The actual first name of Sonny Boy was not recorded by the Olson cousins, to whom he was most closely related. He was the son of David Hay Ritchie and of Ellen (Nellie) Ritchie, youngest daughter of the retired Swedish tavern owner, John Olson snr and his Chinese wife, Ching Ah Fung (later Ellen Olson). Sonny Boy was youngest grandchild of the elder Olsons. Sonny Boy appears in Hong Kong family photos that show John Olson snr with all his grandsons. The above photo shows him as a baby. His later stepfather, Evert Hilkers was posted to Indonesia with the East India Company and the family later returned to Holland, Evert's native country. Nellie visited her brother John Olson and his wife, Annie in England after the war but without Sonny Boy. She emigrated to the US, but lost touch with the Olson family, who were subsequently unable to trace her. Without knowing his real name, Sonny Boy was impossible to trace, especially because his parents' surname was given to the younger generation of Olsons as "Melcher". Sonny Boy was born in Manila. He fought in the war, but again, records of his war service could not be found until now. Thanks to Gwulo contributors aagg and Robbot27 his name and his main biographical details have finally been unearthed.
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