Portrait of RHJ Brooks in uniform, by AJ Savitsky in Stanley Prison Camp, 1942.

Suziepie
Mon, 09/22/2014 - 23:08
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Portrait of RHJ Brooks in uniform, by AJ Savitsky in Stanley Prison Camp, 1942.

This Portrait of Ron Brooks in Fire Brigade uniform was done in Stanley Internment Camp by Arseny Joseph SAVITSKY, 30 March 1942.  AJ Savitsky did some 200 portraits of internees in the camp during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.

Suziepie 

 

Date picture taken
30 Mar 1942
Tags
Stanley internment camp
Artist
Portraits
AJ Savitsky
Ron Brooks
HK Fire Brigade
Gallery
1930s-1950s Brooks family's photos
Shows person / people
Roland Henry John BROOKS (aka Ron) [1910-1970]

Comments

Interesting photo of Savitsky sketch of Brooks.

I am intrigued by the uniform,white cap cover,ornate white metal cap badge comprising voided crown surmountingcrossed axes over entwined hoses (?).I haven't come across this before.Red laced gorgets,metal shoulder scales on epaulettes and fold-over blue tunic.

Presumably the Full Dress for senior officers of the then Fire Brigade,but from the UK,or a local adaption ?

The metal cap badge is similar to the standard firmen's helmet insignia in use in HK since the fire brigade was formed in 1868. The helmets were supplied by Merryweather & Sons, who manufactued the brigades first first engines, (delivered that year) and was the company's standard helmet badge. It was incorprated into the HK brigade's badge. Although the insignia was dropped after WWII, it made a partial return in later years, and is part of the brigade's logo today.