SCMP online again at HK Public Library

That's good news - thanks for letting us know.

For readers with their own library card, you can access the SCMP archive by clicking on "ProQuest Historical Newspapers: South China Morning Post" at https://www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/e-resources/e-databases/tag/SCMP/all/1

Hi Annelise. My uncle Sapper Reginald Charles Spencer and his cousin Lance Corporal Geoffrey William Spencer were posted as Royal Engineers to HK before it fell to the Japanese and both died on the Lisbon Maru. I am aware that Reginald appeared a couple of times at least in the local papers as he won an army boxing competition. I would much appeciate it were you able to search for their names please (1937-1942) and let me have copies of anything you find. Also any more general mentions of the Royal Engineers duringthat period would be interesting. Would that be possible please? Best wishes, Bill Peacock, Surrey, England

Hi, Annelise

I was wondering whether there are any references in the SCMP archives to the surname Bletcher.  This would be in the period February 1963 through to June 1968.  It's not a common name and if anything did come up, it would likely be for my late father Robert (Bob) Bletcher.

It's probably unlikely you'll find anything but it would be wonderful if something did come up.

I guess you're probably getting lots of requests at the moment, so if you can have a look, please do so whenever it suits you.

Kind regards 

Bill Bletcher

Hi, Annelise

Thanks ever so much!

Dad was a keen sailor and spent a lot of his spare time at RHKYC.  I also recall an article reporting on the merger between Gilman and Haden (there may have been a photo with that one).

I really appreciate you doing this

My email address is khatru57@gmail.com

Kind regards

Bill

Good day Annelise,

Appreciate if could carry out two searches please?

1/Any mention of HMS Carlisle for period June 1923 to end October 1925. Think she had an encounter with Pirates in Dec 1923. She was on China Station during that period so would most likely have also called at Hong Kong.

2/Any mention of 45 Royal Marine Commando from 1945 to end of 1947. 45 RMC was stationed there after WWII.

Thanks very much

Derek

Thanks very much Annelise

Regards

Derek

Many thanks Analise

Immediately after the war (September 1945) there was a case in the HK Courts regarding stamps that were looted during the Japanese Occupation. It was reported in one or more of the edirions of the SCMP.

It would be a kindness if you could find them and provide details, if possible the complete articles.

Appreciated

Hi  Annelise,

Thanks for this, sorry my late response. My email is dmwalford@hotmail.com. Do you have a suggested date and time - am in the U.K. had clocks forward an hour last night so think now 7 hr difference to H.K.

Meanwhile not sure how the search pages works on SCMP - but might be able to reduce the amount of hits.

Re HMS Carlisle - if search also using name "Stopher" - I would not expect to get any hits as was a signalman but good to rule it out.. Then after that - not really interested in likes of sporting events and dances etc - more details re the vessels movements at that period of time.

Re 45 Royal Marine Commando - search using the name "O'Sullivan" - as was a Lance Corporal again would not expect to get any hits. But then the Commando in general what they were doing and where they were etc.

Thanks and regards

Derek

Good Morning Annelise

Thank you for your offer of help.   I am searching for anything on the Helbling family.  My grandfather, James Helbling and his brother, Lewis Helbling were both merchants in China from the 1890s until the 1940s.  My grandmother was Barbara Helbling.  By 1903 there is probably no trace of the family company - Helbling & Co or J C Helbling - but any references would be helpful.  Also my father, Alan Helbling, wrote a letter on 9 Augusut 1963 sending a cutting from the South China Morning Post about the departure of my mum and I from Hong Kong.  I have the letter but not the cutting and would love to see it, if at all possible... Many thanks.

Remote access seems to be gone again. I've tried accessing it from home a few times over the past week or so but no luck. (Yes, I have a library card.)