IN MEMORIAM

IAN EDWARD HEMMINGS

15 MARCH 1940 - 20 NOVEMBER 2006

We do not forget you, nor do we intend;
We think of you often, and will 'til the end;
Gone and forgotten by some you may be;
But, dear to our memory you ever will be.



Farewell, my friend.

It's time to go...
And leave me far behind.
But not to fear, our paths will cross...
Someday, somewhere, somehow.
When? I do not know.
Just go, my friend.
I will not cry, for your time has come.
Yes, you will travel far away,
with a part of me.
Farewell, my friend.
Good luck to you...
Until we meet again.

Ann Gye

SECOND LAST POST

Ian's funeral is about 8 hours away. The service will start at 2.30 p.m. (U.K. time). He says he doesn't want flowers but to donate money to cancer research. So later in the evening (Malaysian time) I shall be writing the last post for Ajo Ajo Hoi Ting as my virtual tourist has gone to be with the Lord. I know in my heart that he will be looking after all his friends up there in heaven. In life he was like my guardian angel and in death I am sure he will still be doing so. Even though the last post for this blog will be written tonight, I will still go on blogging. Those interested can visit the STESMA forever blog by clicking here.

MORE INFO ABOUT IAN'S FUNERAL

As I wrote in my previous post, Ian's funeral is on Thursday 30 November. It will be at Westbury on Trim Crematorium. His coffin will be carried into the chapel to the tune called 'Aces High' (also known as The Luftwaffe March). The first hymn will be 'Amazing Grace', then Ms Barbara Dunham will read from the Bible. She has chosen Revelations Chapter 21 Verses 1-7. Ian's nephew Mike is going to speak about Ian and so is David, Mr Eric Martin's son. The last hymn will be 'How Great Thou Art'. Then at the end of the service the music will be The Goons version of 'Old Comrades' (a song popular in the First World War). Ian did not want flowers at his funeral, but instead wanted donations to go to the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. See even in death my friend thought about helping others. That is the reason why his death will be mourned by many whose lives he had touched.

The latest information was furnished by Ms Dunham.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT FOR IAN

Ian's funeral will be on Thursday 30th November 2006 at 1430 (2.30pm) at Canford Crematorium & Cemetery.
Telephone: 0117 9038280 Canford La, Bristol. BS9 3PQ.
And then afterwards at: Prince Of Wales,The
Tel: 0117 9623715
Stoke La, Westbury On Trym, Bristol BS9 3SP
NO Flowers: donations to Imperial Cancer Research Fund

Good Bye, Farewell Dear Ian

Goodbye, farewell Ian my friend,
I promise our friendship will never end.
Last time we met you said again you'd come,
When a Doctor I have become.

Now I know I was wrong,
hearing the church bells sing their sad, sad song.
In my heart you will never die,
saying you are dead seems a lie.

The happy memories we had together,
will last in my heart always and forever.
We were like birds of a feather,
friends for any weather.

You were always there for me,
You and I together made us "we".
Good friends we made,
Memories of you will never fade.

I'll never have another friend so true,
That is why today I feel so blue.
There I have said my piece,
My dear knight may you rest in peace.

And so I end,
Goodbye, Farewell, My friend.

IAN UPDATE

I am waiting for news from England about Ian's funeral. So far there has been nothing from anyone. I will post further notices about Ian's last journey when I get any news from Eric, Fred, Barbara or Pauline.

IAN HEMMINGS: 1940 - 2006

IAN HEMMINGS: 15 MARCH 1940 - 20 NOVEMBER 2006

The email that I have been dreading has finally been received.

Mr Eric Martin wrote:
Ian died in the early hours of Monday morning. Funeral details to follow.

Regards

Eric

Besides Eric, my two other English lady friends have also written to inform me of his demise, Mrs Pauline Lee and Ms Barbara Dunham. Ian was in terrible agony towards the end and finally passed away at 3.15 a.m on 20 November 2006. All of us are grieving but at the same time we feel glad that our Ian is finally at peace and freed from all the physical torture that he endured during these past three years.

I will miss Ian very much. I first got to know him in 1993 when I was studying at the School of Education, University of Bristol. He was a perfect gentleman and was always cheerful. He made it a point to keep in touch with his Malaysian friends even after we had completed our studies. He was such a caring, generous and understanding human being who always thought of others first. Even when he was very ill, he'd still fret about Pauline and I. He made it a point to encourage me to reach my fullest potential. It was he who spurred me on whenever I felt frustrated while doing my research or writing up my dissertation. When I started my postgraduate studies, he told me that he'd come for my graduation when I got through my Masters programme but he later said that he would come when I was conferred a doctorate. It was Ian's way to encourage me to reach for the highest rung. It was also Ian who told me not to give up when there were no takers for the books that I have written. My English friend, who I nicknamed Sir Ian, called me Princess and made me feel very special.

I feel very sad for Miss Barbara Dunham, a very special lady in Ian's life. Just when Ian found the love of his life, he could not be with her. However, I am sure Barbara would cherish each and every moment that she was able to share with him. Believe me, Ian was a very special person - a wonderful friend. He will surely be missed by all who knew and loved him.

LATEST ON IAN

Dated 19th November 2006: Email received from Mr Eric Martin.

Ian continues to be gravely ill, but was said to be comfortable after a restless night.
Best regards
Eric

ROOTS

MY ANCESTORS
Let me introduce you to my paternal grandparents. The first portrait is of my late grandfather, Mr Cheah Voon Hoy. He was educated in St Michael's School in Ipoh and was a much travelled man in his time. He was a tin miner and a successful one. He was interested in Kung Fu and loved watching the black and white Wong Fei Hung movies that were shown in the cinemas in the 1950s. My late father loved accompanying him to the theatre for such movies. I am told that he was even acquainted with the lead actor of the movie, Kwan Tuck Heng. My paternal grandpa was skilled in martial arts and was especially good in using the stick. He even had some disciples. Grandpa Cheah was also interested in Feng Shui, geomancy and fortune telling. I think it must have rubbed off on this particular grandchild. My grandpa had two wives, one was from an arranged marriage and the other a love match. Grandpa died of cancer in 1963 when he was in his sixties.

The lady in the second portrait was that of my paternal grandmother. The lady who gave birth to my dad. Her name was Lau Yoke Ying. I never got to know her as she died of malaria during the Second World War. At that time my dad was only nine years old. What I know about her is from my late paternal aunt, Cheah Moy and my grandaunt Chu. My grandma Lau was a very tall woman, she was around 5 feet 8 inches in height and was a handsome woman. Many of my relatives who have seen her says that she was very fair complexioned. She was also even tempered and mild-mannered. According to my grandaunt, my grandmother was an orphan. She was born in Indonesia and was adopted by a Chinese Thai couple who were textile merchants who had gone to do business there. Being childless, my great, great grandparents took her from the orphanage to raise as their own. They later adopted another boy from Malaysia. It appeared that her parents and my great grandparents had business dealings and they made a pact to have their children marry. I am told my grandfather never really loved her as he had already given his heart to another lady at that time. Nevertheless, he did what his elders wanted but he later took the woman of his choice as his second wife.

The third woman pictured here is my other paternal grandmother. I do not know her name as my dad kept referring to her as second mother. Actually, she was the mother that he knew as she raised him from the time he was two and that this was the mother that he really loved. Later she also took care of my youngest aunt. She died somewhere in the 1960s. I do not know much about her except that she was a straits born lady, one to whom we refer to as a nyonya. I shall rectify this shortcoming in the near future by getting my aunts to fill me in on her. I shall be introducing my maternal grandparents very soon. So, please look out for the post.

UPDATE ON IAN
Here is the latest update on Ian that I received from Mr Eric Martin. It is dated 16 November 2006.

Ian is having another "awayday" at the BRI (Bristol Royal Infirmary), having had a good night last night.
Best regards
Eric