The first mention of this address in the Jurors Lists is in 1935, when a Mr J.C.L. Wong lived here. As can be seen from the side view in the (2016) photo, at least the front of the building has been completely redone, but possibly the rest of it has escaped a makeover - it's hard to tell.
Centadata dates the building to 01/1945 (as it does for several other Kowloon Tong properties), but I think I have read somewhere on Gwulo that this was fairly common due to the war, and records perhaps being lost? Grateful if someone could fill me in/direct me to the right link. Thanks.
Comments
Centadata's "01/1945"
Yes, I take that to mean "before the war, but we're not sure when".
Regards, David
J.C.L.Wong
I knew James C.L. Wong in the 1940-50s, when he was Engineer Superintendent for the Blue Funnel Line based at Holt's Wharf in TST. Actually I minded his "singing" cocker spaniel 1957-9 during and after JCL's leave in Australia, until I left HK.
Interestingly he was also a part-time ordained Anglican minister, probably influenced by having been adopted as a child by the Bishop of North China.
He was married to an Australian-born Chinese and obtained Australian citizenship at a time when that was not at all easy.
He was one of the people instrumental in establishing the Chinese University of HK, and in retirement became Bishop of Taiwan.
- Geoff Wellstead
James Wong
Thanks, Geoff, for sharing these interesting details with us. It seems that James Wong had a full and well-travelled life.
Could you please tell us (as far as you know) whether the modern photos of James Wong's house bear much resemblance to how it looked in the 1940s-1950s? Can you recall anything of the interior of the house? I appreciate this was a long time ago, so this is perhaps a big ask!
Cheers, Liz
James Wong and 7 Lincoln Rd
Liz - JCL was a work associate of my father's, and I only visited his home at Kowloon Tong a couple of times (I lived at Quarry Bay, and cross-harbour socialising was more limited in the pre-tunnel era).
Can't help you on the appearance of the property, and it may not even be the same house that he lived in when I knew him. I recall a shaded courtyard and passion-fruit trees, but that is about all. Nothing familiar in the pic I'm afraid.
1950s electoral rolls could show whether he was at that address post-war - Geoff
thanks Geoff
Quite understandable!