WONG Fred Bain Yen

Description

Biographical informationFred Bain Yen Wong born on 23 May 1922 in Broome, Western Australia. He was the son of Felix Wong and Wong Lee See. His mother's name was recorded as "Mary Lill She" on his birth certificate (BDMWA 1100012/1922).

Fred left for China in February 1926 as a young child but returned to Fremantle aboard the SS Minderoo in September 1934 (after travel extension was granted). Although born in Australia, he was required to seek an extension to his Certificate Exempting him from the Dictation Test on his return to Australia. His father, Felix, had sent photographs to the Collector of Customs in 1929 and 1932 to assist in aiding Fred's return to Australia and stating a clear intention for all his sons to be educated in Australia.

After his father died in 1935, Fred helped run the Canton Cafe in William Street, Perth, with his brother Peter Kam Yen Wong. In 1936, he lived at 207 William Street, Perth with Peter and attended Highgate State School.

He left for China in July 1940 and returned to Western Australia in June 1947. As he had lost his CEDT while in China, his brother Peter had to communicate regularly with Customs to seek extensions to his CEDT. It also meant that when Fred returned to Australia in June 1947, after several unsuccessful attempts to return during the war, he had to prove his identity.Other nameWong Fred Bain Yen (differentiated name)Fred Wong (also known as)Date of birth23rd May 1922

Fred Bain Yen Wong aged just 3 years old, as pictured on his Certificate of Exemption from the Dictation Test (source: National Archives, K1145, 1925/90)

Family

ParentWONG FelixWONG LEE SEE (female)SiblingWONG QUEY HAY (female)WONG Peter Kam Yen WONG Charlie Bain Quan

Connections

Subject (organisation)Cafe Canton, PerthSS MinderooSubject (place)Broome207 William Street, PerthSubject (topic)RestaurateurChinese heritage in Western AustraliaRelated collectionCelebrating 200 Years - National Foundation for Australia-China Relations ProjectAnne Atkinson Collection

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesSource of informationNAA CEDT File 1925NAA CEDT File 1940

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UWA Collected

WONG Fred Bain Yen

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA