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School of Social Sciences

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WONG Peter Kam Yen

Description

Biographical informationPeter Wong was born 1 January 1919 in Hong Kong. He was the son of Felix Wong and Wong Lee See. He migrated to Broome as a child, aboard the SS Minderoo, on 21 May 1921 with his mother and his half-sister, Quey Hay Wong.

In 1925, Peter attended the Convent School in Broome. Peter's mother and two brothers, Fred and Charlie, left for China in February 1926. Peter (referred to as Kam Yen) remained in Broome with his father to receive his education in Australia. He attended Broome State School in 1926 and 1927.

He travelled from Broome to Perth with his father in May 1927. He was educated at the Christian Brothers School, Perth until 1931 when he moved to Perth Boys' School. He later studied at the Perth Technical College.

He took over the management of the Cafe Canton after his father's death in 1935. In 1939, he was due to be deported even though he had spent the vast majority of his life in Australia. The case was the subject of many newspaper articles.

In January 1942, Peter enlisted as an Airman in the Royal Australian Air Force. He was accepted in March 1942 and commenced as an Aircraftsman Class I in April. He quickly progressed to a Flight Rigger in October 1942 and applied to the Air Crew in September 1943. In February 1944 he was transported to Melbourne. Peter was discharged September 1946.

After the War, in 1949, Peter was living in Petersham, New South Wales.
Other nameWong Kam Yen Peter (differentiated name)Peter Wong (also known as)Date of birth1st January 1919

Document

10 HaveAGo Peter Wong article - August 2025

AAC-Box-006-0588

AAC-Box-006-0590

AAC-Box-006-0594

AAC-Box-2-0457

AAC-Box-2-0492

AAC-Box-2-0493

AAC-Box-2-0494

AAC-Box-2-0495

AAC-Box-2-0537

AAC-Box-2-0538

Bereavements - Felix Wong, 1935

Wing Hing & Co. - letter 1935

Person

WONG Charlie Bain Quan

WONG Felix

WONG Fred Bain Yen

WONG LEE SEE (female)

WONG QUEY HAY (female)

Photograph and slide

Peter Kam Yen Wong WWII Service Photo 1

Peter Kam Yen Wong WWII Service Photo 2

Organisation

Cafe Canton, Perth

Peter Wong during his time in the RAAF in WWII (source: National Archives, A9301, 80141).

Family

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

Connections

Subject (organisation)Cafe Canton, PerthSS MinderooSubject (place)BroomePerthSubject (topic)World War 2 serviceRestaurateurChinese heritage in Western AustraliaRelated collectionAnne Atkinson CollectionCelebrating 200 Years - National Foundation for Australia-China Relations Project

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesSource of informationNAA CEDT File 1939/H/3NAA File 1948/H/295NAA WWII Service File

Significant place

RelationTravelled toPlaceBroomeDate21 May 1921

Significant place

RelationPlace of birthPlaceChinaDate1919

UWA Collected

WONG Peter Kam Yen

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA