Sex
Male
Status
Deceased
Civil Engineer in Admiralty Works, Hong Kong and later self-employed civil engineeer and architect and Special Juror. A keen and prominent Freemason in Hong Kong, holding the position of Worshipful Master of the Zetland Lodge from 1898, and was later P.M.Z. Victoria Chapter from 1901 and then District Senior Grand Warden from 1912. Two of his four sons pre-deceased him in Hong Kong
“At the regular meeting of Zetland Lodge, No. 525, held on the 1st. inst., Wor. Bro. G. Piercy was re-elected Worshipful Master of the Lodge for the ensuing year. Wor. Bro. G.J.B. Sayer, P.M., was elected Treasurer.”
Source: The China Mail, page 3, 4th December 1899 and The Hong Kong Daily Press, page 2, 4th December 1899
Comments
Further information
Birth: Southtown, Little Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom 1856.
Father: George Sayer (1810-1871); Mother: Ann Margaret Budds (1816-1909). Birth registered: July-September quarter 1856 Mutford, Suffolk
Baptised: Parish Church of St Ishmael, Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom 2nd September 1860; Parents: George & Ann Margaret Sayer; Abode: Ferry Side; Occupation: Tidal Waiter; By whom the Ceremony was performed: (?) Jones, M.A. Vicar
1861 Wales Census
George Sayers, Head, Head, Married, age 50, H.M. Customs Treasurer, Born c.1811 Lavenham, Suffolk
Ann Margaret Sayers, Wife, Married, age 45, born c. 1816 Yarmouth, Norfolk
Emma Ann Buds Sayer, Daughter, Married, age 26, born c. 1836 Yarmouth, Norfolk
Alfred Buds Sayer, Son, aged 15, born c. 1846 Yarmouth, Norfolk
James Budds Sayer, Son, age 14 years, born c. 1847, South Town, Suffolk
Ann M. Budds Sayer, Daughter, age 8 years, born c. 1853, South Town, Suffolk
Sarah Budds Sayer, Daughter, age 6 years, born c.1855, South Town, Suffolk
George Budds Sayer, Son , age 4 years, born c.1857, South Town, Suffolk
Rachel Budds Sayer, Daughter, age 1 year, born c1860 Llangwm, Carmarthenshire
Wm Sayer Smith, Grandson, age 1, born c.1860 Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire
Address: Well Cottage, Horton Street, St Ishmael, Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom
1877 Marriage
Charlotte Knight Young 1877 Cork, Ireland
1877 Birth of Son George Young Budds Sayer
Birth George Young Budds Sayer 18th November 1877 Cork, Ireland; Father: Goerge John Budds Sayer; Mother: Charlotte K. Young Sayer
1879 Birth of Son Ernest Alfred Robert Sayer
Birth Ernest Alfred Robert Sayer 25th March 1879 Haulbowline, Cork, Ireland; Father: George J.B. Sayer; Mother: Charlotte Young Sayer
1890 Baptism
Baptism of Edith Marion Sayer 27th July 1890 at St John the Baptist, Portland, Dorset, England. Parentrs George John Budds and Charlotte Knight Sayer; Abode: Fortune Well, Portland; Profession: Accountant Clerk; By whom the Ceremony was performed: Stuart O. Ridley, Curate-in-charge
Freemasonary membership in Hong Kong
“Silver Wedding
Last night, Mr and Mrs G.J.B. Sayer celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding by entertaining a large party of friends in the Hon. C.P. Chater’s bungalow at Kowloon. The night was hardly an ideal one for dancing, but, nevertheless, dancing was kept up with unabated vigour till about midnight, when the party sat down to a recherche supper. Supper over, Mr T.H. Reid proposed the health of the host and hostess, and on behalf of those present gave expression to the hope that Mr and Mrs Sayer would have many more years of wedded bliss. Mr Sayer made a brief but appropriate response to the toast, which was drunk enthusiastically with musical honours. The toast of ‘The Ladies’ was proposed by Mr J.W.L. Oliver, and Mr J. Hooper was entrusted by the ladies with the onerous duty of replying on their behalf. A fine wedding cake, suitable decorated, was cut up by Mr Owen Ordish as the oldest friend of the family present. Mr and Mrs Sayer were made the recipients of a large number of valuable and very handsome silver presents.”
Source: The China Mail, page 6, 19th April 1902
1906 Jurors List
1908 Jurors List
1909 Jurors List
1910 Jurors List
1910 Passenger List
Mr. G.B. Sayer travelled First Class on the Nubia (Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.) and departed from London, England on 19th November 1910 and intended to disembark in Hong Kong
1911 Jurros List
1912 Jurors List
1913 Jurors List
Death: Matilda Hospital, Peak, Hong Kong 19th September 1915
"DEATH.
SAYER. - At the Matilda Hospital, on Sunday, the 19th September, 1915, George John Budds Sayer, of Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, beloved husband of Charlotte Knight Sayer. Funeral will pass the Monument at 5.30 p.m.to-morrow."
Source: The Hong Kong Telegraph, page 1, 19th September 1915
"DEATH.
SAYER. - At the Matilda Hospital, on Sunday, the 19th September, 1915, George John Budds Sayer, of Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, beloved husband of Charlotte Knight Sayer. Funeral will pass the Monument at 5.30 p.m.To-day."
Source: The Hong Kong Telegraph, page 4, 20th September 1915
“DEATHS.
SAYER. – At the Matilda Hospital, on Sunday, the 19th September, 1915, GEORGE JOHN BUDDS SAYER, of Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, beloved husband of Charlotte Knight Sayer.
Funeral will pass the Monument at 5.30 p.m. to-day.”
Source: The China Mail, page 4, 20th September 1915
Buried: Section 21, Row 1, Grave number 6, Hong Kong Colonial Cemetery, Happy Valley, Hong Kong 20th September 1915
Probate 12th January 1917
Sayer George John Budds of Kingsclere Gate House Victoria Hong Kong died 19 September 1915 at the Matilda Hospital Peak Victoria Probate Victoria to Charlotte Knight Sayer widow. Effects £609 7s. 5d. in the United Kingdom. Sealed London 12 January.
“THE LATE MR. SAYER.
“THE LATE MR. SAYER.
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Funeral this Afternoon.
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We regret to announce the death of Mr. George John Budds Sayer, which took placed at the Matilda Hospital, yesterday, as briefly announced in the Hongkong Telegraph special edition, yesterday afternoon.
The deceased came to Hongkong about twenty five years ago to the Naval Yard. Later he joined Messrs. Punchard and Lowther in the building of the Admiralty Dock. That work being completed he commenced to practice on his own account as an architect and civil engineer. Mr. Sayer had a family of four sons and three daughters, and within the last two years, two of those sons died in Hongkong. The two remaining sons are, or have been serving their King and Country, and it is reported that one has been made a prisoner by the Germans.
The deceased was a prominent Freemason and in 1898 he was Worshipful Master of the Zetland Lodge. In 1901 he was P.M.Z. Victoria Chapter and in 1912 he was District Senior Grand Warden. Of late, Mr. Sayer had been employed in the censorship of telegrams, and he was a very hard working and an enthusiastic Hon. Treasurer of the Cigarette and Tobacco Fund for the Allied Troops at the Front, which was started some months ago in Hongkong.
The funeral will pass the monument at 5.30 this afternoon.”
Source: The Hong Kong Telegraph, page 8, 20th September 1915
“DEATH OF AN OLD HONGKONG RESIDENT.
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MR. G.J.B. SAYER.
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We regret to announce the death of Mr. G.J.B. Sayer, which occurred yesterday morning at the Matilda Hospital. Mr. Sayer had been very ill for the past two months from an internal malady. Recently he received information that one of his sons, who had joined one of the Canadian contingents for the Front, had been gassed at Ypres and was ”missing.” This evidently caused him much grief and undoubtedly influenced the course of his illness. Previously he had suffered the loss of two sons in this Colony.
The late Mr. Sayer, who was 59 years of age, had been in Hongkong a quarter of a century. He was originally in the service of the Naval Yard as officer in charge of admiralty works, but for the last ten years practiced as an architect and civil engineer on his own account. For several months he has rendered enthusiastic and willing service to the Hongkong Cigarette and Tobacco Fund for the troops at the Front. He caried on his work as Hon. Secretary right up to the last and then surrendered it to Mr. T. Petrie. He was a prominent Freemason and attained high office in the Zetland Lodge. For the last few months he had acted as one of the Government censors at the Telegraph Company’s offices.
He leaves a widow, one son and three daughters.
The funeral takes place this afternoon at 5.30.”
Source: Hong Kong Daily Press, page 3, 20th September 1915
“DEATH OF MR. GEORGE SAYER.
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After a long illness, Mr. G.J.B. Sayer, who was one of the best known as he was one of the most highly respected inhabitants of the Colony for upwards of 25 years, passed away at the Matilda Hospital. For months he had been in failing health, and up till two months ago, when he was compelled to take to his bed, he was a prominent figure in our midst and was able to still attend to his business as an architect. His name will long be remembered as the local organiser of the Cigarette and Tobacco Fund for the troops at the front, and he held, the dual positions of secretary and treasurer of the Fund up to the time of his demise. He is succeeded in this patriotic work by Mr. Craddock.
Mr. Sayer was an energetic members of the Hongkong Volunteers and eight years ago was associated with the Engineer Company. During night maneouvres on the Kowloon Hills he fell into a trench, breaking his arm as well as suffering from other injuries from which he never fully recovered. His infirmities, to his regret, prevented him from taking up his Captaincy with the Volunteers on the outbreak of war. A quick succession of family misfortunes during the last eighteen months, no doubt, affected his health, he having lost two sons by death, and received news that a third had been wounded at the front and numbered among the missing. Some eight or nine months ago Mr. Sayer joined the Censor’s stall and rendered excellent service, but it is for his public work in connection with the Tobacco fund that he will probably be best remembered.
The deceased gentleman was also an ardent freemason having joined the “mother” lodge, Zetland, in 1892 where he was treasurer for six years, S.W. in 1897, and W.M. in 1898. He was the first Principal of Victoria Chapter in 1901, and Preceptor and Prior of Victoria Preceptory and Priory in 1901. He was also a member of St. Mary Magdalen Chapter, member of the two Grand Lodges, and P.D.G.S.W. in 1912.
Mr. Sayer was a native of Corleston, Yarmouth, and joined the Naval Yard as civil Engineer on his arrival in the Colony, remaining there until the completion of the dock some ten years since, after which he set up in business as an architect. Mr. Sayer, leaves a widow, three daughters and two sons to mourn his loss. One of the sons is missing but there are still hopes that he may be found again and the other is an engineer with the Fleet. Two of his daughters are married.
Much sympathy will be extended to the family in their sad bereavement.”
Source: The China Mail, page 4, 20th September 1915
“FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. G J
“FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. G J B SAYER.
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The funeral of the late Mr. G.J.B. Sayer took place yesterday evening in the Protestant section of the Happy Valley, the ceremony being conducted buy the Rev. V.H. Copley Moyle, chaplain to the Cathedral.
The cortege was followed by Mr. Hooper, chief mourner, the Hon. Mr. Claud Severn, W.M. University Lodge, Mr. T.F. Hough D.G.M., Col. Chapman, Col. Iles, Major MacDonald, Capt. G. Lammert, Lt. Crowther Smith, Capt. Pennefather, Inspector Sim, Messrs. J.H. Gardiner, G.P. Currie, H.A. Lammert, W.G. Jefferies, E.J. Hamilton, C. Clarke, M.S. Northcote, Hanson Crawford, J. Rodger, T. Petrie, J. Brown, G. Underwood and Lafrents.
Wreaths were sent from the following: - From his dutiful and sorrowing wife, his loving and sorrowing children; his loving grandchildren; his sorrowing sons-in-law; R.W.M. T.F. Hough and officers, D.G.L.; Brethren of Victoria Lodge, No 1026 E.C; Officers and brethren of Lodge St. John, No 618 S.E; Officers and brethren of Zetland Lodge, No 525 E.C; Principals and Companions, Victoria Chapter; W.M. officers and brethren of United Services Lodge, No 1341 E; C.W.M. and brethren of University Lodge No 3666 E.C; W.E.Z. and companions of United Chapter 1341 E.C; Mr and Mrs T. Petrie, Mr and Mrs A.E. Crapnell; Mr and Mrs F.M. Crawford; Mr. C.E. Warren; Mr and Mrs. G. Lammert; Mr and Mrs H.A. Lammert and Miss Shaw; Mr. R.D. Harvey; Mr and Mrs J.H. Kemp; Mrs George Sachse; Mr and Mrs J.H. Gardiner; Messrs Gande Price and Co.; Mr A.A. Wilson; The Hongkong Telegraph; Mr and Mrs M.S. Northcote; Mr W.J. Hansen; Mr R. Howard; The Phoenix Club.”
Source: The Hong Kong Telegraph, page 4, 21st September 1915
“THE LATE MR. G.J.B. SAYER.
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FUNERAL AT HAPPY VALLEY.
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Amidst many tokens of respect and esteem the remains of the late Mr. G.J.B. Sayer were interred at Happy Valley cemetery last evening. The cortege passed the Monument at 5.30, those who formed a numerous following included the Hon. Mr. Claud Severn (as Master of the University Lodge of Freemasons), Lieut-Colonel Iles R.G.A.; Lieut-Colonel A. Chapman, V.D., Capt. G. Lammert, Major D. Macdonald, Lieut. Crowther Smith, Capt. Pennefather, Sergt-Major Highby, and Messrs. T.F. Hough, J.H. Gardiner, W. Budge, H.A. Lammert, A.T. Hamilton, E.J. James, W.J. Jeffries, H.B. Bridger, J.P. Currie, W.J. Hansen, C. Clarke, M.S. Northcote, J. Hooper, J.J. Bryan, J. Rodger, F.M. Crawford, H.M. Nemazee, T. Petrie, J.H. Underwood, Inspector Sim, etc.
There was a large number of beautiful floral tributes, which included the following: From the Preceptor and members of the Victoria Preceptory and Priory, 78; R.W.M. T.F. Hough and Officers, D.G.L.; brethren of Victoria Lodge, No. 1026, E.C.; brethren of Lodge St. John, No. 618, S.C.; officers and brethren pf Zetland Lodge, No. 525, E.C.; members of the Phoenix Club; Worshipful Master and brethren of University Lodge, No. 3,666, E.C., members and companions of the Victoria Chapter; M.E.Z. and companions of the United Chapter, 1341, E.C.; W.M. and Officers of the United Services Lodge 1341 E.C. There were wreaths also from the widow, children and grandchildren; Hon. Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Kemp, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Gardiner, Mr. and Mrs. John Robertson, Mr. G. Sachse, Mr. J.A. Tarrant, Mr. and Mrs. M.S. Northcote, Mr. R.W. Smith, Mr. W.J. Hansen, Gande, Price & Co., Mr. R. Howard, Mr. W.J. Hobbs and family, Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Lammert and Miss Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Crapnell, Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Crawford, Mr. and Mrs. T. Petrie, and others.
The sad ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Copley Moyle, Chaplain of St. John’s Cathedral.”
Source: Hong Kong Daily Press, page 4, 21st September 1915 and The China Mail, page 4, 21st September 1915