While exploring Hill 3 Division A, i came across a modern looking tomb that is maintained and cleaned. The tomb belongs to a Madam Wong Ah Hoh and inscribed on it:
Mr. Woon Hong Chin was the Chief Clerk and Administrative Head of the Accounts Department, Singapore Municipality when he eventually retired in 1929. When Woon Hong Chin reached his mandatory retirement age of 55 in 1928, it was further renewed for a period of 6 months from 1 January 1929. Woon Hong Chin was also at one-time, the Chairman of the Chinese Swimming Club Building Fund and Committee Member of the Swimming Club. From another article, i learn he labeled as a Landed Proprietor (probably means land owner)
There was even an article dated March 1910, where he cut of his queue (pigtail).
In Memory of
Mrs Woon Hong Chin
(nee Wong Ah Hoh)
Born 23 October 1879
15 May 1951
Erected by Woon Hong Chin & Children.
Mr. Woon Hong Chin was the Chief Clerk and Administrative Head of the Accounts Department, Singapore Municipality when he eventually retired in 1929. When Woon Hong Chin reached his mandatory retirement age of 55 in 1928, it was further renewed for a period of 6 months from 1 January 1929. Woon Hong Chin was also at one-time, the Chairman of the Chinese Swimming Club Building Fund and Committee Member of the Swimming Club. From another article, i learn he labeled as a Landed Proprietor (probably means land owner)
There was even an article dated March 1910, where he cut of his queue (pigtail).
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| Woon Hong Chin |
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| Mrs. Woon Hong Chin nee Wong Ah Hoh |
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| Mrs. Woon Hong Chin nee Wong Ah Hoh |
Family
Husband: Woon Hong Chin / Anthony Woon Hong Chin
Anthony Woon Hong Chin passed away at the age of 92 at No. 1 Walton Road on 19 May 1954. The funeral services were held at Queen Peace Church and he was buried at Bidadari.Father: Woon Mau Choon / Woon Ah Choon
Son: Woon Seck Koon / Joseph Woon Seck Koon
Joseph Woon Seck Koon passed away on 3 May 1958. The funeral left from 1 Walton Road and services were held at Queen Peace Church before burial at Bidadari. Mrs. Woon Seck Koon (Elizabeth Chew Wai Mun) passed away on 16 June 1968.
Son-in-law: Tan Thean Seang
Tan Thean Seang (second son of Mr. Tan Pong Guan, late chief of clerk of the Municipal Account Division) passed away the age of 50 in 1941 leaving behind his wife, Woon Gek Lin
2 daughters; Pearl Tan and Ruby Tan
1 son; Tan Beng Hock
4 brothers; K.H. Tann, Tan Thean Bin, Tan Thean Tek, Robert Tan
6 sisters; Mrs. Kiong Thean Hoe, Mrs. Lim Tinn Soon, Madam Tan Boey Cheng, Miss Tan Lai Cheng and Catherine Tan.
The cortege left from No. 1 Walton Road off Grove for Bidadari.
Grandson: Woon Sui Cheong
Woon Sui Cheong was a student of Raffles Institution, Woon Sui Cheong was the Principal of the Balestier West Primary School. An avid golfer, Woon Sui Cheong was often mentioned in many articles playing for Changi Golf Club. He was also the Secretary of the Changi Golf Club.
[To be confirmed] Woon Sui Cheong married Madam Chong Ee Lin (daughter of Chong Voon Kong and Madam Yong Swai Fong.
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| Woon Sui Cheong, Principal of Balestier Hill West Primary School |
1 Walton Road
1 Walton Road off Grove Road help me to map and discover the family of Woon Hong Chin. The below was how it would have looked back then. Which of the house is 1 Walton ? I am not sure at the moment.
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| 1 Walton Road off Grove Road |
Palais De Danse Limited
In a 2 September 1934, i gathered that other than being a civil servant, Woon Hong Chin owned and deal with property as well. Palais De Danse Limited was a company set-up to seek funds and investment for the acquiring land at Serangoon Road and the erection of a Dance Hall, Cabaret and Vanudevill Shows, Cafe, Restaurant, Caterers, Amusement and General purposes. Chinese girls from Shanghai knowing all modern ballroom dances will be engaged as dance partners. Palais de Danse was labelled as the first project of its kind in Singapore and will occupy land at the junction of Serangoon Road with Lavender Street. Mr. N.A. Mallal who represented the company in seeking license from the Board of Licencing Justices said that the company had been formed with a nominal capital of $100,000 and the people who had agreed to buy shares had already promised to subscribe $35,000 when the company was formed.
The Directors of the Palais De Danse Limited included;;
R. Jumbhoy, Esq., J.P. Merchant
Woon Hong Chin Esq., Land Proprietor
A.M. Alsagoff, Esq., J.P Merchant
N.A. Mallal Esq., Advocate & Solicitor
J.S.M. Renniw, Esq., J.P. Incorporated Accountant, Chartered Secretary
On November 1934, the papers headline mentioned that the New Dance Hall Plan Fails - Singapore Project Doomed. The project didn't meet the number of subscribers and there was shortage of $18,000. By October 1937, the company was given notification that it will be struck off the Register of Companies.
Location of tomb
Madam Wong Ah Hoh passed away at the age of 73 on 15 May 1951. On the burial registrar her dialect is listed as Cantonese.
Block 3 Section, plot 399
References
Untitled. (1910, March 12). The Straits TimesMunicipal Farewell Group. (1929, June 29). Malayan Saturday Post.
Death. (1958, May 4). The Straits Times
Death. (1964, May 20). The Straits Times
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