Chung Guat Nya (Mrs. Lam Teng Kam), death October 1922, Batu Gajah

A telegram from our Ipoh correspondent says that the sad death of a Chinese lady, Mrs Lam Teng Kam, daughter of the Kapitan China, took place at the Tronoh Cinema, on Sunday. She was near a Kitson light when the flames suddenly caught her clothes. She ran out in the general stampede carrying her baby in her arms. The latter was saved but the woman was taken to Batu Gajah hospital badly burnt, and died soon after. The funeral took place yesterday. The Straits Times, 25 October 1922, Page 10

LOCAL WIRES | TRAVELLING CINEMA FATALITY | (From Our Own Correspondent) Ipoh Oct 25: A distressing incident occurred at a travelling cinema at Tronoh, resulting in the death of a Chinese lady, the wife of Lam Teng Kam and the daughter of the Kapitan China, Chung Thye Phin. It appears that while she was viewing the show, with an infant in her arms, her kebaya became saturated with oil dripping from a Kitson lamp, and caught fire. She created a panic and the audience stampeded. By the time the jaga had plucked the child away, the woman was badly burned, and she died in Batu Gajah hospital the next day. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 26 October 1922, Page 6

A Tronoh Tragedy: The funeral took place ast the Cantonese Cemerery to-day, says the Times of Malaya of Tuesday, of Mrs Lam Teng Kam, the daughter of Kapitan Chung Thye Phin. The deceased lady, who was only 25 years of age, met her end under sad circumstances. She was attending a travelling cinema show at Tronoh with her husband and children a few nights back, when her clothes caught fire from one of the Kitson lights, it is alleged. Exactly how the accident happened is not very clear but it would appear that the deceased's kabaya was saturated with oil from the light and that her clothes were soon in flames. There was apparently the stampede that usually accompanies an accident of this nature at a public show, and the suffering woman was badly scorched before the fire could be beaten off her clothes. She was taken to Batu Gajah Hospital immediately, but the injuries were of a serious nature and death soon followed. At the time of the accident Mrs Lam Teng Kam had her last child in her arms and, in the excitement and confusion, held her child away from her as she ran about in the agony of the flames that were consuming her clothes. Fortunately a Sikh jaga held out his arms for the child and she handed the infant over before it could be hurt by the flames. - The Straits Times, 28 October 1922, Page 10.

Mrs. Gan Hood Soo, 5 June 1922, Singapore

DEATH. GAN.--On June 4 Mrs. Gan Hood Soo, aged 88, sister of the late Tan Kim Tean, aunt of Tan Hap Leng and Tan Hap Leong at Villa de Tann No 1 Lorong 16, Gaylang-rd. Funeral to-day at 1 p.m. at Alexandra Road. (Penang papers please copy.) [The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 5 June 1922, Page 6]

Gan Ngoh Bee, death 3 September 1922, Penang

DEATH. GAN---Gan Ngoh Bee, J.P., at 11.30, on Sunday, 3rd September, 1922, at "Aurora" House, Light Street, Penang, Age 64, Leaves 2 widows, 3 sons, 8 daughters, 40 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren to mourn his loss. Straits and F.M.S. papers please copy. [The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 7 September 1922, Page 6]

See Teong Quee, death

The friends and relatives of the late Mr. See Teong Quee are hereby in formed that his mortal remains will be removed from his residence, No. 2 Peck Seah Street, on Sunday 7th inst., at 10.30 a.m.  to the Municipal Chinese burial ground at Bukit Brown for interment. The funeral will be according to the reformed style, and no banners, scrolls or music will be accepted. [The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 5 May 1922, Page 6]

Tan Cheng-Siong, death 1922, Singapore

Death. Tan Cheng Siong J.P.--On Thursday, 19th instant, at 10 a.m., at his residence No. 60 Cecil Street. Interment on Sunday, at the Bukit Brown Chinese Cemetery, Cortege leaving Cecil Street at 9 a.m. Deeply regretted. Penang and China papers please copy. [The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 20 October 1922, Page 6; Malaya Tribune, 21 October 1922, Page 6; Malaya Tribune, 23 October 1922, Page 6]

There was a representative gathering at the funeral of the late Mr. Tan Cheng Siong, J.P., which took place on Sunday the 2nd instant at 10 a.m. By the express wish of the deceased the funeral was very simple, the coffin being placed on a bier draped with Chinese mourning colours, with a band of 32 persons following behind. As a mark of the respect in which the deceased was held, many influential citizens of the city were present, amongst whom were noticed the following: The hon. Mr. D. Beatty, Secretary for Chinese Affairs; Dr. S. C. Yin; Mr. Lim Nee Soon, J.P., President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Messrs. Tan Kah Kee, Lim Peng Siang, J.P., See Tiong Wah, J.P., Lee Sing Yu, J.P., Ng Song Phang, J.P., Seow Poh Leng, Tan Ean Khiam, Khoo Kok Wah, Khoo Yang Tin, See Boo Ee, Ong Thye Ghee, Wee Teck Seng, C. Hannigan, C.P.O., J. Costello, C.D.I., Tan Sian Cheng, Ong Peng Hock, Goh Teong Lay, Kwa Siew Tee, Khoo Kay Hean, members of the E. Hoe Hean and Goh Loo Clubs, the staffs of the Overseas Chinese Bank Ltd., the Soon Keck Steamship Co., Ltd., the United Saw Mills, Ltd., and many others too numerous to mention. The funeral procession was headed by the Venerable Chuan Toh, High Priest of the Chinese Temple at Telok Ayer Street. The "Tiam Chu" ceremony at the graveyard was performed by Mr. Ong Huay Ghee, secretary of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Wreaths and letters of condolence were received from the following: the President of the Chinese Advisory Board and Poh Leong Kuk, Mr. Ho Lok Loo, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Overseas-Chinese Bank, Ltd., Goh The Ghee, the Soon Keck Steamship Co., Ltd., the Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd., Mr. Tan Yew Chay, Mr. Tan Sian Chin, Mr. Tan Sian Kiong, the Lat Pau Press, the Kong Yong School, Mr. Ang Teow Huan, Mr. Ang Teow Bah, Mr. Tan Gin Chwan, Mr. Chew Hian Swee, Chew Joo Chiat, Joo Bee and Co., Tan Chooy Lai, Chop Chin Seng Hong, Chop Seng Lee, Chop Seng Hin, Mr. Tay Cheng Khee, Mr and Mrs. Goh Un Tien, Chop Seng Jit Hin, Chop Teck Kee, Chop Ban Hock Hin, Tay Seng Hin, Chop Lian Seng, Mr Tan Teck Guan, Mr Tan Boon Kiat, Mr Tan Bon Eng, Chop Kim Ban Hoe, Chop Guan Seng, Chop Hway Thong, Chop Hock Guan Hin, Chop Aik Soon, Chop Soon Guan, staff of The Soon Keck Steamship Co., Chop Hock Hoe, Chop Ban Hin Guan, Mr. Tan Hoon Beng, Mr. Tan Geng Chong, the Captain and Engineer of the Sri Muar, Mr Lee Kim Puat, Mr Ong Boon Tat, Mr Goh Soo Kee, Mr Goh Lye, Mr Khoo Kay Hian, Mr Tan Kim Poey, Mr Tan Kim Khan, Sian Tan Co., Chop Bian Seng, Chop Tah Hoe Hup, Chop Tan Hoe Bee, Mr Yap Chim Khwan, Mr Yap Chim Seng, Po Aik Temple, Thian Hock Temple, Sian Chor Temple, Mr and Mrs Ngo Woon Tian. [The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 26 October 1922, Page 12]

Seow Ewe-Lin, death

DEATH. SEOW EWE LIN.---On Octoner 12, 1922, at 74-1, Prinsep Street, Singapore, father of Seow Lek Kee, Cheong Beng Chye, Seow Choon Kee and Seow Soon Kee and 2 daughters. Age 49 years. Funeral on Monday, 16th inst., 10.30 a.m., for Buona Vista Road burial ground.

[The Straits Times, 13 October 1922, Page 8]

Tan Kheam-Hock, death 21 April 1922, Singapore

DEATH. TAN KHEAM HOCK. --- At his residence, 106 River Valley Road, on April 21, Tan Kheam Hock, J.P., Municipal Commissioner, aged 61. [The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 22 April 1922, Page 6]

The Late Mr. Tan Kheam Hock. The day originall fixed for the funeral of the late Mr Tan Kheam Hock having proved to be unpropitious, the funeral will now take place on Saturday next, April 29th, the funeral cortege starting from Penang Cot. 106, River Valley Road, at 11.30 a.m., sharp. [Malaya Tribune, 28 April 1922, Page 6]

LATE MR. TAN KHEAM HOCK.
Biographical Sketch By A Personal Friend.

Mr. H. B. Leicester, who was not only associated with the late Mr. Tan Kheam Hock (whose funeral took place to-day) in business matters, but was also a personal friend, forwards the following sketch of the deceased's career which he prepared some time ago:-

Mr. Tan Kheam Hock, a son of the late Mr. Tan Teng Pong, a well-known merchant of Penang, was born in Penang on June 18, 1862, and educated in the Penang Free School, on leaving which, he joined the Chartered Mercantile Bank. After several years' service, he resigned and proceeded to Calcutta, in 1877, to start a business there in connection with general produce, remaining there until 1889, in which year he came to Singapore and joined the syndicate which (with the exception of the period 1898-1900) held the monopoly of the Opium and Spirit farms till 1906.

In December 1901, he became labour contractor to the Tanjong Pagar Dock Co., Ltd. (now the Singapore Harbour Board) employing a huge permanent labour force numbering some thousands of souls. With Singapore for his headquarters, Mr. Kheam Hock had always identified himself with all movements for the welfare of the Chinese community here and elsewhere ; and was always ready with his purse and valuable advice to help and foster every good cause.

In 1910, he received the special thanks of the Governor fr the valuable advice and assistance rendered him in connection with the establishment of the Government Monopolies Department. In 1912 he was made a Justice of the Peace. He was elected a Municipal Commissioner for one of the wards onAugust 5, 1913, and under Municipal Ordinance of 1913, was twice nominated as such by the Governor. A staunch supporter of the Straits Chinese British Association, he was for a number of years on the committee of that society. Besides having a seat on the Chinese Advisory Board, and the committee of the Po Leung Kuk, he was also a member of the Board of Licensing Justices, a member of the Council of the King Edward VII Medical School ; Chairman of the Eastern United Assurance Corporation, Ltd., and Director of quite an array of insurance, rubber, tin and industrial companies.

Mr. Kheam Hock was a man of progressive ideas, of keen intellect and a pucka man of business. He was also a sincere friend to the cause of education for Chinese girls. Two of his sons, Chong Khee and Chong Lay, have been volunteers, and the former has, for several years, held the tennis championship of the S.C.R.C. He is also a director of York Estates, Ltd., and other limited companies. Two younger sons, Chong Chew and Chong Teck, were partially educated at a private school in England. It was the intention of Mr. Kheam Hock to send these two sons to Cambridge, but domestic affairs necessitated their return to the Colony earlier than expected. In the spring of 1913, Mr. Kheam Hock visited England and the continent. Six sons and one daughter by his first marriage and three sons and one daughter by the second marriage survive him.

[The Straits Times, 29 April 1922, Page 9]

One of the most impressive funeral ceremonies seen in Singapore for some time past was that which wended its way through the town on Saturday, when the remains of the late Mr. Tan Kheam Hock, J.P., M.C., were removed to the Alexandra Road cemetery for internment. In deference to the wish of the deceased the funeral was a simple one, but it was most impressive. The procession, which left the residence of the deceased, 106 River Valley Road, was about half a mile long, and traversed Killeney Road, Orchard Road, Tanglin Road, Alexandra Road thence to the cemetery. It was led by a number of people distributing silver paper broadcast, followed by Chinese musicians playing at intervals soft and melancholy airs. Two large lanterns, signifying the "seh" of the deceased, were carried next, behind which came many of the deceased's Tanjong Pagar coolies, carrying wreathes and caskets made of flowers. The deceased's motor car, which was a mass of flowers and wreaths, bearing a life size portrait of the late Mr. Tan Kheam Hock, came next. The band of the 2nd Middlesex Regiment followed, discoursing suitable music. The funeral catafalque, an immense one with its magnificent canopy made of the best green China silk, the whole adorned with flowers, came next, preceded by a long line of Buddhist priests, of the Teluk Ayer Temple, in their picturesque silken robes, who walked under the shade of gorgeous umbrellas. The mourners followed. The rear was brought up by a long line of cars, in which were noticed the chief members of the Chinese community, including the Hon. Mr. Lee Choon Guan, the Hon. Mr. S. Q. Wong, the Chinese Consul General, friends from Penang and the Peninsula, his brother Municipal commissioners, and members of other communities, including Europeans.

Over two hundred beautiful wreaths were sent from all the firms which the deceased was connected, Messrs. Seet Cheng Swi, Tan Hap Leong, A. Barker, Kho Keng Chuan, Tan Wi Yan, Khaw Joo Tock, Chia Cheng Jin, Kwa Siew Tee, Chan Sze Onn, Tan Soo Bin, L. Aroozoo, C. C. Dunman, Dr. J. A. R. Glennie, R. Page, G. W. A. Trimmer, Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Lane, H. Tongue, D. Noble, J. Symons, Seow Poh Leng, Quah Beng Kee, J. A. Elias, E. A. Elias, Chee Sweet Cheng, Municipal Commissioners, D. Beatty, Cheah Chen Eok, See Tiong Wah, R. J. Farrer, Seah Peng Hong, Chia Keng Tye, E. S. Manasseh, H. B. Leicester, Tanjong Pagar Labour Syndicate, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Cashin, Chwee Eng School, Lim Peng Siang, Rev. J. S. Nagle, Mr. and Mrs. J. Etlin, Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Alford, and many others.

The Deceased's Career.

Born at Penang in 1862, the late Mr. Tan Kheam Hock received his education at the Penang Free School. Upon leaving this institution he joined the Mercantile Bank of India, London and China, and after working there zealously for eight years, he decided in 1887, to widen the scope of his experience by travel. Accordingly he went to Calcutta, and during a two years' stay there, mastered the details of the produce business. In 1889 he came to Singapore and became connected with the opium and spirit farm. Like most Chinese business men, he was careful not to keep all his eggs in one basket. Beginning with December, 1901, he contracted with that mammoth undertaking, the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, to supply coolie labour. Some idea of what this entailed may be gathered when it is stated that the wharf frontage of the docks was over a mile and a half in length and as many as 2,500 coolies were permanently employed there. He continued the labour contract with the Singapore Harbour Board till the time of his death, and there were as many as five thousand coolies earning their living under him. Mr. Tan Kheam Hock took a great interest in the King Edward VII Medical School and had a seat on the committee of management. He was a member of the Society of Arts, London, where he paid a visit when he went to Europe in the year 1913. He married the sixth daughter of the late Mr. Foo Thye Sin, J.P., and Municipal Commissioner of Penang, and left a widow, nine sons (Messrs. Tan Chong Khee Teck, Tan Chong Gark, Tan Chong tan Chong Teck, Tan Chong Gark, Tan Chong Teat, Tan Chong Lock, Tan Chong Siew and Tan Chong Boon), two daughters and twenty-nine grandchildren to mourn his loss. He was appointed a municipal commissioner of the town of Singapore in the year 1910, which post he held till the time of his death. He was a member of the Hokkien Advisory Board, Licensing Justices, Poh Leung Keok, King Edward VII Medical School, Government Hospital Branch, a Justice of the Peace, and a chairman or director of the Eastern United Assurance Co., Singapore Traders, Great Eastern Life Assurance Co., Liberty Hall, Jesselton Ice Co., Sime Darby and Co., Lunas Rubber Estates, Scudai, Muar Rubber, Craigiela Plantations, Indragiri Rubber, Titi Tin, Lingui Tin, Singapore Building Corporation, and many other public companies.

The late Mr. Tan Kheam Hock was always liberal towards a good cause and was ever willing to give a helping hand to those who were ikn need of his assistance and advice, be they rich or poor.

[The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 1 May 1922, Page 7]