New on Gwulo: 2023, week 22

Submitted by David on Sat, 06/03/2023 - 16:00

What's new and updated on the Gwulo website:
 

General

  • Martin notes that the Cenotaph has just had its 100th birthday. It was first unveiled on 24 May 1923:
    1923 Unveiling the Cenotaph

     

  • The unveiling of the Cenotaph is a clue I'd missed for last week's photo.
     
    1923 View over Central

    I dated it to 'some time in 1923', but it must have been taken around the time of the unveiling, as I can see the temporary grandstand that was set up for the ceremony.

    Temporary grandstand for the unveiling of the Cenotaph

     

  • Here's a happy photo with lots of connections to Gwulo:
    great granddaughters
    great granddaughters, by jill

    Susann (on the left) is the great-granddaughter of C.F.W. Petersen [c.1832-1896] (proprietor of the German Tavern) and Jill is the great-granddaughter of John Olson [1838-1918] (proprietor of the National Tavern) The two men must have known each other well, as Petersen was appointed as executor of Olson's will.
    Susann first "met" Jill here on the Gwulo website, and they have now been corresponding for ten years. They finally met in person a few days ago.
     

  • With Hong Kong temperatures climbing past 35C, it's time for a Popsy!
    Fruit seller on weekly visit to RAF Sek Kong 1955
    Dairy Farm seller on weekly visit to RAF Sek Kong 1955, by Curly Watson

     

  • Readers ask:
    • Are there any Japanese wartime tunnels above Mid Levels?
       
    • What was this large, temporary building in the the New Territories in 1955 used for?
       
    • Do you remember 'Curly' Watson? He writes: 

      I served in HK from April 1954 to September 1956.   I was an RAF Police Dog Handler and friends knew me as 'Curly Watson'.  It could be that anyone seeing that name might remember me but, as I'm almost 88, it's unlikely that there are many still around.

      My first posting was to RAF Kai Tak but, after some months, I was sent to RAF Sek Kong.   There, I did night patrols with my police dog Flash and also at the sub-site radar unit, RAF Ping Shan (this as about 10 miles down the road from Sek Kong and on the oposite side of Yeun Long).  Finally I was posted to RAF Mount Davis, which was a radar site on a hill at the far west end of the island, above Kennedy Town and overlooking Green Island.

  • Thank you to everyone who came along to my talk at the HK Maritime Museum last weekend. It's a great venue for this type of illustrated talk, as the high ceiling and large screen mean everyone gets a clear view of the photos. Many thanks to the Museum for hosting the event. 
    David giving a talk at the HK Maritime Museum

     


 

Places
 


 

People


 

Photos
 

Tung Chung Late 1964
Tung Chung Late 1964, by tonyclark

 

1957 tonnochy-hennessey junction
1957 tonnochy-hennessey junction, by simtang

 

1950s gloucester-tonnochy
1950s gloucester-tonnochy, by simtang

 

1960s "See Hong Kong" Postcard
1960s "See Hong Kong" Postcard, by moddsey

 

Far East Airphotos
Far East Airphotos, by IDJ

 

Jordan Road
Jordan Road, by danielwettling

 

1960s Kai Tak Airport Restaurant (Operated by Hotel Miramar)
1960s Kai Tak Airport Restaurant (Operated by Hotel Miramar), by moddsey

 

1880s Praya at Pedder's Wharf
1880s Praya at Pedder's Wharf, by Klaus

 

Satellite Earth Station First Day of Issue Cover addressed to Mr. John Bechtel
Satellite Earth Station First Day of Issue Cover addressed to Mr. John Bechtel, by HCIIL

 

A letter to New York, the U.S.A. sent by Graca & Co. on 12 October 1921, evidencing the business location change from Hong Kong Hotel Building to 10 Wyndham Street
A letter to New York, the U.S.A. sent by Graca & Co. on 12 October 1921, evidencing the business location change from Hong Kong Hotel Building to 10 Wyndham Street, by HCIIL

 

1950s Star Ferry - "Golden Star"
1950s Star Ferry - "Golden Star", by moddsey

 

1979 inside central market
1979 inside central market, by simtang

 

1977 central market
1977 central market, by simtang

 

1970 central market
1970 central market, by simtang

 

pedders wharf 1870s
pedders wharf 1870s, by Klaus

 

repulse bay lido
repulse bay lido, by jill

 

Former Ma Wan Vehicular Ferry Pier
Former Ma Wan Vehicular Ferry Pier, by tngan

 

Seto Family owner of Sha Tin Floating Restaurant
Seto Family owner of Sha Tin Floating Restaurant, by tracysito

 

1939 RAF Kai Tak
1939 RAF Kai Tak, by moddsey

 

airmens mess RAF Sek Kong 1955
airmens mess RAF Sek Kong 1955, by Curly Watson

 

Plan A. Proposed Development of the Port of Hongkong: Ferry Routes
Plan A. Proposed Development of the Port of Hongkong: Ferry Routes, by qazwsxedcrfv000

 

typhoon damage 1923
typhoon damage 1923, by danielwettling

 


Click to see all recently added photos.

I was delighted to see a photo of Jill Olson because I know the Olson family were great friends of the Lesbirels.

I am the great granddaughter of Charles John Francis Lesbirel and would love to contact Jill to share what knowledge I have.

Regards Hilary Fearne