23. Happy Union

The happy union between Chung Chow and Lee Mooi took place on August 21, 1942. Early that Friday morning, father Chung Chow, accompanied by a friend, went in a rented taxi to fetch his bride in Assam Kumbang. Mother Lee Mooi was staying with her parents in a farm house situated near the aerodrome. After a very simple ceremony, they returned to the house in Tupai Road.

There was no fanfare and no honeymoon as Japanese soldiers were everywhere. One of the signatories to witness their marriage was our grandfather's cousin, Chan Ying Kau.

This marriage certificate is one of the most treasured items that our parents had kept to this day. Father Chung Chow told me that they had four tables laid out for a wedding dinner at Kum Loong Restaurant to celebrate the occasion with relatives and friends.

Mother Lee Mooi recalled that she and father had to hide their wedding clothes while on their way to the New World Photo Studio (presently occupied by Lam Loong Photo) in Theatre Road to have their wedding photo taken. They do not want to attract any attention from the Japanese soldiers. In her haste to get to the studio, mother had forgotten to bring along her undergarments, but it did not deterred her from having that all important photo taken. After the wedding, mother said she spent most of her time inside the house, and dared not venture outside for fear of the Japanese soldiers.