I think this is a picture of Miss Elizabeth Lucas with the staff and the girls of the BCMS Children's Home, which has been found to be at 24 Broadwood Road. The BCMS had originally taken on the Home (26 children) in Nanning, Guangxi Province in 1924 at the invitation of Dr and Mrs Lechmere Clift, who had founded it. They appointed Miss Lucas as superintendent. Because of the civil war in China she had moved the Home firstly to Lungchow and thence to Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong they were based initially in a mansion on Broadwood Road, and then moved in 1933 to The White House, Taipo. Miss Lucas retired leaving Mildred Dibden in charge.
Following a near-fatal bout of malaria in 1935, Miss Dibden left the White House to be repatriated. In 1937 the Foundling Home was moved back to Kowloon as it was felt to be a healthier setting, and Iris Critchell was put in charge, followed by Miss S Birchall in 1938. Just before the war the home was moved out to the Sha Tau Kok Road in Fanling with Iris Critchell in charge.
During the war Iris Critchell and her girls ended up with Mildred Dibden at the Fanling Babies' Home.
Comments
Location
I'm just wondering if the cutaway hillside in the background gives us any clues as to where on Broadwood Road this might be.
Scarring of the Hillside
Not definite but for consideration. Large scarring of the hillside can be seen in front of the last house on Broadway Ridge on the right in this photo below.
Location
Agreed moddsey. That's what makes me wonder if last building on the right is #24. Here's another pic. Is it cutaway hillside/granite? or natural cliff? It would seem to have that triangular shape.
Re: Recent Photo
Looking at the photo of Mildred Dibden. I think the background shows the road cutting for the New Road i.e. Tai Hang Road with the main gate facing the road, near the junction with Broadwood Road.
A similar scene of the background road cutting on Google Street View
Gosh
Gosh moddsey what a great find! They do look very similar indeed.
Does that put us by building C on the 1922 map?
My thanks again! I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present!
Re: Photo with Mildred
Yes, the referenced Google Street View showing the main road would have been nearer to "Building C". Unfortunately, the "1922" map does not show the gate entrances to the Buildings.
(That said, will continue the discussion at 24 Broadway Road here )