HK Brownie pack about 1936 | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

HK Brownie pack about 1936

HK Brownie pack about 1936
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Brownie leader in white: Alvena Laihovetsky (later Wellstead)

Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Wednesday, January 1, 1936
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The photo was taken at St. Andrew's Church with the foundation stone in the background.

St. Andrew's Church Foundation Stone
St. Andrew's Church Foundation Stone

 

I can recognise my older cousin, Diana Warren, (b. 1927) sitting immediately to the left of the pack leader (our right). We are both grandchildren of CE Warren and nieces of Evelyn Warren, mentioned by David as being involved in HK girlguiding of the 1920s. As there are only fourteen girls in this photo, I suspect they are the 'sixers' and 'seconds' and that the full pack isn't shown. By comparison with David's image "1920s Brownies", the uniform is different. It is also different from the uniform we wore at my school in Ceylon in the 1950s in that all these Brownies are wearing brimmed hats instead of the standard berets. They also seem to be wearing brown ties instead of yellow ones. Our brass badges were oval and it was necessary to polish them to a high sheen to pass muster. The other skills that we acquired such as folding the uniform, sewing on buttons and darning, which each earned a badge, have stood me in good stead in adult life, especially as they seem to be disappearing. These skills were not taught to Cubs!

Jill