Romance of 42

Anxious about Ah Hong’s (then wife-to-be) safety, my father occasionally cycled to Permatang Tinggi to see her; they decided to tie the knot as soon as possible. On Monday, 6th April 1942, in the Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Permatang Tinggi, their marriage was solemnized by Rev. Father Joachim Teng and witnessed by Guru Magrida Chow and Catechist, Ah Chuah. Also present at the wedding mass were three friends, Francis Leong Kup Sin, Thoo Yoon Chin and Ah Yoon. My father and wife Ah Hong wore ordinary home dresses. My father then drove his wife and the three friends in Mr Tan Cheng Bee’s old car through Alma Estate earth road back home to the orphanage. A simple and quiet reception was held there, attended by friends and relatives. My father recalled that it was a joyous and memorable function. With Ah Hong in the family, my father recalled it was a great inspiration to all of them.

On Saturday afternoon, 23rd January 1943, after finishing her work, Ah Hong began to experience labour pains. My father informed Ah Yee and immediately prepared to moved Ah Hong down to our family town house. My father cycled her to back to 118, Straight Street, B.M., where the mid-wife, Wong Mooi Chin was waiting for Ah Hong. Cecilia Wong Tet Sim was born on Sunday 24th January 1943 at 2.30am – their first born child, a lovely chubby girl, so my father recalled. Both mother and baby were well. A few days later they were back to their temporary home at the orphanage.

At that time nowhere could we get baby milk. Ah Thye Chee of St. Anne’s Orphanage, who looked after Ah Hong in the past came to visit them, bringing along new baby clothing and the precious condensed milk made with Rev. Father Teng’s cow milk cooked with sugar.

My father had a new and sincere friend in Mr Tan Teong Huat, the supervisor of the fish section of the B.M. market. Through him, my father had a regular supply of fish for human and animal consumption. My father’s pig rearing and poultry farming projects became quite successful and he was able to build up his savings in Malayan Currency.

At this time there were rumours that American and British Forces would return to liberate us from the Japanese. In fact, occasionally, Allied warplanes B29 flew over Penang. Everyone in the town was excited about it but they had to suppress their feelings for fear of the Japanese. Suddenly the price of gold and diamond soared as a result of the welcoming news. Ah Yee so kindly offered her pair of small diamond earrings and sister Ah Chook her pair of golden anklets, for sale to raise some money in Japanese currency to add on to what my father had in order to fully settle the mortgage of $2,000.00 on 13th August 2603.(the mortgagee was N.A. Saminathan Chettiar of No. 134 Penang Street, Penang.

My father was blessed again with their second child – Joachim Wong Tet Sin – on 12th July 1944, at 4.30am. Mdm Wong Mooi Chin, the ever-abled midwife, attended to Ah Hong. By this time, more Allied warplanes were frequently flying over Penang. Rumour was that we would be in the frontline to face the Allied Forces when the attacked. The Japanese army were merciless. Everyone earnestly prayed for saftey and protection. The Japanese soldiers appeared restless, and some Japanese personnel tried to be friendly. This was an indication that changes would soon happen. The Japanese money was fast losing its value. There was great demand for Malayan money and gold. Luckily my father’s financial savings were steadily growing as his pig rearing and poultry farming projects were very successful.

Demise of Ah Hong : The Church was preparing for the feast of St. Anne on 26th July 1945. Everyone was busy. One day, Ah Hong said to my father that she was not feeling well. She was down with very high fever. She did not respond well to Dr Murthy’s treatment. She was suffering from acute malaria and beri-beri, and at the time the special medicine needed for her treatment was unavailable. Ah Hong’s condition deteriorated and she had breathing difficulties. Everyone was very worried and helpless. Ah Hong begged my father not to be unduly depressed. Her tears rolled down her cheek. She asked for Rev. Father Teng who then gave her Holy Communion and Extreme Unction. She whispered to my father that it was time for her to leave them and assured him that she would always be close to him and pray for all of them. She begged everyone to remember her in their prayers. She joined them in reciting the rosary. Ah Hong held my father’s hand tightly and closed her eyes. It hurt him greatly to see how she struggled for breath. He called her to remember Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The her grip on my father’s hand weakened. She smiled and breathed her last. It was then almost mid-night on 22nd July 1945. After the Requiem Mass by Father Teng on 24th July 1945, Ah Hong was buried at the B.M. Catholic Cemetery.

My father was deeply saddened by her demise. They loved each other very much, and now the two children were without their mother. Fortunately, there was Yee Phor, Ah Chook and Ah Kim to care for them. Cecilia was then 31/2 years old and Joachim only 13 months of age. They cried for their mother and it was so unbearable for my father. My father decided that they should leave the orphanage for their family house in the town and eventually build their own house in the kampung soonest possible.

Father Teng sympathized and offered assistance when my father spoke to him about these intentions. On the morning of 12th August 1945, my father and family visited the Church to offer thanks to our Dear Lord for his protection and blessings during those 4 years of their stay at the orphanage. Everyone was so grateful to Rev. Father Teng and with that they left the orphanage with a heavy heart because dear Ah Hong was not with them.