My father's grand parents were in Hua Hong Ice Factory that Christmas day in 1941. They had come back from Christmas service at Masland Church, Sibu. A river crossing by boat was carefully carried out as great grandmother had boundfeet. And they had to take the river motor launch. A speedboat could not suffice.
My aunts (namely from 6th to 10th had been so happy at church with grandmother and great grandmother).
They remembered Goo Poh (Chang Yuk Ging) who was in Chinese with her family in their prayers. Grand Uncle Kiu had taken the family to China to seek medical treatment.
That was the setting for the beginning of the Japanese Occupation.
Reconstructing stories from written and oral records, my 7th aunt and I have put together this about Christmas Day in 1941 in Sibu.
The girls were at home in Hua Hong and Grandma Wong were busy making steamed kuih. Grandma Wong was at the stone grind, preparing ground rice for the kuih. Although Great Grandfather was not feeling too well, he was looking forward to people coming to Hua Hong to mill their rice, the major source of income for the family. Fishermen would also drop by to buy ice blocks.
Chinese New Year would be the next big festival to look forward to.
However, on 25th December, in the afternoon, at about 4 (recorded by Rev Ling Kai Cheng), five Japanese planes flew from the West Bank (must be from Kuching) and dropped 5 bombs in the town.
The Masland Church was damaged and so was the Yuk Ing Girls' School. It was lucky that all the girls were at home for the holidays. Some who were still in the boarding school were petrified. A few of the older ones continue to stay in the school.
There was a lot of panic in the town. My Great Grandfather King Kee told every one to keep calm and not leave the quarters. Already the chief mechanic had be shot dead. Fear reigned. They were prepared for the Japanese soldiers to come to check the factory. And Great Grandfather had discussed with Grandfather Kung Ping that it would be safe to move all the young boys and girls to Binatang, which was further away from Sibu. Besideds, GRandfather still had the use of three motor launches.
Photo : The Japanese Kompetei in Sibu. This was probably taken in front of the Borneo Company Warehouse. (?) Google.
Although my aunts and uncles felt safe because they were across the river and our nearest relatives in Sg. Bidut were also safe, Great Grandfather had some plans up his sleeves.
It seemed that the Japanese bomber planes were only targetting the towns of Sarawak.
The people realized finally that the WAR was happening!!
My aunts (namely from 6th to 10th had been so happy at church with grandmother and great grandmother).
They remembered Goo Poh (Chang Yuk Ging) who was in Chinese with her family in their prayers. Grand Uncle Kiu had taken the family to China to seek medical treatment.
That was the setting for the beginning of the Japanese Occupation.
Reconstructing stories from written and oral records, my 7th aunt and I have put together this about Christmas Day in 1941 in Sibu.
The girls were at home in Hua Hong and Grandma Wong were busy making steamed kuih. Grandma Wong was at the stone grind, preparing ground rice for the kuih. Although Great Grandfather was not feeling too well, he was looking forward to people coming to Hua Hong to mill their rice, the major source of income for the family. Fishermen would also drop by to buy ice blocks.
Chinese New Year would be the next big festival to look forward to.
However, on 25th December, in the afternoon, at about 4 (recorded by Rev Ling Kai Cheng), five Japanese planes flew from the West Bank (must be from Kuching) and dropped 5 bombs in the town.
The Masland Church was damaged and so was the Yuk Ing Girls' School. It was lucky that all the girls were at home for the holidays. Some who were still in the boarding school were petrified. A few of the older ones continue to stay in the school.
There was a lot of panic in the town. My Great Grandfather King Kee told every one to keep calm and not leave the quarters. Already the chief mechanic had be shot dead. Fear reigned. They were prepared for the Japanese soldiers to come to check the factory. And Great Grandfather had discussed with Grandfather Kung Ping that it would be safe to move all the young boys and girls to Binatang, which was further away from Sibu. Besideds, GRandfather still had the use of three motor launches.
Photo : The Japanese Kompetei in Sibu. This was probably taken in front of the Borneo Company Warehouse. (?) Google.
Although my aunts and uncles felt safe because they were across the river and our nearest relatives in Sg. Bidut were also safe, Great Grandfather had some plans up his sleeves.
It seemed that the Japanese bomber planes were only targetting the towns of Sarawak.
The people realized finally that the WAR was happening!!
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