WAN Hong Cheong 阮鸿章
Special Project,
Accession Number 000466
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 10
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 04:32:54
Total Running Time
- Hokkien
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 10
Metadata
- 24 Aug 1984
Recording Date
- 00:30:52
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Father's occupation in China. Circumstances forcing family to leave China for Singapore. Came by steamer. Accommodation arranged by agent for arrival in Singapore. Place of disembarkation. First stayed at inn before shifting to Hougang. Why family moved to Bukit Ho Swee. Majority of residents at Bukit Ho Swee were bullock cart pullers in 1920s.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 10
Metadata
- 24 Aug 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:27
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Attap huts were widespread in Bukit Ho Swee. Living conditions at Bukit Ho Swee in 1930s. Occupations held while he was staying at Bukit Ho Swee. Family moved to Jurong. Went to work at Kulai, Johore. How he got supervisor's post at brick factory in Singapore. Nature of job. Method of manufacturing bricks before and after he entered Sim Choon Kee Brick Factory.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 10
Metadata
- 24 Aug 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Process of firing bricks with imported British kiln. Manual and automated method of stacking and strapping bricks to be sent to clients. Working conditions of daily-rated workers at brick factory. Lodging provided for them at workers' quarters. Deducted cost of rice provided from workers' salaries. How he recorded man-hours of workers. Each worker paid according to nature of work.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 10
Metadata
- 24 Aug 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Where Tan Kah Kee's brick factory used to be. Sin Choon Kee Brick Factory ceased production in 1930s. Why he was still employed whilst other workers were retrenched. His observation that workers used to go barefooted. Sin Choon Kee reorganised by relatives of late employer's wife. Renamed Jurong Brick Factory. Lived in Jurong, thirteen miles. Living environment there. Whyhe forbade workers to gamble.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 10
Metadata
- 28 Sep 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:57
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Marriage arranged by matchmaker. Preparation for his wedding. Was committee member of 8th Division of Bukit Timah Branch of Singapore Chinese China Relief Fund General Association. Tan Soon Yam was Chairman of Branch. Speech meetings held at Jurong. Helped raised funds from workers at brick manufactory in Jurong. Donations handed to Chairman. Recounted how he built air-raid shelter.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 10
Metadata
- 28 Sep 1984
Recording Date
- 00:28:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Owned provision shop. Supplied brick workers with rice before Japanese invaded Singapore. Where he saw Japanese soldiers in Jurong. Fled to Jurong ten miles. Jurong Brick Factory ceased production. British surrender. He was called to assemble at Chua Chu Kang whilst his family members at Ulu Pandan. Japanese soldier informed each household personally. What happened at Chua Chu Kang twelve milestone, where he assembled.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 10
Metadata
- 28 Sep 1984
Recording Date
- 00:29:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Japanese took over Jurong Brick Factory. Bricks produced taken away by Japanese. Workers in factory received rice rations besides wages. His remuneration during that time. A Japanese was employed in general office of brick factory. Provision shop sold rice only during Japanese Occupation days. Consumers with rice ration cards could buy rice from him. Appointed Head of Team (one star) in village.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 10
Metadata
- 9 Nov 1984
Recording Date
- 00:29:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Japanese introduced night patrol duty and Labour Service Corps. Japanese surrender. Locals looted goods from Japanese abandoned godown in Jurong. Brick factory resumed production after Japanese surrender. Bought land at Jurong, eleven milestone. Factory shifted there. Method of production before and after war. Bought new gadgets to increase production. Elaborated on automated method of manufacturing bricks.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 10
Metadata
- 9 Nov 1984
Recording Date
- 00:28:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Difference between using manual labour and automation to produce bricks. Presently only foreign workers lived at workers' quarters. Workers had meals at factory's canteen. His remuneration after the war. Comparing British imported and Japanese imported brick kiln. Types of bricks produced. His brick factory manufactured red bricks only. Brick workers presently paid by piece rate.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 10
Metadata
- 9 Nov 1984
Recording Date
- 00:16:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he liaised between employer and workers. His view on Chinese or English education for his children. His children's career.
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