Everything tagged "Raymond Smith" | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Everything tagged "Raymond Smith"

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The Diary of Mrs Grace Smith - the blind lady of Stanley Internment Camp

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Mon, 2021-09-06 02:05
Author: 
Grace Rose / Grace Rosa SMITH (née BELCHER) [1863-1944]

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.

Tags: 
Stanley internment camp
Raymond Smith
Japanese occupation

Camphor Wood Carving detail

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Sun, 2021-05-09 23:18
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.

Camphor Wood Carving in Hong Kong 1951

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Sun, 2021-05-09 23:18
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.

Imperial Airways Air-Mail service

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Mon, 2020-08-03 00:40
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1936

The new air-mail service was by far the fastest way to send a letter between Hong Kong and the UK.

Non-Airmail Post via Trans-Siberian Railway

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Mon, 2020-08-03 00:40
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.

Wartime letter from Hong Kong to Wales

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Mon, 2020-08-03 00:40
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1941

One can only speculate how much the war must have disrupted all mail services, this just prior to the Japanese Occupation.

First Through Flight Hong Kong-London 1936

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Mon, 2020-08-03 00:40
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.

First Airmail Trial Flight via Saigon and Marseilles 1932

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Mon, 2020-08-03 00:40
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.

First Day Covers

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Sun, 2020-07-26 20:08

Top: Silver Wedding of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

Middle: Commerorative stamps to mark Hong Kong's resurgence following the end of the Japanese Occupation

Bottom: Anniversary of the founding of the Universal Postal Union

Beach Party - possibly at Big Wave Bay 1952

Submitted by jjohnantonsmith on Sun, 2020-07-26 19:17
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1952

Back row: Christopher Connet, Sheila Tydeman, two children

Front row: Pixie Smith and Raymond Smith, third and fourth from left, others unidentified

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