Mrs. Bridget Catherine Chelvanathan Handy (former Bidadari Cemetery)

Mrs. B.C. Handy / Mrs. B.C. Chelvanathan was one the early pioneers who contributed to the welfare and education of women in the 19th century. A Sinhalese who spoke Tamil fluently, she came to Malaya at an early age and was educated at St. George's Girls' School and Methodist Girls' School in Penang. She later did her secondary education at the Methodist Girls' High School. Mrs. B.C. Handy was one of the founders of the Ladies' Union of Singapore, committee of the Child Welfare Society, board of St. Andrew's Hospital and member of several organisations.

Mrs. B.C. Handy / B.C. Chelvanathan

1st Husband: Dr. J.M. Handy / Dr. James Muttiah Handy

Dr. James Muttiah Handy was a son of the Rev. T.P. Handy of Ceylon. Educated at St. John's College, Jaffna and late Trinity College, Kandy and graduating at the Ceylon Medical College. Dr. J.M. Handy was one of the first medical men to come from Jaffna, Sri Lanka (1896) and established St. Mary's Dispensary / Hospital. He was also the President of the Indian Christian Association, Family Benefit Society (1917). 

Dr. J.M. Handy passed away at the age of 51 at No. 35 Newton Road on 8 November 1920. He leaves behind a widow, Mrs. Handy, Miss Olive Handy, Mr. J.T.P. Handy. 

2nd Husband: Mr. S. Chelvanthan

Mr. S. Chelvanthan, barrister-at-law and Mrs. B.C. Handy married at St. Andrew's Cathedral on 19 January 1938. Mrs. Bridget C. Handy (widow of the late Dr. J.M. Handy and stepmother of Dr. J.T. P. Handy, of Singapore married Mr. S. Chelvanathan (son of the late Mr. and Mrs. M. Ponnampalam). Mr. Chelvanathan is a Singaporean barrister and the cousin of Mr. Saravanamuttu, Mayor of Colombo. 

Mr. P. Chelvananthan and Mrs. B.C. Handy

Daughter: Olivia Handy

On 28 May 1914 at Barbington, Tanjong Katong, to Dr. and Mrs. J.M. Handy, a daughter. 

The funeral of Olivia, the only daughter of the late Dr. J.M. Handy and Mrs. Handy took place at the Bidadari Cemetery on 12 October 1921. The chief mourners were Mrs. J.M. Handy (mother), Mr. and Mrs. J.T.N. Handy and Mr. A.M. Handy (cousins) and Dr. J. Gnanapragasam (uncle). The deceased's brother, Mr. J. T. N. Handy is at the University College London, reading for his medical degree. The girls from the Nind Home sang Nearer my God to Thee as the cortege made is way to the graveside.

Olivia Handy was only 7 years old when she passed away.   

Son: Dr. J.T.P. Handy 

Dr. J. T. P Handy, BSc., M.B. B.S. (London), son of the late Dr. J.M. Handy of Singapore has joined the staff of University College Hospital, London. 

Son: Lawrence M. Handy. 

The Ladies Union

The Ladies’ Union – helmed by Mrs. Bridget Catherine Beatrice Chelvanathan Handy was launched in 1931 at the premise of the Teo Hoo Lye Institution large school hall. 107 members were registered from ladies of all classes amongst the Indian and Ceylonese ladies of Singapore and Johore. In a pointed reference to the affiliation of its rival club to the YWCA, Mrs Handy said: “[T]he Ladies’ Union is the first independent organisation in Malaya started and run entirely by Indian and Ceylonese ladies. The Union is in no way connected with any other association, religious or otherwise, and tolerance and mutual help are its watchwords.” The club proudly declared that it would be run on “independent and pucca Indian lines” (pucca means “staunch” in Hindi). To attract women from all walks of life, membership was kept affordable at 25 cents per month or $3 for an annual subscription.

Sophia Blackmore and the Nind Home Gathering

When Miss Sophia Blackmore returned to Singapore to attend the Methodist Jubilee, she was the guest honor at a dinner given by former girls and teachers of Nind Home. Miss Sophia Blackmore was for over 30 years, the principal of the Home. Mrs. B.C. Handy was the organiser of the reunion. 

Sophia Blackmore and the Nind Home Gathering 

Death

Mrs. B.C. Handy of 328 East Coast Road passed away on 10 July 1952. I am very fortunate to able to see this tomb when it was still in Bidadari Cemetery. (This was made possible from the photo contributions of Liesel Strauss to NLB). 

Bridget Catherine Chelvanathan Handy (source: NLB)

Bridget Catherine Chelvanathan Handy (source: NLB)

Bridget Catherine Chelvanathan Handy (source: NLB)

Variant Names 

Mrs. Bridget Catherine Beatrice Chelvanathan Handy also refers to; 

Mrs. B.C. Handy

Mrs. B. C. Chelvanathan

[research on-going]

References

Death. (1920, November 9). The Singapore Free Press, page 6 

Indian and Ceylonese ladies. (1931, June 3). The Singapore Free Press, page 12

Chelvanathan-Handy Wedding At St. Andrew's. (1938, January 20). The Singapore Free Press, page 3 

Lady Clementi Entertained by the Ladies Union. (1932, April 9). Malayan Saturday Post, page 8

Old Girls of Nind Home fete Miss S. Blackmore. (1935, April 12). The Straits Times, page 12

A champion of women. (1985, March 1). The Straits Times, page 18

https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/image-detail?cmsuuid=963a4633-bac3-4a52-a2d1-3de6ff262e21
https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/17d2345e-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad

Bidadari Christian Cemetery. Rojak Librarian