My research on the "story" of how Mr. Lim Chong Pang married a fisherman's daughter led me to Mr Chia Hock Chwee. There was a story that Mr Lim Chong Pang and some of his family members while trying to escape in a ship from Singapore just before the fall of Singapore in 1942, that ship was hit by Japanese bombs from planes and sunk. The story goes that he was rescued by fisherman and out of gratitude to this fisherman, he married the fisherman's daughter.The fact was that he did not marry the fisherman (Mr Tay Ah Soey) daughter. The part that holds truth to this story other than the ship indeed was sunk- he did marry Mr Chia Hock Chwee's (a fisherman by profession) daughter, Chia Meow Moey in 1944.
Although born and educated in Raffles Institution up to Standard VII, Chia Hock Chwee declined a clerical job (which paid very well in those days) and decided to be a fisherman. From 1912, right up to 1948, this was his chosen profession and probably he owned a fleet of it. When he retired, he led a secluded life.
In 17 October 1944, Lim Chong Pang married Miss Chia Meow Moey (Moya), second daughter of Mr and Mrs Chia Hock Chwee of Syonan (Singapore during Japanese occupation). On 9 August 2605 (1945), Mrs Lim Chong Pang nee Moya Chia Meow Moey gave birth to a baby girl, Moileen Lim Seok Lin. There used to be a road in Chong Pang area named after his father-in-law, Hock Chwee Road.
Son: Mr Chia Soon Ann
Mr Chia Soon Ann (eldest son of Mr Chia Hock Chwee) is the manager of Garrick Theatre and South East Asia Film Company. Like his brother-in-law, Lim Chong Pang, he is a horse racing lover and member of the Singapore Turf Club Election Committee.
The engagement is announced on 14 October 1941 between Mr. Chia Soon Ann (eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hock Chwee and nephew of Mr. Chew Bah Kah ) and Miss Teo Hiang Nio (Soon Kiah). daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Teo Peng Kay.
Son: Mr Chia Soon Hai
Mr. Chia Soon Hai (second son of Mr Chia Hock Chwee) married Miss Quek Siew Yong on 19 October 1949. Chia Soon Hai is the manager of Sultan Theatre. In a newspaper interview by Straits Times, dated 1 February 1985, a then 68 year old Mr. Chia Soon Ann and 65 year old Chia Soon Hai said that Chong Pang Village or West Hill Estate had the highest concentration of Indians in the whole island during the late 30s and early 40s because of the proximity of the British Naval Base in Senbawang nearby and rubber plantations nearby. Lim Chong Pang decided to build the Sultan Theatre in 1939 where Tamil and Hindustani shows were films were shown on weekdays and Chinese shows in the weekends. During the Japanese Occupations, the rows of shophouses on both sides of Sultan Theatre were converted into a red light district by the Japanese army and the theatre as storage place for alloys used for war production. Many villagers were beaten and a few unfortunate few were sent to firing squads.
I am not sure if Quek Siew Yong mentioned above is the same as Quek Chin Yong, but in another obituary article of his son (Clarence Chia Hoe Aik who passed away at the age of 42 on 30 December 1994), i can gather the following;
Married at Seletar. (1949, October 25). Indian Daily Mail.
Death. (1956, September 14). The Straits Times, page 8
Late Mr. Chia Hock Chwee. (1956, September 23). Indian Daily Mail.
Roads named after aliases and relatives. (1985, February 1).The Straits Times, page 21
Chia's two great loves- movies and racing. ( 1987, May 29). The Straits Times,
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| Chia Hock Chwee |
Although born and educated in Raffles Institution up to Standard VII, Chia Hock Chwee declined a clerical job (which paid very well in those days) and decided to be a fisherman. From 1912, right up to 1948, this was his chosen profession and probably he owned a fleet of it. When he retired, he led a secluded life.
Death
Chia Hock Chwee died in his residence in 177-44, West Hill Road, (13 1/2 mile) Seletar at the age of 62 on September 13, 1956. Many Tamils and Tamil organisations sent wreaths and messages on the occasion of the funeral. This is because his sons, just like his son-in-law, Lim Chong Pang were involved in film industry. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons (Chia Soon Ann, Chia Soon Hai), 5 daughters, 2 son-in-law, 2 daughter-in-law and 21 grandchildren. His eldest son, Mr. Chia Soon Ann is associated with the South East Asia Company and is a regular visitor to India and has numerous Indian friends. Chia Soon Ann's brother-in-law is the late Mr Lim Chong Pang who passed away in July.His wife, Madam Chew Ah Boo passed away on 17 November 1965 at the age of 73.
The names of their children;
Sons: Chia Soon Ann, Chia Soon Hai
Daughters: Chia Bong Soo, Chia Meow Moey, Chia Meow See, Chia Meow Huay, Chia Meow Eng
Daughters-in-law: Teo Soon Kiah, Quek Chin Yong
Grandsons: Chia Hoe Pheng, Chia Hoe Khim, Chia Hoe Kwee, Chia Hoe Bee, Chia Hoe Aik, Chia Hoe Chye
Granddaughters: Chia Geok Eng, Chia Geok Bee, Chia Geok Boey, Chia Geok Moon
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| Fresh flowers for Mr and Mrs Chia Hock Chwee (descendants still visiting) |
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| Tomb of Mr and Mrs Chia Hock Chwee Block V, Section B plot 152 |
Family
Daughter: Chia Meow Moey (Moya) / Mrs Lim Chong PangIn 17 October 1944, Lim Chong Pang married Miss Chia Meow Moey (Moya), second daughter of Mr and Mrs Chia Hock Chwee of Syonan (Singapore during Japanese occupation). On 9 August 2605 (1945), Mrs Lim Chong Pang nee Moya Chia Meow Moey gave birth to a baby girl, Moileen Lim Seok Lin. There used to be a road in Chong Pang area named after his father-in-law, Hock Chwee Road.
Together, they had 4 daughters and 1 son.
Son: Lim Eng Jin (Robert Lim)
Daughters: Lim Seok Lin, Lim Seok Lek, Lim Seok Lan and Lim Seok Loon.
Son: Lim Eng Jin (Robert Lim)
Daughters: Lim Seok Lin, Lim Seok Lek, Lim Seok Lan and Lim Seok Loon.
Robert Lim had 2 boys, Ralph and Ryan (and their photos are in the recent Lianhe Zaobao dated 19 March 2023).
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| Lim Chong Pang and Chia Moew Moey (source: Lianhe Zaobao) |
Another interesting to note is from the wedding certificate (1944), the witness of their union was no other than Mamoru Shinozaki (advisor of the Defence Headquarters and later Chief Welfare Officer and was the Japanese in charge of overseeing the Endau and Bahau Settlements). This makes sense as Mr. Lim Chong Pang was in-charge of the Overseas Chinese Association Propaganda Branch during Japanese occupied Singapore.
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| Marriage certificate between Lim Chong Pang and Chia Meow Moey (source: Roots.sg) |
Son: Mr Chia Soon Ann
Mr Chia Soon Ann (eldest son of Mr Chia Hock Chwee) is the manager of Garrick Theatre and South East Asia Film Company. Like his brother-in-law, Lim Chong Pang, he is a horse racing lover and member of the Singapore Turf Club Election Committee.
Chia Soon Ann passed away at the age of 72 on 27 May 1987.
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| Lim Chong Pang, his son Lim Eng Kwan and Chia Soon Ann |
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| Chia Soon Ann |
The engagement is announced on 14 October 1941 between Mr. Chia Soon Ann (eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hock Chwee and nephew of Mr. Chew Bah Kah ) and Miss Teo Hiang Nio (Soon Kiah). daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Teo Peng Kay.
Mrs. Chia Soon Ann nee Madam Teo Soon Kiah / Nancy Teo Soon Kiah passed away at the age of 69 on 13 January 1988.
Sons: Ronnie Chia Khim, Steve Chia Hoe Kwee, Peter Chia Hoe Pheng (deceased)
Daughters: Lena Chia Geok Eng, Ioleen Chia Geok Boey
Son-in-law: Bjion Dahlroth,
Daughter-in-law: Violet Wee
Grandchildren: Kim Dahlroth, Sue-Li, Jaslyne Chia Suet Sui, Juliet Chia Suet Ling
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| Madam Teo Soon Kiah |
Mr. Chia Soon Hai (second son of Mr Chia Hock Chwee) married Miss Quek Siew Yong on 19 October 1949. Chia Soon Hai is the manager of Sultan Theatre. In a newspaper interview by Straits Times, dated 1 February 1985, a then 68 year old Mr. Chia Soon Ann and 65 year old Chia Soon Hai said that Chong Pang Village or West Hill Estate had the highest concentration of Indians in the whole island during the late 30s and early 40s because of the proximity of the British Naval Base in Senbawang nearby and rubber plantations nearby. Lim Chong Pang decided to build the Sultan Theatre in 1939 where Tamil and Hindustani shows were films were shown on weekdays and Chinese shows in the weekends. During the Japanese Occupations, the rows of shophouses on both sides of Sultan Theatre were converted into a red light district by the Japanese army and the theatre as storage place for alloys used for war production. Many villagers were beaten and a few unfortunate few were sent to firing squads.
Chia Soon Hai (father) Quek Chin Yong
Sons: Clarence Chia Hoe Aik, David Chia Hoe Bee, Garry Chia Hoe Chye,
Daughters: Chia Geok Nie, Chia Geok Hoon,
Daughter-in-law: Joanna Koh Kim Choo, Helen Koh Lee Eng, Maria Lee
Sons-in-law: Chan Choon Hiong, Vejayakumar MKS
Location of tomb
Chia Hock Chwee and Madam Chew Ah Boo are buried in Block 5, Section B, plot 152.
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| Chia Hock Chwee and Madam Chew Ah Boo tomb in Bukit Brown (2024) |
References
Advertisement. (1944, October 17). Syonan Times.Married at Seletar. (1949, October 25). Indian Daily Mail.
Death. (1956, September 14). The Straits Times, page 8
Late Mr. Chia Hock Chwee. (1956, September 23). Indian Daily Mail.
Roads named after aliases and relatives. (1985, February 1).The Straits Times, page 21
Chia's two great loves- movies and racing. ( 1987, May 29). The Straits Times,
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