HU CHE-EM

Description

Biographical informationHu Che-Em, commonly known as Hop Chong, was born in Canton in 1873. He may have arrived in WA in 1890. He was a market gardener but further research is required to determine where he worked when he first came to Western Australia.

Hop Chong was listed in the 1912 Post Office Directory as 'Norwood Estate' (an area around Mt Lawley) but by late 1912 he had taken over the Fatt Brothers gardens in Beechboro.

In 1918, he either expanded his existing holdings or moved to the gardens on Beechboro Road that previously belonged to Lee Sang.

He married Jean Hume (who may have been known as Gladys) and had two daughters - Evelyn (b. July 1932) and Sylvia (b. October 1933). His daughters remembered his hard work, simple and clean house and his excellent cooking. His wife died sometime before 1947.

He remained in Beechboro Road until well into the late 1940s or early 1950s. In his retirement years he lived in Maylands, James Street in Northbridge and Leederville.

He was admitted to Sunset Rest Home for the aged in Dalkeith in September 1962 and died there on 4 April 1964.

In October 2025, the Bayswater City Council is due to consider renaming a laneway in Bayswater to recognise Hu Che-Em.Other nameHop Chong (other name)Hop Cheong (other name)Date of birth1873Date of death4th April 1964

Hu Che-Em pictured around 1948 when he had to register under the Aliens Act of 1947 (source: National Archives of Australia, K1331, 1964/1965/HU C E).

Connections

Subject (organisation)Hop Cheong's Market Garden, BayswaterSunset Rest Home and Hospital, DalkeithSubject (topic)Market gardeningRelated collectionCelebrating 200 Years - National Foundation for Australia-China Relations ProjectAnne Atkinson Collection

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social Sciences

Significant place

RelationPlace of birthPlaceCantonDate1873

Significant place

RelationTravelled toPlaceFremantleDatec. 1890

Significant place

RelationPlace of deathPlaceDalkeithDate1964-04-04

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UWA Collected

HU CHE-EM

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA