導群中學, Martin Booth's "Pro-Communist Secondary School" [1932-1961] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

導群中學, Martin Booth's "Pro-Communist Secondary School" [1932-1961]

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Submitted by philk on Mon, 2008-11-03 13:52
Current condition: 
Demolished / No longer exists
Date Place completed: 
1932-09-01
Date Place demolished: 
1961-12-31
Tags: 
golden boy
chapter 5
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Comments

Submitted by Peter Chan (not verified) on Sun, 2011-02-13 06:53.

Hey Phil,

I am very sure Martin had been mis-informed. As I've mentioned earlier, the Chinese name of that (former) school was called 「導群中學」and is a pro-Taiwan (pro-Nationalist) school rather than pro-communist.

My late mom, who had only just passed away in late January 2011 (last month) graduated from that school in 1957.

The same year on 22 September Typhoon Gloria gave us a direct hit which necessitated the ultimate typhoon signal (No.10). I was born 5 years later on the second morning after Typhoon Wanda lashed across the colony at the peak of its fury.

In between we had Typhoon Mary (1960) and Typhoon Alice (1961) which also scored us direct hits.

MY . . . such a born typhoon chaser I am (!!)

Submitted by philk on Sun, 2011-02-13 09:44.

Hi Peter, thanks for setting the record straight. One of the benefits of this project (and others on this site) is that these kind of details can be rediscovered courtesy of peoples memory. I'll leave the title the same because that is how it is described in the book. Many thanks Phil

Submitted by David on Sun, 2011-02-13 10:17.

Peter, I'll add my thanks for the extra information. I've also set the demolition date to 1961, based on your comments here.

In case you're interested, here is Booth's description of the school:

Across the road from the rear of the Fourseas was a pro-Communist secondary school which occupied a triangular plot between Emma, Julia and Soares Avenues. Every morning, the pupils gathered in the school yard behind twelve-foot-high stone walls like those of a prison and sang patriotic songs about labouring in the fields, striding ahead for liberty, equality and fraternity under the red flag and in the footsteps of Mao Tse-tung. The accompaniment was provided by a phonograph with a set of well-worn records.

A 1964 map shows there were four schools within the slightly larger triangle of Peace Avenue - Argyle Street - Waterloo Road. So it might be that Booth was referring to one of the other schools in the area, and mis-remembered the location.

Regards, David

Submitted by Peter Chan (not verified) on Sun, 2011-02-13 12:14.

Hi Phil and Dave,

Now I got confused on who between the two of you is the webmaster of this site.

Anyway I would love to add more information on this topic.

According to mom's oral recollections and details from her graduation photo album (which I still keep),「導群中學」was a private school the founder and (the only) principal was a Mr. 黃直生，and on Googling his name I found an interesting link written in colloquial Cantonese, thus:

http://www.hku.hk/sociodep/oralhistory/2/2.2.3.3.html

Note that the author of this page mistook the name as 「道群中學」and from another site (the link of which I've forotten) I vaguely remember that the year of foundation was back in the 1920s (either 1920 or 1925). I shall post the link and exact year of establishment) here as soon as I retrieve the link.

Submitted by philk on Sun, 2011-02-13 18:11.

Peter - David is the webmaster/owner of the site and ultimate authority, but everyone is encouraged to contribute as and when they can - hence why your information is very welcome and sheds new light on the stuff we have already done. Cheers Phil

Submitted by Peter Chan (not verified) on Mon, 2011-02-14 00:27.

Hi Phil,

I see. I shall be searching for the above mentioned 'lost link' and other links on「導群中學」.

Meanwhile I would suggest adding at least a pair of quotes to 'Pro-Communist' on the topic line here.

Submitted by Peter Chan (not verified) on Tue, 2011-02-15 14:35.

Confirmed year of establishment - 1932.

Information taken from my mom's graduation photo album. She graduated in 1957 and an article from the album states that the school 'was established 25 years ago.'

It also stated that Sir Alexander Grantham, then Governor of Hong Kong, visited the school in late 1955 with high acclaim.

Should anybody be interested in the text I'd be glad to scan the related pages and link onto this site.

I have some (a bit tarnished) photos from the album featuring the school building if you want ^_^

Submitted by David on Tue, 2011-02-15 18:43.

Hi Peter,

Yes please. it'll be good to see some photos of how the building looked. And though I can't read the text if it's in Chinese, I'm sure it will be of interest to people that can. You can find instructions for uploading photos here.

For the 1932 date, any ideas if that's the date the school organisation was established, the date the building opened, or both? Just curious to know if the building was built specially for this school or not, and if so when.

Regards, David

Submitted by Peter Chan (not verified) on Wed, 2011-02-16 01:54.

Hi David,

Both. The building was built for the school, and I only have the year 1932. No information on the exact date. But since eaxch school-year begins normally on 1 September (unless it's a Saturday/Sunday) I would assume that it must've been Thursday 1 September 1932.

I shall be scanning the photos later this month, so stay tuned ^_^

Submitted by David on Wed, 2011-02-16 20:54.

Thanks Peter. I've added the completion date, and updated the title for this Place.

Regards, David