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.