In this book, Bernard Chiang records the history of his family and their contributions to Singapore's community in the country's early years. The book traces his family history, which spans across the countries of Singapore, China and Thailand, and across more than half a century. Following different branches of the Chiang family tree, it delves into his paternal family's ancestral roots and their ancestral home in the ancient port township of Zhanglin in Chenghai district of Shantou Prefecture, China, his extended family in Thailand, and his maternal family and their culture. The history of Chia Keng Village and its development via local bottom-up grassroots efforts are also chronicled in this volume. Of particular interest are the family's efforts in developing the kampong spirit in Chia Keng Village, including initiatives such as free clinics for the needy, a fire-fighting unit, and even an amateur Teochew Opera troupe. Through this book, the legacy of the Chiang family and Chia Keng Village lives on. It captures in its pages important events in the history of Singapore from a grassroots perspective, such as Konfrontasi and the racial riots of the 1960s.
Bernard Chiang joined the Braddell Heights Zone A Residents' Committee in 1981 and was appointed Chairman in 1986. He continued to serve as Chairman of the Aljunied Zone 'E' Residents' Committee from 1989 to 1997, when the Residents' Committee (RC) electoral boundary was delineated under Aljunied GRC. When another redrawing of the electoral boundary took place in early 1997 he continued to serve as Chairman of Braddell Heights Zone B RC until the end of 2004. He stepped down as Chairman and became Vice-Chairman from 2005 to date. In 2005 he was switched to chair the Braddell Heights Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle (IRCC) and concurrently appointed Vice-Chairman of Braddell Heights Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC).
He was conferred the Public Service Medal (PBM) by the late President Ong Teng Cheong in 1998.He was also awarded the Singapore Civil Defence Rescue Badge for his efforts in the rescue mission at the Hotel New World disaster. In 2016 he was awarded the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Colour Award for Best Performing Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle Chairman. In 2008 he was awarded the National Day Home Team Commendation Award by DPM Wong Kang Seng. For his long and dedicated services with the Peoples' Association he was awarded the 40 Years Long Service Award in 2021.
