Brothers - Down the Memory Lane – Lasallians Remembered

Brother Patrick Toner was born on 22nd September 1892 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He joined the Christian Brothers at a very early age. He volunteered for the missions to the Far East and spent most of his life in Rangoon and Hong Kong. In Burma, Brother Patrick proved himself as a brilliant teacher and organizer. He brought St. Paul’s Rangoon to a very high scholastic standard.” At the end of the Pacific War, Brother Patrick was posted to La Salle College. He served as the Principal from 1947 to 1956. Life in the post-war era was difficult. Resources were scarce. To worsen the situation, the British government turned La Salle College into the 33rd General Hospital for the army in the summer of 1949. The school was moved to the temporary site in Perth Street, Homantin. Despite such setbacks, Brother Patrick braved all these difficulties. With great zeal and spirit, he raised the school to a very high standard in terms of intellectual activity, discipline and prestige. Brother Patrick also devoted much effort in the promotion of religious life at school and in the community. Brother Patrick is remembered as a man of great intelligence, a first class teacher and a strict but fair disciplinarian. He frequently took up classes from teachers on sick leave. Be it science, mathematics or arts, he would proceed smoothly. Brother Patrick appreciated nothing but the best from teachers and students. He conducted classroom inspection daily and carried out teacher evaluation himself. Mr. Henry Lau (1940) said, “He was the most dedicated and diligently devoted Principal I have worked for. Very learned, and always happy to share with us his bountiful knowledge.” Brother Patrick was a cat-lover and he moved like one. People seldom noticed his sudden presence in classes. Teachers and students were on alert all the time! Brother Patrick left La Salle College in 1956 for Europe. He died in Belfast in September 1968.

Brother Joseph Wilkinson was born on 1st January 1914. He taught Class 5. Brother Joseph was killed in the siege of Hong Kong by the Japanese in 1941.