Pauper 4 Section 3 - plot 592

The tomb is slowly enveloped by the roots of a huge fig tree. However there are words on the headstone that caught Raymond Goh's eye. The chinese character on the tomb of significance is possibly: 星洲碼头工友互助會 which i literally translate it to mean the Singapore Harbour Board Wharf Worker's Mutual Help Association 

Pauper 4 Section 3 -plot 592 - possibly Siu Yong Yeung
Pauper 4 Section 3 -plot 592 - possibly Siu Yong Yeung


Possible connection 

Using Gemini AI for assistance, the term breakdown is as follows:
星洲 (Xīngzhōu): "Singapore" (literally "Star Island," a historical Chinese name for Singapore)
碼頭 (mǎtóu): Wharf / Dock / Harbour
工友 (gōngyǒu): Workers / Labourers
互助會 (hùzhù huì): Mutual Help Association / Mutual Aid Union

From the plot number -592, it is very likely this is the tomb of Siu Yong Yeung / Sim Yong Yeung who passed away at the age of 53 on 12 May 1941. In the burial registrar, he is listed as Hokchew. It is possible that he worked in the harbour docks and the tomb erected for him was one of the last benefit he received as a member of this mutual association. 

Wharf Workers' Mutual Help Association / Union 

The Singapore Harbour Board Wharf Workers' Mutual Help Union (星洲碼頭工友互助會) was an early trade union and mutual aid association formed in pre-WWII Singapore to support dockworkers and harbour coolies.Founded around 1939, the association served as a mutual aid network providing assistance, relief, and organized support for dockworkers navigating harsh physical working conditions such as demanding better pay, fair working hours, and improved working conditions. Post-war, trade union restructured and eventually different harbour unions merged and eventually evolved into the present-day Singapore Port Workers Union (SPWU).  

As i was reading some of this articles of the past, i can't forget how Tan Chong Chew also played a huge part in this part of history. 





Location of tomb

Block 4, Division 3, plot 592  / Pauper Section 4,  Division 3, plot 592



References

李秋良. (website). Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials (S.T.E.M.) 新加坡墓碑銘集录, posted on 26 Feb 2023
Wharf Workers Celebrate. (1939, June 5). Malaya Tribune, page 16
Wharf Workers Meet. (1939, June 5). The Straits Times, page 12
Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association. (website). Singapore Infopedia, NLB


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