New on Gwulo: 2020, week 26

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Submitted by David on Sat, 2020-06-27 17:00

I've listed some of the recent highlights below, but you can visit the What's New page at any time to see the latest additions to the site.

General

Read Peter Halliwell's ((correction: not "Peter Halliday's" as I wrote previously)) description of flying from London to Hong Kong with BOAC in 1952, a four day journey! Coincidentally, Andrew Suddaby has just uploaded a set of photos of BOAC ephemera from his own flight to Hong Kong later in the 1950s. You can see them in the gallery of photos tagged BOAC.
Jill asks for any information about how the Italian Canossian Convent went about finding potential husbands for the young European and Eurasian women in their care. The convent took in and brought up orphan girls, and there are several known examples of them marrying in Hong Kong.
Imagine Hong Kong summertime without air-conditioning, and you'll understand the importance of the Hongkong Ice Company, Ltd.
Alan is looking for information about the Squatter Occupancy Survey conducted in 1984, eg from anyone involved with administering it, or who was registered by it.
More memories of the Kayamally Company.
The Cross-habour swimming race.
After Patricia's investigation of the 1930 Felix Villas Murder, Roy explores a trial from 1931 where Jesuina Xavier was charged with the attempted murder of her lover Alfred Manton, an English tram inspector.

Places

HK Island
- Uwe asks where were the "Chief Engineers and Chief Constructor's Department" in the Naval Yard?
- Ammar Mosque (2nd Generation) [c.1945-1978]
- Brick Hill Marine Police Pier [1965- ] and Marine Police Aberdeen Base [c.1986- ]
- “Burnbrae” - I.L. 140 [1843-1903]
- Glenealy Buildings [????-????]
- Chung Wah Middle School (中華中學)
- "Kwan Tai Lo" Milestone - Tai Tam Reservoir Road [????- ]
- 1930s newspaper clippings describe Hong Kong's original amusement parks, and the origins of "Sookunpoo".
Kowloon
- #41 Cumberland Road [????-2019]
- Oriental Brewery / Hongkong Ice Company, Lai Chi Kok [????-????]
New Territories
- The Globe cinema (Shek Kong Camp) [1952-1996]
- Li Yuen / Lei Yuen / 李苑 at Lam Tei. Does anyone have any photos / memories of this area from when the original estate and large swimming pool were still there?

Three new ways to see Gwulo's books and prints

1. Online: To coincide with last week's Dragon Boat Festival, Zolima CityMag published the Dragon Boats chapter from my third book to their website. While you're on their site, take time to explore the rest of their articles about Hong Kong's history.

2. In the library: The Hong Kong Public Library bought several sets of my books a few months ago. Copies of Volumes 1 & 2 are already available to borrow at several branches, and Volume 3 is currently making its way to the shelves. Here are the links to their catalogue pages, so you can check if your local branch has copies, and / or reserve a copy: Volume 1 / Volume 2 / Volume 3

3. At the Club: There is also a new opportunity to see Gwulo's prints, by visiting the second floor of the clubhouse at the Hong Kong Football Club. The prints are over 1 metre tall, so they're a great way to take a closer look at some of the more detailed photos. eg instead of squinting at this on your computer screen:

You can enjoy this three-panel enlargement:

On the opposite wall there are more of Gwulo's historic Hong Kong scenes to investigate:

Many thanks to the Club for choosing Gwulo's prints, and also to the architect on the project, Angus Wilkinson of Wilkinson & Cilley, for the effective display and lighting.

People

Eddie asks if anyone remembers a Mr Brown who worked at the Cheerio Club around 1954.
More discoveries about the Alarakia family.
BAAG
- Chung-yee LEUNG (aka Charlie) [1914-1981]
Stanley Camp internees:
- Ralph Stockman BEGBIE [1901-1952], doctor
- Denis Henry BLAKE [1889-1952], solicitor with Wilinson & Grist
- Gordon CASTLE [1889-1978] and his wife Sarah CASTLE (née STALEY, aka Sally) [1891-c.1975]
- Kenelm Hutchinson DIGBY [1884-1954], professor and doctor
- Charles Henry GOODWIN [1899-1944], police
- William MACFARLANE [????-1966], Engineering Superintendent at Dairy Farm & Ice Cold Storage
- Nina SMITH [1911-????]
- Douglas Haig TAYLOR [1916-1968], policeman
Not interned during WW2
- Alice Ricarda MARSHALL (née BARRETTO) [1909-2004], husband James Gray MARSHALL [1899-1958], and children Wilbur Reginald MARSHALL [1926-c.1942] and Godfrey Duncan Roderick MARSHALL (aka Geoff) [1940-2016]
- George Wladyslaw PIO-ULSKI (aka George Parks) [1910-1994]
Other:
- Lewis Rhodes BILLINGHURST [1902-1969], accountant with Butterfield & Swire
- Neilage Sharp BROWN [1879-1944], also with Butterfield & Swire
- Alexander Keith TAYLOR [1882-1967], Chief Inspector in the Sanitary Department