Florence and James Robinsonlived in Kowloon during the last centurywith daughter Bonnie, who was a close friend of Mildred Dibden and lifelong supporter of her work in the Fanling Babies' Home. All three were close enough to Miss Dibden to have their birthdays recorded in the flyleaf of her Bible.
The Robinsons helped in the Home working on the catering side. At the start of the war in 1941, Florence was on the kitchen staff at La Salle Relief Hospital. (See moddsey's link below).During the war, both the Robinsons were interned at Stanley along with daughter Bonnie (now 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 asked for and received a toothbrush, toothpaste and a shaving stick.
They all three survived the war, and took ship (the Chitral) straightaway to England to recover, arriving only one day after Mildred Dibden on the Empress of Australia. Other internees were on board the Chitral, including Hilda Selwyn-Clarke and her daughter Mary. Although they had no destination recorded on the passenger list, Jill Doggett tells us the Robinsons stayed at Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, which was only a bus drive away from Mildred Dibden, who was recovering on the farm belonging to her uncle and aunt at Mundon.
On returning to Hong Kong, they moved into the Fanling Home to help with the housekeeping (catering I imagine), 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. This must have been retirement as she was in her 60s and husband James in his 70s by this time.
James died in 1951, aged 78; Florence died in 1954, aged 70. She was buried with her husband in the Hong Kong Cemetery. Her mother was also buried there.
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.
Comments
Florence resumé
Florence and James Robinson lived in Kowloon during the last century with daughter Bonnie, who was a close friend of Mildred Dibden and lifelong supporter of her work in the Fanling Babies' Home. All three were close enough to Miss Dibden to have their birthdays recorded in the flyleaf of her Bible.
The Robinsons helped in the Home working on the catering side. At the start of the war in 1941, Florence was on the kitchen staff at La Salle Relief Hospital. (See moddsey's link below). During the war, both the Robinsons were interned at Stanley along with daughter Bonnie (now 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 asked for and received a toothbrush, toothpaste and a shaving stick.
They all three survived the war, and took ship (the Chitral) straightaway to England to recover, arriving only one day after Mildred Dibden on the Empress of Australia. Other internees were on board the Chitral, including Hilda Selwyn-Clarke and her daughter Mary. Although they had no destination recorded on the passenger list, Jill Doggett tells us the Robinsons stayed at Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, which was only a bus drive away from Mildred Dibden, who was recovering on the farm belonging to her uncle and aunt at Mundon.
On returning to Hong Kong, they moved into the Fanling Home to help with the housekeeping (catering I imagine), 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. This must have been retirement as she was in her 60s and husband James in his 70s by this time.
James died in 1951, aged 78; Florence died in 1954, aged 70. She was buried with her husband in the Hong Kong Cemetery. Her mother was also buried there.
Sources:
The Yip Family of Amah Rock by Jill Doggett
Barbara Anslow's Diary
Hong Kong Memory
Another list from Ron Bridge…
Another list from Ron Bridge confirms her husband was James Porter Robinson.
I've added a comment to her entry in John Black's list.
Florence Mary Robinson
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
Day Joyce Sheet
I have seen this hanging in the IWM in London! Fascinating.
Florence Mary Robinson
Florence Mary Robinson is buried with her husband in the Hong Kong Cemetery. Died 21 October 1954.
Source: Hong Kong Memory here