Mr. Tham Cheng Tong passed away at the age of 63 at 7 Dickson Road on 21 September 1925. He leaves behind a widow, 3 sons: J.P. Tham. T. L. Tham and T.S. Tham.
Since father is not with us - not gone from memory nor from love
Sons & Daughters
J.P. Tham, Thye Siew
Thye Look Miss Chuan Neo
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Wife: Ang Tiam Tee
Madam Ang Tiam Tee (wife of the late Mr. Tham Cheng Tong) passed away at the age of 63 at her residence, 38 Buffalo Road on 8 April 1932. She leaves behind her 3 sons, Messrs. J. P Tham, Tham Thye Look, Tham Tye Siew. Her tomb is located at Block 3 Section B plot 246.
Family
Son: Joseph Peter Tham / J.P. Tham
J.P. Tham was a Staff of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Co. Ltd., Hon. Secretary for the Straits Chinese British Association, Siong Boo Athletic Association, Chairman of the Clerical Union, Singapore Volunteer Corps (S.V.C) among many others. But it was his contribution post war in the Police Special Constabulary that made him stand out even more.
Post-war restart of the Special Constabulary
An effort was made to resuscitate the Singapore Volunteer Police Reserve (Special Constabulary). Members who served in the Force up to 15 February 1942 were invited to get in touch with Mr. Wee Kah Kiat of 23 Lincoln Road or Mr. J. P. Tham of 135 Moulmein Road. The duties of this constable include acting as escorts for the payrolls of Government and Private firms, doing guard duties, conducting raids on hawkers, manning police huts throughout the city, assisting the police in radio patrols and performing special squad duties. Men of all races between 18 to 30 are eligible provided they can read and write English and are at least 5 ft 4 inches in height. The pay is $60 with free medical and free travel by public transport. Constables are provided with 3 suits of khaki each.
By 1948, the constabulary which was commanded by Major Wee Kah Kiat made out of 274 Malays, 103 Chinese and 70 Eurasians, Indians and Filipinos. Mr. J.P. Tham, Assistant Commandant of the Extra Constabulary was promoted Commandant from 1 July 1949 in place of Major Wee Kah Kiat who had resigned. Captain J. P Tham, Commandant of the Special Constabulary was appointed a Justice of Peace in June 1951. In 1954, Major J.P. Tham, Commandant of the Special Constables. received the Colonial Police Medal. He was among 15 police officers who were presented the Colonial Police Medal by the Governor, Sir John Nicoll . In 1965, the Sultan of Pahang gave Datokship title to Major J.P. Tham which carries the title Dato Kurnia Jasa. Dato. J. P. Tham passed away in March 1980
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| Dato. J.P. Tham (Joseph Peter Tham) |
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| J. P. Tham |
Son: Tham Thye Siew
Mr. J.P. Tham beg to convey his sincerest thanks to all kind friends, staff of the North British & Merchantile Insurance Co. Ltd and various Clubs and Associations, who sent wreaths, telegrams, letters of condolences and attended the funeral of his youngest brother. The article appeared in 22 March 1935. This explains why when their only sister, Tham Chuan Neo got married in 1939, Tham Thye Siew name was no longer mentioned.
The marriage took place on 13 November 1939 at 133 Killiney Road between Mr. Teo Choon Lim (youngest son of Madam Yeo Ee Neo and the late Mr. Teo Ah Kee ) and Miss Tham Chuan Neo (only daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tham Cheng Tong and sister of Messrs J.P. Tham and Tham Thye Lock).
Location of tombs
Mr. Tham Cheng Tong tomb is located in Block 1 Section G, plot 400.
Madam Ang Tiam Tee tomb is located at Block 3 Section B plot 246.
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| Tomb of Tham Cheng Tong |
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| Tomb of Ang Tiam Tee |
References
Births, Marriages and Deaths. (1925, September 24). Malaya Tribune, page 6
Obituary. (1932, April 8). Malaya Tribune, page 8
"J. P. Tham"
Volunteer Police. (1945, September 15). The Straits Times, page 2
Captain Tham. (1951, June 17). Sunday Standard, page 3
"Unrivalled", He Wins Medal. (1954, October 23). The Straits Times, page 4
Acknowledgements. (1980, March18). The Straits Times, page 27
Thanks for sharing. This is indeed very valuable and JP Tham was my paternal grandfather. Your blog and article certainly brought back stories which my Ah Kong shared with me when I was young and these certainly coincided with your articles… thank you so much
ReplyDeleteAdrian Tham (spunk107@gmail.com)
Thank you for the kind words.
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