The Last Governor's Roller | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

The Last Governor's Roller

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Submitted by moddsey on Sat, 2010-06-26 08:27

SF commented:"I saw the Governor's motorcade passed by from time to time and the policeman on the beat would snap to attention and salute the Governor. As a kid, I thought it was really neat."

SF's comments inspired me to dig up these two photos of the Last Governor's Roller taken at Government House on a school visit.

Last Governor's Car

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Governor's Car

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Submitted by tngan on Mon, 2010-06-28 10:41.

Hi there,

That was one of the most expensive car of its time.  Hand crafted.  It was discontinued in the 1990's and soon Daimler was sold.

Best Regards,

T

Submitted by sf (not verified) on Wed, 2010-06-30 02:32.

I wonder if Governor's Roller was armour plated for security reason. During the 67 riot and roadside IED days, HK Governor was always escorted by two motorcycle cops in front and a British MP Land Rover behind wherever he went.

Then back in the 90's, some AK welding gangsters from Mainland China were threatening to kidnap high HK government officials and wealthy tycoons for big ransom.

Just imagine the shock and uproar if the safety of HK Governor was threatened while he was out and about in HK streets.

Submitted by C on Wed, 2010-06-30 08:58.

The first picture is that of the Daimler DS420 limousine, and the second picture shows the Rolls Royce Phantom V landaulette.  There were other cars in the Government House (the governor's residence) that had a crown instead of a license plate.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2010-07-01 05:05.

Before vehicles were common (say at the turn of the century), what did the Governors use as their transports?  Sedan chair?  Horse carriages?  Does any member in this forum have pictures depicting the Governors' transports prior to 1900? 

Were there any assassination attempts on any Governors in the past?   I think Youd was the only Governor died in office......anyone else?

Submitted by moddsey on Thu, 2010-07-01 11:08.

The only assasssination attempt on a Governor of Hong Kong was in 1912 when Sir Francis May arrived in Hong Kong to take up the governorship.

A Chinese gunman fired at him while he was riding in a sedan chair in Central.

The Governor's sedan chair was replaced by the motor car in the 1920s.

Submitted by annelisec on Thu, 2010-07-01 16:27.

I have seen a video online of the Governor in his sedan chair c. 1890s and will post the location when I find it again.

Submitted by moddsey on Thu, 2010-07-01 20:15.

Governor May in 1913

http://www.grs.gov.hk/PRO/srch/english/imgdisplay.jsp?RecordKey=10000139...

Governor Clementi in 1925

http://www.grs.gov.hk/PRO/srch/english/imgdisplay.jsp?RecordKey=10000127...

Sedan chair with awning used by the Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) in 1922 that was similar to the Governor's chair. Note the crown on the uniforms of the carriers.

1922 Prince of Wales Visit

 

 

Submitted by moddsey on Thu, 2010-07-01 23:02.

Annelise - perhaps you mean this video: