A large rectangle marble tomb stands out clearly among the many other tombs in Choa Chu Kang Cemetery (Protestant Section) and that got us curious and on closer inspection of the inscription, it reads:
In loving memory of my father, mother, sister and brother who departed together in motor accident on 26th November 1972.
A bitter grief, a shock severe-to part with all i cherished so dear missing all their love i once had-brings endless tears i lonely shed - Desmond Lee Meng Soon
Sadly missed but always remembered by all who loved them so dearly.
R.I.P
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| Rectangle Marble Headstone of 4 Family Members who died in tragic motor accident |
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| Ronnie Lee, Janey Goh and their children, Lionel Lee and Esther Lee (source: NewspaperSG) |
The tragic accident that happened 48 years ago was well reported in the newspaper and therefore i am able to piece together bits and pieces of what happened on that day. The family which consist of parents, Ronnie Lee Lye Hock and Madam Janey Goh Siok Hiang and their 3 children, Desmond Lee Meng Soon, Esther Lee Kim Lian and Lionel Lee Meng Heng, was said to returning home after a swim at the sea and a meal of mee siam at Katong, when they had an accident on a Sunday afternoon on 26th November 1972 at Bartley Road (close to Ramakrishna Mission) in an accident that involved their Austin 1100 and a PUB truck and a Shell tanker at 1:30 pm. The car was crushed in between the two vehicles. Janey (32 years old) and Esther (8 years old) were killed instantly while Ronnie (37 years old) and Lionel (7 years old) died at the Outram Hospital. Desmond Lee Meng Soon was the sole survivor and became an orphan that day at the age of 11 and is under the care of his grandfather, Mr. Robert Lee (59 years old and a Sales Manager). In a follow-up interview with Robert Lee at his residence at Sunshine Terrace, Bartley Rise Estate on December 11, 1972, Desmond survival from the car crash was describes by the doctors as nothing short of a miracle. He was discharged with stitches on his face and body and at the time of report, Desmond might have to undergo eye surgery and plastic surgery for a damage tear duct.
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| Picture from Berita Harian of the family car in its horrific state (source: NewspaperSG) |
Ronnie Lee was a senior teacher at Ahmad Ibrahim Integrated School while his wife Janey Goh was teaching at Sembawang Hill Primary School where her daughter Esther Lee was in Primary 2. Desmond Lee and Lionel Lee were studying at St. Andrew's Primary School.
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| Desmond Lee with his grandfather, Robert Lee (source: NewspaperSG) |
Desmond Lee would have been 59 years of age today. I wish him well and good health.
References
Orphan Overnight-Grandpa Shileds Young Desmond from Tragic News. (1972, November 18). The Straits Times, page 19
Nahas ngeri ini menyebabkan 4 maut yg antara-nya dua kanak2. (1972, November 27). Berita Harian, page 10
Desmond cheritakan tentang nahas yang menimpa keluarga-nya. (1972, November 28). Berita Harian, page 10
Desmond the Sole Survivor takes it calmly. (1972, December 11). The Straits Times, page 8
A black year.. on our roads. (1972, December 16). New Nation, page 6
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| Desmond Lee (source: NewspaperSG) |
References
Orphan Overnight-Grandpa Shileds Young Desmond from Tragic News. (1972, November 18). The Straits Times, page 19
Nahas ngeri ini menyebabkan 4 maut yg antara-nya dua kanak2. (1972, November 27). Berita Harian, page 10
Desmond cheritakan tentang nahas yang menimpa keluarga-nya. (1972, November 28). Berita Harian, page 10
Desmond the Sole Survivor takes it calmly. (1972, December 11). The Straits Times, page 8
A black year.. on our roads. (1972, December 16). New Nation, page 6
Was equally devastated when I read about this a couple of years back.
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