Charles Gesner van der Voort (1916-1991) worked at Holland-China Trading Company (HCHC), with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tientsin (Tianjin), Rotterdam and London. At the start of the company, in 1903, Willem Kien (1877-1970) started to work for HCHC in Shanghai, later becoming director. In 1921 he left China and became director at the Rotterdam head office, at Diergaardelaan 36.
Willem Kien obtained this photo during a visit in Hong Kong in the 1930s. I believe a tram line is visible on the left (Peak Tram?).
Charles Gesner van der Voort (1916-1991) worked for Holland-China Trading Company in Shanghai, from 1939 to 1943.
Franciscus Hubertus Joseph Alphonsus Lafleur (1890 - 1946) was a colleague at the Hong Kong office and lived in Hong Kong with his wife Lily (1907-1982), son Ah Tong and daughter Ah Kan (Mary). The Japanese interned the family in Stanley Camp, Hong Kong. Unfortunately, Franciscus (probably people called him Frans) died soon after WWII. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
Charles Gesner van der Voort (1916-1991) has been a member of NRCV (Nederlandse Reünisten Vereniging China (NRVC, Dutch Reunists Association China), as well as most of his former colleagues at Holland-China Trading Company.
NRVC evolved from Nederlandsch-Chineesche Vereeniging which was founded in 1923, by people who had an interest in China. Most of them had worked there, or studied Chinese and Chinese culture. Its magazine "China" had its editors' address at Leidsestraat 82-84 in Amsterdam, where Netherlands Harbour Works had its head office. <Read more ...>
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Rob Wesselingh, whose father was manager at Netherlands Harbour Works in Hong Kong, brought me into contact with Wim Boele, who shared several childhood photographs with me. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
Rob Wesselingh, whose father was manager at Netherlands Harbour Works in Hong Kong, brought me into contact with Wim Boele, who shared several childhood photographs with me. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
Rob Wesselingh, whose father was manager at Netherlands Harbour Works in Hong Kong, brought me into contact with Wim Boele, who shared several childhood photographs with me. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
Jan Wesselingh was an employee of Netherlands Harbour Works Co. from Amsterdam, working in Guangzhou (Canton) before WWII and in Hong Kong after WWII. I was brought in contact with two of his sons by Theodor A.R. Strauss, 1988-1993 secretary of Nederlandse Reünisten Vereniging China (NRCV, Dutch Reunists Association China), of which Jan Wesselingh was a member.
According to tradition, this bronze bowl was found during dredging works by Netherlands Harbour Works Co. in Xiamen in 1938. The bowl has a flat surface and lettering or symbols at the bottom (3 photos). <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
Jan Wesselingh was an employee of Netherlands Harbour Works Co. from Amsterdam, working in Guangzhou (Canton) before WWII and in Hong Kong after WWII. I was brought in contact with two of his sons by Theodor A.R. Strauss, 1988-1993 secretary of Nederlandse Reünisten Vereniging China (NRCV, Dutch Reunists Association China), of which Jan Wesselingh was a member.
According to tradition, this bronze bowl was found during dredging works by Netherlands Harbour Works Co. in Xiamen in 1938. The bowl has a flat surface and lettering or symbols at the bottom (3 photos). <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):