The photograph of the staff at St Stephen’s Girls School is the same one that features on page 180 of that wonderful book entitled ‘Old Hong Kong’ by Trea Wiltshire.
The staff of St Stephen’s Girls’ School, 1925, by Stuart Braga
The lady in the light coloured suit in the front row is actually Miss Edna Atkins who took over from Miss Middleton-Smith as Headmistress. The picture on the opposite page (181) shows the two of them together in the staff sitting room with Edna seated on the left.
Edna, who was interned in Stanley, was my Godmother. She eventually retired to Winchester, England and, if my memory is correct, lived to 104. Throughout my life she never forgot my birthday or Christmas and even attended my confirmation at Truro Cathedral, Cornwall in the late 50’s. When Trea’s book was published circa 1986 I was working in the Hong Kong Government office in London and was given a copy. On seeing the photos of Edna, my wife and I took the book to show her. By that time she was well into her 90’s and her sight was beginning to deteriorate. Not on that day, however, as soon as we got to page 180 she immediately identified herself saying “That’s me!”
I still have the little book of prayer that she gave me when I was christened in Stanley camp on 8th October, 1944 as well as some water colours that she painted of camp scenes. A truly wonderful lady who was the best Godmother that anyone could wish for.
Here's her entry in the 1942 list of Civilian Internees, complete with the error that said she had already died in Stanley Camp before the list was published:
Atkins Miss E S
55
Missionary Teacher
(Later report states that Miss Atkins has since died in the internment camp.)
Comments
Edna Atkins
The photograph of the staff at St Stephen’s Girls School is the same one that features on page 180 of that wonderful book entitled ‘Old Hong Kong’ by Trea Wiltshire.
The lady in the light coloured suit in the front row is actually Miss Edna Atkins who took over from Miss Middleton-Smith as Headmistress. The picture on the opposite page (181) shows the two of them together in the staff sitting room with Edna seated on the left.
Edna, who was interned in Stanley, was my Godmother. She eventually retired to Winchester, England and, if my memory is correct, lived to 104. Throughout my life she never forgot my birthday or Christmas and even attended my confirmation at Truro Cathedral, Cornwall in the late 50’s. When Trea’s book was published circa 1986 I was working in the Hong Kong Government office in London and was given a copy. On seeing the photos of Edna, my wife and I took the book to show her. By that time she was well into her 90’s and her sight was beginning to deteriorate. Not on that day, however, as soon as we got to page 180 she immediately identified herself saying “That’s me!”
I still have the little book of prayer that she gave me when I was christened in Stanley camp on 8th October, 1944 as well as some water colours that she painted of camp scenes. A truly wonderful lady who was the best Godmother that anyone could wish for.
Here's her entry in the 1942…
Here's her entry in the 1942 list of Civilian Internees, complete with the error that said she had already died in Stanley Camp before the list was published:
Edna Sabrina Atkins
Timeline
1919 - Arrived in Hong Kong in October to teach at St. Stephen's Girls' College
1923 - Appointed the first Warden (Deputy Headmistress) of the newly-founded St. Stephen's Hall
1925 - Appointed the first Warden of Fairlea Girls' School
1927 - By May, took over as Acting Principal of St. Stephen's Girls' College
1929-1949 - In April 1929, appointed Principal of St. Stephen's Girls' College.
Source:
1. Change and Continuity: A History of St. Stephen's Girls' College, Hong Kong, 1906-1996 by Kathleen E. Barker
Chapter 4 - https://cup.cuhk.edu.hk/image/catalog/preview/9789882372085_SampleChapter.pdf