I found 3 grave errors in the newspapers' article.
Error No 1: "He (Chew Joo Chiat) is believed to have died in 1950s".
Fact No. 1: He died on 5 February 1926 according to his tombstone and his obituary.
Error No. 2: "He (Chew Joo Chiat) had only one child, the late Chew Quee Neo".
Fact No. 2: "He had 2 sons, Chew Cheng Liam 周清廉 Chew Cheng Swee 周清水 and 3 daughters, Chew Quee Neo 周桂娘 Chew Siang Neo 周羡娘 and Chew Su Lan 周素蘭
Fact No. 1 and 2 can be found on Chew Joo Chiat's tombstone. Chew Quee Neo's name and Chew's two other daughters' names were also inscribed on it.
Error No 3: "In his heyday, Mr Chew was dubbed the King of Katong because of his wealth".
Fact No 3: Chew Joo Chiat was never dubbed the King of Katong during his life time. There was no evidence to substantiate the claim. The name King of Katong first appeared in the Straits Times article from the interview with her. Its second appearance was in the book "Joo Chiat a living legacy". However, it had been copied by magazines and websites.
I shall be happy if it is true that my great grand-father, Chew Joo Chiat had been dubbed the King of Katong.
4 comments:
What Philip has said was absolutely correct. To further substatiate the fact that I am Chew Cheng Swee's son and Chew Joo Chiat was my grand father. I visited his grave yearly during Ching Ming and cleaned up the tombstone and surroundings. This was done for more than 40 years till today by me and my wife.
Thank you uncle for your support
Have you been to visit Mdm Tan, wife of Chew Joo Chiat, in Bukit Brown? I realize it is at a different location (hill) from her husband.
A tomb had been made for Mdm Tan, next to Chew Joo Chiat's tomb. Based on the tombstone her body was not there. I do not know where she was buried.
I understand Chew Joo Chiat's China wife was also buried in Bukit Brown at a different location. She died before Chew. I hope someone can help me find her grave. She is my great grand mother.
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