Florence Mary ROBINSON (née HOPWAR) [1884-1954]

Submitted by David on Mon, 04/27/2015 - 15:14
Names
Given
Florence Mary
Family
Robinson
Maiden
Hopwar
Sex
Female
Status
Deceased
Born
Date
Died
Date
(Day & Month are approximate.)

See p.202, In the web

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Florence's date of birth was Nov 17th (no year given). As recorded by Mildred Dibden in the flyleaf of her Bible.  Florence's husband ('Mr Robinson') was October 3rd. (no first name or year given).  This gives an indication of how close the Robinsons were to Mildred Dibden.

They were friends and supporters of Fanling Babies' Home.  During the War, both the Robinsons were interned at Stanley along with daughter Bonnie Penny.  In June 1942 when the Habade parcels were given out with money provided by the Japanese (or Red Cross) Florence Robinson received foodstuffs like jam, cocoa and Oxo, together with sunglasses, and a thermos flask, while James Robinson asked for and received a toothbrush, toothpaste and a shaving stick.  They all survived the war. 

Bonnie Penny (nee Robinson) was a close friend of Miss Dibden and lifelong supporter of her work.  Her parents were also close and helped in the work on the catering side.  At the start of the war Florence was on the kitchen staff at La Salle Relief Hospital. (See moddsey's link below).  

After the War they moved into the Fanling Home to help with the housekeeping, and when the new roof on the Home was celebrated with a service of thanksgiving in 1947, it was Florence who put on the tea afterwards for staff, children and guests.  In 1949, the Robinsons moved out to a home of their own. (Was this retirement? She was in her 60s and husband James in his 70s by this time)

They lived in Kowloon.

James died in 1951, Florence died in 1954, aged 70.  She was buried with her husband in the Hong Kong Cemetery.

Sources

The Yip Family of Amah Rock by Jill Doggett

Barbara Anslow's Diary

Hong Kong Memory

 

 

During the Battle of Hong Kong, Florence Mary Robinson was a member of the kitchen staff at La Salle Relief Hospital.

Source

1. http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/searchgarrison/uniformedcivilians.html#_Toc43367289

2. Florence Robinson's name/signature appears under "La Salle College" (La Salle Relief Hospital) on the right on the "Day Joyce Sheet" held by the Imperial War Museum. 

See: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30083388. An explanation of the "Day Joyce Sheet" is given at: https://gwulo.com/media/46458