CHEAH, Paul Thye Hong 谢泰丰
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 003719
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 8
Total Reels
- Jesley Chua Chee Huan
Interviewer
- 07:07:00
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 8
Metadata
- 20 Feb 2012
Recording Date
- 00:56:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Parents were from Penang. Interviewee lived in Eng Hoon Street, Tiong Bahru, from 1930 - 1953. His educational background. Father used to supply sand to naval base before he was swindled by his partner. Eldest brother was the sole bread winner. Father went bankrupted in 1940. They lived in a shop house. Living conditions at home. Mentioned eating chicken blood. Food was kept in a larder. Girls in his family were not educated due to shortage of money. Values father taught regarding money. Parents did not set any expectations for their children. Games they played. Servants would bring interviewee to watch opera. Remembered watching opera in Great World. Mentioned Sky Theatre, an open-air theatre.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 8
Metadata
- 20 Feb 2012
Recording Date
- 00:57:18
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Elaboration on theatres in Great World. Need coupon to dance in the cabaret. One could peep to watch people dancing. Boxing in Great World. Mentioned gambling stalls, street hawkers. Father’s leisure was to visit friends. Interviewee and siblings were left very much on their own when young. Interviewee joined the Scouts. Mentioned bomb dropped in Tiong Bahru during Japanese Occupation. Interviewee’s brother joined the volunteer corps and did not return after the mass screening. Interviewee bought rationed cigarettes to sell during Japanese Occupation. Use coconut husks to light cigarettes. He also sold coconut oil and soaps. Interviewee worked as an office boy in Medical College during the war. Mentioned how his fountain pen was spoiled by a Japanese officer. Ate discarded beef used for experiments. Punishment inflicted by sentry if caught stealing from the college. Interviewee worked for Oriental Telephone Electric Company (OTEC) before the end of war.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 8
Metadata
- 6 Mar 2012
Recording Date
- 00:57:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Elaboration on scouting activities. Mentioned Purdy camp in Changi. Learnt about astronomy in scouts. Why he enjoyed going to Purdy camp. Why he enjoyed camp fire most. Father would bring him to buy and sell cigarettes during the war. Developed his patience during his formative years as he followed his father around. What he did as an office boy in Medical College. He bears no grudges against the Japanese for killing his brother. Bomb shelters in Moh Guan Terrace. Mistook air-raid for drill. Interviewee was an 11-year old scout when he was asked to control the crowd in the air-raid shelter. People would have early dinner and hide there. Some would bring their pillows and mattresses. There was a toilet and tap in the shelter. Interviewee’s own air-raid shelter at home was a table. Interviewee’s encounter with the Japanese. There were female Japanese officers from College Building.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 8
Metadata
- 6 Mar 2012
Recording Date
- 00:58:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Brief mention of existence of geisha pre-war and Japanese businessmen in Middle Road. Interviewee’s family had no shortage of food during war. Family was given eggs by pig farmers in return for their swill. Swill collection for pigs. The bread they had could bounce off the floor. Named person who betrayed his brother during mass screening. His relationship with his brother. Witnessed a group of people killing a Taiwanese working for the Japanese. Saw a poster identifying a traitor. Revenge killings after the war. Interviewee left College Building before the war to join Oriental Telephone Electric Company (OTEC). He repaired bicycles during the war. Interviewee also gave tuition when he returned to school postwar. War taught him about gratitude and compassion. What father taught him.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Loading...
Reel/Disc 6 of 8
Metadata
- 19 Mar 2012
Recording Date
- 00:54:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee was promoted and posted to City Engineers Department. He applied for accountant’s job after he was qualified through self –study. Elaboration on his accountancy course. He took more than five years to complete his studies. Interviewee took his first plane ride at the age of 47. Interviewee retired at the age of 68 years. Interviewee was promoted from junior officer to Assistant Manager after one year in a bank. He felt that as long as one did well, one will shine in the private sector, unlike the public sector. Mentioned his unhappiness when he was placed under pupilage when he had associateship in accountancy. Interviewee was secretary of Resource Development Corporation (RDC), which extracted granite from Mandai Quarry. Mentioned his incentive award to Europe. His philosophy on life. Recalled incident where he was roped into a troublesome situation at work. His mother died within 48 hours of father’s death. How interviewee met his wife in 1957. Interviewee’s wife was a staff nurse in City Council. Interviewee’s conversion to Catholicism. Recalled his family’s holidays overseas. Interviewee’s wife was the pillar behind the family.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 8
Metadata
- 27 Mar 2012
Recording Date
- 00:58:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Leisure venues for the young during interviewee’s time. Brief mention of Lau Poh San Dance Studio. Those without dance partner could find one in the cabaret. West Point was a big place for dance. Mentioned the jury system. Mentioned matchmakers in those days. Interviewee did not have any pre-conceive notion of his dream girl. His wife’s educational background. Elaboration on his wedding in 1959. Interviewee finished his studies around 1968. Why he stayed in a quarter. Elaboration on Oriental Telephone Electric Company (OTEC). His wife was strict. Made daughter read to improve her language. Why he thinks that reading is important. How interviewee and wife spent their time together. They had a joint bank account.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 8
Metadata
- 27 Mar 2012
Recording Date
- 00:27:07
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee and wife had a joint bank account. What wife did after retirement. They knew each other’s friends. Interviewee would spend time with his family. Interview met wife in 1957 and got married in 1959. Need to avoid temptation to preserve one's marriage. One should not jump into conclusions abruptly.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
