George GANE - another of those Bristol Bobbies

George Christopher was born in East Pennard, Somerset and baptised at All Saints on 24 November 1856 under the name of George Christopher COOK, the son of 19 year old Henrietta Jemima Rebecca COOK.  Five months previously banns of marriage between George GANE and Henrietta COOK had been published in East Pennard but for some reason the marriage had not taken place - perhaps her parents were not willing to give permission.  Two years later on 5 May 1858 George was granted a licence and the couple married in East Pennard the following day.  It appears that after the marriage George Christopher took on the surname of GANE. 

Over the next ten years George and Henrietta had another five children.  George was 33 years older than Henrietta and when he died on 17 July 1871 she was left to raise the children on her own.  She moved to Bristol where in 1874 she married the widower John BERRIDGE.  Henrietta died two years later a few months after the birth of a son.  By 1881 most of her elder children were in employment but Selina, her youngest daughter by George GANE, was a “Blue Maid Orphan” in the Asylum for Poor Orphan Girls at Ashley Hill in Bristol.  No doubt one or more of Selina’s elder sisters had also spent time in the orphanage prior to finding employment in domestic service.

  

George Christopher GANE joined the Bristol Constabulary on 17 July 1878 becoming Constable 108A.  On recruitment his previous employment was shown as “Labourer” and he was recorded as being 5ft. 9¼ inches in height.  The 1881 census shows George serving at Bridewell Police Station in the city centre.  He resigned a few days after the census on 20 April 1881 and married within a year.  His bride was Pamela Alma BROMFIELD.

Example of Bristol Police Uniform

A couple of months after George's marriage, Mr. HOGGE, the Recruiting Officer of the Hong Kong and Straits Settlement Police visited Bristol on a recruiting campaign.  The Hong Kong Police had been established some 38 years earlier when an Inspector and 2 Sergeants from London’s Metropolitan Police volunteered for duty in the very new Colony.  Every few years recruiting campaigns were held in the UK in order to build up a core of experienced officers and these came from London’s Metropolitan Police; Scottish Constabularies; the Royal Irish Constabulary; as well as from Borough Forces throughout England.  This was the first time that the south-west of England had been targetted and it proved a rich picking ground.  The Crown Agents had instructed Mr. Hogge to contact various Chief Constables prior to visiting but he failed to do this and the press reported that he had privately solicited officers with tempting offers and that as a result their Force was to be decimated. 

The Deputy Captain Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police was on leave in the UK at this time and would have had the final say on which recruits were acceptable.  He required them to have at least 12 months service and be of good physique.  They were to receive a bounty of £20 for volunteering; the pay in Hong Kong would be 30 - 35 shillings a week and after 10 years service the recruits would be eligible for a pension.

Word spread quickly around the Bristol Constabulary and even reached former colleagues.  This was too good an opportunity to be missed.  As a result 10 serving officers were recruited together with 3 former officers – one of whom was George GANE.  George signed the Hong Kong Articles of Agreement on 27 May 1882 in the presence of Revd. George P. Grantham, Mission Priest of Holy Cross, Bedminster.

The Bristol recruits travelled to London in July where they met up with other recruits from Plymouth, Gloucestershire and Liverpool.  They sailed on the ss Pembrokeshire on 22 July arriving in Hong Kong 6 ½ weeks later.  The voyage was anything but pleasant as the ship encountered strong monsoon winds across the Indian Ocean.  Added to that it was reported that during the voyage one of their number had fallen 25ft. down a hold and had been lucky to escape with his life.  To make matters even worse the food onboard was described as having been disgusting.  It was with some relief that they set foot ashore. 

The Press reported :

Upon arrival at the Central Station their comrades feted the new comers right royally, and the sounds of jollification and harmony – in the quiet police style as becomes men who devote their lives to the preservation of order – could be heard emanating from the police quarters.  There seems to be a considerable amount of esprit de corps amongst our gallant peace and property preservers.

  

Central Police Station 1880s/1890s

Thereafter their lives took very different paths.  A couple were to die and others lost family members to fevers and plague.  A few became entangled in a corruption scandal which rocked the Colony in the 1890s; and a handful had long and very successful careers before returning to the UK.

George and Pamela experienced the sadness of losing a child less than a year after arrival in Hong Kong.  Jessie had been born in November/December 1882 but died at the age of 9 months and 14 days.  She was buried in the Colonial Cemetery on 23 August 1883 in grave 4660 – her address was given as 18 Old Bailey Street, just around the corner from Central Police Station.   Records showing the location of her grave do not survive but it could well have been in the Children's Section:

Children's Section

Pamela’s second child arrived in 1885 – Frederick George was born on 24 May and baptised at St. John’s Cathedral on 15 July 1885.  A second daughter, again named Jessie, was born on 29 May 1887 and baptised at St. Johns on 23 June.

George’s first tour of duty lasted 5 years during which time he took on the additional duties of Assistant Engine Driver with the Fire Brigade.  As a constable he earned $480 per annum whilst the brigade duties brought in an additional $96 per annum.

The Police held their annual sports day in the spring and the 1886 event saw many of the “Bristol Bobbies” participating.  The press reported

“After their Sports being deferred by the weather on Saturday the Police were exceedingly fortunate yesterday in the state of that most important element.  The day could not have been improved upon for the purpose, the rain having cleared off and there being just enough cloud to temper the heat of the sun with the occasional gleams of sunshine.  The ground was a trifle heavy which was against the making of fast times.  A more interesting and enjoyable athletic meeting has seldom been held in Hong Kong, a number of novel sports being introduced”

From the looks of things George was no sportsman, however, he was not about to let his fellow Bristolians down so entered for two events – those referred to above as “novel sports”!

The Egg and Spoon Race was run over 100 yards with 15 competitors:  Inspectors Quincey and Cradock, PCs McGarry, Hannah, Niven, Dickinson, McDonald, Ford, Hadden, Ehlers, Ross, McIver, McDougall, Gane and APS McDonald.  The event caused a great deal of laughter with most of the men losing their eggs within a few feet of setting off. 

“Inspector Cradock held out for some time but an unfortunate lurch sent his frail cargo overboard.  The first to reach the goal without accident was A. Niven, after him coming J. McGarry and then McDougall.  Hadden came in among the first but unfortunately dropped his egg just before reaching the goal.  The second man, McGarry, it is said managed to keep his egg steady by keeping his thumb on it.”

The last event of the day was advertised as being the “Fully Equipped Race over 100 yards”.  This involved the participants wearing full winter uniform plus cap, belt and truncheon in case, lamp and regulation boots. 

“A good deal of curiosity was evinced as to this race and it is a great pity that not more of the Force in full uniform exhibited their capabilities of making chase after a prisoner.  As it was only four fully equipped defenders of the peace competed:  John McDougall, H.G.Baker, G. Gane and Moran.  McDougall was the best runner of the quartette and although his heavy boots nearly brought him down at one time he managed to steady himself and came in two or three yards in front of Baker who was second and who was closely followed by Gane.  Time 14 seconds”

Later in the year our lads were on display again this time for the Hongkong Fire Brigades Annual Inspection and Drill Competitions.

“Yesterday was quite a gala day for the members of the Government and Volunteer Fire Brigades in this colony.  It has been usual for the Governor of the colony to hold an annual inspection of the brigades but this year the inspection has been made something of a great deal more importance than it has hitherto been.  Mr. J.S. Brewer (Government Marine Surveyor) who has held charge of the Government Brigade since the departure of the Superintendent Mr. H.E. Wodehouse CMG for England has worked in a manner in this line of work which shows that his heart is thoroughly in it.  During the whole time he has held charge of the brigade he has been introducing improvements in the machinery and appliances, the modes of using them, and the organisation of the men, and the step he took in turning the annual inspection into something more than a mere parade is not one of the least of the good things he has done in this direction.  Competitions of the kind to be found below tend above all other things to perfect the men in the handling of their fire extinguishing appliances and the smartness they will thus acquire will doubtless be turned to good account whenever the men are called out for active service.  We are now at the beginning of the fire season and anything likely to tend to the quicker and more effective grappling with the devouring element is a decided public benefit.  The work done yesterday shows that the men are well up to their work and that when the occasion demands there is a large body of men ready to turn out at a moment’s notice to arrest the havoc to property by the flames that may have broken from control.”

George was part of PC J. Johnstone’s team which also included Constables J. MacDougall, W. Robertson and H. Wood.  The main event which they took part in was “Get Manual all ready for work with dam and one length of suction and two delivery with branch pipe”.  The teams received penalties of 2 seconds for a twist in the hose or slack joints or if any gear was not efficient.  There would be a prize of $25.  Five teams entered and PC Johnstone’s team was the winner coming in at 48.1. seconds with no penalties.

The last event of the afternoon saw individual steam engines being brought up to steam in the quickest possible time. 

“This was a very interesting event the competitors being Nos 2,3 and 4 Government Steamers and the Hongkong Fire Insurance Steamer.  The want of a wind prevented a good draught for the furnaces and water was not got into play so quickly as would otherwise have been the case.  No. 3 Government engine was the first to get up steam, take water and spout it, the latter being done in 9m 23sec from start.  This was under charge of PS Campbell.  It had steam enough to blow its whistle in eight minutes.  In nine minutes she drew water and in 9.23 was playing it.  The Volunteer engine worked by Mr. Ramsay, the Acting Engineer, and worked by volunteer firemen was soon after in full swing, very closely followed by No. 4 Government steamer worked by PC James, No 2 under PC Gane being only a second or two behind.”

At the close of the drill HE The Governor inspected and thanked the men.  Being the winner in the main event PC Johnstone’s team was lined up to the front of the Government Brigades.  Mr. Brewer explained to His Excellency that he had devised medals as the rewards of the winners of this event as he considered it the most important.  The men had completed the work in 48 seconds which was a most creditable performance and compared favourably with that done in England.  His Excellency presented the medals to the men.

In 1887, having completed 5 years service, George was entitled to Home Leave.  On 9 September 1887 the GANE family boarded P&O ss Peshawur for their homeward voyage to London.  

P&O Peshawur

 

The ship reached Singapore on 15 September, Penang on 17^th. , Colombo on 22^nd., Aden on 29^th, ,  Suez Oct 4^th. , Marseilles Oct 12^th., Plymouth at 4am on 19 October before leaving at 7.15am for the Royal Albert Docks in London.

George enjoyed 6 months Home Leave before returning on P&O ss Nepaul which left London on 3 May 1888 arriving in Hong Kong on 11 June.   

Joining George on his return journey were 4 of his colleagues:  Hadden, Paull, Miners and Ford.   There is every likelihood that Pamela remained in the UK for a while because a son, Victor Archibald was baptised on 12 December 1888 at St. Matthews in Moorfield, Bristol.

During George’s second tour of duty he again took on additional duties with the Fire Brigade being advanced to Engine Driver.  In his police role he became Acting Police Sergeant for a couple of years earning $510 per annum. 

By 1891 Pamela had returned to Hong Kong and she gave birth to a daughter named Florence on 24 February.  Florence was baptised at St. Johns Cathedral on 1^st. April 1891. 

George completed his 10 year period of service on 26 January 1893 and having earned his pension retired back to England. On the morning of their departure members of the Police Force assembled at Central Police Station to bid their comrades farewell.  Messrs. Gane, Paull and Miners were each presented with a gold watch chain and pendant bearing a suitable inscription.  

Mr & Mrs GANE and 4 children are shown as passengers on the Ancona leaving Hong Kong on 1 February 1893.  At Colombo they transferred to P&Os Australia arriving back in England on 10 March 1893.  Pamela had been pregnant throughout the voyage and gave birth to a son a few weeks after arrival.  Ernest was baptised on 9 July 1893 at St. Matthews, Moorfield in Bristol but he only survived a few months and was buried at Avonview Cemetery towards the end of the year.  Little Florence died a few weeks later and was also buried at Avonview.

Pamela’s childbearing days were far from over.  Herbert Walter was baptised on 5 April 1895; George was baptised on 9 May 1897 (and was buried at Avonview towards the end of 1898); Annie was baptised on 10 July 1898 and Christopher Kitchener baptised on 29 November 1901.  The youngest member of the family, Lily Rose was born in Chipping Sodbury district in 1905.

The 1901 census shows the family living in Church Road, Moorfields with George earning his living as a Grocer and Dairy Shop Keeper.  His Hong Kong pension was not as much as he had been expecting – in fact as soon as he arrived back in England in 1893 he and a colleague had been forced to employ a solicitor to enquire as to why their pensions had been reduced.  The reply from Hong Kong was to the effect that as neither’s constables service had been “uniformly good” the pensions had been reduced accordingly.  George’s pension came in at $50 pa and this amount remained unchanged for the rest of his life.

Milk cart from early 190ss

Life back in the UK was not without its problems.  In 1899 “The Milk Mystery” case hit the headlines and George found himself up in court on the charge of selling milk adulterated with 14% of added water. 

“The defendant gave evidence on his own behalf and said that he had a general shop and a small milk round amounting to about 14 gallons a day.  He had been in business about 6 years and for about 5 years had had his milk from Frank Didham.  He had a verbal arrangement with him and expected to get pure milk.  During the 5 years he had his milk taken several times by the Gloucestershire police and once by Mr. Simpson (the Inspector), but he heard nothing more of the matter. On Feb. 5^th he bought his milk from Didham having 6 gallons in his 2 cans.  He sold the milk just as he received it.  He was in the Bristol Police Force for 3 years and then went to Hong Kong and entered the police force there, remaining for 10 years.

Cross examined – He knew Didham had been summoned but he did not examine the milk and did not get a guarantee to protect himself.  Re-examined – There was nothing in the appearance of the milk to show it was good or bad.  He had been thinking about changing his dealer.

The defendant’s son having given evidence Mr. Taylor urged that it was a technical offence only.  No doubt water had been at one time or another added to the milk but he submitted he had shown that Gane had not been guilty of fraud or of adulterating the milk.”

The magistrates decided to convict but reserved sentencing until they had heard the case against Didham.

Having presented the case Didham’s solicitor also urged that the offence was a technical one. 

“There was no intention to defraud anyone and no cream was taken from the milk with the idea of rendering it inferior.  The mere fact of dipping to serve the first customers tended to take the cream which had risen to the top. They served customers till there was only a gallon and a half left when the inspector met them and the milk so left was not of course as good as that which had been on top.”

The magistrates felt that the public must be protected and pointed out that the sellers of milk must be very careful.  They fined Gage £2 and costs or one month’s imprisonment.  Didham was fined £3 and costs or one month’s imprisonment.

The electoral rolls for 1907 show George living at Hares Pit in Westerleigh, Gloucestershire. As the birth of Lily Rose had been registered in Chipping Sodbury District in 1905 it is likely that Westerleigh was their place of residence at the time.  Later in the year George and his eldest son, Frederick George, sailed for Canada – the rest of the family joined them in 1910.

To encourage settlement in Western Canada the Dominion Government offered a grant for a free homestead of 160 acres for a $10 registration fee to those families who were prepared to live and cultivate land during a qualifying period of time.  The Homestead process began with entry, which was a term used to describe the act of physically going to the Dominion Lands office and filing for a claim to a particular parcel of land.  By 1908 the applicant had to be a British Subject.

The following details relate to George’s application for Homestead land.  Full details are available from the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan.

File Number	Name	Part	Section	Township	Range	Meridian
2396125	Gane, George	NE	19	51	26	W2
2287678	Gane, George	NE	25	51	27	W2
1743010	Gane, George	NE	31	49	3	W3

The 1911, 1916 and 1922 census returns list George and his family in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.  The Hong Kong Pension Register show that George died on 9 February 1932 at the age of 74.  The Saskatchewan Burial Index confirms that George C. GANE was buried in Prince Albert in 1932.

If anyone should have any additional information on George GANE I would love to hear from you

Contact Christine here

 

When the stresses of life led to committal

  A Metropolitan Police Peeler

Thomas Frederick GREY was born c. 1840/41 in the parish of Clonfert, Eyre Court, Ireland.  At the age of 20 he joined London's Metropolitan Police and was issued with Warrant No. 40333. On the night of the census he was listed with colleagues at the police station in Clerkenwell, North London.

By March 1865 he was a 3rd. class constable at Woolwich Dockyard earning 20 shillings a week.  A couple of months later he transferred from Woolwich to Hampstead Division and allocated the divisional number S748.

Police Orders dated 24th. November 1866 called for volunteers to serve in Hong Kong.  Successful candidates would act as sergeants and receive a starting salary of £130 a year.

Police Orders dated 19th. March 1867 published the names and date of resignation of the six successful volunteers.  Thomas' divisional number of S748 is shown with the letters AR appended.  These indicate that he was a member of The Reserve - elite officers who were the first to be called out in the event of an emergency.

Administrative matters had been going on behind the scene for the previous three months and it had been agreed that the men would sail on a P&O steamer leaving on 20th. March and that their rail fare from London to the port would be covered.  In addition they would each receive an advance of salary amounting of £20 towards the cost of purchasing their outfits.  During the outward voyage they would receive half salary.

The local Hong Kong press announced the arrival of the six police officers aboard the SS Carnatic and stated that "It is supposed they are to be promoted to the same rank as the present inspectors as they have been billeted off in the same quarters".

Thomas reached the rank of 1st. Class Inspector in February 1869.

By 1871 more police officers were needed and Inspector Grey was despatched to the UK (at 24 hours notice) to recruit 40 constables for duty in the Colony.  On this occasion both the Metropolitan Police and the Royal Irish Constabulary declined to assist.  As a result the Crown Agents sent him north to try the Scottish Constabularies.  Here he was more than successful and managed to recruit a total of 45 men.  The first batch set sail on the SS Sarpenden on 2nd. December with the second batch, along with Inspector GREY, leaving on the SS Glaucus on 23rd. December.

In September 1878 Inspector GREY led a party of police against 80 armed men who were responsible for a sensational attack on a gold dealer's shop in Wing Lok Street.

Thomas was promoted to Acting Chief Inspector in April 1880 and for a six week period in 1881 was Acting Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Thomas took sixteen months Home Leave from August 1882 to December 1883 during which time he married.  Irish records show the marriage of Thomas Frederick GREY to Emily Barbara ALLT on 20th. September 1883 in the Parish Church of St. Peter, Dublin.  The register entry was altered to amend the spelling of Thomas' surname from Gray to GREY.  For some unknown reason Thomas stated his occupation as being Civil Service Clerk.

A son, Arthur Oveston, was born at Central Police Station on 6th. August 1884.  He was baptised at St. John's Cathedral on 17th. September.

A second son, Allan Frederick, was born at The Magistracy on 31st. October 1886.  He was baptised at St. John's Cathedral on 15th. December 1886.

Emily's name varies in the records - sometimes being shown as Emilia.

Mr. James PARKER had retired as First Clerk of the Magistracy in early October 1886.  Promotion opportunities to the senior ranks within the police force were few and seeing this as an opportunity for advancement Thomas applied.  There were several creditable candidates but as Thomas had the longest service he was recommended for appointment.  Unfortunately the responsibilities of the new office (and no doubt the responsibilities of a new family) played on Thomas' mind.  He suffered a nervous breakdown and the Colonial Surgeon advised that unless he was relieved of the responsibilities immediately he would have to be admitted to a lunatic asylum.  Life was so, so different back then.

The authorities agreed that Thomas should be granted leave without pay for three months in the spring of 1887 on condition that he resigned when the leave expired.  Thomas would be granted a pension for his 20 years service.

Pension papers show Thomas to be 5ft. 10 1/2 ins in height with a fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.  His age was given as 47.  He stated that he would be drawing his pension in London and that his wife was living in Banagher, Ireland.

The 1891 census shows Thomas living with his family in Thorpe Road, Kingston, Surrey.  His age was given as 51.

In 1898 the Colonial Office received correspondence from the Office of Registrar in Lunancy, Four Courts, Dublin concerning Thomas GREY a former member of the Hong Kong Police Force.  Thomas had been admitted to the Dublin District Asylum as a dangerous lunatic in August and the authorities were seeking details of his pension.  His age was shown as being 55.

A month later correspondence was received from Offices of the General Solicitor for Minors and Lunatics in Ireland with a similar query.  The Colonial Office replied that the Crown Agents were paying £12 a year to the Richmond District Asylum in Ireland for Mr. GREY's maintenance with the balance of pension being paid to his wife.

How long Thomas remained in the asylum is not known but the 1901 census for Ireland shows him living at 118 South Circular Road, Dublin with his family.  His age was shown as 57.

Emily Barbara GREY died on 7th. October 1903 of enteritis tuberculous from which she had been suffering for 3 years.  Her death was registered by her son A.F. GREY.

The 1911 census for Ireland shows Thomas and his son, Arthur, boarding at 109 Circular Road, Merchants Quay, Dublin.  Thomas' age was shown as 70.

Thomas Frederick GREY died of broncho pneumonia on 25th. March 1919 at 25 Raymond Street, Dublin.  His age was shown as being 77.  The death was registered by his son, Allan F. GREY.

Research conducted by Christine M. Thomas

Ironsides - an officer with steely determination

The story of John Calder SWANSTON (1851 - 1891) 

Hong Kong Police Officer (1871 - 1891)

can be found on my Hong Kong Cemetery Blog:

John Calder SWANSTON

From Bristol Bobby to Hong Kong Copper

My next talk 

"From Bristol Bobby to Hong Kong Copper"

is to be for the

Clevedon Civic Society Local History Group

Thursday 15th. September 2016 @ 7.30pm

St Andrews Church Centre, Clevedon

I understand that visitors are welcome - entrance fee £3

 Clevedon Civic Society Talks

Daniel HALL 1853 - 1913 Another of those Bristol Bobbies

Readers of my blog will already have read about Job Witchell who was recruited for the Hong Kong Police Force from the Bristol Constabulary way back in 1882 along with several colleagues.

This story relates to another of those officers – Daniel Hall.  But first a brief recap on that initial recruiting campaign.

In May 1882 Mr. Hogge, the Recruiting Officer of the Hong Kong and Straits Settlement Police visited Bristol.  The Hong Kong Police had been established some 38 years earlier when an Inspector and 2 Sergeants from London’s Metropolitan Police volunteered for duty in the very new Colony.  Every few years recruiting campaigns were held in the UK in order to build up a core of experienced officers and these came from the Metropolitan Police; Scottish Constabularies; the Royal Irish Constabulary; as well as from the smaller Borough Forces throughout England.  This was the first time that the south-west of England had been targetted and it proved a rich picking ground.

Surviving records show that Mr. Hogge had been in Devon during the latter half of April 1882.  There he managed to pick up a few volunteers from the Plymouth Constabulary.

He then moved on to Bristol where he spent a week - the first recruit being signed up on 2 May.

Dan Hall had been born in 1853 in Oldbury on the Hill in Gloucestershire.  He was baptised at Didmarton Parish Church on 30 October 1853 the son of Richard and Charlotte.   The 1871 census shows the family in Creephole between Didmarton and Oldbury on the Hill.  Dan’s occupation was shown as Mason.

But a complete change of career was about to happen.  On 16 June 1880 Dan joined the Bristol Constabulary as a Constable and was allocated the divisional number of PC 24C.  He was shown as being 5ft. 10 ¼ inches tall.

On the night of the 1881 census Dan was listed as a Constable at Clifton Police Station.

No doubt a year later all the constables in Bristol would have been aware that Mr. Hogge was on the lookout for recruits to serve in the Far East.  As has already been mentioned the first recruit from Bristol had signed on the dotted line on 2 May.  Might this have set Dan thinking?  Might he have wondered whether he could broaden his horizons further?  Why stay in Bristol when there was a whole world to explore?

Perhaps it was with these thoughts in mind that he and Constable Shepston had a few too many drinks and got into an altercation with Constable Perrett.  The outcome was not good – Constables Hall and Shepston were dismissed on 3 May 1882.

However, having lost his job there was now absolutely nothing to stand in his way – he volunteered for duty with the Hong Kong Police.

Before embarking on his voyage east there was one more thing which had to be done – he needed to find himself a wife.  The lady in question came from Sopworth a small village a few miles south of Didmarton – her name was Elizabeth Perks.  Elizabeth was a nursemaid and the 1881 census shows her working for John Falconer at Leintwardine House in Herefordshire. 

Courtesy :  The National Library of Wales

Photograph by:  Percy Benzie Abery 1877-1948

Dan and Elizabeth were married by license at St. Mary’s, Leintwardine on 7 June 1882.  The witnesses to the marriage were Arthur Sheppard the coachman at Leintwardine House and Thurza Lewis the housemaid.  The press announcement shows Dan to be the fourth son of Mr. Richard Hall of Didmarton and Lizzie the youngest daughter of Mr. James Perks.

Leintwardine Parish Church

Six weeks later Dan joined his fellow recruits as they embarked from London.  The wives and children of some of the policemen joined their husbands on the 6 ½ week voyage to Hong Kong but Elizabeth appears to have remained in England.  She was expecting Dan’s child.   Violet Lizzie was born the following spring.

Two days after arrival in Hong Kong the new recruits were sworn in at The Magistracy for a tour of duty lasting 5 years.

They must have faced a real culture shock as everything was so different.  They found that their colleagues were Sikhs and Chinese and it was going to take an awful lot of work to be able to communicate with them.

Out on the streets the markets were crowded; ear cleaners & barbers set up their stands on the roadside; and the fortune teller always drew a large crowd.

And the streets were always adorned with washing!

Dan settled down well to the normal day to day routine and 1886 saw him taking part in a couple of events at the annual Police Sports Day – the Hop, Skip & Jump and the Tug o War.

A few months later a Police shooting match took place at Kowloon Range.  The teams were made up of men from No 1 and No 2 Rooms at Central Police Station and a PS Hall is shown as one of the representatives of No. 2 Room.  The press reported that some of the men were 

“quite untrained shots and the shooting all round was not of a high class”.

A few months later Dan’s duties took him to No. 37 Staunton Street where he came across two Chinese men.  One was busy writing out lottery tickets for the game known as Tsz’ fa.   Gambling was illegal in the colony so PS 91 Daniel Hall made an arrest and took them off to court.

At some point after Violet’s birth Elizabeth joined Dan in Hong Kong and they went on to have three more children – Daisy Charlotte born on 31 December 1884; William Maskelyne born 18 December 1887; and May Harriet born 10 March 1890.

We shall catch up with some of the children later in the story.

At this time the Hong Kong Fire Brigade came under the auspices of the Police and on 1 May 1889 Dan took up duty as an Assistant Engine Driver for which he received an allowance of $144 per annum on top of his sergeants salary of $624.

On 6 September 1892 he advanced to Engine Driver with an allowance of $192 on top of his sergeants salary of $720.

Bubonic plague swept through Hong Kong in the summer of 1894 and Sergeant Hall played his part.

"On 31 May additional bye-laws were made by the Sanitary Board and under them notices were issued to householders in the Central District of the City of Victoria and at Kowloon calling upon them to cleanse thier houses.

Up to date 1,805 notices have been issued in the City and in obedience to them 1,303 houses have been cleaned under the supervision of Non-Commissioned Officers and men of The Royal Engineers.

Thanks to the exertions of Sergeant Hall it was found possible to induce householders in a large portion of the Eastern District to clean their houses without having recourse to the serving of notices whereby much time was saved.  The entire villages of Yaumati and Hunghom have been cleaned in the same manner under the supervision of two men of the Royal Engineers."

On 1 February 1896 Acting Inspector Dan Hall was appointed an Inspector of Nuisances.  The Sanitary Board annual report shows him to be in charge of No. 11 Health District.  Duties included:

"The Inspector of Nuisances shall see that the Government Scavenging and Night-soil Contractors for the time being strictly comply with the terms of their contracts and that all night-soil and urine, all house-sweeping and dry rubbish, and all refuse, noxious or innocuous, are removed in accordance with the prescribed regulations at least once a day from every tenement in the City of Victoria".

The mid 1890s saw the Hong Kong Police Force involved in a corruption scandal of mega proportions.  My previous blog on Job Witchell mentions that he was convicted of accepting bribes and sentenced to six months imprisonment.  But his was not the only name to come up during investigations.  Several other police officers – Inspectors down to Constables – were shown on “The List” provided by the convicted gaming house keeper Sam Yin.  At one point it looked as if all were to be dismissed from the force but closer examination of the evidence showed that it would be impossible to prove that any one of them actually received the money which it was said was paid over to them.  They escaped dismissal but all were compulsorily retired.  After much debate they were allowed to claim the pension that was due to them.  The name of Daniel Hall was on that list.

The press reported that D. Hall, along with several of his colleagues left for home by the P&O Coromandel on 5 March 1898. 

"They had a very hearty send off from their comrades and civilian friends and bag-pipes skirled them a farewell from Market Wharf.  The Chinese testified their goodwill to the departing officers with a loud and long sustained firing of crackers".

During the whole of his service from 1882 to 1898 Dan had only taken 4 months and 20 days leave. So it is doubtful that he had ever made a trip back home.  Dan’s pension when converted to sterling amounted to £45 16s 8d per annum.  This would not go far in supporting his family when he returned to Gloucestershire so he became an Inn Keeper, running the Brewers Arms in Wotton-under-Edge.  The premises had been advertised for rent by the Stroud Brewery Company a few weeks after Dan returned home in 1898.  In 1911 the rent was shown as being £12 per annum. 

It has not been possible to find a picture of the Inn but having scoured old maps and old directories I have come to the conclusion that this property, now called The Moorings, was possibly once the Brewers Arms.  If anyone can prove or disprove this I would love to hear from you.

Dan died on 15 February 1913 after contracting pneumonia.  The press reported:

"The death of Mr. Daniel Hall of Wotton-under-Edge this week after a short illness removes from the midst of the townspeople a worthy and much respected resident.  He enjoyed good health up till the time of his illness and his unexpected end was heard of with sorrow in the town.  Mr. Hall spent the early part of his life in Hong Kong and came to Wotton-under-Edge to conduct the Brewers' Arms, a well known hostelry.  He has recently been living in retirement in Long Street.  Mr. Hall had served the town with acceptance on the Parish Council and at the time of his death he was a member of the Town Trust.  He was a regular attendant at the meetings and his attention to the various matters which cropped up between them showed how deeply interest he was in his duties.  He was a prominent Conservative and did much useful work for the cause".

Dan was buried at the Parish church on 19 February 1913.  There was a large gathering at the funeral service including three of his former Hong Kong Police colleagues.   

The parish register gives his address as “The Steep” which was an extension of Long Street.  The picture below shows the Conservative and Unionist Club on the right - a wall lamp marking its location.  Dan would have known this well.

Dan’s estate, amounting to £116 2s, was adminstered by his son, William Maskelyn Hall, plumber. 

Throughout the 1920s Dan’s widow, Elizabeth, lived in Wortley Road, Wotton-under-Edge.  In her late 70s she became profoundly deaf and became confused.  When crossing the road she developed the habit of stopping in the middle and then going back.  Her son warned her of the dangers.

On the evening of Tuesday 4 February 1930 Elizabeth left her home in Wortley Terrace and began to cross the road.  As she was deaf she did not hear the approaching motor-cyclist.  The driver, 24 year old William Taverner, had a good light on his motorbike but it was getting dark. He knew there was a corner coming up in the road so he reduced his speed to 10-15 miles an hour.  Suddenly, right in front of him only a few feet away, he saw a dark figure. There was no time to sound his horn - he applied his brakes and swerved to try to avoid Elizabeth but the handlebars hit her on the side.  William was thrown clear as Elizabeth fell to the ground.   She died the following afternoon.  The inquest returned the verdict of “Death from shock following accidental injuries”.

The parish register shows that Elizabeth was buried on 8 February 1930 at the age of 77.  Young William Tavender attended her funeral.

This concludes the story of Dan and Elizabeth - but what of their children? 

Children of Dan & Elizabeth

If we return to Hong Kong we find a reference to young Willie Hall, age 8, the son of a police officer, winning the short race for boys at the police children's party.  The party was an annual event held at Central Police Station.  The press reported that:

“the compound and lawn were beautifully decked out with many large banners and smaller brightly coloured flags and streamers – and all along the lawn were the tables bounteously heaped with the dainties that delight the little ones.  The afternoon was spent in sports and after tea an adjournment was made to the Captain Superintendent’s quarters for the great event of the afternoon.  The festivities were a great success and the tiny folk as they left seemed to have enough added joy in their faces to last out at least another year.  Perhaps the feature that made the most vivid impression on their minds was the unique sight of Captain Sterling as he entered the room and dispensed the presents from the twinkling Christmas tree.  Rigged in a sumptuous white Mother Hubbard trimmed with golden yellow fringe and having huge leg-of-mutton sleeves wearing on his head a monstrous fluffy white cotton wig and over his eyes massive dark brows, and with a giant’s staff in his hand he seemed to be one of the Norse gods and to bear in his towering form all the mystic weirdness of his home of ice and snow.  The children will always feel that they will never see just such another Santa Claus.”

It is worth mentioning here that Job’s daughter, Lily Witchell, won the Over 7s Flat Race for Girls; Jim Witchell the Long Race for Boys; and James Witchell the Obstacle Race.  

Violet Lizzie Hall

1883 - 1962

It goes without saying that in a small place like Hong Kong the children of police officers would all have been friends – or at least have know each other.  So perhaps it is not surprising to find that Violet Lizzie Hall (daughter of Dan & Elizabeth)  married Robert Charles Witchell (son of Job Witchell).  The ceremony took place on 12 December 1906 back home in England - in the parish church of Wotton-under-Edge.

Violet’s youngest sister, May Harriet Hall, was one of the bridesmaids and also witnessed the marriage.  The press reported:

“An interesting wedding was solemnised at St. Mary’s Church on Wednesday, the Rev. H.W.B. Berry officiating, the contracting parties being Robert Charles Witchell of Hong Kong, China and Violet Hall of Wotton-under-Edge.  The bride who was given away by her father Mr. Daniel Hall looked charming in a gown of white silk with embroidered tulle veil, surmounted by a wreath of orange blossoms and carried a beautiful shower bouquet of white chrysanthemums, the gift of the bridegroom.  She was attended by two bridesmaids – Miss May Hall (sister of the bride) and Miss J Huggins (cousin of the bridegroom) – who wore white mercerised crepoline dresses trimed with Valencienses lace, and white frilled hats with trimmings of pale blue silk, and carried bouquets of chrysanthemums and wore pearl brooches the gifts of the bridegroom.  Mr. J. Witchell of Oulton was the best man.  Mr. Mitchell of Bath presided at the organ and played suitable voluntaries.  A reception was held at the Brewers Arms, the clubroom being specially decorated for the occasion, and later Mr. and Mrs. Witchell left for Weston-super-Mare, previous to leaving for China.  The bride's travelling dress was of green cloth with black hat.  The presents were very numerous."

Weston on a damp & dismal day!

Robert Charles Witchell was a Sanitary Inspector in Hong Kong and  he and Violet went on to expand the Witchell dynasty with several children.  One son, Charles Henry, died on 1 August 1916 at the age of 6 ½ years.  His grave in the Hong Kong Cemetery is marked with a small scroll headstone.  I first recorded this inscription during my project aimed at recording all the MIs within the cemetery back in the 1980s.  When I returned in 2009 to photograph all the headstones the inscription was still legible.

The family returned to the UK on leave in the spring of 1928 on P&Os Morea. It was to be a fateful leave.

On 19 October Robert died at Ham Green Hospital in Somerset. His estate amounted to £551 14s - his address was given as Hill House, Old Sodbury.  Violet Lizzie was named as his widow.  Robert’s funeral took place at the Arnos Vale Crematorium in Bristol on 23 October.

After her husband’s death Violet returned to Hong Kong for a few years but in 1939 returned to the UK to live at 4 Junction Road, Bath.  

Violet’s son, Robert George, had been a source of worry.  He had married Maria K. Ignatieva in Shanghai but she proved to be a very expensive lady to keep.  To read more about her son’s sorry tale I refer readers to Rudi Butt’s blog:

Hong Kongs First 

After a troubled life perhaps it is no surprise to find that Robert George Witchell died in 1948 at the age of 40:

"Mrs. R.C. Witchell of 35 Belvedere, Bath has received the tragic news that her only son, Mr. Robert George Witchell was killed in a motor accident in Germany on December 18.  He was 40.

Mr. Witchell, who was born in Hongkong, lived there until just before the war, when he came to England to join the Army.  He served with the Royal Artillery throughout.

At the time of his death, no details of which have been received, he was with the Civil Control Commission.

A widower, he has three sisters who live in Hongkong.  His father, Mr. R.C. Witchell, died over nine years ago whilst on leave in this country."

Violet died in 1962 at the age of 79.  Her funeral service was held at the Arnos Vale Crematorium.

William Maskelyne Hall

1887 - 1968

Electoral rolls for 1909 and 1910 list William as a Lodger occupying a furnished bedroom at the Brewer’s Arms in Wotton-under-Edge.  This was the licensed premises run by his father, Dan. 

The 1911 census shows William as a decorator in Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire. 

On 24 December 1913, a few months after his father’s death, William married Margaret M. Roberts in Wotton-under-Edge. His address was shown as Tortworth which is a few miles west of Wotton.

Indications have been found showing that William probably served with the RAMC during the war.  On 26 August 1916 he had the painful duty of writing to Mrs. Davis in Wotton-under-Edge informing her of the death of her husband, James Davis.

 August 26^th.

Dear Mrs. Davis

It is my sad duty to inform you of your husband’s death.  He was hit by a piece of shrapnel and died instantaneously, thereby suffering no pain.  On behalf of the Ambulance and particularly the section to which he belonged, I offer you our heartfelt sympathy.

He was much respected by all who came into contact with him and the news of his death, which occurred this morning, came as a great shock to us.

Believe me to remain

Yours sincerely

William M. Hall

After the war William built up a builders and plumbing business at Westridge, 11 Bradley Street, Wotton-under-Edge.  This was a semi-detached stone built property comprising 2 reception rooms, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, fitted bathroom and 2 attics.  At the side was the entrance to the builders yard with garage, large workshop, outbuildings and pigsty.  

The property was put up for sale in 1950 but as William and Margaret were still listed on the electoral roll throughout the early 1960s it appears that they had a change of heart.  By 1966 they were shown as living at 11a Bradley Street.  This was a newer property built on land behind the original cottage – possibly built by William himself?

William died on 29 May 1968.  Probate calendars show his estate to be valued at £8103. 

Footnote:

This story of Daniel Hall and his family forms one very small part of my research into the 1882 Hong Kong Police intake which - for the purpose of historical talks - I have nicknamed “The Bristol Bobbies”.  I hope to post more of their stories in due course as each is very different.  

If any reader should have additional information on Daisy Charlotte Hall or her sister, May Harriet Hall, I would love to hear from you.  It appears that they both went into domestic service. Daisy could well have married (or at least had a partner) whilst May possibly remained single.

Please

  Contact Me 

Special thanks to Rosie Kingman for providing the missing piece of the jigsaw which enabled me to link Violet with her parents.

Grateful thanks to Bill Griffiths for permission to use the extract about William M. Hall from his book "First World War Heroes of Wotton-under-Edge".

Thanks also to all the Local Record Offices and Libraries which housed a wealth of information. As well as to The National Archives at Kew (my second home!) and to the Hong Kong Public Record Office, Hong Kong Libraries and the British Library.