DoB from John Black's list.
He was appointed as Custodian at Government House in 1912 (see page J42 of the 1913 Blue Book). The Blue Book for 1939 shows he was still there in the same position.
1314 explains the role of Custodian:
Having gone through some HK Govt Reports on Line and looking at various other sites,it appears that the Custodian,who had a flat in Govt House,was something in the order of a Housekeeper or Butler,albeit a rather grand one.He had charge of the GH Servants (numerous) and possibly duties of a security nature.John (William) Deacon (b 1885),in his comings and goings to Europe and mentions in published works was always described as a " Civil Servant "and apparently had a long career;he was in Stanley and returned to the UK on the Highland Monarch arriving November 1945.
Source: gwulo.com/comment/30632#comment-30632
His being seconded for Military Service in May 1918 is puzzling, a bit late for the Great War,possibly to the local Military ?
Describing her work at Government House c.1927, Betty Steel shared an office with John Deakin, and wrote:
Mr. Deakin lived with his wife and children in the Lodge beside the main gate. He was a great character, rather handsome with gray hair, and spoke with a strong accent from somewhere in England. He never stopped talking and I do not know how I ever got through my work! He managed the domestic affairs of Government House and supervised the servants. The Governors' wives were certainly fortunate in having him.
Source: http://gwulo.com/node/20303
Comments
Newspaper mentions
His wedding was reported on page 5 of The China Mail, 1920-11-29
CATHEDRAL WEDDING.
HUNWICK—DEAKIN.
In St. John's Cathedral this afternoon the Rev. Copley Moyle united In marriage Mr. John Deakin, Custodian at Government House, and Miss Sarah Ellen Hunwick, of Marton-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire.
The bride, who was given away by Mr. Colin Sara ((spelling?)), was attended by the Misses Mary and Joan Acworth as bridesmaids, while the bridegroom had as best man Mr. John Cornby.
The bride looked charming in white chaemeuse with veil and orange blossoms, and carried a bouquet of lilies. The bridesmaids wore pretty dresses of white muslin with sashes, and wreaths of blossom on their heads. They each carried beautiful bouquets of white and red roses.
The bride’s travelling dress for the honeymoon, which is being spent at Macao, was a gray costume with velour hat.
After the ceremony at the Cathedral, a reception was held at the Craigengower Club where the customary toasts were duly honoured.
The presents, which were both numerous and costly, included a travelling clock from H.E. the Governor and Lady Stubbs. The bride gave to the bridegroom a set of gold cufflinks and the bridegroom to the bride an opal and gold pin.
The following guests were present at the Cathedral:- H.E. and Lady Stubbs. Comdr. and Mrs. Acworth. Capt. Warner, Private Secretary. Capt. McGrath, A.D.C., Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Budden. Mr and Mrs. Buchanan, Mr. and Mrs. Drobury. Mr. Cockle, Mr. Shannon. Mr Tacchi, Capt. and Mrs. Laing. Mr and Mrs. Abraham, Miss Botting. Mr. S. Pank. Mr. Crocker. Mr. and Mrs. Prickett. Mr. and Mrs. Dukon. Mr. J. Ewing. Mr. Clegg. Mr Schofield. Mr. Lash, Mr. Dean. Mr Bevan and others.
Then page 10 of The China Mail, 1936-06-12 notes his playing Bowls - at least the mention of Civil Service makes it likely this was J W Deakin:
Craigengower "B" are likely to meet with stern opposition at the visit of the Civil Service team, who will he without the services of Deakin, for some years their popular Secretary and a steady and reliable skip. He goes no ((sic. should be "on")) leave a few hours before the match commences. In spite of his absence, however, the visitors should secure the points, especially as Field is not playing for the home team.
John Deakin
I knew him slightly. In 1946 I worked at Government House for a short time. One of his daughters Dorothy, a year or so younger than me, was a fellow stenographer in Govt. Soon after the beginning of internment, she married a young govt. clerk I knew well, Eric Kennard. Before the end of internment they had a baby, Joanna.
John William Deakin 1885 - 1955
July 1936 John William Deakin 50, Sarah Deacon 40, Dorothy Deakin 15, John Deakin 14, Daphne Deakin 9 and Diane Deakin 8 left London for Hong Kong UK address Gunnergate Farm
He was one of he many returning ex-internees who arrived in Southampton in November 1945. John William Deakin civil servant age 60 address in UK Home Farm Marton -in-Cleveland. DOB around 1885 if he was 60 in November 1945.
Ancestry Tree gives his date of birth as 1885 Sheffield Yorkshire and his date of death 11 May 1955 Nairobi Kenya and his wife's birth 19 July 1899 in Marton Yorkshire and her death 1992 in Kingston Upon Thames Surrey