Octavius Arthur SMITH [1881-1966] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Octavius Arthur SMITH [1881-1966]

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Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2014-04-01 14:36
Names
Given: 
Octavius Arthur
Family: 
Smith
Sex: 
Male
Status: 
Deceased
Birth
Date: 
1881-05-19
Birthplace (town, state): 
Wakefield, South Australia
Birthplace (country): 
Australia
Death
Date: 
1966-08-01

Philip Cracknell writes:

This is an extract from an Adelaide local newspaper "News" dated 21/10/45

“An Adelaide man sold gold from his, teeth to buy food during his 3½ years internment at Stanley Camp, Hongkong. He is Mr. Octavius Smith, 64, of Church street, Highgate. For his wristlet watch he received 2,500 yen, with which he bought six eggs, 2 lb. onions' 1 lb.garlic, and 1 lb. wong tong (sugar candy). The transactions were made on the black market through Chinese internees, who bargained with Formosan guards. To while away the time, Mr.Smith made thousands-of knitting needles and buttons. One of his best efforts was a set of dominoes made from tooth brushes, and a 16-piece case for them made without a nail or screw. Each section is joined by a dowel. Although rapidly regaining his strength, Mr. Smith still suffers from numb feet, due to beri beri. Mr. Smith, who returned to Adelaide at the week-end, was wearing a, khaki tunic, trousers, and cap. His wife, who is expected home shortly, made them in the camp from four Red Cross vests. Mr. Smith lived at Watervale many years, ago, and was in business in India and Hongkong for 46 years.”

Tags: 
WW2: Interned at Stanley Camp
Connections: 
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Comments

Submitted by annpake on Sun, 2020-08-09 17:06.

Ancestry Public Tree

Age at marriage: Marriage certificate dated 30th December 1901 states age 23 ie born in 1878. Birth certificate states born 19th May 1881

Octavius Arthur Smith born 19  May 1881 in Wakefield South Australia

Death 1 August 1966 South Australia

Marriage to Amelia Florence Willis [1879 - 1956] on  30 December 1901 in Mhow Bengal. His wife was older than he was which might explain why he inflated his age at marriage. He was under the age of majority at the time of his marriage which could also explain the age discrepancy.

Grand Lodge Freemasons

1 August 1908 age 27 merchant [confirms 1881 birth]

Submitted by David on Tue, 2020-08-11 14:38.

He first appears in the list for 1919, when he'd have been approximately 38 years old:

c Smith Octavius Arthur Manager Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co   On premises

The same entry appears in the 1920 list, then in 1921 his address changes:

c Smith Octavius Arthur Manager Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co     16b Nathan Road Kowloon

 He's also there in 1922, then in 1923 he moves again:

c Smith Octavius Arthur Manager Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co   Humphreys Building

Following the same pattern he stays there in 1924 then moves in 1925, giving his address on Hong Kong Island for the first time:

c Smith Octavius Arthur Manager Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co     20 Des Voeux Road Central  

In 1926 he returns to the generic description:

c   Smith Octavius Arthur Manager Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co   on premises

But in 1927 and 1928 he uses the DVRC address again:

c Smith Octavius Arthur Manager Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co     20 Des Voeux Road Central

1929 it's back to On Premises:

c Smith Octavius Arthur Manager Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co   On premises

Then it stays the same up til 1933, which is the latest of the consecutive lists we have online at the moment. We also have a copy of the 1941 list online but he isn't included in it.