Edwin Henry Spark(s) SUMMERS [1862-1940]
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From the SCMP, 12 May 1924, p. 9
46 YEARS IN HONG KONG
MR. E.H. SUMMERS RETIRES
One of the oldest and most respected residents of Hongkong, Mr. E.H. Summers, leaves Hongkong with Mrs. Summers for home to-morrrow on the President Monroe after the long period of 46 years in the Colony.
Mr Summers arrrived in Hongkong in 1878 as an apprentice on a 350 ton sailing vessel, and continued to serve on sailing ships of the China Coast till 1883, in which year he joined the Imperial Chinese Navy as Navigating Officer when certain of the Chinese Gunboats were manned by European Officers, to put down piracy in Chinese Waters between Hongkong and Tonquin Gulf. In 1886 Mr. Summers joined the Hongkong Canton and Macao Steamboat Co., and served on te Powan, Hankow and Tamsui, and in 1900 he joined the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., in which concern he has served for over 23 years as Craft Superintendent.
Last Friday, Mr. Summers was the recipient of a silver mounted dressing case from the European Staff of the Godown Co., and also a handsome silver bowl suitably inscribed from the Indian and Chinese Staff. Mr. W.S. Brown, the Secretary of the Godown Co., in presenting the dressing case, spoke warmly of the esteem and respect in which Mr. Summers is held by all the Staff of the Company, and thanked Mr. Summers for the long and valued service which he had given during the past 23 years, and trusted that Mr. and Mrs. Summers would be long spared to enjoy a well-earned retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Summers are leavind behind in the Colony, two sons and one daughter; Mr. C. H. Summers of Taikoo Dockyard, Mr. Alec Summers of Thos. Cook and Sons, and Mrs. R.F. Forbes. His other son, Frank, was killed during the war serving with the Australians.
We join the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Summers in wishing them etc.
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E.H. Summers appears as an employee of the Taikoo Sugar Refinery in the Jury Lists of 1895 and 1896. I have found Mrs. Summers in the 1906 Ladies Directory as resident at Godown Buildings, Kowloon. In 1919 the Summers's address is given as Aimai Villas, Kowloon. E.H. Summers's name appears as having attended the funeral of Robert Hurley in 1927, but perhaps that is a mistake. A wreath was sent in the couple's name.
- Edwin Henry Spark(s) SUMMERS [1862-1940] parent of Charles Henry SUMMERS [c.1892-1966]
- Edwin Henry Spark(s) SUMMERS [1862-1940] parent of Alexander William SUMMERS (aka Alec) [1906-1975]
- Edwin Henry Spark(s) SUMMERS [1862-1940] parent of James Francis SUMMERS (aka Frank) [c.1893-1917]
- Edwin Henry Spark(s) SUMMERS [1862-1940] parent of Eva Margaret FORBES (née SUMMERS) [????-????]
Comments
Edwin Henry Spark Summers 1862 - 7 April 1940
Edwin Henry Spark Summers (sic) Born 1862 in North Petherton Somerset, Birth registered in Quarter 4 1862 in Bridgewater Somerset.
UK, Apprentices Indentured in Merchant Navy, 1824-1910
Edwin Henry Spark Summers age 15 bound for four years in Sunderland 19 September 1878
Carl Smith Card 145531
Gives much information about him and his family
Died 7 April 1940 Edwin Henry Sparke (sic) Summers of Kai Tak Village Kowloon aged 78
James Francis Summers c 1893 - 23 September 1917 aka Frank
In Memory Of Sapper JAMES FRANCIS SUMMERS Service Number: 3682 Australian Mining and Boring Company who died on 23 September 1917 Age 24 Son of Edwin Henry and Celestina Summers, of 7, Aimal Villas, Kowloon,Hong Kong,China. Remembered with Honour LA CLYTTE MILITARY CEMETERY Belgium
St Michaels Catholic Cemetery - Memorial on outside of Chapel
In Loving Memory of Frank Summers
Born at Hongkong on 23rd June 1893
Australian Imperial Forces
Killed on Active Service, Ypres, Belgium
September 23rd 1917
Aged 24 years
R.I.P.R Church