Issue 2 of History Notes was compiled by the late Phillip Bruce, and published as a printed booklet in 1989. My favourite article is Dan Waters's recollections of his experiences as a 'Desert Rat' in WW2, but there are all sorts of other interesting Hong Kong history topics covered including cauliflower ears, knobbly knees, and hogs' heads:
- Presenting the colours in 1848 - A description of the first presentation of colours to a regiment in Hong Kong.
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The British Protestant cemetery at San Pedro, Makati, Manila, Philippines - A history of British Protestant burials in the Philippines
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Medical corner: Cauliflower ears, opium, and Errol Flynn - How a doctor could tell if you smoked opium from the shape of your ears.
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Service in old Shanghai - Extracts from a 1930s guide telling army officers heading to Shanghai what they'd find there.
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A vile excrementious substance - c.1800, the first attempts of the Chinese officials to stop Opium entering China.
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When shops were proper shops - The remarkable array of items on sale at Lane Crawford in 1879.
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A sporting tour in governor Yeh's land - Shooting pheasant in southern China
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Discovering the plague bacillus - During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, their English-language newspaper highlighted Japan's contribution to combatting plague.
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Reminiscences of an old "Desert Rat" - The late Dan Waters gives an honest description of his experiences in WW2.
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The knobbly knees scandal - Cover up those knees!
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Welcome to Hong Kong - "... a disgraceful affair happened at Pedder's Wharf ..."
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Hidden secrets of replacement medals - Includes a list of people applying to replace their medals lost in WW2.
Many thanks to Mr Bruce's family for letting me re-publish the booklet here on Gwulo, to give it a second lease of life and introduce it to a new audience.
Does anyone know if any later issues of History Notes were published? I know of the separate Military History Notes, but have only seen issues 1 & 2 of History Notes.