Down the Memory Lane – Lasallians Remembered

Brother Lawrence Blake was born in Ireland on 1st December 1929. He is the blood brother of Brother Mark. He ranks number 9 among the seven brothers and four sisters. Brother Lawrence served in other areas in South East Asia before coming to teach in La Salle College in August 1958. He taught English and Economics. He was good at playing tennis. He left La Salle College in 1968 for Sabah where he taught until 1975. Brother Lawrence was then transferred to St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong until becoming the Principal of Chong Gene Hang College in 1987. In 1995, he was transferred to Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College where he taught until he was promoted to be the Principal. He is now the supervisor of both schools. Brother Lawrence is the tallest Christian Brother in Hong Kong! In the photo of two Brothers, Bro Lawrence is on the right, his brother Mark beside him.

Brother Cassian Brigant was born at Botsorkel, Finistre, Brittany, France in 1889. He received his early education at the famous Likes College of the Brothers at Quimper. In 1900, he entered the Junior Novitiate of the Brothers at the Nantes and completed his senior Novitiate and Scholasticate at Vauxbelets Quernesey by 1907. Brother Cassian then came East and served a short period of Scholasticate at Bandarawalla Colombo. Afterwards, he was sent to Singapore where he started to teach in 1908. In 1914, he was called to serve his country in World War I. He fought with the Infantry at Salonika, Sophia, Verdun and was wounded at Vaux. He received two citations for exceptional zeal and bravery in saving many wounded in the battlefield during intensive bombardment. His country decorated him with the Croix de Guerre avec etoile de bronze et etoile d’argent and the Medaille Militaire. The Government of Bulgaria offered Brother Cassian a ministerial post but at the end of the war he chose to resume his teaching in Singapore. Brother Cassian was very active outside the Dome. He founded the Teacher Association and served as president for three years. He took great interest in music and was a co-founder of the Hong Kong School Musical Association. Brother Cassian also played an active role in the development of scouting in Hong Kong. In recognition of his service to Hong Kong, Lord Rowallan decorated him with the Silver Acorn in 1954. Among many other decorations, the most notable ones are the Insignia of Officier D’Academie and the Legion d’Honneur by the French Government and the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British Government.