This is part of the story of Mrs Grace Smith (John Anton-Smith's grandmother), a blind lady who was brought from the UK to Hong Kong to be looked after by her son, Raymond. He employed a lady known only as Chan, who became a devoted companion, to drive her around and otherwise see to her needs. John inherited this battered little diary, measuring only 6cm x 8cm, in which Grace, with the help of an unknown scribe, recounted various events during her time in Stanley Internment Camp. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1951
This is a detail of a larger camphor wood panel. I asked the man carving it if he could carve his name and the name and address of the shop on the right side. I have never had these letters translated, so I have no idea what they say.
To see an image of the whole panel and read the rest of its story, click here. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1951
I asked my father, Raymond Smith, if he would arrange for me to see a woodcarving workshop. He took me along to a shop which sold camphor wood chests and we went down to the basement and I was introduced to a worker who was very young.<Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1930
Between 1912 and 1932, all mail between the UK and the Far East was routed via the Trans-Siberian Railway unless it was specifically marked for sea-mail, which would take weeks rather than days. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1936
Pixie Smith showed an early interest in postage stamps when she sent letters to her mother in Cheltenham
Imperial Airways started the first regular through flights between Hong Kong and London via Penang in March 1936. The service changed in 1937, operating instead via Bangkok. The first inbound mail carried by RMA Dorado was dated 14th March in London and delivered in Hong Kong on 24th March. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1932
I have no record telling me how often or for how long this service ran, but according to Hong Kong Post's history web page, it was air-mail as far as Marseilles and then the post continued over land and sea to the UK. <Read more ...>
