Rev. Gilbert Hook was a pioneering British missionary in South China with the Bible Churchmen’s Missionary Society (BCMS); and latterly, an Anglican clergyman and canon in Australia.
He was born in Norwich, Norfolk, in 1907, the son of a local tailor. Raised in a skilled‑trade household, he pursued a religious vocation early and trained with the Bible Churchmen’s Missionary Society (BCMS) from 1929 to 1931. He sailed for China in December 1931, joining the Society’s expanding work in South China during a period of political instability and civil conflict.
Hook’s first years in China were spent in language study and itinerant evangelistic work. He was based at the BCMS Emmanuel Hospital, Nanning, founded by Dr Lechmere Clift, twenty years earlier.
In January 1933, a new BCMS recruit, Margery Bennett, arrived in Hong Kong. Both were Norwich-born, and both came from families in the clothing trade—a coincidence that may indicate a prior connection.
By late 1933, Hook and Bennett were engaged, and together they opened a new BCMS mission station at Ham‑Chow (Qinzhou/Yam Chau) in Guangxi Province. They married in St Andrew’s Church, Hong Kong, in January 1934, beginning a joint ministry that would define the next decade of their lives.
In 1934, Hook established an outstation at Fong‑Shing (Fangcheng), approximately 30 miles west of Ham‑Chow. Under his leadership, a small but resilient church community developed, supported by a dispensary run by BCMS colleague Barbara Lomas, newly transferred from the Children’s Home at Taipo.
The Hooks left China on furlough in 1937, arriving at Southampton aboard the Gneisenau with their first child, John David. After nine months in Norwich, they returned to China in January 1938, this time to a newly opened station at Tung Hing (Dongxing), which proved a congenial and effective base for their work.
Their second son, Graham, was born in 1939. That same year, Hook undertook a final inspection tour of his district. Travel was hazardous: Ham‑Chow was under frequent bombing due to the ongoing conflict, yet Hook reported that the local church remained steadfast. He also visited Fong‑Shing and Siu‑Tung (Shatou/Jiangping), completing what would be his last major field journey.
The Hooks concluded their BCMS service in 1940, as the deteriorating wartime situation made continued work untenable.
During the Second World War, the Hooks spent time in Australia. They returned to England from Sydney in October 1946, listing their destination as 43 Pembroke Road, Norwich.
Australia left a strong impression on the family. In 1950, they emigrated permanently, with Hook serving in parish ministry and eventually being appointed a canon. Their sons completed their schooling in Australia.
The Hooks lived the remainder of their lives in Sydney, where Gilbert continued to serve in the Anglican Church. He died in 1992, aged 85. His wife, Margery Hook, survived him by five years.
Sources:
The First 25 Years of the BCMS
Ancestry
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Hooks on Ancestry
1907 8th Feb, Gilbert Alexander Hook, born to Ernest and Jessie Hook, Tailor, Heigham St Thomas, Norfolk.
1911 Census - Ernest Hook 44, Tailor Clothing Factory, Jessie 29, Bertha, Ernest and Gilbert Hook 4, (1 other died) 32 Wellington Rd, Norwich.
1921 Census - Ernest Hook 55, Tailor coats, Jessie 39, Bertha 19, Shorthand typist, Ernest 16, Law Clerk, Gilbert 14, scholar, 32 Wellington Rd, Norwich.
1931 10th December, dep London for Hong Kong, Kashmir, Gilbert 24, from 32 Wellington Rd, Clerk Holy Orders, China intended res. He served at the BCMS Emmanuel Hospital, Nanning, started by Dr Lechmere Clift.
1934 15th January, Marriage of Gilbert Hook and Margery Bennett at St Andrew's Church, Hong Kong.
1937 Mar 28th arr Soton from HK, Gneisenau, Gilbert A Hook 29, missionary, Margery V Hook, 29 (sic), housewife, John David Hook, 2, destination - 32 Wellington Rd, Norwich.
1938 15th Jan, dep Soton for HK, SS Gneisenau, Gilbert 30, Margery 28, David 2,
1946 30th Oct, arr Soton, from Sydney Aus, on Dominion Monarch, Gilbert Hook 39, clergyman, Marjorie 36, missionary, David 11, Graham 7, students, dest 43 Pembroke Rd, Norwich, Country of res Australia,
1950 15th Aug, dep Soton for Australia, New Australia, Rev Gilbert Hook 43, Mrs Matgery(sic) V Hook 40, David J 15, Graham C 11, from Lamas Rectory, Norwich, last res England, intended res Australia.
1992 13th June, born c1907, death of Rev Canon Gilbert Alexander Hook 85, Sydney NSW, Aust. Wife Margery Hook, Australian Newspapers.
1997 6th Jan, Death of Margery V Hook 87, NSW, Australia. Wife of Gilbert A Hook. Find a Grave.