Ralph Fairburn Craik OLIVIER [c.1898-1949] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Ralph Fairburn Craik OLIVIER [c.1898-1949]

Names
Given: 
Ralph Fairburn Craik
Family: 
Olivier
Sex: 
Male
Status: 
Deceased
Birth
Date: 
c.1898-01-01 (Year, Month, Day are approximate)
Death
Date: 
1949-05-06
Cause of death: 
Murdered

DoB from John Black's list, which gives Mr Olivier's occupation in 1941 as "Police Inspector".

Guy Shirra mentioned that Mr Olivier was killed on 6th May 1949. Olivier's death was front page news on that day's copy of The Hong Kong Telegraph:

Inspectors Olivier, Haynes Murdered On Police Launch

EARLY MORNING DRAMA AT PORT SHELTER

Inspector Ralph Fairburn Craik Olivier and Sub-Inspector Leonard Haynes, both well-known and experienced officers of the Hongkong Police Force, and a Chinese detective, Wong Kam, were shot dead while asleep in their bunks on board No. 1 Police launch in Port Shelter in the Salkung area in the early hours of this morning.

Details of the crime are lacking but from an official statement released by the Police authorities this morning it appears that the officers were murdered by three Chinese, two of whom were temporary seamen on board the cruising launch.

About one o'clock this morning the launch was secured at anchor for the night at Port Shelter. About an hour later the guard was taken over by two temporary seamen. Insp Olivier was in charge of the launch with Sub-Insp Haynes second-in-command, and both were at this time sleeping.

About 2.30 a.m. the two temporary seamen admitted on board a third man and with him entered the cabins and murdered the European Police officers and Detective Corporal 707 Wong Kam.

Having killed the officers the marauders then proceeded to wound the coxswain of the launch and compelled him to steam to a point in Chinese territory, about one mile from Shataukok.

Here the launch was grounded and 13 men boarded the craft. Together with the murderers they ransacked the vessel of its arms and ammunition, and then escaped.

MARINE POLICE DOYEN

Insp Olivier was the doyen of the Marine Police and had been connected with the Hongkong Police Force since August, 1923. He was well-known to the Chinese villagers in the districts patrolled by his launch and respected by them. He was 51 years of age and is survived by his wife, Mrs Ada Mary Olivier, daughter of the late Mr W. G. Pepperell, who was formerly with the Police for many years. A son and a daughter are in England.

IN WORLD WAR I

The late Insp Olivier saw active service in the first World War with the Royal Engineers. He held the Colonial Police Long Service Medal and First Bar and on three occasions received commendations from the Governor and on six occasions from the Commissioner of Police. In addition he had several creditable entries in his record of service.

Sub-Insp. Haynes is the younger brother of Sub-Insp. A. E. Haynes who retired from the Police last year and is now in Australia. The deceased is survived by his Wife and a one-year-old son who are living in Police flats in Prince Edward Road. He is 39 years of age and joined the Police Force in February, 1934. After serving in several Stations he was posted to the Marine Police in 1935. He was also well-known, respected and popular among all the floating population.

Connections: