chinese hospital; and she died in one of the infamous “death houses” in Sago Lane, in Chinatown. I can well remember squatting beside her body on a mat on the floor, folding joss papers to burn. We had other relatives in Singapore, but they did not attend the funeral because they were senior in age and in the family hierarchy. Though oldest among them all, Father’s second elder sister, Ku Ma had to take charge. Thus, Mother was buried in the Cantonese cemetery, Pek San Teng, where the present Bishan housing estate is located. My sister and I were too young to understand much, but were told to cry, and to cry louder as a sign of filial piety.
THIS IS MY LIFE - 1
PERSONAL STORY
This is my story; to God be the glory!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
1. CHILDHOOD - NEW IMMIGRANT
Sometime in 1936 a young married couple – FOONG York Wan and AW Wai Ching emigrated from Kwangchow in China to Singapore. They were being sponsored by his eldest sister, FOONG Sung. On the way their first child was born in Hong Kong. That was me, FONG Pui Chan. (Years later my stepmother told me that I was actually born on board the ship. No wonder I had no birth certificate!)
Our first home in Singapore was a room above a coffeshop in a row of shop houses at the foot of Pasir Panjang Hill. Later on we moved to the city, a room upstairs of 11 Bencoolen Street. The chief tenant of the shop house was a woman called Mui Kwai or Rose. My sister, FONG Pui Sim, must have been named after her, because years later when she tried to obtain a copy of her birthday certificate, it was discovered that a baby girl born on 27th August 1938 was registered as Rose at the mentioned address.
It was here that Father set up a stall on the pavement, or five-foot way, in front of the house. I have recollections of sitting on a low wooden stool, sipping black coffee and munching “kuo tiao” for breakfast while he plied his trade as a petition or letter writer. In Canton he had been educated in Chinese but also learnt English. His clients were new immigrants from China who needed their official documents translated or filled in etc. He wrote or replied their letters to and from relatives in China.
After a while Father met a primary schoolteacher, Mr. HO Pak Khuan who later married one of his cousins, FOONG Chim. He became a teacher in the same school at Mount Emily, Wilkie Road. I remember once being in his office and also seeing him teaching a class of boys. Soon Father became the headmaster.
Then we moved to another place further up the same road, to 37 Bencoolen Street. It was the fifth of a row of 6 double-storied terrace houses. The upper floor was partitioned into 5 small rooms, 2 in front and 2 at the back with another smaller one without a window, facing the staircase. Our home was a back room with a bed of a few planks over 2 wooden narrow benches, a table a 2 stools. Our clothes were in suitcases in a corner of the room. We children usually slept on a mat on the floor. From its only window I remember watching the skyscraper Cathy building going up. I could also look down at the roofs the kitchen and common bathroom downstairs. Like anywhere else, the common toilet at the far end of the building was a hole with a night soil bucket below.
Mother gave birth to 2 more children but they were given away because they would bring bad luck to the family! I now suspect it was due to the fact that they were girls! Besides, our parents’ marriage was on the rocks. Father’s problem was in wine, women and song!
When news broke out about the Sino-Japan war, he left us with a woman colleague and went to Hong Kong in 1941. I never ever saw him again.!
This is my story; to God be the glory!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
1. CHILDHOOD - NEW IMMIGRANT
Sometime in 1936 a young married couple – FOONG York Wan and AW Wai Ching emigrated from Kwangchow in China to Singapore. They were being sponsored by his eldest sister, FOONG Sung. On the way their first child was born in Hong Kong. That was me, FONG Pui Chan. (Years later my stepmother told me that I was actually born on board the ship. No wonder I had no birth certificate!)
Our first home in Singapore was a room above a coffeshop in a row of shop houses at the foot of Pasir Panjang Hill. Later on we moved to the city, a room upstairs of 11 Bencoolen Street. The chief tenant of the shop house was a woman called Mui Kwai or Rose. My sister, FONG Pui Sim, must have been named after her, because years later when she tried to obtain a copy of her birthday certificate, it was discovered that a baby girl born on 27th August 1938 was registered as Rose at the mentioned address.
It was here that Father set up a stall on the pavement, or five-foot way, in front of the house. I have recollections of sitting on a low wooden stool, sipping black coffee and munching “kuo tiao” for breakfast while he plied his trade as a petition or letter writer. In Canton he had been educated in Chinese but also learnt English. His clients were new immigrants from China who needed their official documents translated or filled in etc. He wrote or replied their letters to and from relatives in China.
After a while Father met a primary schoolteacher, Mr. HO Pak Khuan who later married one of his cousins, FOONG Chim. He became a teacher in the same school at Mount Emily, Wilkie Road. I remember once being in his office and also seeing him teaching a class of boys. Soon Father became the headmaster.
Then we moved to another place further up the same road, to 37 Bencoolen Street. It was the fifth of a row of 6 double-storied terrace houses. The upper floor was partitioned into 5 small rooms, 2 in front and 2 at the back with another smaller one without a window, facing the staircase. Our home was a back room with a bed of a few planks over 2 wooden narrow benches, a table a 2 stools. Our clothes were in suitcases in a corner of the room. We children usually slept on a mat on the floor. From its only window I remember watching the skyscraper Cathy building going up. I could also look down at the roofs the kitchen and common bathroom downstairs. Like anywhere else, the common toilet at the far end of the building was a hole with a night soil bucket below.
Mother gave birth to 2 more children but they were given away because they would bring bad luck to the family! I now suspect it was due to the fact that they were girls! Besides, our parents’ marriage was on the rocks. Father’s problem was in wine, women and song!
When news broke out about the Sino-Japan war, he left us with a woman colleague and went to Hong Kong in 1941. I never ever saw him again.!
Living for Jesus
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do,
Yielding allegiance, gladhearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessings for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Saviour,I give myself to Thee;
For Thou in Thine Atonement, didst give Thyself to me;
I own no other master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life, I give, henceforth to live, O Christ for Thee alone.-T O Chisholm
Striving to please Him in all that I do,
Yielding allegiance, gladhearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessings for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Saviour,I give myself to Thee;
For Thou in Thine Atonement, didst give Thyself to me;
I own no other master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life, I give, henceforth to live, O Christ for Thee alone.-T O Chisholm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)