My great great great uncle, Charles Alfred Boreham arrived in Hong Kong as a Captain of the Mast aboard HMS Cadmus on April 2nd 1871. As best I know, Charles served on the Cadmus policing the treaty ports until the ship was recalled to London in 1874 when it appears as though he remained in Hong Kong, dying there in 1921. There is a later memorial stone (and grave?) in St Michael's graveyard in Happy Valley. Various sources (Carl Smith cards, juror and government reports) have him managing 'refreshment rooms' at 25 Hollywood Road 1882-1884, custodian of the Wongneichung Recreation Ground March 1894-1896, juror 1884 and ward master (?) living at 61 Queens Road East.
I haven't found any information on the years 1874-1881, 1884-1893 or post 1896 other than he married Maria Cordeiro who had a son, Theobaldo Antonio Cordeiro, presumably from a previous relationship.
I'm guessing the photo was taken during one of the treaty port visits 1871-1874, but he looks older than 33-35 years and he is not in uniform. We have no further information on the photograph although the inscription on the back suggests it's some form of calling card.
Charles Alfred Boreham back of Photo (calling card?), by Nigel Clark
The book (bible?) could be a prop, or could support family lore that he became a missionary in China...but there is no known history of strong religious belief in the family at that time. He was not born Catholic but presumably his wife was - hence St Michaels.
Charles was one of 10 siblings born in what is now The Prince of Wales pub in Stowe Maries, Essex. The register of births gives his birthday as 14.9.1841, although the St Michaels inscription gives his age as 82 when he died in August 1921.
(1) Borham - At the Matilda Hospital, on August 22, Charles Borham, aged 82 years. Deeply regretted. The funeral will pass the Monument at 5 p.m. today.
Source: Hong Kong Telegraph 24 August 1921
Acknowlegement (upon death of Maria Cordeiro Boreham)
(2) Miss Bertha Cardeiro (sic) Borham begs to thank her friends for their kind expressions of sympathy and floral tributes sent in the recent sad bereavement.
Comments
Charles Boreham
Notes from Nigel Clark:
My great great great uncle, Charles Alfred Boreham arrived in Hong Kong as a Captain of the Mast aboard HMS Cadmus on April 2nd 1871. As best I know, Charles served on the Cadmus policing the treaty ports until the ship was recalled to London in 1874 when it appears as though he remained in Hong Kong, dying there in 1921. There is a later memorial stone (and grave?) in St Michael's graveyard in Happy Valley. Various sources (Carl Smith cards, juror and government reports) have him managing 'refreshment rooms' at 25 Hollywood Road 1882-1884, custodian of the Wongneichung Recreation Ground March 1894-1896, juror 1884 and ward master (?) living at 61 Queens Road East.
I haven't found any information on the years 1874-1881, 1884-1893 or post 1896 other than he married Maria Cordeiro who had a son, Theobaldo Antonio Cordeiro, presumably from a previous relationship.
I'm guessing the photo was taken during one of the treaty port visits 1871-1874, but he looks older than 33-35 years and he is not in uniform. We have no further information on the photograph although the inscription on the back suggests it's some form of calling card.
The book (bible?) could be a prop, or could support family lore that he became a missionary in China...but there is no known history of strong religious belief in the family at that time. He was not born Catholic but presumably his wife was - hence St Michaels.
Charles was one of 10 siblings born in what is now The Prince of Wales pub in Stowe Maries, Essex. The register of births gives his birthday as 14.9.1841, although the St Michaels inscription gives his age as 82 when he died in August 1921.
Notices in Newspapers
For information
Death
(1) Borham - At the Matilda Hospital, on August 22, Charles Borham, aged 82 years. Deeply regretted. The funeral will pass the Monument at 5 p.m. today.
Source: Hong Kong Telegraph 24 August 1921
Acknowlegement (upon death of Maria Cordeiro Boreham)
(2) Miss Bertha Cardeiro (sic) Borham begs to thank her friends for their kind expressions of sympathy and floral tributes sent in the recent sad bereavement.
Source: Hong Kong Telegraph 31 August 1925