Bomb shelters for Family

Grandfather moved the family to Binatang after the Japanese used machine guns to attack Hua Hung Ice Factory, Pulau Kerto, leaving behind hundreds of bullet holes in the houses and the factory, The chief mechanic who unwittingly came out to see what the whole commotion was about was fatally wounded. It was a very sad time for the family and all the workers.

My father was overseer at the ice factory and the rice mill worked at a minimum level. Sometimes Japanese soldiers would come to check and tax the rice. Hence very few people actually wanted to be caught in that kind of situation.

It was good that all the younger siblings of my father were moved to Binatang away from Sibu town.


My photo shows the small Sg. Binatang/ Bintangor which flows by the Mee Ang rice mill land, now partially submerged by water.

The Mee Ang Rice Mill could not fully function because of the War hence the coolie house was taken up and refurbished. Rooms were made for my aunties and Great Grandmother. All  the workers had left for safety from the Japanese, moving into the rural areas to stay in rubber tappers' houses recommended by Grandfather. My grandfather was able to do some milling for the Ibans and the Melanaus and a few of the brave Chinese.

There were rooms made for the children especially the girls, my Aunt Chiew remembered as she told us her experience during the war. They had stopped going to Yuk Ing Boarding School. It seemed like a very long holiday.

Aunty Chiew told us that Grandfather built bomb shelters at the back, with holes dug in the ground. He put planks and earth above the holes. More importantly, even though he was very frugal with his possessions, he placed  layers and rubber sheets over the the planks with soil in between. It was his great love for his family and especially Great Grandmother.

Uncle Siu King and Uncle Hua King lived with their families in their own houses next to the rice mill.

At each sounding of the siren, grandpa would carry his small feet mother on his back, to the shelter and all  the children would run for cover.....

Aunty Chiew told us that she still could hear the warning sirens of war time Binatang.

Being located in the smaller river called Sg. Binatang, the Mee Ang Rice Mill was definitely a little further away from the views of the Japanese patrol boats. However it was visited a few times by the Japanese who came to demand for milled rice and some tax.