LAM Joon Chong 蓝允藏
Chinese Dialect Groups,
Accession Number 000989
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 26
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 12:50:59
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 26
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1989
Recording Date
- 00:31:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Why grandfather came to Singapore. How grandfather learned to become pawnbroker. Set up Singapore's first pawnshop at Silat Road. How grandfather managed pawnshop. Customers mainly labourers. Items pawned. Why grandfather chose to open shop at Silat Road; later moved to Selegie Road.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 26
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1989
Recording Date
- 00:31:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Impression of grandfather. Father took over grandfather's pawnshop in his thirties. 24 pawnshops in Singapore then; most owned by Hakkas from Taipu, half with surname of Lam. He took over pawnshop in 1939. How pawnbrokers made profit. What happened to items not redeemed by customers. Unusual items pledged during grandfather's time. He and siblings attended Khee Fatt School.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 26
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1989
Recording Date
- 00:31:01
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Father's contribution to Khee Fatt School. Description of family home at Upper Nankin Street. His impression of Upper Nankin Street and Nankin Street. Ban Joo Siang Inn at Upper Nankin Street. Started apprenticeship at pawnshop at age of 16. His duties. Why pawnbrokers in the past engaged only family members or relatives.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 26
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1989
Recording Date
- 00:31:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Customers pledged goods with pawnshop for maximum of six months. Items not redeemed were put up for auction. His salary as apprentice. Grandfather's grand funeral in 1930s. Improvements made in pawnshop after war. Pawnshops opened for business every day in the past. Employees in pawnshop divided into different grades then.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 26
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1989
Recording Date
- 00:31:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Pre-requisites of pawnshop staff. Special meals for pawnshop employees twice a month. Pawnshops enjoyed good business then. Capital needed to set up pawnshop in 1930s. Source of pawnshop's profit. How pawnbroker determined monetary value of goods pledged. New trend of buying over pawn-tickets nowadays. How pawn-tickets were issued.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 26
Metadata
- 9 Mar 1989
Recording Date
- 00:31:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Pawnbroker who lost goods pledged with him, had to compensate customers when redeeming goods. 26 pawnshops in Singapore when he became pawnbroker. Why he ended pawnshop business in 1960. Singapore Pawnbrokers' Association set up in 1900. Hakkas in Singapore then mainly workers. Hakkas enclave in North and South Bridge Road; mostly came from Taipu and Kaying districts.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 26
Metadata
- 9 Mar 1989
Recording Date
- 00:30:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Hakkas from Foong Shoon and Wui Chiu districts lived in Jalan Sultan area. He joined Char Yong Association in 1938; became its director in 1939 and chairman in 1950. Activities of Char Yong Association. Also joined Nanyang Khek Community Guild; became its director post-war.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 26
Metadata
- 9 Mar 1989
Recording Date
- 00:30:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
He founded Singapore Lam Clan Association in 1949. Initial site of Association at Tanjong Pagar Road. Why he founded Singapore Lam Clan Association. Association's activities. Association later moved to Waterloo Street in 1958, finally at Lorong 15, Geylang. Association's members mostly businessmen; number of members. Association's facilities. Members of Nanyang Khek Community Guild mostly from Taipu district. Source of Guild's fund.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 26
Metadata
- 16 Mar 1989
Recording Date
- 00:30:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Also member of Fong Yun Thai Association. Purpose of setting up Fong Yun Thai Association. His impressions of Hakka leaders in early Singapore. Singapore Pawnbrokers' Association set up in 1920. His father was Association's vice-chairman. Singapore Pawnbrokers' Association took part in October Tenth celebrations. Description of lantern party during October Tenth celebration. Singapore Pawnbrokers' Association held monthly gathering.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 26
Metadata
- 16 Mar 1989
Recording Date
- 00:30:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Japanese Occupation. First bombing of Singapore in December 1941. He joined Medical Auxiliary service. Description of Medical Auxiliary Service member uniform. Arrival of Japanese troops on 15th February 1942. How he knew British surrender. Witnessed Japanese atrocities. British troops sent to concentration camps on 16th February. Ordered to attend mass screening at Jalan Besar on 18th February.
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