Sentry Page Protection
Please Wait...
Obituaries
Scroll down to view or use ctrl f to search this page
Stuart Macdonald, who died in Sydney on May 3rd 1999, aged 92, was the last manager of that great imperial enterprise, the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company and had the melancholy task of handing it over to a newly independent Burma.
The IF Company, as it was known, was founded in 1865 to provide transport in a country where rivers were the highways. In 1890, Rudyard Kipling, who had visited Rangoon, paid a tribute “Come you back to Mandalay / Where the old Flotilla lay: / Can’t you ‘ear their paddles chunkin’ / From Rangoon to Mandalay?” The company fleet, built for the rivers and estuaries, was said to be the largest in the word, 644 vessels. 258 of them powered craft. Express and cargo steamers, up to 326 feet long, plied the River Irrawaddy from Rangoon to Mandalay and smaller craft ran on to Bhamo. Special shallow draught steamers were employed on the Irrawaddy’s great tributary the Chindwin. Over 9,000 staff were employed in the fleet, the five dockyards, the godowns (warehouses), the offices and more than 50 agencies in river towns. Stuart Macdonald was born in Greenock on February 10th 1907. The elder son of a Glasgow coal merchant, he was educated at Trinity College, Glenalmond and began with Paddy Henderson’s shipping company before heading east to join the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in 1927 as a shipping assistant. If the sun was soon to set on the Empire, it was not clear to Macdonald. The tropics suited him: he fell in love with Burma and embraced colonial society. Six feet two inches tall, lean, black-haired and handsome, he was a popular figure at Scottish balls, parties and government receptions. He golfed, played tennis and was a splendid swimmer. In 1936 he married, with the company’s permission, Brenda Groves, of Herne Bay, Kent, whom he had met in Burma. In December 1941, when the Japanese bombed Rangoon, he as well up the management ladder. As the city fell to the Japanese Army less than four months later, the IF Company was stretched to the limit, evacuating civilians and supplying the defence of Burma. Company headquarters were now in Mandalay and the Japanese advance up river from Rangoon, taking port after port, was steadily reducing the Irrawaddy Fleet’s movements. Macdonald worked with the company’s rearguard units as they burned, scuttled or demolished any property that might be useful to the enemy. There were some close calls. At Monywa, on the Chindwin, the company was out by 6.30 a.m. on May 1st, the British forces were gone by 8.00 and by 8.30 the Japanese were taking possession. In the last few days at Mandalay, on the main Irrawaddy, Macdonald’s group sank more than 100 powered boats and many other craft in the harbour. Finally, they burned the dockyard. At Katha, almost the last port on the Irrawaddy and 900 miles from Rangoon, they heard that the Japanese were ahead of them as well as behind. But Macdonald was satisfied with the job he had done. He calculated that during the campaign the company had carried at least 150,000 evacuees, 30,000 troops and tens of thousands of tons of food and army stores. Almost nothing of the great fleet remained for the Japanese; of the powered craft, fewer than 20. From Katha, the only escape lay in Assam, a 250 mile trek westward. For three days, Macdonald and his party of a dozen, drove, dragged and otherwise persuaded two small cars to crawl along bullock tracks and jungle paths, across streams and paddy fields, further than any car had ever reached in Burma. They kept up their spirits with tea, cocoa and choruses sung to a ukulele. Abandoning the cars, they tramped through thick jungle, struggled down rivers and narrowly escaped disaster from a herd of charging water buffalo. Then it was into hill country, climbing 5,000 feet and descending exhausted down steep valleys. They had eked out their rations with food from villages and with the plains of Assam in sight they sat dawn, bearded and unkempt, to eat the last army biscuits. With some of the party in their fifties, they had nevertheless come through in less than a fortnight. All Macdonald’s hopes were pinned on a return to Burma. Immediately after the war he did return, now as manager, but in an uncertain climate of nationalism. His fate was to negotiate the transfer of the company, in 1949, to the government of an independent state. Next year he returned to Britain. He was not afraid of starting again from scratch and took a job packing eggs for a small company in Sussex. Before long he was managing director and proceeded to expand the company, Stonegate Farmers, into a substantial operation. On retiring in 1968 he migrated with his wife to Sydney, where he did clerical work for stockbrokers and insurance brokers into his late seventies. Macdonald believed firmly that young men should make their own way, as he had, and he turned out his sons at an early age to do just that. To the end of his life his favourite song remained “On the Road to Mandalay,” Kipling’s poem set to music, in which the old soldier in London longs for the Burma he knew: “For the temple-bells are callin’ / An’ it’s there that I would be...” Stuart Macdonald was survived by his wife and a son; another son predeceased him. From the Daily Telegraph. |
THE BURMA FRONTIER
Deaths of Capt. Pritchard and Capt. Peckthall
Deaths of Capt. Pritchard and Capt. Peckthall
Year by year the toll exacted by death on the pioneers of exploration ever increases all over the world, but when it comes near home to Burma we realise it the more. Strategical considerations have ordained that the frontier country of Burma conterminous with China should be explored. Furthermore, throughout last cold weather the border adjacent to Yunnan was in such a state, owing to disbanded Chinese soldiers’ depredations, that an expedition was imperatively necessary. So on 20th October 1912, what is now known as the Hkampti Lon column, set out from Myitkyina. Fever and hardships were experienced and there were brushes with the enemy. On April 28th the depleted column returned, its mission accomplished but the cost was a heavy one.
Capt. Strettell brought back the column, but Capt. Peckthall, a promising officer and liked by all who knew him, died of fever on the way. His body was brought back to Myitkyina and was there buried with full military honours. One Havildar, three sepoys and two camp followers also died of fever, one Havildar was killed in action, while Mr J.T.O. Barnard, Extra Assistant Commissioner, was wounded. Sub-Asst. Surgeon Dowlat Ram died of fever. Seventeen prisoners were brought back, including two Chinese officers, one surveyor, ten soldiers and four Kachins, with large quantities of arms, ammunition and maps of the frontier. Mr Barnard’s services were rewarded by his being made a C.I.E., but he was shortly afterwards appointed officiating Deputy Commissioner at Bhamo vice Mr F. Lewisohn, who proceeded to Tengyueh to study Yunnanese.
The frontier is now quiet and great administrative work has been done in those areas hence. Government, in a resolution, eulogising the work of all the officers connected with it – including Messrs. J.T.O. Barnard and W.A. Hertz. Meanwhile two officers of the Indian Army last cold weather set out to explore North-east Assam which was then a “no man’s land.” They were Captains Pritchard and Waterfield, the former of the 73rd Light Infantry and the latter of Rathay’s Rifles. They made one successful journey last winter and started again in March, working northward, with the idea of reaching the Lohit valley and thence passing North-westwards into Zayul and so on into the San-po valley, but the snow on the high ridges blocked their progress and rain in the valleys added to their difficulties. Then on May 6th, a sad event, deeply deplored in India and Simla, occurred. Capt. Pritchard lost his life by drowning in the Taron river, one of the upper branches of the Irrawaddy.
There are one or two accounts of how the sad accident happened, but the main facts are these: Captains Pritchard and Waterfield got as far north as 28 degrees 15 mins. and could see the great Doker Za or Sacred Mountain away to the east, across the Salween, lifting its snow-clad summit 15,000 feet above sea level. Their troubles began in reality when they got into the snows and their coolies and men began to desert. The desertion of a regimental surveyor, a Punjab Mahomedan, was indirectly the cause of Capt. Pritchard’s death. This man ended up by deserting the day before Capt. Pritchard was drowned. As soon as he left the party and made for Myitkyina, he warned all the villagers not to give the sahibs any supplies as they would not be paid for. As a result of this man’s behaviour every village the officers came to was deserted.
Arriving at the bank of the Taron in the early morning of My 6th they found the rope bridge, which should have spanned the river, broken. Crossing appeared impossible but Capt. Pritchard, who was a most powerful swimmer, said he would swim across and gather the ropes together again. Capt. Waterfield remonstrated with him, pointing out the great danger of such an undertaking with a current of from twelve to fifteen miles an hour and insisted if Pritchard would attempt it, he must have a rope tied round his waist which the party were to hold and pay out as the swimmer advanced. Pritchard agreed to this but laughed at the precaution. He had only got a very short distance from the bank when it was seen that had it not been for the rope he would have been swept away at once. When about midstream the strain on the rope became so great that it parted and the unfortunate officer only had time to shout, when he was swept down-stream into the rapids and was never seen again. The whole thing happened in less than a minute and though Capt. Waterfield took a short cut down stream and plunged across a small bifurcation of the torrent to intercept Capt. Pritchard and throw him a rope, nothing came of it, as he had either already been swept by or drowned in the rapids above.
Some two or three days were spent in a vain attempt to recover the body, of which not a slightest trace could be found. Capt. Waterfield then decided to go on and made for the Karong Pass in order to reach the Lohit valley. By this time the rain, however, had become very heavy, and with the melting of the snows all the rivers became flooded. Capt. Waterfield found he could not get to the north, so turned southwards to Hkampi Lon and thence reached Myitkyina in safety.
The late Capt. Pritchard (whose photograph we reproduce) was a young explorer of considerable promise and had previously done valuable work for which he received a special gold medal from the United Services Institution. According to Capt. Waterfield the country in and about latitude 28 is inhabited by Tirons, a sect of the Marus and that the party met with no hostility other than that caused by fear the whole time they were out. Some very good maps were obtained which ought to go a long way towards filling up the blanks left in Major Davis’ map and that of other explorers. Capt. Waterfield, in September, detailed this expedition at an illustrated lecture at Simla, which he graphically portrayed the adventurous exploratory tour.
Extract from the Rangoon Times Xmas No. 1912
Capt. Strettell brought back the column, but Capt. Peckthall, a promising officer and liked by all who knew him, died of fever on the way. His body was brought back to Myitkyina and was there buried with full military honours. One Havildar, three sepoys and two camp followers also died of fever, one Havildar was killed in action, while Mr J.T.O. Barnard, Extra Assistant Commissioner, was wounded. Sub-Asst. Surgeon Dowlat Ram died of fever. Seventeen prisoners were brought back, including two Chinese officers, one surveyor, ten soldiers and four Kachins, with large quantities of arms, ammunition and maps of the frontier. Mr Barnard’s services were rewarded by his being made a C.I.E., but he was shortly afterwards appointed officiating Deputy Commissioner at Bhamo vice Mr F. Lewisohn, who proceeded to Tengyueh to study Yunnanese.
The frontier is now quiet and great administrative work has been done in those areas hence. Government, in a resolution, eulogising the work of all the officers connected with it – including Messrs. J.T.O. Barnard and W.A. Hertz. Meanwhile two officers of the Indian Army last cold weather set out to explore North-east Assam which was then a “no man’s land.” They were Captains Pritchard and Waterfield, the former of the 73rd Light Infantry and the latter of Rathay’s Rifles. They made one successful journey last winter and started again in March, working northward, with the idea of reaching the Lohit valley and thence passing North-westwards into Zayul and so on into the San-po valley, but the snow on the high ridges blocked their progress and rain in the valleys added to their difficulties. Then on May 6th, a sad event, deeply deplored in India and Simla, occurred. Capt. Pritchard lost his life by drowning in the Taron river, one of the upper branches of the Irrawaddy.
There are one or two accounts of how the sad accident happened, but the main facts are these: Captains Pritchard and Waterfield got as far north as 28 degrees 15 mins. and could see the great Doker Za or Sacred Mountain away to the east, across the Salween, lifting its snow-clad summit 15,000 feet above sea level. Their troubles began in reality when they got into the snows and their coolies and men began to desert. The desertion of a regimental surveyor, a Punjab Mahomedan, was indirectly the cause of Capt. Pritchard’s death. This man ended up by deserting the day before Capt. Pritchard was drowned. As soon as he left the party and made for Myitkyina, he warned all the villagers not to give the sahibs any supplies as they would not be paid for. As a result of this man’s behaviour every village the officers came to was deserted.
Arriving at the bank of the Taron in the early morning of My 6th they found the rope bridge, which should have spanned the river, broken. Crossing appeared impossible but Capt. Pritchard, who was a most powerful swimmer, said he would swim across and gather the ropes together again. Capt. Waterfield remonstrated with him, pointing out the great danger of such an undertaking with a current of from twelve to fifteen miles an hour and insisted if Pritchard would attempt it, he must have a rope tied round his waist which the party were to hold and pay out as the swimmer advanced. Pritchard agreed to this but laughed at the precaution. He had only got a very short distance from the bank when it was seen that had it not been for the rope he would have been swept away at once. When about midstream the strain on the rope became so great that it parted and the unfortunate officer only had time to shout, when he was swept down-stream into the rapids and was never seen again. The whole thing happened in less than a minute and though Capt. Waterfield took a short cut down stream and plunged across a small bifurcation of the torrent to intercept Capt. Pritchard and throw him a rope, nothing came of it, as he had either already been swept by or drowned in the rapids above.
Some two or three days were spent in a vain attempt to recover the body, of which not a slightest trace could be found. Capt. Waterfield then decided to go on and made for the Karong Pass in order to reach the Lohit valley. By this time the rain, however, had become very heavy, and with the melting of the snows all the rivers became flooded. Capt. Waterfield found he could not get to the north, so turned southwards to Hkampi Lon and thence reached Myitkyina in safety.
The late Capt. Pritchard (whose photograph we reproduce) was a young explorer of considerable promise and had previously done valuable work for which he received a special gold medal from the United Services Institution. According to Capt. Waterfield the country in and about latitude 28 is inhabited by Tirons, a sect of the Marus and that the party met with no hostility other than that caused by fear the whole time they were out. Some very good maps were obtained which ought to go a long way towards filling up the blanks left in Major Davis’ map and that of other explorers. Capt. Waterfield, in September, detailed this expedition at an illustrated lecture at Simla, which he graphically portrayed the adventurous exploratory tour.
Extract from the Rangoon Times Xmas No. 1912
O.M.B. White
The death took place on Sunday night [6th Jan. 1918] of heart failure, at his residence in Godwin road, of Mr O.M.B. White, Assistant Director of Public Instruction, Burma, in his fifty-sixth year. Octavius Mortimer Ball White was born in Rangoon on October 9th 1862 and was educated in Rangoon going from the Government High school here to the Doveton College, Madras, where he finished his education. At the age of seventeen, he entered the office of the Accountant General, Burma, but less than a year later in 1880 he left it to become a schoolmaster in the Rangoon College. He was later transferred to the Government High School and remained there until he was made Headmaster in 1895 when he was appointed Professor of English at the Rangoon College. In 1905 he was transferred to the Government High School, Moulmein, where he became acting Principle of both it and the Normal School, being confirmed as Principal of the former in September 1907.
From November 1906 to September 1907 he acted as Inspector of Schools, Western Circle. In the month he was transferred to the Eastern Circle and was placed on deputation as lecturer in English in Rangoon on June 1st 1909. He became Professor of English at the Rangoon College again in June 1910 and remained there until May 1911 when he was appointed Assistant Director of Public Instruction, which post he held at his death.
In March 1912 he was affected with sunstroke after a hard morning’s manoeuvres at Kambe, which was followed by paralysis from which he never really recovered although a trip to England benefited him so much that h was able to resume work. He continued at work until a little over a fortnight ago.
Mr White was the oldest member of the B.A.A. having joined it at its start in 1894 and from 1901 to 1905 was its honorary treasurer. He was appointed honorary secretary of the B.A.A. in 1915 when Mr A.G. DuBern went home on leave but ill-health prevented him from carrying on the work. With Mr Wales he formed the Burma Schools Athletic League in which he took a very keen interest and it was one of his great disappointments that when he was transferred from Rangoon, it was allowed to become defunct. While here he was its honorary secretary and when the annual games were held on the maidan, on the old B.A.A. ground, he would spend hours with the boys in laying out the field for the sports. Having been in his early days a fine cricketer and football player he took a great interest in these and other sports. He discovered and trained “Tommy” Barton who was a pupil at the Government High School and who to this day holds a number of Burman and Indian athletic records.
He was a strict but kindly disciplinarian and was greatly loved by his pupils. Of quiet, unassuming manner, his opinions on athletics were so sound that they were nearly always accepted in B.A.A. Councils and he was held in great esteem. Owing to the large number of pupils who have passed through his hands he was one of the best known and best liked men in Burma. He was a keen volunteer and held the commission of Captain in the Moulmein Volunteer Rifles and on returning to Rangoon was attached to the R.V.R. in the same rank. After his attack of sunstroke he was placed on the supernumerary list.
In the September number of the Rangoon College Magazine, Mr Hunter, Principle of the College, pays a warm tribute to the ability of Mr White and Mr Wales, when he refers to them as being schoolmasters the like of whom one looks for nowadays in vain, whether in a general capacity, in an organising capacity or in the influence they exerted over their pupils. Mr White leaves a widow and three daughters. The funeral took place on Monday with full military honours from his residence, the service being at Trinity Cathedral and the interment at the Cantonment Cemetery.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Jan. 1918.
The death took place on Sunday night [6th Jan. 1918] of heart failure, at his residence in Godwin road, of Mr O.M.B. White, Assistant Director of Public Instruction, Burma, in his fifty-sixth year. Octavius Mortimer Ball White was born in Rangoon on October 9th 1862 and was educated in Rangoon going from the Government High school here to the Doveton College, Madras, where he finished his education. At the age of seventeen, he entered the office of the Accountant General, Burma, but less than a year later in 1880 he left it to become a schoolmaster in the Rangoon College. He was later transferred to the Government High School and remained there until he was made Headmaster in 1895 when he was appointed Professor of English at the Rangoon College. In 1905 he was transferred to the Government High School, Moulmein, where he became acting Principle of both it and the Normal School, being confirmed as Principal of the former in September 1907.
From November 1906 to September 1907 he acted as Inspector of Schools, Western Circle. In the month he was transferred to the Eastern Circle and was placed on deputation as lecturer in English in Rangoon on June 1st 1909. He became Professor of English at the Rangoon College again in June 1910 and remained there until May 1911 when he was appointed Assistant Director of Public Instruction, which post he held at his death.
In March 1912 he was affected with sunstroke after a hard morning’s manoeuvres at Kambe, which was followed by paralysis from which he never really recovered although a trip to England benefited him so much that h was able to resume work. He continued at work until a little over a fortnight ago.
Mr White was the oldest member of the B.A.A. having joined it at its start in 1894 and from 1901 to 1905 was its honorary treasurer. He was appointed honorary secretary of the B.A.A. in 1915 when Mr A.G. DuBern went home on leave but ill-health prevented him from carrying on the work. With Mr Wales he formed the Burma Schools Athletic League in which he took a very keen interest and it was one of his great disappointments that when he was transferred from Rangoon, it was allowed to become defunct. While here he was its honorary secretary and when the annual games were held on the maidan, on the old B.A.A. ground, he would spend hours with the boys in laying out the field for the sports. Having been in his early days a fine cricketer and football player he took a great interest in these and other sports. He discovered and trained “Tommy” Barton who was a pupil at the Government High School and who to this day holds a number of Burman and Indian athletic records.
He was a strict but kindly disciplinarian and was greatly loved by his pupils. Of quiet, unassuming manner, his opinions on athletics were so sound that they were nearly always accepted in B.A.A. Councils and he was held in great esteem. Owing to the large number of pupils who have passed through his hands he was one of the best known and best liked men in Burma. He was a keen volunteer and held the commission of Captain in the Moulmein Volunteer Rifles and on returning to Rangoon was attached to the R.V.R. in the same rank. After his attack of sunstroke he was placed on the supernumerary list.
In the September number of the Rangoon College Magazine, Mr Hunter, Principle of the College, pays a warm tribute to the ability of Mr White and Mr Wales, when he refers to them as being schoolmasters the like of whom one looks for nowadays in vain, whether in a general capacity, in an organising capacity or in the influence they exerted over their pupils. Mr White leaves a widow and three daughters. The funeral took place on Monday with full military honours from his residence, the service being at Trinity Cathedral and the interment at the Cantonment Cemetery.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Jan. 1918.
A.H. Hildebrand
The death took place at Puddletown, Dorsetshire, (sic) on 1st January of Arthur Hedding Hildebrand, late Superintendent, Southern Shan States. Mr Hildebrand had a distinguished career in Burma especially in the Southern Shan States where he was for many years the first Superintendent after the country was brought under British control.
Joining the Burma Police Force in 1868, he soon obtained semi-political work in the frontier and in 1875 was sent to settle disputes between Siamese and Laos officials and the Moulmein timber merchants. Next year he was sent on a boundary mission to Upper Burma. In 1887 he was given a special mission to pacify and consolidate the Shan States. The Southern Shan were largely confederated under the Limbin Prince, whose object was to unite the whole of the Shans and ultimately to place himself on the throne of Burma. Mr Hildebrand, before the year ended, had the Limbin Price deported to India, and peace restored. Mr Hildebrand’s sphere of action was extended over all the Shan States and before the end of 1888 he was successful in converting from two to three million of excited and rebellious Shans, scattered over an area of nearly 80,000 square miles into loyal subjects, without firing a shot or taking any lives.
For his most successful piece of work Mr Hildebrand received special commendation and the C.I.E. After further service in the Shan States he retired in 1901. In 1912, on re-visiting the scenes of his labours, he found the Shans a bright, intelligent and happy people and most grateful for all that had been done for them. Mr Hildebrand had a natural and rare power of influencing semi-civilised races.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Mar. 1918.
The death took place at Puddletown, Dorsetshire, (sic) on 1st January of Arthur Hedding Hildebrand, late Superintendent, Southern Shan States. Mr Hildebrand had a distinguished career in Burma especially in the Southern Shan States where he was for many years the first Superintendent after the country was brought under British control.
Joining the Burma Police Force in 1868, he soon obtained semi-political work in the frontier and in 1875 was sent to settle disputes between Siamese and Laos officials and the Moulmein timber merchants. Next year he was sent on a boundary mission to Upper Burma. In 1887 he was given a special mission to pacify and consolidate the Shan States. The Southern Shan were largely confederated under the Limbin Prince, whose object was to unite the whole of the Shans and ultimately to place himself on the throne of Burma. Mr Hildebrand, before the year ended, had the Limbin Price deported to India, and peace restored. Mr Hildebrand’s sphere of action was extended over all the Shan States and before the end of 1888 he was successful in converting from two to three million of excited and rebellious Shans, scattered over an area of nearly 80,000 square miles into loyal subjects, without firing a shot or taking any lives.
For his most successful piece of work Mr Hildebrand received special commendation and the C.I.E. After further service in the Shan States he retired in 1901. In 1912, on re-visiting the scenes of his labours, he found the Shans a bright, intelligent and happy people and most grateful for all that had been done for them. Mr Hildebrand had a natural and rare power of influencing semi-civilised races.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Mar. 1918.
R.R.T. Wall
One of the older generation of Englishmen who have done so much for Burma has passed away in the person of Mr Richard R.T. Wall, whose death after a long illness took place on Tuesday at his residence in Rosebank road. Mr Wall came to Burma in the late seventies and for a few months was an Asst. Master under Dr. Mark’s at St. John’s College.
He joined Government service in April 1880 and took part in operations during the second Burmese war in 1885-87 for which he was awarded two medals with clasps. He also held a commission in the Rangoon Volunteer Rifles at a time when Capt. Roberts was Adjutant of the battalion. He was appointed to the charge of Minbu Sub-divn. from its formation and most of his service was spent in Minbu, Magwe and Kyaukse.
In 1903 he was transferred to Rangoon where he was stationed until his retirement, owing to ill-health in 1914.
The late Mr Wall leaves a widow and nine children, of whom his second son Sydney is at present a prisoner of war in Turkey. The latter applied to go with the first Burma contingent, but not being successful, went to Mesopotamia with the 1st Volunteer Artillery Battery in July 1915. He served in through the siege of Kut and was wounded in action, being afterwards taken by the Turks at the fall of Kut.
Mr Wall’s second daughter, now in England, is married to Lt. Cline, Bedfords, who is serving for the second time in France after being wounded, and his nephew a Lieutenant in the Middlesex, was wounded three times in France and is now serving in Mesopotamia. Several other relatives are also serving in the Army.
The eldest daughter, Mrs Ferguson, is a doctor in the Rangoon General Hospital. Four of the children are still at school.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Mar. 1918.
One of the older generation of Englishmen who have done so much for Burma has passed away in the person of Mr Richard R.T. Wall, whose death after a long illness took place on Tuesday at his residence in Rosebank road. Mr Wall came to Burma in the late seventies and for a few months was an Asst. Master under Dr. Mark’s at St. John’s College.
He joined Government service in April 1880 and took part in operations during the second Burmese war in 1885-87 for which he was awarded two medals with clasps. He also held a commission in the Rangoon Volunteer Rifles at a time when Capt. Roberts was Adjutant of the battalion. He was appointed to the charge of Minbu Sub-divn. from its formation and most of his service was spent in Minbu, Magwe and Kyaukse.
In 1903 he was transferred to Rangoon where he was stationed until his retirement, owing to ill-health in 1914.
The late Mr Wall leaves a widow and nine children, of whom his second son Sydney is at present a prisoner of war in Turkey. The latter applied to go with the first Burma contingent, but not being successful, went to Mesopotamia with the 1st Volunteer Artillery Battery in July 1915. He served in through the siege of Kut and was wounded in action, being afterwards taken by the Turks at the fall of Kut.
Mr Wall’s second daughter, now in England, is married to Lt. Cline, Bedfords, who is serving for the second time in France after being wounded, and his nephew a Lieutenant in the Middlesex, was wounded three times in France and is now serving in Mesopotamia. Several other relatives are also serving in the Army.
The eldest daughter, Mrs Ferguson, is a doctor in the Rangoon General Hospital. Four of the children are still at school.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Mar. 1918.
Mrs S.L. Smith
In the death of Mrs Sarah Lincoln Smith, nee Stevens, wife of the Rev’d. Dr. A.W. Smith, Karen Theological Seminary, at her home in Insein on Tuesday, the American Baptist Mission in Burma loses an old and faithful worker in their case. She was the daughter of the Rev’. Dr. E A. Stevens who was contemporary with the Rev’d. Dr. Judson and completed Dr. Judson’s Burmese dictionary.
She was born in Moulmein on December 3rd 1840 and was educated in America at Newton Centre, Massachusetts, where she met and was married to Dr. Smith in August 1863. On their coming out to Burma Mr and Mrs Smith were stationed at Henzada for a while and afterwards in Rangoon. They then went to the Karen Theological Seminary at Insein, where they have worked unceasingly for years. Her brother Dr. E.O. Stevens, was a noted missionary. She was liked by all with whom she was brought in contact and her death, although not unexpected, as she has been ailing for some time, will be received through the province with genuine regret.
Her husband and two daughters, Miss Anne H. Smith, who is associated with Dr. Smith at Insein, and Mrs H.I. Marshall, wife of the Rev’d. H.I. Marshall, who is with the Karen Mission at Tharrawaddy, survive her. The funeral, which was well attended, took place at the Baptist Cemetery in Pazundaung the same evening. The service for the dead was conducted by the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore, Baptist College, and Rev’d. Dr. McGuire, Insein.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Mar. 1918.
In the death of Mrs Sarah Lincoln Smith, nee Stevens, wife of the Rev’d. Dr. A.W. Smith, Karen Theological Seminary, at her home in Insein on Tuesday, the American Baptist Mission in Burma loses an old and faithful worker in their case. She was the daughter of the Rev’. Dr. E A. Stevens who was contemporary with the Rev’d. Dr. Judson and completed Dr. Judson’s Burmese dictionary.
She was born in Moulmein on December 3rd 1840 and was educated in America at Newton Centre, Massachusetts, where she met and was married to Dr. Smith in August 1863. On their coming out to Burma Mr and Mrs Smith were stationed at Henzada for a while and afterwards in Rangoon. They then went to the Karen Theological Seminary at Insein, where they have worked unceasingly for years. Her brother Dr. E.O. Stevens, was a noted missionary. She was liked by all with whom she was brought in contact and her death, although not unexpected, as she has been ailing for some time, will be received through the province with genuine regret.
Her husband and two daughters, Miss Anne H. Smith, who is associated with Dr. Smith at Insein, and Mrs H.I. Marshall, wife of the Rev’d. H.I. Marshall, who is with the Karen Mission at Tharrawaddy, survive her. The funeral, which was well attended, took place at the Baptist Cemetery in Pazundaung the same evening. The service for the dead was conducted by the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore, Baptist College, and Rev’d. Dr. McGuire, Insein.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Mar. 1918.
Mrs Evans
In the death of Miss Kate Fort Evans, which took place at Pegu House in Keighly street recently, the American Baptist Mission has lost the last of the trio of splendid women who left cultivated and comfortable homes to come to Burma as Missionaries. They were the pioneers of the Thonze district. They were Mrs Ingalls, well known all over Burma for her work in many districts, among all classes ; Miss Higby, who was specially devoted to the Karens but always sympathetic to all ; and Miss Evans who had just passed away.
Miss Evans was born in Philadelphia in 1943 where her father was a leading surgeon, her mother being a sister of Frank R. Stockton, the author. Early in life, Miss Evans’ family moved to Richmond, Virginia, where her father owned extensive estates, but when the civil war broke out her father adopted the cause of the Southern States, which resulted in the loss of his property. Miss Evans was thoroughly southern and would never join in a 4th of July celebration.
In 1872 the A.F.M.B. decided to send single women to Burma and Miss Evans was one of the first to come out. It meant life of self sacrifice to women of culture to come to a country where they were constantly in danger of dacoits ; where long drives in carts were a necessity to reach the different villages ; where the shared the food of their hostesses, to an American palate not always appreciated. Yet nobly and unselfishly she, Mrs Ingalls and Miss Higby worked side by side until they are known and loved by thousands of jungle people. Miss Evans returned from her last furlough in 1908, when she settled in Rangoon.
At the request of the Mission Board she devoted her talents and excellent knowledge of Burmese to the translation of English books for children into Burmese. In 1931 the British Museum made mention of Miss Evans in connection with her knowledge of Burmese. In January 1914 she was suddenly taken ill and her strong constitution was sapped by paralysis. But her work was practically done and for seven years she bore her sufferings most patiently. Two weeks ago an attack of pneumonia developed which proved fatal. After 45 years of tropical life her body was interred at Thonze by the side of her to co-workers who had died before her.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Mar. 1918.
In the death of Miss Kate Fort Evans, which took place at Pegu House in Keighly street recently, the American Baptist Mission has lost the last of the trio of splendid women who left cultivated and comfortable homes to come to Burma as Missionaries. They were the pioneers of the Thonze district. They were Mrs Ingalls, well known all over Burma for her work in many districts, among all classes ; Miss Higby, who was specially devoted to the Karens but always sympathetic to all ; and Miss Evans who had just passed away.
Miss Evans was born in Philadelphia in 1943 where her father was a leading surgeon, her mother being a sister of Frank R. Stockton, the author. Early in life, Miss Evans’ family moved to Richmond, Virginia, where her father owned extensive estates, but when the civil war broke out her father adopted the cause of the Southern States, which resulted in the loss of his property. Miss Evans was thoroughly southern and would never join in a 4th of July celebration.
In 1872 the A.F.M.B. decided to send single women to Burma and Miss Evans was one of the first to come out. It meant life of self sacrifice to women of culture to come to a country where they were constantly in danger of dacoits ; where long drives in carts were a necessity to reach the different villages ; where the shared the food of their hostesses, to an American palate not always appreciated. Yet nobly and unselfishly she, Mrs Ingalls and Miss Higby worked side by side until they are known and loved by thousands of jungle people. Miss Evans returned from her last furlough in 1908, when she settled in Rangoon.
At the request of the Mission Board she devoted her talents and excellent knowledge of Burmese to the translation of English books for children into Burmese. In 1931 the British Museum made mention of Miss Evans in connection with her knowledge of Burmese. In January 1914 she was suddenly taken ill and her strong constitution was sapped by paralysis. But her work was practically done and for seven years she bore her sufferings most patiently. Two weeks ago an attack of pneumonia developed which proved fatal. After 45 years of tropical life her body was interred at Thonze by the side of her to co-workers who had died before her.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Mar. 1918.
Mr H. Hughes
A largely attended meeting of officers subordinates and contractors of the Engineering Dept., Burma Railways, to express sympathy with Mrs H. Hughes on the death of her husband, was held on Wednesday morning in the Railway Institute, Kandawgalay, with Mr J.R.D. Glascott, Deputy Chief Engineer of the company, in the chair. Mr Glascott said that they had met there to do honour to the memory of one who worked amongst them for many years and to express to his widow their feelings of sympathy and of the respect in which they held their late brother and ex-chief. It was of course impossible for everyone of the Engineering Dept. to be present but he was certain that had it been possible all those who knew Mr Hughes would have been present. Those who could not come had written. They had received twenty nine of these letters. Later on it was proposed to put a resolution of sympathy to the meeting.
Mr G.A. Hicks, Dist. Engineer, Rangoon, said:-
Mr Hughes was born on 7th June 1870 and after passing out of Roorkee College in 1891 he was engaged on various important railway surveys in India and Burma up to 1896. In October 1890 he joined what was then the Burma State Railway and was posted to a subdivision of the Mandalay-Kunlon construction. That full confidence was placed in his abilities even at this early stage in his career is shown by the fact that his subdivision was no less than 56½ miles of mountain country.
After the Mandalay-Kunlon construction he was in charge of boring operations for the Sagaing Bridge Project, a work necessitating conscientious and careful observation. The Chief Engineer for construction, writing in 1902, passed the following remark on Mr Hughes – “He is a very capable engineer, takes a great interest in his work and keeps himself up to date by constant study.” This remark I think applied to him throughout the whole of his career.
In June 1909 he was appointed to officiate as Deputy Chief Engineer. In January 1910 he was confirmed as Deputy Chief Engineer but was temporarily put in charge of the Southern Shan States Railway construction which had then been sanctioned. In January 1912 he was appointed to officiate as Chief Engineer, Open Line and Construction and this appointment he held until early in 1915. Towards the end of 1915, owing to ill health, he was obliged to take long leave. In September, 1916 he joined the Burma Corporation at Namtu in the Northern Shan States and this appointment he held until the time of his death.
That was a brief outline of Mr Hughes’ career. His personality was one which was bound to impress itself on those who came in contact with him. He was a hard worker and when once he had put his mind to a problem he dug down to the very foundations to get at the correct solution. His was no superficial mind and there must be many who with the speaker could say that they learnt much from him. He knew that he could say that his best work and ideas in Burma he could trace back to suggestions and encouragement given him by Mr Hughes. Mr Hughes was full of sympathy for those who were in trouble and by his kindly help and advice had helped many through difficult times. His was a strong, intense and unyielding nature, but tempered by tenderness and experience.
The speaker here quoted one of Burns’ poems which he though aptly applied:-
O ye, whose cheek the tear of pity stains,
Draw near with pious rev’rence and attend:-
Here lie the loving husband’s dear remains,
The tender father and the gen’rous friend.
The pitying heart that felt for human woe;
The dauntless heart that fear’d no human pride;
The friend of man, to vice alone a foe;
For ev’n his failings lean’d to virtue’s side.
Maung Ba Sein, Chief Clerk, Chief Engineer’s Office, who followed Mr Hicks and proposed the resolution of the meeting, said the late Mr Hughes was personally known to most of them and it was hardly necessary for him to add much more to what had already fallen from the lips of the two speakers who had preceded him. Of all human activities, the act of according a public honour to the dead, in whatever form it might be, was one solely actuated by pure disinterestedness and sentiments of genuine regard and esteem cherished in the hearts of those who assembled to do honour to the departed. The gathering present was an eloquent testimony to that regard and esteem in which the late Mr Hughes was held by his fellow workers, both officers and subordinates. Mr Hughes was a man of greater interior than exterior and his memory would no doubt be long cherished in the hearts of those who had come in contact with him.
He then put the following resolution: “That representatives of the officers, subordinates and contractors of the Engineering Department of the Burma Railways at this meeting desire to record the great esteem in which they held their late Chief, Mr H. Hughes, and beg to express to Mrs Hughes and her family their deep sympathy in her bereavement,” which was unanimously carried.
A vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting to an end.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget April 1918.
A largely attended meeting of officers subordinates and contractors of the Engineering Dept., Burma Railways, to express sympathy with Mrs H. Hughes on the death of her husband, was held on Wednesday morning in the Railway Institute, Kandawgalay, with Mr J.R.D. Glascott, Deputy Chief Engineer of the company, in the chair. Mr Glascott said that they had met there to do honour to the memory of one who worked amongst them for many years and to express to his widow their feelings of sympathy and of the respect in which they held their late brother and ex-chief. It was of course impossible for everyone of the Engineering Dept. to be present but he was certain that had it been possible all those who knew Mr Hughes would have been present. Those who could not come had written. They had received twenty nine of these letters. Later on it was proposed to put a resolution of sympathy to the meeting.
Mr G.A. Hicks, Dist. Engineer, Rangoon, said:-
Mr Hughes was born on 7th June 1870 and after passing out of Roorkee College in 1891 he was engaged on various important railway surveys in India and Burma up to 1896. In October 1890 he joined what was then the Burma State Railway and was posted to a subdivision of the Mandalay-Kunlon construction. That full confidence was placed in his abilities even at this early stage in his career is shown by the fact that his subdivision was no less than 56½ miles of mountain country.
After the Mandalay-Kunlon construction he was in charge of boring operations for the Sagaing Bridge Project, a work necessitating conscientious and careful observation. The Chief Engineer for construction, writing in 1902, passed the following remark on Mr Hughes – “He is a very capable engineer, takes a great interest in his work and keeps himself up to date by constant study.” This remark I think applied to him throughout the whole of his career.
In June 1909 he was appointed to officiate as Deputy Chief Engineer. In January 1910 he was confirmed as Deputy Chief Engineer but was temporarily put in charge of the Southern Shan States Railway construction which had then been sanctioned. In January 1912 he was appointed to officiate as Chief Engineer, Open Line and Construction and this appointment he held until early in 1915. Towards the end of 1915, owing to ill health, he was obliged to take long leave. In September, 1916 he joined the Burma Corporation at Namtu in the Northern Shan States and this appointment he held until the time of his death.
That was a brief outline of Mr Hughes’ career. His personality was one which was bound to impress itself on those who came in contact with him. He was a hard worker and when once he had put his mind to a problem he dug down to the very foundations to get at the correct solution. His was no superficial mind and there must be many who with the speaker could say that they learnt much from him. He knew that he could say that his best work and ideas in Burma he could trace back to suggestions and encouragement given him by Mr Hughes. Mr Hughes was full of sympathy for those who were in trouble and by his kindly help and advice had helped many through difficult times. His was a strong, intense and unyielding nature, but tempered by tenderness and experience.
The speaker here quoted one of Burns’ poems which he though aptly applied:-
O ye, whose cheek the tear of pity stains,
Draw near with pious rev’rence and attend:-
Here lie the loving husband’s dear remains,
The tender father and the gen’rous friend.
The pitying heart that felt for human woe;
The dauntless heart that fear’d no human pride;
The friend of man, to vice alone a foe;
For ev’n his failings lean’d to virtue’s side.
Maung Ba Sein, Chief Clerk, Chief Engineer’s Office, who followed Mr Hicks and proposed the resolution of the meeting, said the late Mr Hughes was personally known to most of them and it was hardly necessary for him to add much more to what had already fallen from the lips of the two speakers who had preceded him. Of all human activities, the act of according a public honour to the dead, in whatever form it might be, was one solely actuated by pure disinterestedness and sentiments of genuine regard and esteem cherished in the hearts of those who assembled to do honour to the departed. The gathering present was an eloquent testimony to that regard and esteem in which the late Mr Hughes was held by his fellow workers, both officers and subordinates. Mr Hughes was a man of greater interior than exterior and his memory would no doubt be long cherished in the hearts of those who had come in contact with him.
He then put the following resolution: “That representatives of the officers, subordinates and contractors of the Engineering Department of the Burma Railways at this meeting desire to record the great esteem in which they held their late Chief, Mr H. Hughes, and beg to express to Mrs Hughes and her family their deep sympathy in her bereavement,” which was unanimously carried.
A vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting to an end.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget April 1918.
Rev’d. W.F. Armstrong, D.D.
The death took place at Thandaung on Saturday [4th May] of the Rev’d. W.F. Armstrong, D.D. of the American Baptist Mission after a short illness. Dr. Armstrong had gone to Thandaung with his wife and family to avoid the hot weather while awaiting passage for the United States to which he was to accompany Mrs Armstrong. He seemed to be improving bit on Saturday sank rapidly and passed away peacefully. The remains were brought to Rangoon yesterday morning. The funeral was to have been held at 4 p.m. at the Baptist cemetery in Montgomery street but the heavy rain storm caused a change to be made in the arrangements and the body was taken to the central Y.M.C.A. and the service held there, the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore presiding. Tributes were paid to the life and work of the deceased in Burma and India by the Bishop of Rangoon, the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore and the Rev’d. Mr Drysdale, after which the interment took place in the Baptist cemetery as arranged, the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore reading the burial service.
Dr. Armstrong was born in North Sydney, Cape Boston, Canada, in the late forties and took up the study of Theology when very young in the United States, near Boston. He went back to his home where he was ordained and after being pastor of a church there became interested in missionary work among the American Indian tribes where he met his future wife, who was also interested in the same work. At the end of 1877 Dr. Armstrong having completed his theological studies was asked to come out to Burma by the Canadian Missionary Board to report on the advisability of starting a mission among the Karens near the Siamese border. He reported with the others against it and advised the board to concentrate on work among the Telugus in India. He joined the mission in Southern India where he worked until 1883 when he returned on leave. He returned to the East for the American Baptist Mission as missionary among the Telugus in Moulmein where he became pastor of the English Baptist Church. He later came to Rangoon where he has remained ever since in missionary work aided by his wife, daughter and son. He has another son in the United States, who is also a minister.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget May 1918.
The death took place at Thandaung on Saturday [4th May] of the Rev’d. W.F. Armstrong, D.D. of the American Baptist Mission after a short illness. Dr. Armstrong had gone to Thandaung with his wife and family to avoid the hot weather while awaiting passage for the United States to which he was to accompany Mrs Armstrong. He seemed to be improving bit on Saturday sank rapidly and passed away peacefully. The remains were brought to Rangoon yesterday morning. The funeral was to have been held at 4 p.m. at the Baptist cemetery in Montgomery street but the heavy rain storm caused a change to be made in the arrangements and the body was taken to the central Y.M.C.A. and the service held there, the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore presiding. Tributes were paid to the life and work of the deceased in Burma and India by the Bishop of Rangoon, the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore and the Rev’d. Mr Drysdale, after which the interment took place in the Baptist cemetery as arranged, the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore reading the burial service.
Dr. Armstrong was born in North Sydney, Cape Boston, Canada, in the late forties and took up the study of Theology when very young in the United States, near Boston. He went back to his home where he was ordained and after being pastor of a church there became interested in missionary work among the American Indian tribes where he met his future wife, who was also interested in the same work. At the end of 1877 Dr. Armstrong having completed his theological studies was asked to come out to Burma by the Canadian Missionary Board to report on the advisability of starting a mission among the Karens near the Siamese border. He reported with the others against it and advised the board to concentrate on work among the Telugus in India. He joined the mission in Southern India where he worked until 1883 when he returned on leave. He returned to the East for the American Baptist Mission as missionary among the Telugus in Moulmein where he became pastor of the English Baptist Church. He later came to Rangoon where he has remained ever since in missionary work aided by his wife, daughter and son. He has another son in the United States, who is also a minister.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget May 1918.
Rev’d. W.F. Armstrong, D.D.
In the death of the Rev’d. W.F. Armstrong, D.D. at Thandaung, which we announced yesterday, the American Baptist Mission in particular and the Indian Missionary world in general have lost one of their oldest and most faithful workers, one whose name is remembered to this day in Southern India where he began his labours in the east, although it is now over forty years since he started work there. Dr. Armstrong, who was stricken with blindness over two years ago, for several months had felt his strength leaving him and Mrs Armstrong decided to take him back to America. About two months ago they went to Thandaung while awaiting a passage to the States. As the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore, Mrs Gilmore, the Rev’d. and Mrs Van Horn, the Rev’d. and Mrs Marshall of the same mission were also there as well as Miss Perkins, Miss Illingworth, Mrs B.M. Jones and others of the Burma Methodist Mission his stay there was most pleasant.
He improved until Saturday, when Mrs Armstrong noticed he was sinking, the end coming peacefully that day. As soon as it was learned in Thandaung that he was dead, Miss Perkins, who had some carpenters at work at the Methodist school of which she is in charge, had them take the tops off the desks and make them into a coffin and in this the body was brought to Rangoon on Sunday. Dr. Gilmore, Miss Perkins and Miss Illingworth accompanying the widow and remains. The funeral party were met at Pyuntaza by Miss Kate Armstrong and the Rev’d. Ernest Armstrong, daughter and son of the deceased.
The late Dr. Armstrong came of a Cape Boston family who had their home at North Sydney, Canada and his brothers are both prominent in political and business life in Canada and the United States. One is the Hon. John N. Armstrong, prominent in political circles in Canada. The other is a successful merchant in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Armstrong from boyhood evinced a desire for the study of religion and made up his mind to make the Ministry his life’s work. Leaving school he went to a Seminary near Boston, Mass., in the United States and pursued his theological studies there, returning home to North Sydney to be ordained as a Minister. After getting his church, he gave it up to take up missionary work among the Red Indian tribes of America and while doing this met Miss Norris, who was greatly interested in the work. Miss Norris was asked to go to Burma as a missionary but as no lady missionary had ever been sent there from Canada objections were raised which Miss Norris overcame and she, forty years ago, set sail for Burma, thus founding the first Canadian Women’s Foreign Mission Society, for such the movement afterwards became.
Having finished his studies Dr. Armstrong was sent out to Southern India to the Canadian Mission in the latter part of 1877 and while there the home board sent him and another missionary to Burma to report on the advisability of extending the South Indian Mission to Burma for work among the Karens near the Siamese border. They reported that the movement would not be wise as the American Baptist Mission had already successfully established a mission in Burma for that purpose. It was recommended that work be concentrated on fostering the mission’s endeavours among the Telugus.
The recommendation was accented and Dr. Armstrong returned to the Southern India Mission, where he remained until the early eighties, when he went back to America on leave. While in India he founded the mission at Chitacole, where his name is still remembered, especially among the Hindus. The pastor of the Telugu church in Rangoon recently visited this place and brought back word of this, the young people of the place having been told of Dr. Armstrong by their elders.
Dr. Armstrong returned to Burma in 1884 as a worker for the American Baptist Mission and as pastor of the English Baptist Church in Moulmein and took up work among the Telugus. The mission increased so that it was decided to come to Rangoon as it was a better centre from which to carry on the work. He started the A.B.M. Union School for Telugus and here while general education was given, special attention was paid to training workers to carry on the work of the mission into the districts. This work was afterwards extended to include all Indian races.
Dr. Armstrong also took great interest in work among Anglo-Indians and in recent years among Mahomedans for whom he wrote a series of tracts and papers entitled “For Thoughtful Men.” He was very careful to avoid anything that might give offence to the Mahomedans, among who he had many friends.
He had during his life in Rangoon held a prominent position in the councils of the A.B.M. and has acted on various occasions as pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Barr street as well as of the English Baptist Church in Moulmein. For a year or so before his death he had been pastor of the English Baptist Church in Bigandet street. When in Burma he married [Rangoon, 31st Jan. 1874] Miss Norris, who was on missionary work in Tavoy.
The Funeral
It has been the intention to hold the funeral service at the grave in the Baptist Cemetery in Montgomery street, but the rain storm made a change of arrangements necessary. The body was taken to the Central Y.M.C.S. hall where the service was held, Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore conducting it. It opened with the singing of a favourite hymn of Dr. Armstrong “Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned on the Saviour’s Brow.” A passage from scripture was read by Rev’d. C.E. Olmstead, Epworth Memorial Methodist Church, the Rev’d. Mr Seagrave, of the Karen Mission in Ahlone, offering a short prayer.
The Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore then spoke. He took as the text of his discourse “Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel,” 2-Sam., 3-38. Few men, he said had done more on Bible study than Dr. Armstrong ; in his own life he lived the Bible. The speaker referred to Dr. Armstrong’s work in the mission, his prominence in the early days of the conference and his talks at mission prayer meetings. Dr. Armstrong was well known for his catholicity and broadmindedness of his sympathies. He tried to increase the friendly relations between all churches, in their co-operation in open communion and was the representative of the A.M.B. in negotiations with other churches. He also was deeply interested in the work of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Dr. Gilmore referred to the bi-national character of the dead missionary’s work. It was a great asset, how great they never knew until the war broke out. Dr. Armstrong’s position showed this. Born in Canada with his home in the United States, he retained his British citizenship ; he was at home in Canada, America or Britain. He loved the United States and had been a great help to the mission since the outbreak of the war. So broadminded was he in his sympathies that he had many friends among all communities, Christian and non Christian. He also knew, loved and believed in the Anglo-Indian. Dr. Gilmore detailed a number of incidents connected with Dr. Armstrong’s life in illustration.
The Rev’d. Mr Drysdale paid a warm tribute to Dr. Armstrong, dwelling on their long friendship and association on various committees and of the esteem in which he was held by all communities. Dr. Armstrong was not merely a Baptist missionary ; he was a missionary for good for all communities.
The Bishop of Rangoon spoke on similar lines and paid a warm tribute to the life and work of Dr. Armstrong. At the conclusion of the service, a view of the dead minister was given and the body removed to the cemetery where the last rites were said by the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore. There was a large gathering and many floral tributes.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget May 1918.
In the death of the Rev’d. W.F. Armstrong, D.D. at Thandaung, which we announced yesterday, the American Baptist Mission in particular and the Indian Missionary world in general have lost one of their oldest and most faithful workers, one whose name is remembered to this day in Southern India where he began his labours in the east, although it is now over forty years since he started work there. Dr. Armstrong, who was stricken with blindness over two years ago, for several months had felt his strength leaving him and Mrs Armstrong decided to take him back to America. About two months ago they went to Thandaung while awaiting a passage to the States. As the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore, Mrs Gilmore, the Rev’d. and Mrs Van Horn, the Rev’d. and Mrs Marshall of the same mission were also there as well as Miss Perkins, Miss Illingworth, Mrs B.M. Jones and others of the Burma Methodist Mission his stay there was most pleasant.
He improved until Saturday, when Mrs Armstrong noticed he was sinking, the end coming peacefully that day. As soon as it was learned in Thandaung that he was dead, Miss Perkins, who had some carpenters at work at the Methodist school of which she is in charge, had them take the tops off the desks and make them into a coffin and in this the body was brought to Rangoon on Sunday. Dr. Gilmore, Miss Perkins and Miss Illingworth accompanying the widow and remains. The funeral party were met at Pyuntaza by Miss Kate Armstrong and the Rev’d. Ernest Armstrong, daughter and son of the deceased.
The late Dr. Armstrong came of a Cape Boston family who had their home at North Sydney, Canada and his brothers are both prominent in political and business life in Canada and the United States. One is the Hon. John N. Armstrong, prominent in political circles in Canada. The other is a successful merchant in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Armstrong from boyhood evinced a desire for the study of religion and made up his mind to make the Ministry his life’s work. Leaving school he went to a Seminary near Boston, Mass., in the United States and pursued his theological studies there, returning home to North Sydney to be ordained as a Minister. After getting his church, he gave it up to take up missionary work among the Red Indian tribes of America and while doing this met Miss Norris, who was greatly interested in the work. Miss Norris was asked to go to Burma as a missionary but as no lady missionary had ever been sent there from Canada objections were raised which Miss Norris overcame and she, forty years ago, set sail for Burma, thus founding the first Canadian Women’s Foreign Mission Society, for such the movement afterwards became.
Having finished his studies Dr. Armstrong was sent out to Southern India to the Canadian Mission in the latter part of 1877 and while there the home board sent him and another missionary to Burma to report on the advisability of extending the South Indian Mission to Burma for work among the Karens near the Siamese border. They reported that the movement would not be wise as the American Baptist Mission had already successfully established a mission in Burma for that purpose. It was recommended that work be concentrated on fostering the mission’s endeavours among the Telugus.
The recommendation was accented and Dr. Armstrong returned to the Southern India Mission, where he remained until the early eighties, when he went back to America on leave. While in India he founded the mission at Chitacole, where his name is still remembered, especially among the Hindus. The pastor of the Telugu church in Rangoon recently visited this place and brought back word of this, the young people of the place having been told of Dr. Armstrong by their elders.
Dr. Armstrong returned to Burma in 1884 as a worker for the American Baptist Mission and as pastor of the English Baptist Church in Moulmein and took up work among the Telugus. The mission increased so that it was decided to come to Rangoon as it was a better centre from which to carry on the work. He started the A.B.M. Union School for Telugus and here while general education was given, special attention was paid to training workers to carry on the work of the mission into the districts. This work was afterwards extended to include all Indian races.
Dr. Armstrong also took great interest in work among Anglo-Indians and in recent years among Mahomedans for whom he wrote a series of tracts and papers entitled “For Thoughtful Men.” He was very careful to avoid anything that might give offence to the Mahomedans, among who he had many friends.
He had during his life in Rangoon held a prominent position in the councils of the A.B.M. and has acted on various occasions as pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Barr street as well as of the English Baptist Church in Moulmein. For a year or so before his death he had been pastor of the English Baptist Church in Bigandet street. When in Burma he married [Rangoon, 31st Jan. 1874] Miss Norris, who was on missionary work in Tavoy.
The Funeral
It has been the intention to hold the funeral service at the grave in the Baptist Cemetery in Montgomery street, but the rain storm made a change of arrangements necessary. The body was taken to the Central Y.M.C.S. hall where the service was held, Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore conducting it. It opened with the singing of a favourite hymn of Dr. Armstrong “Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned on the Saviour’s Brow.” A passage from scripture was read by Rev’d. C.E. Olmstead, Epworth Memorial Methodist Church, the Rev’d. Mr Seagrave, of the Karen Mission in Ahlone, offering a short prayer.
The Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore then spoke. He took as the text of his discourse “Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel,” 2-Sam., 3-38. Few men, he said had done more on Bible study than Dr. Armstrong ; in his own life he lived the Bible. The speaker referred to Dr. Armstrong’s work in the mission, his prominence in the early days of the conference and his talks at mission prayer meetings. Dr. Armstrong was well known for his catholicity and broadmindedness of his sympathies. He tried to increase the friendly relations between all churches, in their co-operation in open communion and was the representative of the A.M.B. in negotiations with other churches. He also was deeply interested in the work of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Dr. Gilmore referred to the bi-national character of the dead missionary’s work. It was a great asset, how great they never knew until the war broke out. Dr. Armstrong’s position showed this. Born in Canada with his home in the United States, he retained his British citizenship ; he was at home in Canada, America or Britain. He loved the United States and had been a great help to the mission since the outbreak of the war. So broadminded was he in his sympathies that he had many friends among all communities, Christian and non Christian. He also knew, loved and believed in the Anglo-Indian. Dr. Gilmore detailed a number of incidents connected with Dr. Armstrong’s life in illustration.
The Rev’d. Mr Drysdale paid a warm tribute to Dr. Armstrong, dwelling on their long friendship and association on various committees and of the esteem in which he was held by all communities. Dr. Armstrong was not merely a Baptist missionary ; he was a missionary for good for all communities.
The Bishop of Rangoon spoke on similar lines and paid a warm tribute to the life and work of Dr. Armstrong. At the conclusion of the service, a view of the dead minister was given and the body removed to the cemetery where the last rites were said by the Rev’d. Dr. Gilmore. There was a large gathering and many floral tributes.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget May 1918.
R.P. Wilcox
R.P. Wilcox, whose death took place in Maymyo last Wednesday in his 65th year, was an old and for many years prominent resident of Rangoon. The son of an officer of the Royal Engineers, Richard Peel Wilcox came to Burma from Bombay in 1874 when he was twenty-one years old and went to work under the late Me Deacon Clark, who was then Municipal Engineer, as a Surveyor. While with him he surveyed a great deal of the land project which afterwards became the first Rangoon waterworks at Victoria Lake and also surveyed much other municipal property.
When Mr Deacon Clark retired from the Municipality and formed his own business with Mr S.J. Hall as partner, Mr Wilcox opened out for himself as an Architect, Builder and Construction and is said to have been the first public Architect in Rangoon. He took up a lot of public works contracts and did well until he got the Sittang river weir job, on which he lost a small fortune. He stopped private work after this to take up the position of Municipal Secretary and Engineer at Bassein, where he remained several years. He then returned to Rangoon and resumed his own business and during that time designed and built a number of fine buildings among which was the Vinton Memorial Hall in Ahlone.
Following this he accepted the post of Municipal Engineer and Secretary in Moulmein where he practically originated and laid out and carried to a successful conclusion many of the public works of the town, his great achievement being the water works.
On retiring from Moulmein after several years successful service, Mr Wilcox returned to Rangoon and joined Mr T.J.N. Catchatoor, a former pupil of his, and formed the firm of Wilcox and Catchatoor which did business for some time at the Wilt House in Barr Street. Then Mr Wilcox brought his nephew and son into the firm and Mr Catchatoor withdrew and formed his own business. The new Wilcox firm continued for some time and them closed down.
Mr Wilcox, on his return from Moulmein, had been elected to represent the European community on the Municipal Committee and the tilts in the meetings between him and Mr H.A. Peppin, the then Vice-president, will long be remembered by all who were present at these meetings. On his business being given up he joined his son in the oil fields in the Magwe district and acted as Consulting Engineer to a syndicate which was formed there, and on giving that up he acted as Consulting Engineer for various mining interests until ill health caused him to stop active work and he went to Maymyo with the hope of recovering his health.
He was a Methodist and designed and erected the present Epworth Memorial Church in Fraser Street at the junction of Lewis Street and also the M.E. Girls’ School in Lewis Street. Mr Wilcox was greatly grieved over the loss of his son, Harry, who left Rangoon with the Mobile Battery and after being taken a prisoner at Kut died in captivity among the Turks. A widow, three daughters, all married and a son survive him.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget June 1918.
R.P. Wilcox, whose death took place in Maymyo last Wednesday in his 65th year, was an old and for many years prominent resident of Rangoon. The son of an officer of the Royal Engineers, Richard Peel Wilcox came to Burma from Bombay in 1874 when he was twenty-one years old and went to work under the late Me Deacon Clark, who was then Municipal Engineer, as a Surveyor. While with him he surveyed a great deal of the land project which afterwards became the first Rangoon waterworks at Victoria Lake and also surveyed much other municipal property.
When Mr Deacon Clark retired from the Municipality and formed his own business with Mr S.J. Hall as partner, Mr Wilcox opened out for himself as an Architect, Builder and Construction and is said to have been the first public Architect in Rangoon. He took up a lot of public works contracts and did well until he got the Sittang river weir job, on which he lost a small fortune. He stopped private work after this to take up the position of Municipal Secretary and Engineer at Bassein, where he remained several years. He then returned to Rangoon and resumed his own business and during that time designed and built a number of fine buildings among which was the Vinton Memorial Hall in Ahlone.
Following this he accepted the post of Municipal Engineer and Secretary in Moulmein where he practically originated and laid out and carried to a successful conclusion many of the public works of the town, his great achievement being the water works.
On retiring from Moulmein after several years successful service, Mr Wilcox returned to Rangoon and joined Mr T.J.N. Catchatoor, a former pupil of his, and formed the firm of Wilcox and Catchatoor which did business for some time at the Wilt House in Barr Street. Then Mr Wilcox brought his nephew and son into the firm and Mr Catchatoor withdrew and formed his own business. The new Wilcox firm continued for some time and them closed down.
Mr Wilcox, on his return from Moulmein, had been elected to represent the European community on the Municipal Committee and the tilts in the meetings between him and Mr H.A. Peppin, the then Vice-president, will long be remembered by all who were present at these meetings. On his business being given up he joined his son in the oil fields in the Magwe district and acted as Consulting Engineer to a syndicate which was formed there, and on giving that up he acted as Consulting Engineer for various mining interests until ill health caused him to stop active work and he went to Maymyo with the hope of recovering his health.
He was a Methodist and designed and erected the present Epworth Memorial Church in Fraser Street at the junction of Lewis Street and also the M.E. Girls’ School in Lewis Street. Mr Wilcox was greatly grieved over the loss of his son, Harry, who left Rangoon with the Mobile Battery and after being taken a prisoner at Kut died in captivity among the Turks. A widow, three daughters, all married and a son survive him.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget June 1918.
Moulmein
Memorial Service for the Late Dr. Armstrong
June 1st 1918
A memorial service for the late Rev’d. W.F. Armstrong, D.D., who was for eight years Pastor of the English Baptist Church, Moulmein, who died at Thandaung on the 4th May, ws held in the Judson Hall, Moulmein, on Friday Moulmein. There was a large and representative gathering of the various Baptist churches of the town and also of others interested, presided over by the Rev’d. C. L. Davenport, who had on the platform beside him Rev’d. Dr. Kelly, Rev’d. W.E. Bushell, Rev’d. A.C. Darrow, Rev’d. L.T. Ah Syoo, Rev’d. E. N. Armstrong and Mr Nauidusawmy, Pastor of the Tamil and Telegu congregation, with which the late Dr. Armstrong was more intimately connected until the time of his death.
There were present also the English and Burmese church choirs who led in the singing of several appropriate songs and hymns. The proceeding commenced with the singing by the large assembly of the hymn “Servant of God, well done,” after which the Rev’d. C.L. Davenport read suitable portions of Scripture and the Mr Darrow led in prayer. The Burmese choir then sang in Burmese a song “No, sorrow there,” which was followed by an address in Tamil by Mr Naidusawmy and one in English by the Rev’d. Mr Bushell. After another song, “Sun of my Soul” had been sung by the Burmese choir addresses were delivered by the Reverends L.T. Ay Syoo and E.W. Kelly, D.D. All addresses bore testimony to the very high esteem in which the late Dr. Armstrong had been regarded by all those with whom he had come into contact with, to his erudition as a Bible student, to his popularity as a preacher and as a raconteur and to his gentle and lovable nature.
Dr. Kelly’s address was especially interesting because of his acquaintance made with the deceased missionary from his student days over fifty years ago. After singing the hymn “Asleep in Jesus” and the pronouncement of the benediction by the Rev’d. E.N. Armstrong, a son of the late Dr. Armstrong, the large gather dispersed.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget June 1918.
Memorial Service for the Late Dr. Armstrong
June 1st 1918
A memorial service for the late Rev’d. W.F. Armstrong, D.D., who was for eight years Pastor of the English Baptist Church, Moulmein, who died at Thandaung on the 4th May, ws held in the Judson Hall, Moulmein, on Friday Moulmein. There was a large and representative gathering of the various Baptist churches of the town and also of others interested, presided over by the Rev’d. C. L. Davenport, who had on the platform beside him Rev’d. Dr. Kelly, Rev’d. W.E. Bushell, Rev’d. A.C. Darrow, Rev’d. L.T. Ah Syoo, Rev’d. E. N. Armstrong and Mr Nauidusawmy, Pastor of the Tamil and Telegu congregation, with which the late Dr. Armstrong was more intimately connected until the time of his death.
There were present also the English and Burmese church choirs who led in the singing of several appropriate songs and hymns. The proceeding commenced with the singing by the large assembly of the hymn “Servant of God, well done,” after which the Rev’d. C.L. Davenport read suitable portions of Scripture and the Mr Darrow led in prayer. The Burmese choir then sang in Burmese a song “No, sorrow there,” which was followed by an address in Tamil by Mr Naidusawmy and one in English by the Rev’d. Mr Bushell. After another song, “Sun of my Soul” had been sung by the Burmese choir addresses were delivered by the Reverends L.T. Ay Syoo and E.W. Kelly, D.D. All addresses bore testimony to the very high esteem in which the late Dr. Armstrong had been regarded by all those with whom he had come into contact with, to his erudition as a Bible student, to his popularity as a preacher and as a raconteur and to his gentle and lovable nature.
Dr. Kelly’s address was especially interesting because of his acquaintance made with the deceased missionary from his student days over fifty years ago. After singing the hymn “Asleep in Jesus” and the pronouncement of the benediction by the Rev’d. E.N. Armstrong, a son of the late Dr. Armstrong, the large gather dispersed.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget June 1918.
W. Shircore
It is with regret that we announce the death in Calcutta on July 9th of Mr William Shircore, aged sixty two years. Mr Shircore, who was a resident of Burma since 1877 was born in Calcutta in 1856. On coming to Rangoon he held appointments in the Postal, Customs, Judicial and Excise services. He left them on appointment to the Subordinate Executive Service in Burma in 1890 and Registrar of Town Lands and later officiated as Secretary of the Rangoon Municipality for two years. He resumed his appointment as Registrar on 1904 but after a short time was compelled, owing to continued ill health, to retire from Government Service on an invalid pension. He went away to India in hopes of recovering his health and was successful. He returned to Burma in 1907 and established himself in his own business as Real Estate Agent and Land Valuer, in which business his activities continued until several months ago when he was again stricken and left Burma for India in search of health.
In the period of his Government service of twenty seven years, Mr Shircore had been prominent either as Honorary Secretary or Treasurer or Chairman of the Executive Committee for nearly every important function from the Duke of Clarence’s visit down to just before the present Viceroy’s visit, when his health did not permit of his attendance. He was Honorary Secretary of the Victoria Memorial Park for many years and at other times as Honorary Secretary of the Burma Imperial and Indian War Funds, Chairman of the Armenian Refugees Relief Fund and of the Armenian War Prisoners Relief Fund as well of the Armenian Volunteers Fund. He was one of the founders of the Armenian Club and was its President. It was through his instrumentality this club was able to secure the old German Club which they occupied for several months, it afterwards being sold to the Convent of the Good Shepherd. He was given an honorarium of Rs. 1000 for exceptional services rendered in connection with acquiring the sire of the present Chief Court of Lower Burma. Sometime after this he was given an honorarium of Rs. 3600 in connection with the expropriation of the Sudder Bazaar property in Cantonment.
In 1907 the citizens of Rangoon presented him with a fine souvenir ; Mr Maxwell Laurie, I.C.S., the then President of the Municipality, presented it. The Lt.-Governor in his speech when unveiling the King Edward memorial also referred in terms of praise to Mr Shircore’s connection with the work and his generally valuable services to Government. Mr Shircore had been ailing since 1916 but did not leave Burma until December 20th 1917. He leaves a widow, three sons and three daughters.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget July 1918.
It is with regret that we announce the death in Calcutta on July 9th of Mr William Shircore, aged sixty two years. Mr Shircore, who was a resident of Burma since 1877 was born in Calcutta in 1856. On coming to Rangoon he held appointments in the Postal, Customs, Judicial and Excise services. He left them on appointment to the Subordinate Executive Service in Burma in 1890 and Registrar of Town Lands and later officiated as Secretary of the Rangoon Municipality for two years. He resumed his appointment as Registrar on 1904 but after a short time was compelled, owing to continued ill health, to retire from Government Service on an invalid pension. He went away to India in hopes of recovering his health and was successful. He returned to Burma in 1907 and established himself in his own business as Real Estate Agent and Land Valuer, in which business his activities continued until several months ago when he was again stricken and left Burma for India in search of health.
In the period of his Government service of twenty seven years, Mr Shircore had been prominent either as Honorary Secretary or Treasurer or Chairman of the Executive Committee for nearly every important function from the Duke of Clarence’s visit down to just before the present Viceroy’s visit, when his health did not permit of his attendance. He was Honorary Secretary of the Victoria Memorial Park for many years and at other times as Honorary Secretary of the Burma Imperial and Indian War Funds, Chairman of the Armenian Refugees Relief Fund and of the Armenian War Prisoners Relief Fund as well of the Armenian Volunteers Fund. He was one of the founders of the Armenian Club and was its President. It was through his instrumentality this club was able to secure the old German Club which they occupied for several months, it afterwards being sold to the Convent of the Good Shepherd. He was given an honorarium of Rs. 1000 for exceptional services rendered in connection with acquiring the sire of the present Chief Court of Lower Burma. Sometime after this he was given an honorarium of Rs. 3600 in connection with the expropriation of the Sudder Bazaar property in Cantonment.
In 1907 the citizens of Rangoon presented him with a fine souvenir ; Mr Maxwell Laurie, I.C.S., the then President of the Municipality, presented it. The Lt.-Governor in his speech when unveiling the King Edward memorial also referred in terms of praise to Mr Shircore’s connection with the work and his generally valuable services to Government. Mr Shircore had been ailing since 1916 but did not leave Burma until December 20th 1917. He leaves a widow, three sons and three daughters.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget July 1918.
Jacob Jackson - Sixty Years in Rangoon
In the death of Mr Jacob Jackson, at the age of 82 years, on Thursday last, [25th July] at his residence no. 278 Dalhousie street, Rangoon, has lost one of its oldest European residents. Born in England in 1836 Mr Jackson came out to India with his regiment, the 48th Rifles, in 1857 being part of the expedition that was sent out from England to help to quell the mutiny. When the expedition of which his regiment was a part reached India the fighting was still going on but the crisis was over and Mr Jackson’s regiment was posted to garrison duty and saw no actual fighting.
In 1858 the regiment came to Burma and during the same year, Mr Jackson and one of his comrades, H. Johnson, bought their way out of the army and started a photographic business on the same spot where Mr Jackson died, which is now known as no. 278 Dalhousie street. They secured a first class lot from Government for a mere song, Rs. 500, Mr Jackson once said they gave for it, and carried on the photography business there for a number of years as partners. Mr Jackson then made his partner an offer for his share of the business which was accepted and he became sole owner under the name of J. Jackson. In addition to the price of his share of the business Mr Jackson also paid Mr Johnson Rs. 6000 as his share of the increase in value of the land on which their premises stood.
Mr Jackson continued to carry on the business of photographer up to above five years ago when he was prevailed upon to stop on account of his old age. He had continuously carried on this business for sixty years with a break of only five years when owing to trouble with his eyes he leased the business to Messrs. Watts and Skeen, now defunct. Approached by Messrs Baker Sherazee to sell part of his freehold land he sold half of his plot, that now occupied by the premises of Messrs. Misquith Ltd., to them and they in turn sold to Mr O.F. Misquith. The price at which this land was sold is said to have been between sixty and seventy thousand rupees. With the money obtained for the sale of this half plot, Mr Jackson built the building at the south east corner of Phayre and Dalhousie street, no. 278 Dalhousie street, where he continued to live until his death.
Shortly after coming to Rangoon and starting business he married a Burmese lady who died about three years ago. One of his wife’s sisters married Mr G.C. Coia, the first Greek Consul in Rangoon and the pioneer stevedore and dubash of the city. He died several years ago but Mrs Coia is still living and made her home with Mr Jackson as did Mrs Gunter, another sister of Mrs Jackson, whose husband was for many years Agent of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Co. at Minbu.
Mr Jackson was an old member of the Masonic fraternity and had reached the thirtieth degree when increasing [age] put a stop to his activities in the order. He was also a Knight of Malta and a Knight Templar. He was buried on Friday from the house where he had lived for sixty years without a break and was buried in the Pazundaung cemetery, the Rev’d. Mr Cox reading the service for the dead. The funeral was largely attended and there were handsome floral tributes. Mr Jackson left no children.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget July 1918.
The Late Jacob Jackson
A correspondent writes:- Mr Jacob Jackson, who died on 18th July, came to Burma in the fifties of the last century and has never since left it. He was formerly in the army and came here with his regiment the 60th Rifles. On quitting the army he took up photography and established himself at the corner of Phayre and Dalhousie streets, probably the only man in Rangoon who continued his residence and place of business in the same place for over fifty years. Though he never left Burma after once coming to it he travelled pretty extensively over it after the annexation of Upper Burma. Competition in photography was not so keen, when Mr Jackson commenced the business, as it is now, several of the Burmans who took to it were trained by him. All who had business or other relations with him appreciated him and during his long residence in the province I do not believe he ever made an enemy, whilst to many he proved a kind and indulgent friend, who will miss him now that he has gone from us.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Aug. 1918.
In the death of Mr Jacob Jackson, at the age of 82 years, on Thursday last, [25th July] at his residence no. 278 Dalhousie street, Rangoon, has lost one of its oldest European residents. Born in England in 1836 Mr Jackson came out to India with his regiment, the 48th Rifles, in 1857 being part of the expedition that was sent out from England to help to quell the mutiny. When the expedition of which his regiment was a part reached India the fighting was still going on but the crisis was over and Mr Jackson’s regiment was posted to garrison duty and saw no actual fighting.
In 1858 the regiment came to Burma and during the same year, Mr Jackson and one of his comrades, H. Johnson, bought their way out of the army and started a photographic business on the same spot where Mr Jackson died, which is now known as no. 278 Dalhousie street. They secured a first class lot from Government for a mere song, Rs. 500, Mr Jackson once said they gave for it, and carried on the photography business there for a number of years as partners. Mr Jackson then made his partner an offer for his share of the business which was accepted and he became sole owner under the name of J. Jackson. In addition to the price of his share of the business Mr Jackson also paid Mr Johnson Rs. 6000 as his share of the increase in value of the land on which their premises stood.
Mr Jackson continued to carry on the business of photographer up to above five years ago when he was prevailed upon to stop on account of his old age. He had continuously carried on this business for sixty years with a break of only five years when owing to trouble with his eyes he leased the business to Messrs. Watts and Skeen, now defunct. Approached by Messrs Baker Sherazee to sell part of his freehold land he sold half of his plot, that now occupied by the premises of Messrs. Misquith Ltd., to them and they in turn sold to Mr O.F. Misquith. The price at which this land was sold is said to have been between sixty and seventy thousand rupees. With the money obtained for the sale of this half plot, Mr Jackson built the building at the south east corner of Phayre and Dalhousie street, no. 278 Dalhousie street, where he continued to live until his death.
Shortly after coming to Rangoon and starting business he married a Burmese lady who died about three years ago. One of his wife’s sisters married Mr G.C. Coia, the first Greek Consul in Rangoon and the pioneer stevedore and dubash of the city. He died several years ago but Mrs Coia is still living and made her home with Mr Jackson as did Mrs Gunter, another sister of Mrs Jackson, whose husband was for many years Agent of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Co. at Minbu.
Mr Jackson was an old member of the Masonic fraternity and had reached the thirtieth degree when increasing [age] put a stop to his activities in the order. He was also a Knight of Malta and a Knight Templar. He was buried on Friday from the house where he had lived for sixty years without a break and was buried in the Pazundaung cemetery, the Rev’d. Mr Cox reading the service for the dead. The funeral was largely attended and there were handsome floral tributes. Mr Jackson left no children.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget July 1918.
The Late Jacob Jackson
A correspondent writes:- Mr Jacob Jackson, who died on 18th July, came to Burma in the fifties of the last century and has never since left it. He was formerly in the army and came here with his regiment the 60th Rifles. On quitting the army he took up photography and established himself at the corner of Phayre and Dalhousie streets, probably the only man in Rangoon who continued his residence and place of business in the same place for over fifty years. Though he never left Burma after once coming to it he travelled pretty extensively over it after the annexation of Upper Burma. Competition in photography was not so keen, when Mr Jackson commenced the business, as it is now, several of the Burmans who took to it were trained by him. All who had business or other relations with him appreciated him and during his long residence in the province I do not believe he ever made an enemy, whilst to many he proved a kind and indulgent friend, who will miss him now that he has gone from us.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Aug. 1918.
J.W. Hirst
An old resident and character of Burma passes away.
Many thousands of tourists and visitors to Rangoon during the last twenty years will learn with regret that Mr John Whitfield Hirst, whose Pagoda Carving Shop is probably known wherever a bit of Burmese carving or curios is, is no more. He died in the General Hospital on Thursday being nearly eighty four and a half years old. Influenza, which is so prevalent in Rangoon just now, is said to have been the preliminary cause, pneumonia the actual cause. The previous Friday he was taken ill and in one of his advanced years the malady had a serious effect and he was taken to the hospital on Sunday where pneumonia developed and the end came at 9.20 p.m. on Thursday. [8th Aug. 1918.]
The deceased was born in Yorkshire and was the son of a wealthy woollen blanket manufacturer. He was pursuing his studies at college when his father failed in business and Mr Hirst was recalled to his home and was sent by his father to America to try and help to straighten out the business which he did with success. On his return to England he adopted the business and became very successful. For twenty five years he carried it on with success, buying and selling Australian wool, his market being the United States which he visited at intervals. When he retired he was well off but judicious investments in Australian enterprises led to his becoming ruined and he came to Burma where he joined the establishment of Mr Beato, well known throughout the east as an art dealer and collector who se place of business in those days was in Mandalay.
Mr Hirst made a study of the work and became very proficient in wood carving, curios etc., and helped materially to extend his employer’s business. On Mr Beato’s retirement and disposal of his stock, Mr Hirst started business for himself. Mr Hirst was fifty six years old when he came to Rangoon in 1890 and the fact that he built up his well known business is attributed to his perseverance. His life was full of incidents and many anecdotes are told of him. One which gained credence and was vouched for by Mr Hirst himself was that he refused to open his premises on Sunday for the Prince of Wales during his visit to Rangoon. Two years later, when the Duke of Connaught came to Rangoon with the Duchess, he paid a special visit to Mr Hirst and is reported to have said that he could not leave Burma without seeing and speaking to the man who would not open his shop on Sunday for the King-Emperor’s son.
Another story told of Mr Hirst is that a visit was once paid to his shop by the representative of a European power who wished to purchase some articles for his monarch. He is said to have asked Mr Hirst if he thought a particular screen was good enough for his monarch. Mr Hirst’s reply is said to have been that he had sold one similar to it to his own King-Emperor and if it was good enough for his Majesty it was good enough for any other monarch.
Mr Hirst leaves no one of near relationship to him. He was married when he was twenty four and lost his wife two years later. She left him a little girl who was her father’s companion until her death, thirty years later. He never married again. He had made his home of late at “Sylverton” at the junction of Prome and Halpin roads and it was there his body was taken and from there the funeral was held on Friday, the interment being at Cantonment Cemetery. Thus passes from contemporary Rangoon life one of its most interesting characters.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Aug. 1918.
An old resident and character of Burma passes away.
Many thousands of tourists and visitors to Rangoon during the last twenty years will learn with regret that Mr John Whitfield Hirst, whose Pagoda Carving Shop is probably known wherever a bit of Burmese carving or curios is, is no more. He died in the General Hospital on Thursday being nearly eighty four and a half years old. Influenza, which is so prevalent in Rangoon just now, is said to have been the preliminary cause, pneumonia the actual cause. The previous Friday he was taken ill and in one of his advanced years the malady had a serious effect and he was taken to the hospital on Sunday where pneumonia developed and the end came at 9.20 p.m. on Thursday. [8th Aug. 1918.]
The deceased was born in Yorkshire and was the son of a wealthy woollen blanket manufacturer. He was pursuing his studies at college when his father failed in business and Mr Hirst was recalled to his home and was sent by his father to America to try and help to straighten out the business which he did with success. On his return to England he adopted the business and became very successful. For twenty five years he carried it on with success, buying and selling Australian wool, his market being the United States which he visited at intervals. When he retired he was well off but judicious investments in Australian enterprises led to his becoming ruined and he came to Burma where he joined the establishment of Mr Beato, well known throughout the east as an art dealer and collector who se place of business in those days was in Mandalay.
Mr Hirst made a study of the work and became very proficient in wood carving, curios etc., and helped materially to extend his employer’s business. On Mr Beato’s retirement and disposal of his stock, Mr Hirst started business for himself. Mr Hirst was fifty six years old when he came to Rangoon in 1890 and the fact that he built up his well known business is attributed to his perseverance. His life was full of incidents and many anecdotes are told of him. One which gained credence and was vouched for by Mr Hirst himself was that he refused to open his premises on Sunday for the Prince of Wales during his visit to Rangoon. Two years later, when the Duke of Connaught came to Rangoon with the Duchess, he paid a special visit to Mr Hirst and is reported to have said that he could not leave Burma without seeing and speaking to the man who would not open his shop on Sunday for the King-Emperor’s son.
Another story told of Mr Hirst is that a visit was once paid to his shop by the representative of a European power who wished to purchase some articles for his monarch. He is said to have asked Mr Hirst if he thought a particular screen was good enough for his monarch. Mr Hirst’s reply is said to have been that he had sold one similar to it to his own King-Emperor and if it was good enough for his Majesty it was good enough for any other monarch.
Mr Hirst leaves no one of near relationship to him. He was married when he was twenty four and lost his wife two years later. She left him a little girl who was her father’s companion until her death, thirty years later. He never married again. He had made his home of late at “Sylverton” at the junction of Prome and Halpin roads and it was there his body was taken and from there the funeral was held on Friday, the interment being at Cantonment Cemetery. Thus passes from contemporary Rangoon life one of its most interesting characters.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Aug. 1918.
G.W. Shead
The death took place in the General Hospital, August 9th, of Mr G.W. Shead, Telegraph Master, Rangoon. He was a son of Mr Walter Shead, also a Telegraph Master and was born on December 9th 1873 at Pallaveram in the Madras Presidency. He joined the Government Telegraph Department in Rangoon on November 15th 1890 and rose to be Inspecting Telegraphist and remained at Moulmein from December 1st 1905 until November 1st 1906 when he passed the Departmental Exams. and was promoted to the Superior Grade. He was promoted temporary Telegraph Master and held charge of the Rangoon Telegraph Training Class from May 13th 1908 until July of the same year. In August of the following year he was confirmed as Telegraph Master and sent to Tavoy where he held charge of that office until December 1st 1910. He reached the maximum of his grade in December 1913 and was recommended for promotion but was age barred, having completed his thirty first year. He had been on duty in the Rangoon office since September 1911.
About a week ago he was laid up with Influenza which developed into pleuro-pneumonia, which caused his death. He was exceedingly popular both with the officers and men, straight-forward and genial, he was much esteemed and loved by all who knew him. He was at one time President of the Indian Telegraph Association and Vice-president of the I.T.A. Club and took a very active interest in both but he resigned his office owing to ill health. He leaves a wife and seven children, five boys and two girls. He eldest son, Cyril, first joined the Telegraph Department, resigned and joined the Police then got a commission in the I.A.R.O. and is now in training at Bangalore.
Deceased was a member of the I.D.F. and was bombardier in the Port Defence and was transferred to the 18th Battalion. He was struck off the rolls on 1st June as medically unfit. He had a long service medal. He was buried from his residence at Cowasjee’s Terrace in the Pazundaung cemetery by Rev’d. Fr. St. Guily, who conducted the service at the cemetery, many of the officials connected with the Posts and Telegraphs being present.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Aug. 1918.
The death took place in the General Hospital, August 9th, of Mr G.W. Shead, Telegraph Master, Rangoon. He was a son of Mr Walter Shead, also a Telegraph Master and was born on December 9th 1873 at Pallaveram in the Madras Presidency. He joined the Government Telegraph Department in Rangoon on November 15th 1890 and rose to be Inspecting Telegraphist and remained at Moulmein from December 1st 1905 until November 1st 1906 when he passed the Departmental Exams. and was promoted to the Superior Grade. He was promoted temporary Telegraph Master and held charge of the Rangoon Telegraph Training Class from May 13th 1908 until July of the same year. In August of the following year he was confirmed as Telegraph Master and sent to Tavoy where he held charge of that office until December 1st 1910. He reached the maximum of his grade in December 1913 and was recommended for promotion but was age barred, having completed his thirty first year. He had been on duty in the Rangoon office since September 1911.
About a week ago he was laid up with Influenza which developed into pleuro-pneumonia, which caused his death. He was exceedingly popular both with the officers and men, straight-forward and genial, he was much esteemed and loved by all who knew him. He was at one time President of the Indian Telegraph Association and Vice-president of the I.T.A. Club and took a very active interest in both but he resigned his office owing to ill health. He leaves a wife and seven children, five boys and two girls. He eldest son, Cyril, first joined the Telegraph Department, resigned and joined the Police then got a commission in the I.A.R.O. and is now in training at Bangalore.
Deceased was a member of the I.D.F. and was bombardier in the Port Defence and was transferred to the 18th Battalion. He was struck off the rolls on 1st June as medically unfit. He had a long service medal. He was buried from his residence at Cowasjee’s Terrace in the Pazundaung cemetery by Rev’d. Fr. St. Guily, who conducted the service at the cemetery, many of the officials connected with the Posts and Telegraphs being present.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Aug. 1918.
E.K. Deighton
The death in the General Hospital on Monday night [16th Sept.] of Mr E.K. Deighton, Deputy Inspector of Rangoon Town Police, came as a shock to his superiors and many friends in Rangoon. Death was due to double pneumonia following shortly after an attack of influenza. Ernest Kenneth Deighton, who was a son of the late Mr Deighton, Imperial Police, Burma, was in twenty sixth years. (sic)
He was born in Rangoon and was educated at St. Philip’s School, the Diocesan Boys’ High school and Government High School, Maymyo. On leaving school he joined the Rangoon Customs and after some time there resigned and joined the Rangoon Police as a Sergeant of Mogul Guard. From the start he displayed ability and was appointed acting Deputy Inspector more than once before being made permanent. He passed his required examinations early in his service and was considered a very promising officer. He was selected among others by the Commissioner of Police for a commission in the I.A.R.O. Inclined to athletics while in school, on leaving and joining the Customs he played with their various teams and was a member of their football team that won the Walter Locke tournament a few years ago. On joining the police he became a member of their team and was one of those who helped to win the second division of the senior league last year. He was of an affable, kindly nature and very popular with all with whom he came in contact, superiors, subordinates or friends. He was married a few months ago to Miss Maisie Dover, who survives him.
The funeral took place on Wednesday morning from the General Hospital and was largely attended, the interment being in Cantonment cemetery. There was a long cortege headed by Crown Sergt. Behan and Sergt. Nunn, both mounted, after which came the I.D.F. band and the hearse on either side of which rode Sergeants Preston and Quinlivan. After the hearse came the family and Inspectors and Deputy Inspectors of the Police with Mr Shuttleworth and Mr Comber leading, followed by Burmese Inspectors and Sub-inspectors and the European Sergeants of the Mogul Guard and Port Police under Inspector Tingley. Right behind the police was a deputation from the Rangoon Customs, old comrades and school mates of the dead officer and friends. There were many handsome floral offerings, among them being beautiful wreaths from Mr Shuttleworth, Mr E. Brown, Deputy Superintendent of Police, East, the Sergeants of the Mogul Guard, Mr Colquhoun, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Detective Dept., the Pansodan Guard, where the deceased was on duty for long (sic) and others. The service for the dead was read by Rev’d. Mr Courtenay of St. Philip’s Church.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Sept. 1918.
The death in the General Hospital on Monday night [16th Sept.] of Mr E.K. Deighton, Deputy Inspector of Rangoon Town Police, came as a shock to his superiors and many friends in Rangoon. Death was due to double pneumonia following shortly after an attack of influenza. Ernest Kenneth Deighton, who was a son of the late Mr Deighton, Imperial Police, Burma, was in twenty sixth years. (sic)
He was born in Rangoon and was educated at St. Philip’s School, the Diocesan Boys’ High school and Government High School, Maymyo. On leaving school he joined the Rangoon Customs and after some time there resigned and joined the Rangoon Police as a Sergeant of Mogul Guard. From the start he displayed ability and was appointed acting Deputy Inspector more than once before being made permanent. He passed his required examinations early in his service and was considered a very promising officer. He was selected among others by the Commissioner of Police for a commission in the I.A.R.O. Inclined to athletics while in school, on leaving and joining the Customs he played with their various teams and was a member of their football team that won the Walter Locke tournament a few years ago. On joining the police he became a member of their team and was one of those who helped to win the second division of the senior league last year. He was of an affable, kindly nature and very popular with all with whom he came in contact, superiors, subordinates or friends. He was married a few months ago to Miss Maisie Dover, who survives him.
The funeral took place on Wednesday morning from the General Hospital and was largely attended, the interment being in Cantonment cemetery. There was a long cortege headed by Crown Sergt. Behan and Sergt. Nunn, both mounted, after which came the I.D.F. band and the hearse on either side of which rode Sergeants Preston and Quinlivan. After the hearse came the family and Inspectors and Deputy Inspectors of the Police with Mr Shuttleworth and Mr Comber leading, followed by Burmese Inspectors and Sub-inspectors and the European Sergeants of the Mogul Guard and Port Police under Inspector Tingley. Right behind the police was a deputation from the Rangoon Customs, old comrades and school mates of the dead officer and friends. There were many handsome floral offerings, among them being beautiful wreaths from Mr Shuttleworth, Mr E. Brown, Deputy Superintendent of Police, East, the Sergeants of the Mogul Guard, Mr Colquhoun, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Detective Dept., the Pansodan Guard, where the deceased was on duty for long (sic) and others. The service for the dead was read by Rev’d. Mr Courtenay of St. Philip’s Church.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Sept. 1918.
J.F. Jenson
The death in Calcutta on Thursday [19th Sept.] of Mr J.F. Jensen, Managing Director of Messrs. F.C. Fabricius & Co., the announcement of which came by wire, was a shock to all who knew him. He left Rangoon on Sunday 15th instant, in apparently good health. The first message said that he had been taken ill and Mrs Jensen made arrangements to leave for Calcutta at once, but before she could get a steamer further word was received of his death. Mr Jensen left on the same steamer as 2nd Lt. W.S. Hepburn, I.A.R.O. late of the Arracan Co., on his way to join his new station in India, and was stricken while in his company. Lt. Hepburn took him a once to hospital, but being under orders to join up at once could not remain, so infirmed Mr Cameron of Messrs. Steel Bros. in Calcutta, who saw that everything possible was done for Mr Jensen.
Mr Jensen, who was forty four years old, was born in Denmark, but had been a naturalised British Subject for many years. He came to Burma for Messrs. Fabricius & Co., in 1895 and had been here ever since with occasional trips home on leave. On the death of Mr Fabricius in January 1908 the firm was turned into a limited liability company and Mr Jensen became Managing Director. He also succeeded Mr Fabricius as the Danish Consul in Rangoon. He was formerly a volunteer and a member of the Rangoon Mounted Rifles from which he withdrew on account of press or business. On the outbreak of the war he joined up with his old corps again and remained with them until invalided out of service by a medical board. He had been sufferer from neuritis for a number of years and would have gone home for treatment had not the war broken out. On reaching Calcutta he telegraphed that his trip had been a very pleasant one and that he was feeling very well. He leaves a widow but no children.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Sept. 1918.
The death in Calcutta on Thursday [19th Sept.] of Mr J.F. Jensen, Managing Director of Messrs. F.C. Fabricius & Co., the announcement of which came by wire, was a shock to all who knew him. He left Rangoon on Sunday 15th instant, in apparently good health. The first message said that he had been taken ill and Mrs Jensen made arrangements to leave for Calcutta at once, but before she could get a steamer further word was received of his death. Mr Jensen left on the same steamer as 2nd Lt. W.S. Hepburn, I.A.R.O. late of the Arracan Co., on his way to join his new station in India, and was stricken while in his company. Lt. Hepburn took him a once to hospital, but being under orders to join up at once could not remain, so infirmed Mr Cameron of Messrs. Steel Bros. in Calcutta, who saw that everything possible was done for Mr Jensen.
Mr Jensen, who was forty four years old, was born in Denmark, but had been a naturalised British Subject for many years. He came to Burma for Messrs. Fabricius & Co., in 1895 and had been here ever since with occasional trips home on leave. On the death of Mr Fabricius in January 1908 the firm was turned into a limited liability company and Mr Jensen became Managing Director. He also succeeded Mr Fabricius as the Danish Consul in Rangoon. He was formerly a volunteer and a member of the Rangoon Mounted Rifles from which he withdrew on account of press or business. On the outbreak of the war he joined up with his old corps again and remained with them until invalided out of service by a medical board. He had been sufferer from neuritis for a number of years and would have gone home for treatment had not the war broken out. On reaching Calcutta he telegraphed that his trip had been a very pleasant one and that he was feeling very well. He leaves a widow but no children.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Sept. 1918.
S.S. Agabob
In the death of Mr S.S. Agabob at the General Hospital on Wednesday [25th Sept.] morning following an operation, the Buddhist community in Rangoon loses on one of its strongest supporters and the Society for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality one of its earnest members.
The deceased, who was a son of an influential Merchant of Moulmein, was an Armenian and was born in Moulmein in December 1855. He was educated at the Moulmein schools and then finished at St. John’s College, Rangoon, under the late Sr. Marks, of whom he was a most enthusiastic admirer. Mr Agabob and the late Ah Yain of Messrs. Steel Bros. and the late Maung Gyi, for a long time in the Court of the Recorder, Rangoon, and Judicial Commissioner of Burma, were the first three students to go up for the entrance exams. of the Calcutta University and all failed. This led Mr Agabob to seek employment and he became Clerk on the steamer Lahore, Capt. Gilman, Master, in 1872, the Lahore and Aga being run from Rangoon to Bhamo by an Indian company.
He continued in this work for several years and then joined the Port Trust and rose to the rank of Superintendent of Wharves, from which post he retired in 1908 on an annuity. He was for a time Superintendent of Wharves, Moulmein. He then started in business for himself in piece goods and other imports at his residence in Hpoongyi street in Lanmadaw quarter. In 1912 at the request of the Burmese community of Kemmendine he stood for election as a Municipal Commissioner and there was no opposition. He took his seat in January 1913 and served for three years.
During that time the Municipal election by-laws were changed and Mr Agabob found it impossible to sand as a representative of the Burmese community. So in 1916 he stood as an Independent European candidate but was defeated. Mr Agabob was converted from Christianity to Buddhism on marriage with his second wife, Ma Kyaw, and became a very earnest supporter of Buddhism. His son Walter, by this marriage, is still alive and a minister in Canada. He was twice married after this, his widow, Daw Ohn, survives him.
Mr Agabob built elaborate kyaungs at the Victoria Lakes and at the Ngadatkyi Pagoda in Bahan, which he kept up. He was a member of the Young Men’s Buddhist Association and took an interest in all their debates and movements. He was interested in the work of the Rangoon Society for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality, both the old society which died through inertia and of the present society which was revived through the efforts of Lady Adamson, Mrs Hla Oung, Mr Agabob and others. He was a schoolmate and lifelong friend of U P Tsee, late Municipal Akunwun and present Municipal Commissioner and was associated with the late U Ba Thein, bar-at-law and Municipal Commissioner, for a long time, the latter’s death affecting him deeply and telling and his health.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Sept. 1918.
Special Municipal Meeting
The Late Mr Agabob
The Chairman said before he proceeds to the regular business of the meeting he would like to say these few words regarding the death last week of one of their former colleagues, Mr S.S. Agabob. Mr S.S. Agabb was an old and respected citizen of Rangoon. After his retirement from the service of the Port Commissioners he stood for election to the Municipal Committee and was returned as the representative of the Burmese community for the Kemmendine ward at the general election in November 1912. For three years he was a member of this committee ; he took a keen interest in municipal affairs generally and advocated in particular, the interests of the inhabitants of Kemmendine and Lanmadaw. I am sure that members who knew him and his work will agree with me that Mr Agabob did a lot of useful work in a quiet way even after he left the municipal board. I move the following resolution: That there be recorded in the proceedings of the Municipal Committee an expression of deep regret with which the members have heard of the death of their former colleague. Mr S.S. Agabob and their appreciation of the interest he took in the municipal welfare of Rangoon. That a copy of the foregoing resolution of the sympathy of the members of the committee be forwarded to the family of Mr Agabob. U May Oung seconded the resolution and it was carried unanimously.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
Mr S.S. Agabob
Society for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality
Extract from a Committee meeting held on Saturday 5th October:- The Committee record their deep regret at the loss of one of their energetic and earnest workers, Mr S.S. Agabob and their appreciation of his valuable services to the society resolved that a letter of condolence be sent to his family in their sad bereavement.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
In the death of Mr S.S. Agabob at the General Hospital on Wednesday [25th Sept.] morning following an operation, the Buddhist community in Rangoon loses on one of its strongest supporters and the Society for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality one of its earnest members.
The deceased, who was a son of an influential Merchant of Moulmein, was an Armenian and was born in Moulmein in December 1855. He was educated at the Moulmein schools and then finished at St. John’s College, Rangoon, under the late Sr. Marks, of whom he was a most enthusiastic admirer. Mr Agabob and the late Ah Yain of Messrs. Steel Bros. and the late Maung Gyi, for a long time in the Court of the Recorder, Rangoon, and Judicial Commissioner of Burma, were the first three students to go up for the entrance exams. of the Calcutta University and all failed. This led Mr Agabob to seek employment and he became Clerk on the steamer Lahore, Capt. Gilman, Master, in 1872, the Lahore and Aga being run from Rangoon to Bhamo by an Indian company.
He continued in this work for several years and then joined the Port Trust and rose to the rank of Superintendent of Wharves, from which post he retired in 1908 on an annuity. He was for a time Superintendent of Wharves, Moulmein. He then started in business for himself in piece goods and other imports at his residence in Hpoongyi street in Lanmadaw quarter. In 1912 at the request of the Burmese community of Kemmendine he stood for election as a Municipal Commissioner and there was no opposition. He took his seat in January 1913 and served for three years.
During that time the Municipal election by-laws were changed and Mr Agabob found it impossible to sand as a representative of the Burmese community. So in 1916 he stood as an Independent European candidate but was defeated. Mr Agabob was converted from Christianity to Buddhism on marriage with his second wife, Ma Kyaw, and became a very earnest supporter of Buddhism. His son Walter, by this marriage, is still alive and a minister in Canada. He was twice married after this, his widow, Daw Ohn, survives him.
Mr Agabob built elaborate kyaungs at the Victoria Lakes and at the Ngadatkyi Pagoda in Bahan, which he kept up. He was a member of the Young Men’s Buddhist Association and took an interest in all their debates and movements. He was interested in the work of the Rangoon Society for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality, both the old society which died through inertia and of the present society which was revived through the efforts of Lady Adamson, Mrs Hla Oung, Mr Agabob and others. He was a schoolmate and lifelong friend of U P Tsee, late Municipal Akunwun and present Municipal Commissioner and was associated with the late U Ba Thein, bar-at-law and Municipal Commissioner, for a long time, the latter’s death affecting him deeply and telling and his health.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Sept. 1918.
Special Municipal Meeting
The Late Mr Agabob
The Chairman said before he proceeds to the regular business of the meeting he would like to say these few words regarding the death last week of one of their former colleagues, Mr S.S. Agabob. Mr S.S. Agabb was an old and respected citizen of Rangoon. After his retirement from the service of the Port Commissioners he stood for election to the Municipal Committee and was returned as the representative of the Burmese community for the Kemmendine ward at the general election in November 1912. For three years he was a member of this committee ; he took a keen interest in municipal affairs generally and advocated in particular, the interests of the inhabitants of Kemmendine and Lanmadaw. I am sure that members who knew him and his work will agree with me that Mr Agabob did a lot of useful work in a quiet way even after he left the municipal board. I move the following resolution: That there be recorded in the proceedings of the Municipal Committee an expression of deep regret with which the members have heard of the death of their former colleague. Mr S.S. Agabob and their appreciation of the interest he took in the municipal welfare of Rangoon. That a copy of the foregoing resolution of the sympathy of the members of the committee be forwarded to the family of Mr Agabob. U May Oung seconded the resolution and it was carried unanimously.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
Mr S.S. Agabob
Society for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality
Extract from a Committee meeting held on Saturday 5th October:- The Committee record their deep regret at the loss of one of their energetic and earnest workers, Mr S.S. Agabob and their appreciation of his valuable services to the society resolved that a letter of condolence be sent to his family in their sad bereavement.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
Killed In Action
Lt. G.C. Fitzherbert
Word was received by cable from the war office on Saturday by Mrs Pratt, wife of Mr W.P. Pratt, Burma Railways, that her son Lt. G.C. Fitzherbert, York and Lancaster Regiment, had been killed in action on September 18th. Gilbert Clare Fitzherbert was born in Meerut, India, on November 15th 1895, and after preliminary schooling in India was sent home and had just passed out of Framlingham College, Suffolk, preparatory to entering Cambridge when the war broke out.
On the very first day of the declaration he offered his services and was given a temporary commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Suffolks and went to Gallipoli and later saw service in Egypt. He was then given a permanent commission in the York and Lancasters and went to France. He was wounded and in December 1917 was awarded the Military Cross. On recovering he was wounded again and received a bar to his cross and on return to his regiment was wounded a third time. He recovered and returned to duty again and was killed as stated above. He was an only son.
Lieut. P.A.E. McCraken, Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Highlanders) whose death is announced, killed in action, was in Rangoon as an Assistant with Messrs. Steel Bros. for two years from February 1914 to February 1916. He was born in Glasgow in 1892 or 1893 and was educated in Glasgow and at an English public school. He was a nephew of Mr Robert McCraken, Chairman of the Home Directorate of Messrs. Steel Bros. and a brother of Mr James McCraken, Manager of Messrs. Steel Bros.’ mill at Bassein. He was much liked and respected in the firm and was considered to be a very bright youth with a good future. He was a rugger player and represented the Rangoon Gymkhana Club in their matches.
He left for England in the early part of February 1916 to join the forces and on getting home was given a commission as second Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry and went to Palestine and Egypt and a few months ago was drafted back to England and sent to the front where he was killed.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
Lt. G.C. Fitzherbert
Word was received by cable from the war office on Saturday by Mrs Pratt, wife of Mr W.P. Pratt, Burma Railways, that her son Lt. G.C. Fitzherbert, York and Lancaster Regiment, had been killed in action on September 18th. Gilbert Clare Fitzherbert was born in Meerut, India, on November 15th 1895, and after preliminary schooling in India was sent home and had just passed out of Framlingham College, Suffolk, preparatory to entering Cambridge when the war broke out.
On the very first day of the declaration he offered his services and was given a temporary commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Suffolks and went to Gallipoli and later saw service in Egypt. He was then given a permanent commission in the York and Lancasters and went to France. He was wounded and in December 1917 was awarded the Military Cross. On recovering he was wounded again and received a bar to his cross and on return to his regiment was wounded a third time. He recovered and returned to duty again and was killed as stated above. He was an only son.
Lieut. P.A.E. McCraken, Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Highlanders) whose death is announced, killed in action, was in Rangoon as an Assistant with Messrs. Steel Bros. for two years from February 1914 to February 1916. He was born in Glasgow in 1892 or 1893 and was educated in Glasgow and at an English public school. He was a nephew of Mr Robert McCraken, Chairman of the Home Directorate of Messrs. Steel Bros. and a brother of Mr James McCraken, Manager of Messrs. Steel Bros.’ mill at Bassein. He was much liked and respected in the firm and was considered to be a very bright youth with a good future. He was a rugger player and represented the Rangoon Gymkhana Club in their matches.
He left for England in the early part of February 1916 to join the forces and on getting home was given a commission as second Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry and went to Palestine and Egypt and a few months ago was drafted back to England and sent to the front where he was killed.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
Lt. J.A.S. Nadder
Word has been received in Rangoon of the death at Basra from pneumonia of Lt. J.A.S. Nadder, Deputy Postmaster, Indian Expeditionary Force, on August 20th. Mr Nadder who was brother to Mr S. Samuel, B.A., of Thingangyun, joined the postal department, Burma in 1897 and served for twenty-one years, rising from Clerk through the various grades to Postmaster, winning the good opinion of superiors and subordinates. He joined the Indian Expeditionary Force as Deputy Postmaster in August 916 and went to Basra. In October 1917 he was sent to Baghdad to open the head office there which was successfully accomplished. Returning to Basra at the beginning of the present year he had since remained there. In Sir Stanley Maude’s despatch dated March 8th 1918, Mr Nadder’s name was mentioned for gallant and distinguished services and devotion to duty. Mr Nadder leaves behind him a widow and four children to whom, it is understood, Government is granting a life pension of Rs. 60 a month.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
Word has been received in Rangoon of the death at Basra from pneumonia of Lt. J.A.S. Nadder, Deputy Postmaster, Indian Expeditionary Force, on August 20th. Mr Nadder who was brother to Mr S. Samuel, B.A., of Thingangyun, joined the postal department, Burma in 1897 and served for twenty-one years, rising from Clerk through the various grades to Postmaster, winning the good opinion of superiors and subordinates. He joined the Indian Expeditionary Force as Deputy Postmaster in August 916 and went to Basra. In October 1917 he was sent to Baghdad to open the head office there which was successfully accomplished. Returning to Basra at the beginning of the present year he had since remained there. In Sir Stanley Maude’s despatch dated March 8th 1918, Mr Nadder’s name was mentioned for gallant and distinguished services and devotion to duty. Mr Nadder leaves behind him a widow and four children to whom, it is understood, Government is granting a life pension of Rs. 60 a month.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
J.E.F. D’Rozario
The body of Mr J.E.F. D’Rozario, twenty-two years old, a Telegraphist of the Government Telegraph Office, Rangoon, was taken to the Rangoon General Hospital mortuary from Hmawbi on Sunday night [6th Oct.] with the information that he had been drowned in a tank at that place while wading after a water fowl he had shot.
Mr H. Simeons, a Telegraphist of the same office, who was with the deceased when he lost his life, said yesterday that deceased, Forbes Mitchell, two friends of Mitchell’s who names he did not know, and he himself left on Sunday morning for Hmawbi by the 5.20 a.mm. on a shooting trip. Hmawbi was reached at 7 a.m. On the way to a shooting ground, D’Rozario saw some pigeons and he and Simeons went after them. When they came to a swamp, D’Rozario told him to rest while he took a gun and looked round.
He heard a shot and saw a water fowl fall. D’Rozario called to him to take his gun, hat, belt and money as he was going after the bird which was in the tank. He saw him wade out, then Simeons went and sat down again, but after waiting a few minutes and not hearing D’Rozario call out that he had the bird he got up and looked and saw him struggling in the water. He shouted and two Burmese came running up and seeing D’Rozario, went to his aid, but he sank before they could reach him. He went to the police station and reported the drowning and a search party and villagers went to the scene and recovered the body shortly before midday.
The deceased came from Calicut where his relatives live, to work in the Moulmein office and came to the Rangoon office about three months ago. The relations have been notified of the sad accident. The funeral took place yesterday.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
The body of Mr J.E.F. D’Rozario, twenty-two years old, a Telegraphist of the Government Telegraph Office, Rangoon, was taken to the Rangoon General Hospital mortuary from Hmawbi on Sunday night [6th Oct.] with the information that he had been drowned in a tank at that place while wading after a water fowl he had shot.
Mr H. Simeons, a Telegraphist of the same office, who was with the deceased when he lost his life, said yesterday that deceased, Forbes Mitchell, two friends of Mitchell’s who names he did not know, and he himself left on Sunday morning for Hmawbi by the 5.20 a.mm. on a shooting trip. Hmawbi was reached at 7 a.m. On the way to a shooting ground, D’Rozario saw some pigeons and he and Simeons went after them. When they came to a swamp, D’Rozario told him to rest while he took a gun and looked round.
He heard a shot and saw a water fowl fall. D’Rozario called to him to take his gun, hat, belt and money as he was going after the bird which was in the tank. He saw him wade out, then Simeons went and sat down again, but after waiting a few minutes and not hearing D’Rozario call out that he had the bird he got up and looked and saw him struggling in the water. He shouted and two Burmese came running up and seeing D’Rozario, went to his aid, but he sank before they could reach him. He went to the police station and reported the drowning and a search party and villagers went to the scene and recovered the body shortly before midday.
The deceased came from Calicut where his relatives live, to work in the Moulmein office and came to the Rangoon office about three months ago. The relations have been notified of the sad accident. The funeral took place yesterday.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Oct. 1918.
W.E. Johnson
The death took place at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday [3rd November]at the Rangoon General Hospital, as the result of an operation of Mr William Edmund Johnson, Superintendent of Land Records, retired. The late Mr Johnson, who was a son of Mr William Henry Johnson, formerly of the Great Trigonometrical Surveys, India, and afterwards the Maharaja of Kashmir’s Viceroy in Ladak, was born at Dehra Dun on the 14th September 1861 and was therefore just over 57 years of age. The deceased was educated in England and joined the Survey of India Department as a probationary Assistant Surveyor, 3rd grade, on the 18th August 1884, being attached to No. 4 party, Survey of India, which was then operating in the old North West Provinces.
About two years later on the 1st November 1888 he was transferred with his party (No. 4) to Burma and in November 1890 he was attached to No. 12 party, Survey of India, with which he was associated till the 25th October 1895 when his service were lent to the Burma Land Records, he having attained the rank of 1st grade Sub-assistant Superintendent, Survey of India Department. On transfer to the Burma Land Records Department the late Mr Johnson was appointed a Superintendent of Land Records, 5th grade and posted to the charge of Land Records in the Amherst and Thaton districts. Four and a half years later he was promoted to the 4th grade, receiving a further step on the 21st June 1909 and attaining the senior rank of a 2nd grade Superintendent of Land Records on the 7th June 1913.
In August 1915 he proceeded on long leave, three months privilege leave combined with furlough for ten months and 10 days, retiring from the service of Government with effect from the 15th September 1916 on superannuation after a total service of 32 years. During the course of his service of 28 years in Burma the late Mr Johnson worked in several districts with No. 4 and 12 parties of the Survey of India and while serving with the Burma Land Records Department he was in charge of the Land Records in the Amherst, Thaton, Bassein, Prome and Rangoon town districts. He was also employed as Officer-in-Charge, Map Section, Government Press, Rangoon.
The late Mr Johnson, who was a brother of the late Major T.G. Johnson, Indian Staff Corps, at one time Additional Sessions Judge, Irrawaddy Divn., Bassein, was a quiet and unassuming gentleman and was well liked by all with whom he came in contact. He was an efficient and capable survey officer. Towards the latter end of his service, however, he was a martyr to ill health and it was partly on this account that he retired on attaining 55 years of age. The deceased leaves a widow, a son, a granddaughter and a brother. The funeral which moved from the General Hospital, Rangoon, to Kemmendine cemetery where the body was interred, was attended by a large circle of friends.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Nov. 1918.
The death took place at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday [3rd November]at the Rangoon General Hospital, as the result of an operation of Mr William Edmund Johnson, Superintendent of Land Records, retired. The late Mr Johnson, who was a son of Mr William Henry Johnson, formerly of the Great Trigonometrical Surveys, India, and afterwards the Maharaja of Kashmir’s Viceroy in Ladak, was born at Dehra Dun on the 14th September 1861 and was therefore just over 57 years of age. The deceased was educated in England and joined the Survey of India Department as a probationary Assistant Surveyor, 3rd grade, on the 18th August 1884, being attached to No. 4 party, Survey of India, which was then operating in the old North West Provinces.
About two years later on the 1st November 1888 he was transferred with his party (No. 4) to Burma and in November 1890 he was attached to No. 12 party, Survey of India, with which he was associated till the 25th October 1895 when his service were lent to the Burma Land Records, he having attained the rank of 1st grade Sub-assistant Superintendent, Survey of India Department. On transfer to the Burma Land Records Department the late Mr Johnson was appointed a Superintendent of Land Records, 5th grade and posted to the charge of Land Records in the Amherst and Thaton districts. Four and a half years later he was promoted to the 4th grade, receiving a further step on the 21st June 1909 and attaining the senior rank of a 2nd grade Superintendent of Land Records on the 7th June 1913.
In August 1915 he proceeded on long leave, three months privilege leave combined with furlough for ten months and 10 days, retiring from the service of Government with effect from the 15th September 1916 on superannuation after a total service of 32 years. During the course of his service of 28 years in Burma the late Mr Johnson worked in several districts with No. 4 and 12 parties of the Survey of India and while serving with the Burma Land Records Department he was in charge of the Land Records in the Amherst, Thaton, Bassein, Prome and Rangoon town districts. He was also employed as Officer-in-Charge, Map Section, Government Press, Rangoon.
The late Mr Johnson, who was a brother of the late Major T.G. Johnson, Indian Staff Corps, at one time Additional Sessions Judge, Irrawaddy Divn., Bassein, was a quiet and unassuming gentleman and was well liked by all with whom he came in contact. He was an efficient and capable survey officer. Towards the latter end of his service, however, he was a martyr to ill health and it was partly on this account that he retired on attaining 55 years of age. The deceased leaves a widow, a son, a granddaughter and a brother. The funeral which moved from the General Hospital, Rangoon, to Kemmendine cemetery where the body was interred, was attended by a large circle of friends.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Nov. 1918.
J.H. Redmond
The death took place at his residence, no. 6 Short street, on Sunday of Mr J.G. Redmond, Junior Registrar, Burma Secretariat, in his forty-seventh year. Joseph Henry Redmond was born in Burma in 1871, his father being Capt. Redmond of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, who died several years ago, and was one of the founders of the Phoenix Coach Works now defunct. He was a half brother of the late Major W.J.H. Redmond, R.V.R., Secretary of the Rangoon Trades Association, who died at sea while on a voyage to England several years ago.
At the age of five Mr Redmond entered St. John’s College and became one of Dr. Marks favourite pupils, being brought up by him, and after finishing school became one of the teachers there. During his school years he was a fine athlete being particularly good at wrestling running and riding, and good in other sports we well and representing his Alma Mater in the playing field.
He was a Volunteer and held the commission of Lieutenant in the St. John’s College Cadet Corps.
On leaving college he was for several years with the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company as a member of their Clerical staff and left them to join Government service in September 1892, joining on the 28th of that month, eleven days after the Hon. Mr W.F. Rice, who had come out from England in appointment to the Civil Service. Mr Redmond was put to work in the Chief Secretary’s office and remained there for over twenty years, in fact until his appointment as a Registrar some time ago and being posted to the office of the Revenue Secretary.
In his death the Burma Secretariat has lost one of its most capable ministerial officers. He had a large circle of friends among the old Johnians with whom he was immensely popular. The news of his death came as a shock to all who knew him, as he was only a few days prior to his death apparently in the best of health. He leaves a widow and three children, two of daughters and a son, the latter being now with the Burma Mechanical Transport in Mesopotamia.
Mr Redmond in addition to holding the rank of Lieutenant of the St. John’s College Cadet Corps rose to be a Captain in the R.V.R. and was on the supernumerary list when the Indian Defence Force was formed. His funeral took place from his resident yesterday morning, the interment being at the Cantonment cemetery. It was attended by a large circle of friends, the service for the dead being read by Rev’d. W.M. Cowper Johnson, Cathedral Chaplain.
Mr Redmond was responsible, about three years ago, for breaking up in Kemmendine, in the quarter in which he lived, one of the most desperate gangs of dacoits that the quarter had known, by shooting the leader dead one early morning as the man was trying to force an entrance to his house. A watch found in the possession of the dead man led to his identification, it being identified with a robbery with firearms in which the deceased had taken part. After the leaders death the members of the gang found the quarter too hot to hold them and cleared out and since that time Kemmendine in the region of Short street has been unmolested. A few years previous to that Mr Redmond nearly killed another midnight intruder whom he had caught in his house. The burglar attacked him and in defending himself Mr Redmond cut the man’s arm off and then captured him.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Dec. 1918.
The death took place at his residence, no. 6 Short street, on Sunday of Mr J.G. Redmond, Junior Registrar, Burma Secretariat, in his forty-seventh year. Joseph Henry Redmond was born in Burma in 1871, his father being Capt. Redmond of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, who died several years ago, and was one of the founders of the Phoenix Coach Works now defunct. He was a half brother of the late Major W.J.H. Redmond, R.V.R., Secretary of the Rangoon Trades Association, who died at sea while on a voyage to England several years ago.
At the age of five Mr Redmond entered St. John’s College and became one of Dr. Marks favourite pupils, being brought up by him, and after finishing school became one of the teachers there. During his school years he was a fine athlete being particularly good at wrestling running and riding, and good in other sports we well and representing his Alma Mater in the playing field.
He was a Volunteer and held the commission of Lieutenant in the St. John’s College Cadet Corps.
On leaving college he was for several years with the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company as a member of their Clerical staff and left them to join Government service in September 1892, joining on the 28th of that month, eleven days after the Hon. Mr W.F. Rice, who had come out from England in appointment to the Civil Service. Mr Redmond was put to work in the Chief Secretary’s office and remained there for over twenty years, in fact until his appointment as a Registrar some time ago and being posted to the office of the Revenue Secretary.
In his death the Burma Secretariat has lost one of its most capable ministerial officers. He had a large circle of friends among the old Johnians with whom he was immensely popular. The news of his death came as a shock to all who knew him, as he was only a few days prior to his death apparently in the best of health. He leaves a widow and three children, two of daughters and a son, the latter being now with the Burma Mechanical Transport in Mesopotamia.
Mr Redmond in addition to holding the rank of Lieutenant of the St. John’s College Cadet Corps rose to be a Captain in the R.V.R. and was on the supernumerary list when the Indian Defence Force was formed. His funeral took place from his resident yesterday morning, the interment being at the Cantonment cemetery. It was attended by a large circle of friends, the service for the dead being read by Rev’d. W.M. Cowper Johnson, Cathedral Chaplain.
Mr Redmond was responsible, about three years ago, for breaking up in Kemmendine, in the quarter in which he lived, one of the most desperate gangs of dacoits that the quarter had known, by shooting the leader dead one early morning as the man was trying to force an entrance to his house. A watch found in the possession of the dead man led to his identification, it being identified with a robbery with firearms in which the deceased had taken part. After the leaders death the members of the gang found the quarter too hot to hold them and cleared out and since that time Kemmendine in the region of Short street has been unmolested. A few years previous to that Mr Redmond nearly killed another midnight intruder whom he had caught in his house. The burglar attacked him and in defending himself Mr Redmond cut the man’s arm off and then captured him.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Dec. 1918.
G. Whitaker
The busy and flourishing mining camp of Namtu in the Northern Shan States, a correspondent writes, was thrown into deep gloom on Saturday the 21st instant. On that day was buried with full military honours Capt. Gilbert Whittaker, the Officer Commanding the Namtu Company of the 34th Battalion, Upper Burma Indian Defence Force. Capt. Whittaker, who had died of pneumonia, after a very brief illness, was the much valued head of the Engineering Department of the Burma Mines and had charge of their great scheme for harnessing the Mansam Falls and to complete the hydro-electric installation which will add so considerably to the electric power both at Namtu and Bawdwin.
That the deceased officer was held in the highest esteem by the entire staff was evident from the great number who attended his funeral. The body enclosed in a zinc shell and a beautifully polished teak wood casket was taken to the grave covered with the Union Jack and a great number of wreaths of beautiful flowers, the wreaths having been made and sent by affectionate friends from every part of the camp. The Band of the Company, which the late Capt. Whittaker had brought to its present state of efficiency, preceded the body playing “the dead march in Saul,” and immediately behind followed the Rev’d. G.H. Seeley, Chaplain of the Force. Mr Mayreiss, acting Manager of the Mines, Mr Hall, the Manager designate, Dr. Sills, Mesdames Hall, Fillio, Espie and other ladies of the camp with a large and representative number of the staff. At the grave side the burial office was said by the Rev’d. G.H. Seely, and after the firing party had fired three vollies into the air and the Buglers had sounded the last post, the Chaplain conveyed a message from Major Sir Otway Cuffe expressing the deep regret felt by Colonel Aplin and the officers of the Battalion at the death of a highly efficient and much respected officer.
In these circumstances, and with these marks of reverence, respect and gratitude, we laid to rest an officer who brought into the camp the best traditions of British efficiency, conscientiousness and integrity, one who demonstrated to the advantage of the whole community what is really implied in the term “an officer and gentleman.”
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Dec. 1918.
The busy and flourishing mining camp of Namtu in the Northern Shan States, a correspondent writes, was thrown into deep gloom on Saturday the 21st instant. On that day was buried with full military honours Capt. Gilbert Whittaker, the Officer Commanding the Namtu Company of the 34th Battalion, Upper Burma Indian Defence Force. Capt. Whittaker, who had died of pneumonia, after a very brief illness, was the much valued head of the Engineering Department of the Burma Mines and had charge of their great scheme for harnessing the Mansam Falls and to complete the hydro-electric installation which will add so considerably to the electric power both at Namtu and Bawdwin.
That the deceased officer was held in the highest esteem by the entire staff was evident from the great number who attended his funeral. The body enclosed in a zinc shell and a beautifully polished teak wood casket was taken to the grave covered with the Union Jack and a great number of wreaths of beautiful flowers, the wreaths having been made and sent by affectionate friends from every part of the camp. The Band of the Company, which the late Capt. Whittaker had brought to its present state of efficiency, preceded the body playing “the dead march in Saul,” and immediately behind followed the Rev’d. G.H. Seeley, Chaplain of the Force. Mr Mayreiss, acting Manager of the Mines, Mr Hall, the Manager designate, Dr. Sills, Mesdames Hall, Fillio, Espie and other ladies of the camp with a large and representative number of the staff. At the grave side the burial office was said by the Rev’d. G.H. Seely, and after the firing party had fired three vollies into the air and the Buglers had sounded the last post, the Chaplain conveyed a message from Major Sir Otway Cuffe expressing the deep regret felt by Colonel Aplin and the officers of the Battalion at the death of a highly efficient and much respected officer.
In these circumstances, and with these marks of reverence, respect and gratitude, we laid to rest an officer who brought into the camp the best traditions of British efficiency, conscientiousness and integrity, one who demonstrated to the advantage of the whole community what is really implied in the term “an officer and gentleman.”
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget Dec. 1918.
The Late Mother Marie
A correspondent writes:- The mortal remains of the Rev’d. Mother Marie, for 44 years attached to St. Joseph’s Convent, Mandalay, were laid to rest in the old C road Cemetery Church on Thursday. At half past seven in the morning the remains, which had been lying in state at the Convent throughout the preceding day, were placed in the coffin and conveyed to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where a Requiem High Mass was said by Rev’d. Fr. Darne.
The Cathedral was filled to its utmost capacity with all sorts and conditions of people and those who could find no seating accommodation within crowded into the aisles, corridors ad doorways. His Lordship Bishop Foulquier having pronounced the last blessing, the coffin was borne to the waiting hearse outside, where a procession was formed. The pupils and Brothers of St. Peter’s High School led the way in single file on either side of the road, they were followed by the pupils and teachers of St. Joseph’s Convent and the Burmese orphanage. Between these long drawn lines of slowing moving figures the hearse proceeded on its way to the cemetery. Immediately in front of the hearse were his Lordship the Bishop and the Roman Catholic clergy of Mandalay. The Sisters of St. Joseph’s Convent and allied institutions followed as chief mourners and after these came a vast following of people of various communities and diverse creeds. Lastly there followed a long string of vehicles conveying people who has known and loved the good Mother during her life time and had come, some from long distances, to look their last upon her beloved face. In this order the cortege reached the cemetery, when the coffin was removed to the grave prepared within the cemetery church. His Lordship read the burial service and at its conclusion the coffin was lowered reverently into the grave amidst the incontrollable grief of very many.
The genuine affection with which the late Mother Superior was regarded and the high place she occupied in the estimation of hundreds of people is evidenced by the large gathering that had assembled to pay its last tribute of respect to the dead, and the many beautiful floral wreaths that covered her coffin. Among those present were many whose characters bore the impress of her influence and teaching ; many burdened with the consciousness of untold kindness received by unrequited ; men and women who as helpless baby orphans had received at her hands a mother’s tender care ; old pupils of the Convent who at one time or another in the last four decades had learnt to appreciate her gentle nature and personality ; the poor and distressed to whom she had been more than a friend; the stricken and sorrowful to whose hearts she had brought solace in the hour of bitter trial ; yes and even the fallen and sinful whom all her kindly efforts to reclaim had proved fruitless. In the hearts of all these and many more, the Reverend Mother Marie Josephine Talazar will long be cherished as a living memory.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget May 1918.
A correspondent writes:- The mortal remains of the Rev’d. Mother Marie, for 44 years attached to St. Joseph’s Convent, Mandalay, were laid to rest in the old C road Cemetery Church on Thursday. At half past seven in the morning the remains, which had been lying in state at the Convent throughout the preceding day, were placed in the coffin and conveyed to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where a Requiem High Mass was said by Rev’d. Fr. Darne.
The Cathedral was filled to its utmost capacity with all sorts and conditions of people and those who could find no seating accommodation within crowded into the aisles, corridors ad doorways. His Lordship Bishop Foulquier having pronounced the last blessing, the coffin was borne to the waiting hearse outside, where a procession was formed. The pupils and Brothers of St. Peter’s High School led the way in single file on either side of the road, they were followed by the pupils and teachers of St. Joseph’s Convent and the Burmese orphanage. Between these long drawn lines of slowing moving figures the hearse proceeded on its way to the cemetery. Immediately in front of the hearse were his Lordship the Bishop and the Roman Catholic clergy of Mandalay. The Sisters of St. Joseph’s Convent and allied institutions followed as chief mourners and after these came a vast following of people of various communities and diverse creeds. Lastly there followed a long string of vehicles conveying people who has known and loved the good Mother during her life time and had come, some from long distances, to look their last upon her beloved face. In this order the cortege reached the cemetery, when the coffin was removed to the grave prepared within the cemetery church. His Lordship read the burial service and at its conclusion the coffin was lowered reverently into the grave amidst the incontrollable grief of very many.
The genuine affection with which the late Mother Superior was regarded and the high place she occupied in the estimation of hundreds of people is evidenced by the large gathering that had assembled to pay its last tribute of respect to the dead, and the many beautiful floral wreaths that covered her coffin. Among those present were many whose characters bore the impress of her influence and teaching ; many burdened with the consciousness of untold kindness received by unrequited ; men and women who as helpless baby orphans had received at her hands a mother’s tender care ; old pupils of the Convent who at one time or another in the last four decades had learnt to appreciate her gentle nature and personality ; the poor and distressed to whom she had been more than a friend; the stricken and sorrowful to whose hearts she had brought solace in the hour of bitter trial ; yes and even the fallen and sinful whom all her kindly efforts to reclaim had proved fruitless. In the hearts of all these and many more, the Reverend Mother Marie Josephine Talazar will long be cherished as a living memory.
Extract from the Rangoon Gazette Weekly Budget May 1918.