OH4296/26: Part 1. Interview with John Kee Fong in 1998 by Kaylene Poon

Summary

John Fong Poh Tan speaks of his family background, Mary Chong Wee born in Darwin, father is Fong Kee born in Toi Shan, Guangzhou (Canton) China, John Kee Fong was born in Broome, late 1920s-30's, stayed in China for about 9 years (China & Darwin), languages (English, Cantonese c;(See Yat)), marriage, children; father’s occupation (tailor). Family lived Broome; returned to China for several years (1920s and 30s); moved back to Australia when war with Japan broke out; schooling China and Broome ( extra support to learn English). John mentions Chinese businesses in Broome, uncle's business Fong Heng Lee; Charlie Wong Brothers, Chin Seng,financial support provided to family in China; overseas Chinese (e.g. from Singapore) evacuated to WA because of war. John join the Army, 1943, training at Karrakatta, Guildford, Northam, Bathurst, jungle training in Queensland; experience of Chinese in armed forces during WW2; posted overseas 42nd Battalion New Guinea, 7th Field Ambulance (guard duties mostly), from 1944; returned 1946 to Broome. Details work experience after war, had difficulties looking for work in Broome, together with Uncle's Willie Fong Seng, deliver the mail and goods supply from ports to cattle stations once a month (goods transport; Geraldton fruit and vegetable shop; general, construction, worked as a kitchen hand and was made in charge of the kitchen, catering at new whaling Station from 1949-1952, the new facility commenced at Babbage Island Carnarvon, by the Commonwealth Whaling Commission (Norwegians helped to establish station); decided to work at Sydney Haymarket and friend, Charlie Wong's hardware store, marriage Sydney in March 1954; returned to Perth in November 1954; Took over Chinese merchant business in James Street for 19 years till 1973 for about 200 pounds, only Chinese food store in Perth, the previous owners redirect goods from Sydney and Melbourne from the contacts, must obtain import licences with quota of thousands of pounds to import, Colombo Plan students boosted demand. John talks about the strong bond between the Western Australian Chinese community and the Kuomingtang (Chinese Nationalist party) consulate and their fundraising efforts to support their cause. This interview forms part of Courage and Service Oral History project.