Page 33 - Stories from our Grandparents

People were very friendly and generous to one another.
He also told me, in those days transportation was mostly
by trishaw. A trishaw would bring him to school everyday.
The trishaw puller was usually paid 30 cents.

My grandfather later became a teacher.
He wanted to follow in his father’s
footsteps. He told me that his own
y grandfather was born in Singapore in 1940. father taught at Saint Patrick’s and also became a Secondary
His most memorable experience during his School Principal. His father later became an Inspector of Schools.
childhood days was being the badminton When I asked my grandfather what he thinks of Singapore today, he replied,
Mchampion of Saint Patrick’s Secondary School.
“It is very modern and technologically advanced. Singapore is clean and
He was born in the second year of the Second World War, but does not safe. Singapore provides good education and produces competent citizens
remember much of it as he was very young at that time. His only memories of to man the workforce. Singaporeans today live longer lives because of an
the war were of him hiding under a table with his mother and bomb splinters efficient and professional healthcare service. We Singaporeans are lucky.”
flying everywhere. He also does not remember how he survived, he just recalls
that his parents took good care of him. My grandfather would like to share one message with
the next generation of Singaporeans. “Anybody can
When the war ended, my grandfather stayed at Marshall Road. be anything he wants, if he is driven, determined and
He found post-war Singapore wonderful, not just because the
terrible war had ended, but because he could play any games willing to make sacrifices. Also, age is not a barrier. It is
he wanted. For example, he played with marbles, rubber bands, just a number.”
took part in kite-fighting and fighting spiders.
My grandfather retired in the year 2000, but keeps himself busy.
During the turbulent pre-independence At present, he is an Aikido martial arts instructor and plays
days, my grandfather witnessed several badminton every week.
racial riots. He said things were better
in the days after Singapore gained He has certainly led a full and active life!
independence. There were many
kampongs, but the Malays, Chinese and
Indians lived side by side peacefully,
unlike the pre-independence days.

Mr Yoong Tat Fook Peter BORN 1940
Image courtesy of Our story: St. Patrick's School 1933-198

32 Grandpa Stories By Elijah James Ng Grandpa Stories 33
NCC Land St Patrick’s School