RUMJAHN [????- ]

Mahmmod Rumjahn (aka 林慕德), song writer and music-educator, DBS graduate.

Definitely not Mahmood Rumjahn as he was born well after WWII and the Rumjahn referred to in Henry Ching's wartime diary was during the Japanese occupation of HK. 

I'm not sure which Rumjahn he was referring to in his diary as there were a number of potential candidates. The Rumjahn's were Indian/Chinese mix with the Indian line descended from Punjab, India so I'm not sure why he was referred to as 'Malayan'. Omar (Osman Mohammed Omar) line was from India. Omar and Rumjahn would be cousins or in-laws depending on which specific Rumjahn was being referred to. 

15th June 1943:

Rumjahn the mysterious Malayan rushed in on wife's heels. Claims tried send bread through cook while I in. Hear he asking questions about me. Same fellow tried bamboozle wife while I away. Appeared with loaf of bread which said was sending in to Omar and offered send something to me. Said would return. At night back with half a dozen fellows one whereof said was policeman. Family refused open door.

Could this be the family? He was born and died in Hong Kong. His wife was Fatima Madar (1872 - 1932)

Children

Jaffir Rumjahn 1887 - 1961

Hajara Usuf Rumjahn 1888 = 1896

Abdul Hamid Rumjahn 1894 - 1950

Zathoon (Zaitun) Rumjahn 1897 - 1955

Kathoon Rumjahn 1898 - 1965

Firdos Effiandie Rumjahn 1902 - 1926

Abdul Aziz Rumjahn 1904 - 1974

Macanese Family Public Ancestry Tree

The point is, it could be him. I know of Usuf Rumjahn's family well (in theory as I wasn't alive then - but I have been in touch with his greatgrandchildren in the UK). I know the Rumjahn family really well - its my family. But there were several male Rumjahns during that period with wives. I know some of them (certainly the women and young ones) decamped to Macau during the war period. It's my grandparents' generation. None of them are around now to be quizzed, so unless more identifying info comes up, I can't be sure but I am always keeping my eyes and ears out constantly for more info.  

No it can't be him as his wife is already deceased. Can definitely rule him out!

I was referring to the extended family as a whole.

Jaffir Rumjahn  1887 - 1961 married Amy Frances  Hyde 1887 - 1972

Abdul Hamid Runjahn 1894 - 1950   married Pansie Hamfa Rafeek

Abdul Aziiz 1904 - 1974 married  Murium Chiu (1916 - 1992) and Sara Lydia Hing 1906 - 1985

Jaffir - stayed on in the UK working as a GP and died in UK so not him 

Abdul Hamid - possible 

Abdul Aziz - possible 

At a stretch, Abdul Hamid Rumjahn is the more likelier candidate. Quite a number of the names mentioned in Henry ("Harry") Ching's wartime diary were journalist colleagues. Abdul Hamid worked as a journalist during the war. His father-in-law, Mohamed Rafeek (1872-1944) was once an Indian and Malay interpreter at the Harbour Master's office in the latter part of the 19th century in HK. If Henry did not know A.H. Rumjahn that well, he might have assumed he was / or nicknamed him "Malayan" by association with his wife.

But I have to factor in there were other Rumjahns as well.

I am related to A.A.Rumjahn.He was a fine cricketer and used to teach us cricket at Indian Recreation club.