Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos (1903-1986) - Biography

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Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos (1903-1986)
Dr Che Lah bin Mohamed Joonoos
Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (L.M.S.) March 1930 King Edward VII, College of Medicine, Singapore

Date of birth: 10 December 1903*
Place of birth: Jelutong, Penang**
Date of demise: 23 January 1986
Place of demise: Penang General Hospital
Place of burial: Tanah Perkuburan Masjid Jamek Glugor, Gelugor 11700, Penang

Birth date

• Two birth dates were recorded, 1903 and 1904. 
• He wrote 1903 on his application form to the LSHTM. However, a check with LSHTM indicated he did not do his postgraduate studies there.
• His eldest daughter Tulip wrote his birth date as 1903 when he dictated his biodata on his death bed at Penang General Hospital in 1986.
• An inscribed date of birth on his tombstone was 1904.

Birthplace

• His actual birthplace was Jelutong and not Glugor as believed by many. 
• He grew up in a blue house in Jelutong Road (now Jalan Jelutong), Jelutong, in Penang. 
• His son Kamaruddin Che Lah remembered the blue house in Jelutong but was unable to locate it in 2021.

Education

1. Malay School, Air Itam, Penang, completed Standard IV 1910-1914
2. Anglo-Chinese School (ACS), Maxwell Road, Penang 1915-1917, completed Standard VII Senior Cambridge December 1919 .
3. King Edward VII College of Medicine Singapore as FMS Govt Medical Student in June 1923-1930. Passed Final Medical Professional Examination in March 1930. Awarded the College Diploma L.M.S. Singapore (Class of March 1930). His paper transcripts still exist but are faded and very brittle. 
4. Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore (short course) 1949
5. UM Singapore Postgraduate (studies?) 1951

Qualifications

1. Senior Cambridge, ACS Penang Dec 1919
2. LMS KE VII S'pore June 1923-March 1930
3. MRCP .... Tan Tock Seng & UM S'pore 1950-51?

Some of his medical books have been donated to General Hospital Penang. However, these books could not be traced. His books were probably sent to the used books bookstalls in Chowrasta Market (on the second floor).

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Author's notes:

Please help to identify the other people in his original photos below. Some of the photos were recaptured from his photo albums.

==== HIGH SCHOOL: ACS, Maxwell Road, Penang 1919 ====

Che Lah bin Md Joonos 1919 (16 years old).

ACS Scouts 1919, Penang. He is on the right.

ACS Scouts 1919. Che Lah is seated between 2 men with hats.

== GRADUATION FROM KING EDWARD VII ==
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 1930
(LMS KE VII March 1930)
Class of 1930

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos 1930

=== DISTRICT HOSPITAL KUALA LUMPUR 1930 onward ===

==== PORT DICKSON 1938 ====

Q-Camp, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan 2 Oct 1938

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos 1938-1942


= LEPER SETTLEMENT, SG BULOH 1943-45 =
(World War II / Japanese Occupation)

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos

http://repository.um.edu.my/93165/1/leprosy-2014-Jaya.pdf

===== Q CAMP, PORT DICKSON ======
NEGERI SEMBILAN, MALAYA

At the government residence at Port Dickson or 35 Maxwell house, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya.

12/03/2016, 3:40 a.m. From Sharif H/p: 

Gambar kereta Dato Penang kat rumah Maxwell Road ialah jenis Austin A135 Princess model 1950/51. Rolls Royce hanya sultan dan governor general boleh pakai masa dulu. Saiz & design Austin Princess tak jauh beza dgn RR. So Austin Princess ialah kereta tauke Cina KL dan orang kaya KL dulu. Jadi Dato Penang tergolong dalam group orang kaya zaman British. Abang ada ingat Mak ada beritahu nama kereta tu bukan Rolls Royce.

====== MALAYAN RAILWAY, KL ======

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos
Malayan Railway Health Officer
Health Department, Malayan Railway, Kuala Lumpur
1948-1949

Farewell to Malayan Railway 1948. 

Dr. M. J. Che Lah, (seated centre) Malayan Railway Health Officer pictured at the party given in his honour by the staff of the Health Department, Malayan Railway in Kuala Lumpur. Dr Che Lah is promoted to Deputy State Medical and Health Officer, Selangor. His successor is Dr. J. A. Leslie-Spinks (seated fourth from right). - Yong Peng Seong picture. Source: Singapore Standard, 1948. Doctor is guest of honour.

=== MRCP, Tan Tock Seng Hospital ===
under UM, Singapore 1949-1950
(He did not go to LSHTM, London to do his MRCP there.)

* UM Singapore Council & Court 1951 *

 

=== 35 MAXWELL ROAD, KL 1950-1952 ===

(Govt quarters in KL)

3 of 4 daughters and adopted son.

* LONG HOLIDAY FOR BRITISH OFFICERS 1950 *

(3 months holiday)

He visited UK, Holland and Switzerland 1950

Volendam, Holland ppc.

Dr Che Lah wrote home from Devon, UK 17 Oct 1950.

Visiting Luzern, Switzerland 1950

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos 1950

=== HOSPITAL KL 1952-53 ===

There are no work photos of Dr Che Lah at General Hospital KL.

===== REMARRIED 1953 =====

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos 1953

Married 2nd time 18 May 1953.

The local newspaper reported that she was a nurse from Johor. She worked at Bangsar Hospital, where her son Din was later born in 1955. Uncle Din said his mother was from KL and not Johor.

Dr Che Lah, Mariah and Tulip, holiday in Liverpool, England 1953.

Holiday in Continental Europe.

Dr Che Lah and Mariah, holiday in Continental Europe (Rome and Switzerland) August 1953.

==== MALACCA 1954-1955 =====

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos, CMHO Malacca 1954-1955.

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos with Lady Edith Templer at General Hospital Malacca c.1954-1955. Lady Templer also visited the Convent Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) school on 23 April 1954 in Malacca. My paternal aunt Mak Bedah who attended CHIJ, was photographed by my father in school uniform on 26 April 1954. 

Dr Che Lah's family in Malacca, c.April 1955. Baby Din was born in early Feb 1955.

=== PAHANG 1955-1958 (till retired) ====

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos retired on 30 June 1958.

Receiving the Meritorious Award from Sultan Pahang, Sultan Sir Abu Bakar of Pahang, on 30 June 1958.

After the award ceremony on 30 June 1958.

======= RETIRED 1958 ======

Dr Che Lah's retirement was published in the local newspapers. He retired from Government service on 30 June 1958 as Medical and Health Officer, Pahang (MHO Pahang). He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal during the birthday of Sultan Pahang, Sultan Sir Abu Bakar. Dr A. N. Ray succeeded him in Pahang. Dr Ray was the deputy principal Medical Officer, Johore (MO Johore).

=== POST-RETIREMENT ===

GLUGOR, PENANG

July 1958- January 1986

Dr Che Lah retired and returned to Penang, with his Chinese wife, son and Chinese maid. 

According to Aunty Aishah (anak angkat Tok Daud), Dr Che Lah first lived in a small single-storey bungalow as arranged by her step-father, Tok Daud, then Penghulu of Kg Sg Gelugor.

= SOLOK PEMANCAR, Penang - Early 1960s =

Dr Che Lah's eldest daughter, Tulip, and her children at 219 Bukit Glugor(now 219 Solok Pemancar) house, Penang, in early 1960s.

Tun Raja Uda bin Raja Muhammad, KBE, CMG was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Penang. He was appointed on 31 August 1957 and served for 10 years. He passed away on 17 October 1976. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Uda 

Tun Raja Uda occupied this 219 Solok Pemancar house when he was the first Governor of Penang (1957-1967). He then sold the house to S.M. Aidid when he left Penang after completing his term as Governor. Dato Syed Mohamad Aidid is staying at this house now. - from Dr Zainul Azizan, 7 June 2015

219 Solok Pemancar, Glugor.

His second residence was at 219 Solok Pemancar, Jalan Solok Pemancar (circa 1959-65), off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. His house faced Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. Photographed in 2011. Azmi Ismail had lived next door at 217 Solok Pemancar.

Same as above. Photographed on 4 March 2013.

=== POST-RETIREMENT WORK ====

Dr Che Lah retired from Pahang and returned to live in Penang after 30 June 1958. He continued to work after retirement. He often held dinner at his residence in Penang.

Dr Che Lah is second from left. 2nd right is Syed Kabeer bin Syed Ahmad Al Husaini (Penang). The 2 men at far left and right are unknown.

Dr Che Lah is at rightmost.

Dr Che Lah is in white suit and with songkok at right. His wife is seated.

====== HAJJ MISSIONS 1960s ======
(before Tabung Haji was formed)

Dr Che Lah was a Hajj Doctor and served on many Hajj trips (altogether 7 Hajj trips). He made a lot of recommendations after each Hajj trip and they were published in the local newspapers.

Dr Che Lah at extreme right, (maybe) meeting of the Hajj Medical Mission and State Control Committee for the Hajj of 1963.

= LENGKOK PEMANCHAR, Penang 1960-71 =

His third residence was at 355-A Lengkok Pemanchar (c.1969-c.1976). This was the former Brown residence at Glugor. His house faced the rambutan plantation on the hill slopes and the valley below (Brown Garden). His house was demolished circa 1976.

Dr Che Lah and family on the front deck at 355-A Lengkok Pemanchar, circa 1965.

Home address: 355-A Sungei Glugor, Penang.

I am in the front garden (second left) with aunt Kama and my 2 younger brothers, Amin (with stick) and Farid. 1967. The background is Brown Garden (valley and hills) and maybe part of Penang Hill.

I'm standing in the front garden of Dr Che Lah's big house compound. Dr Che Lah's bedroom is at left (its roof can be seen), 1967.

Dinner on the kitchen floor mat with my siblings and aunt Kama, 1967. We ate rice with our right hand and drank plain water. I am 3rd from left.


==== PRIVATE CLINIC ====

Dr Che Lah operated a private clinic in Glugor, Penang after retirement from Government service. His clinic was Glugor Klinik in Glugor on Jalan Glugor (now Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah). His clinic was rented out to Dr Teh, a dentist. The clinic still operates today as Glugor Klinik. The clinic is nearest the post-office in Glugor and close to Minah Restaurant.

GLUGOR KLINIK 2009

I am standing with my mother, uncle and siblings, waiting for an Indian procession along Jalan Glugor, a bit farther up from Glugor Klinik. The village in the background is Brown Garden (I think so). I am behind Kama's hand pointing left in this photo. I'm looking back at my mother. 1967.

==== MINDEN HEIGHTS, Penang 1971-1986 (till deceased) =====

Dr Che Lah's fourth and last residence was at 460-H, Minden Heights, Jalan 7. It was built in the 'poor man's row' circa 1970-71. The house was demolished.

The area was formerly part of Dato Jenaton's land and was a Malay village, with many Malay kampung houses. Minden Heights residential area was reorganized by Dr M. J. Che Lah and was developed by Guan Joo Seng. The front houses were for Malays and those at rear were for Chinese and Indians. The remainder were for bungalows. - from Kamaruddin Che Lah (24 May 2016)

== TUN DATUK DR HAJI AWANG HASSAN ==
5th GOVERNOR OF PENANG
1 May 1981-30 April 1989

Tun Datuk Dr Haji Awang bin Hassan was the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang ke-5 (5th Governor of Penang) from 1 May 1981-30 April 1989.
https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awang_Hassan

Dr Che Lah had received a DJN award from Tun Datuk Dr Awang. These are the photos of that event. The printed date was November 1981. These photos could have been during the first 7 months (May 1981-November 1981) of Tun Datuk Dr Haji Awang being Governor.

DJN : Darjah Johan Negeri

[24/03, 7:43 pm] Kamaruddin Che Lah: Tun conferred dad DJN commonly known as 3rd class Dato

[24/03, 9:33 pm] Kamaruddin Che Lah: DJN is Darjah Johan Negeri. Recipient cannot be called Dato. Thus, often known as 3rd class Dato

Dr Che Lah (left) and Tun Dr Awang (right).

Dr Che Lah's wife Mariah accompanied him to the DJN award ceremony in Penang, 1981.

=== MINDEN HOUSE ===
21 April 2017

His house was for sale in 2017 (Photo 21 April 2017). The road in the foreground is Jalan 1, Cangkat Minden.

'For sale' sign on his fence, 21 April 2017.

=== GARDEN SWING ===
1958-2017

Dr Che Lah had a swing in his garden before I was born. The metal swing was painted silver, white or baby blue. As kids, my siblings and I used to sit on the swing. 

He often spend time on the swing to talk to visitors. Tea was also served in the garden by the swing. The vine behind him is a Stephanotis, with fragrant tiny white flowers (often laid on wedding tables).

This was where I last sat in the garden to discuss things with my grandfather in 1985. He sat on the left and I sat on the right. We had fried bananas on a small metal table in front of the swing.

Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos in his garden at 460-H, Jalan 7, Cangkat Minden, Penang (his last residence). 

My children (his grandchildren) playing in his garden in 2010. Mira is seated on the same swing as in the above photo. Nuraishah is holding back Farah. My mother's house is behind the swing.


==== FLOWERS: ROSES & ORCHIDS ====
1960s-2017

Dr Che Lah and wife Mariah grew a lot of beautiful orchids. Here are some photos of their orchid collection in 2010. Many orchid plants were still flowering, even after years they have passed away. His wife occasionally sprayed a smelly malathion solution to kill bugs on the orchids. 

==== DEMISE 1986 ====

23 January 1986

Dr Che Lah's grave (pusara) lies at Tanah Perkuburan Masjid Jamek Glugor, Penang. His grave is under a frangipani tree (pokok kemboja) close to the big old grave enclosure in front courtyard and near the main road.

Dr Che Lah's headstone at the Muslim graveyard, Masjid Jamek Glugor, Penang.

Ceremony after 40 days of his demise, 6 March 1986.

This note was written in my father's 1986 diary:

Tahlil '40' hari arwah Dr. Hj. Che Lah
"Penyelia"
10 orang
Khamis, 6 Mac 1986
25 Jamadilakhir 1406 Hijrah

==== ANCESTORS 1800s ====

Dr Che Lah would bring his family every Hari Raya Aidilfitri to visit his ancestors' graves at the Perak Road cemetery. They would leave the house very early while it was still dark. 

The old graves had wooden tombstones (nisan kayu) but the inscriptions are now gone. So we don't know whose graves they are anymore. 

Please let me know if you know the exact or approximate spot of the graves. Describe or use the grid below. Some say the graves are close to that of Makam Datuk Keramat, his forefather.

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