Yee returned to work as a tailor but soon obtained a contract to sell Malvern Star bicycles, and he and Myrtle established a laundry business.
[2][5] During the war Myrtle and their four sons (Ron, Raymond, Ken and Maurice) where evacuated to Brisbane where they stayed with family and then Sydney.
[2] After the bombing Yee was also evacuated from Darwin and travelled, via his own truck, to Adelaide River where it was then confiscated for the war effort.
The wages were very low so the family moved to a 2 hectares (4.9 acres) block of land in Botany, with two friends, where they established a market garden.
Yee become involved in many aspects of Darwin's community life including being a member, and at one point vice president, of the Chung Wah Society.
He was also a drummer for Darwin's Lion Dance troupe and had a dedicated seat at the Star Theatre as a regular moviegoer.