Chew Bah Kah and family (Bukit Brown)

Chew Bah Kah studied in St Joseph Institution and worked as a clerk before going into his own business as a haulage contractor. In a tender accepted by the Municipal Commission, the tender was awarded to Chew Bah Kah to supply fine sand from Sungei Ringget (Sungai Rengit, Johor) at $2.15 per cubic yard.

Chew Bah Kah 

From the son of R.B. Lewis, i found out that Chew Bah Kah also managed Poh Lye & Co. General Contractors at 158 Mackenzie Road. Chew Bah Kah provided contract work for Hume Pipe among others and he has 18 lorries operating for his company. I found out from Col Lewis (the son of Mr. R.B. Lewis) that his father went to Singapore in 1926 to set up a factory to make Hume Pipes. R.B. Lewis later went on to become the Director-General of the Australian Commonwealth Dept of Works.

A letter from Mr Chew Bah Kah to Mr. R. B. Lewis dated 14.01.1940 (photo courtesy of Col Lewis)

A good Samaritan 

In 1950, Chew Bah Kah entered the little hut of elderly Mrs Ong Kim (who lived with her paralysed 30 year daughter and 10 year old grandson) and saw the dilapidated condition of her hut and thus decide to rebuilt her hut into a new house with two rooms, a living room and a kitchen. Beside building a home, he offered to give the 10 year boy $10 a month so he can go to school. In 1951, he repeated this deed by building a hut for destitute and paralysed Grandma Lau. Before that she was sleeping in a place exposed to all weathers under a frail shelter made of gunny bags and cardboards.

Mrs Ong Kim receiving relief from Social Welfare Department
(source: NewspaperSG)

Relief for Fire Sufferers

The committee of Tiong Nam School at 107 Selegie Road, under the chairmanship of Ong Chwee Taw (Ong Chwee Tow /Ong Chwee Town) provided relief to the homeless of the great fire in Rangoon Road. In January 1924, the school housed 50 homeless mostly women and children. Chew Bah Kah was a committee member. He was in the committee in charge of rice distribution. Chew Bah Kah was also a committe member of Chung Nam School (1925).

Death

Chew Ban Kah died at the age of 67 on December 28, 1960 leaving behind his wife, Tan Guek Neo, 2 sons, Chew Boon Leong, Chew Peng Yam, 2 adopted sons, Chew Jin Eng, Chew Jin Chiang, 3 daughters; Chew Jin Neo, Chew Boon Eng, Chew Peng Choo, 3 son-in-laws, 2 daughter-in-laws, 22 grandchildren. The cortege left his residence in 15 Nallur Road. Members of the Choa Ann Association and Chew Clan send their well wishes.

Chew Bah Kah's tomb 

Wife: Madam Tan Guek Neo
Mrs.Chew Bah Kah nee Madam Tan Guek Neo passed away on 19th November 1986 leaving behind 2 sons, (Chew Boon Leong, Chew Peng Yam ) 2 daughters-in-law (Sng Hiang Lian, Yeo Lee Ting), 4 daughters ( Chew Boon Eng, Chew Peng Choo, Chew Mui Kia, Chew Ah Lin), 4 sons-in-law ( Yap Teck Hiang, Teo Cheng Boo, Yeow Hong Lim, Ho Huat Soon), and many grand and great grandchildren. The cortege left from 11, Carlton Avenue for Choa Chu Kang Cemetery.

Family

Father: Chew Ah Kah 
Mr Chew Ah Kak passed away at the age of 75 on June 7, 1941 at his residence in No 158 MacKenzie Road. He is survived by 2 sons (Chew Siew Boon alias Koh Siew Boon, Chew Bah Kah), 1 daughter (Chew Boo Neo),  1 son-in-law, 3 daughter-in-laws, many grandchildren. Chew Ah Kah is buried nearby.  Chew Bah Kah's wife was Madam Koh Tng Neo. (passed away on 30th July 1926) and is buried in Bukit Brown.

Chew Ah Kah  (a dragon fly resting on his photo) 

Chew Ah Kah

Son:Chew Boon Leong

Chew Boon Leong (Getek), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Chew Bah Kah got engaged to Miss Sng Hiang Lian, Gloria (second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sng Kwee Choon) in 1952.

Chew Jin Chang, Chew Jin Eng, Chew Boon Leong & Charlie Chew”  (photo courtesy of Col Lewis) 

Charlie Chew ( photo courtesy of Col Lewis)

Ruby Chew (photo courtesy of Col Lewis)

References

Relief for Fire Suffers. (1924, January 15). The Straits Times, page 6
Chung Nam School. (1925, December 17). The Straits Times, page 10
Death.(1941, June 9). The Straits Times, page 2
She could have wept with joy. (1950, September 9). The Straits Times, page 7
Good samaritan offers to build a new home. (1951, April 11). The Singapore Free Press, page 5
Acknowledgements.(1961, January 2).The Straits Times, page 6
Death. (1986, November 22). The Straits Times, page 38
Correspondence with  Col Lewis (son of R.B. Lewis). (Email). 2020, April 25