Biography
The following was copied directly from the following website, written by Clemens’ parents: http://www.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/~twkwan/Clemens/obituary.htm (no longer valid)
Quote
Han-yi Clemens Kwan was born in Bochum, Germany (then West) in 1981. When he was seven months old he left Germany for Taiwan where his father assumed his first teaching position at the Tunghai University. Clemens spent a very happy childhood in the beautiful campus of Tunghai. He attended the kindergarten affiliated to the University, for one year. At the age of four, Clemens returned with his parents to Germany and spent half a year there at the Katholischer Kindergarten St. Augustinus of Bochum. After he moved back to Hong Kong, Clemens joined the Alliance Church Kindergarten for another year before he was admitted to La Salle Primary School. Besides being a diligent student, Clemens took part in a number of extra-curricular activities: He was in the school badminton team for three years; he was a member of the Community Youth Club (CYC); he represented his class in the school swimming gala; and he acted in the leading role in one of the school drama festivals. Clemens loved music. He played piano from the age of five with growing enthusiasm, and he was a member of the Hong Kong Children’s Choir for three years. After Clemens finished his primary education, he was admitted to La Salle College. Unfortunately he was diagnosed to be suffering from a brain tumour right before he could start Form 2. After one whole year of treatment and convalescence Clemens resumed school (Form 2) and worked and lived happily for one full term before his illness recurred and steadily took his life. For us, the last two years of Clemens’ life have been a time to be particularly remembered: Clemens had to grow up to face death without losing hope. And he did so bravely and beautifully even when the footsteps of fate were drawing near. Eventually, his body did give way, but his soul didn’t. Clemens’ life was brief, but full of ideals, sensitivity, grace and courage. He has been loved by so many people who have known him, and he will return them his love through the many beautiful memories we shared with him. As parents, Clemens’ affliction was of course the most heart-breaking story in our lives. The trauma we have lived through was beyond imagination. Yet, now in retrospect we realize that our experience in the last two years has not been all negative: Clemens’ illness has brought us closer to each other than ever. It gave us the chance to reflect more deeply on human relationship, on human finitude and religious yearning, on happiness and suffering, and on the different aspects of life and death. In the last two years, every day, every hour has been a torture and a treasure for us at once. We have learned to cherish moments of peace and happiness, although they were unavoidably tainted with a slice of tragic sentiment. The fleetingness of such moments of happiness induced in us an arduous longing for their eternity; and they do appear to us to be eternal, even till these days when our Clemens is gone. This was an experience that no book, no philosophy can teach us. Our friends have helped us in every possible manner. They have enriched us with true friendship, compassion and love. Their unfailing support has rekindled hope in us even in the darkest hours. We owe them too much! Being a La Salle boy, Clemens has always wanted to become a Catholic. This wish of him was finally fulfilled. Out of his own decision, he was baptized by Fr. Louis Ha three days before he left us. May he rest in peace in the way he himself has sought.
Biography
Brother Casimir L’Angelier was born on 6th May 1900 in Singapore. He belonged to a long-standing Catholic family. He received his early education in St Joseph’s Institution, Singapore. In 1916, he joined the de La Salle Brothers at the newly opened Novitiate in Kuala Lumpur. After completion of his training, Brother Casimir taught devotedly in Singapore and Malaysia. He was a principal for over 20 years. He arrived in La Salle College on 14th December 1969. Initially, he helped Brother Paul Sun (a Sacred Heart Brother) in St. Joseph’s Anglo-Chinese School. Due to the deterioration of health, he returned to help the La Salle Primary School. Brother suffered a stroke in 1971. He remained calm and patient, and totally resigned to God’s will. Brother Casimir passed away on 18th December 1975 at the age of 75. He is remembered for his humble and gentle soul as well as being the writer of the Scripture Manual for Form 1 and 2 students. (Copied from “Our Brothers” a publication of the LSCOBA in 2003)
Biography
As posted by OBA President, Bernard Kong: Condolences Posted by: Bernard Kong (76) Date: March 30, 2007 03:49PM Just receive sad news that Edward Lau (73) passed away this morning. Edward Lau is Senior Vice President and General Manager, Hong Kong, Manulife (International) Limited (MIL), responsible for the overall development of Manulife’s business operations in Hong Kong and Macau, including insurance, provident funds, and mutual fund businesses. May his soul rest in peace and let us pray for his family. Bernard Kong LSCOBA
Biography
Our beloved Lasallian, George Lau (Class of 67), aged 74, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2023.
George loved our school and was an active Old Boy. He would attend all San Francisco Chapter events: lunch gatherings, golf outings, spring dinners, etc. He would gladly drive out from his home in the city to even faraway places to join his fellow classmates for a nice time. Not to mention he joined every LSCOBA global reunion in different cities throughout these years.
George was always cheerful and supportive. We could always expect a great smile and warm greeting from him every time we met. He would support every La Salle-related charity and merchandise whenever they were available from our chapter, and would proudly wear them out in all our events.
He brought us so much great memories, and will always live in our hearts.
Thank you, George!
May you rest in peace in God’s embrace.
Obituary
George K. Lau, (74), of San Francisco, California, passed away on August 12, 2023. He was born to Joseph Ching Lau and Anna Yan Lau on September 17, 1948 in Hong Kong. He worked for the City and County of San Francisco for over 27 years prior to retiring as an accounting manager with the Department of Public Health in June 2010. He served as President of the San Francisco Fire Commission in 2008, Vice President of the Fire Commission in 2011, and President of the Fire Commission in 2012. George organized grassroot efforts to mobilize and raise civic awareness within the Chinese community. His commitment to civic engagement was reflected in his participation in numerous local organizations. George is survived by his wife, Amy Lau, his two children, Stephen and Sandra, and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother, Anna Yan Lau, and his sisters, Lai Ming Ma, Angela Lee, Agatha Mak, and Agnes Lau. He was predeceased by his father, Joseph Ching Lau.
Biography
Dear Lasallians, I am sorry to inform you that Lau Ka Hung, Francis (劉家雄) from Class of 1981 has passed away recently. Francis was a very loyal Old Boy of LSC and he will be surely remembered by many. Our prayers go to Francis and his family. For those who wish to get in touch with Francis’ brother, John, please call 23362985 or email to: secretary (at) lscoba.com. The following are the details of the Requiem Mass and funeral arrangements: 劉家雄 追思彌撒 : 九龍玫瑰堂 日期 : 11月23日 (星期一) 時間 : 晚上7時正 守夜日期 : 12月2日 (星期三) 地點 : 紅磡世盛殯儀 (地下永寧堂) 出殯日期 : 12月3日 (星期四) 出殯時間 : 上午 10-11 時出殯 May our Father receive Francis’ soul and let him rest in peace. Willie Wong Hon. Secretary of LSCOBA 2009-2010
Biography
Brother Dositheus Le Du was born on 17th February 1889 in France. He was transferred from St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong to La Salle College in 1938. He died in Malaysia.
Biography
Father James Lea, of the Hong Kong diocesan clergy, died at his home in the early morning on Tuesday, 13 July 1993, just two days after celebrating his 60th birthday. Father Lea was born on 11 July 1933, in Dublin, Ireland. In September of 1946, he entered the minor seminary at Longford to begin studies for the priesthood in the archdiocese of Dublin. While a student at Longford, he also enrolled in the faculty of philosophy at University College, Dublin where he eventually obtained his B.A. degree. In October of 1954, he was sent by his archbishop to the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome for theological studies. While there, he met a Hong Kong seminarian from the Beda College, Francis Hsu, who later became the first Chinese bishop of Hong Kong. This relationship helped spark an interest in Hong Kong and in November of 1957 while still a deacon, he was incardinated into the Hong Kong diocesan clergy. Father Lea was ordained a priest in Rome on 21 December 1957 and after the completion of his studies arrived in Hong Kong on 28 October 1958. The next two years were spent at Sedes Sapientiae House in Cheung Chau where he studied the Cantonese language. For the nest twelve years, Father Lea ministered as associate parish priest in Rosary Parish, Kowloon, the San Po Kong parish and Christ the Worker Parish in Jordan Valley. During this time he also acted as chaplain at La Salle College in Kowloon. In 1970 he began a long ministry as chaplain at the Kai Tak International Airport. At the same time he continued to both teach and act as chaplain at La Salle College and played a major role in the Hong Kong Legion of Mary. During the course of his years of ministry, Father James Lea made many friends who held him in very high regard. He will be deeply missed by all of there as well as by his fellow clergy in Hong Kong. His funeral Mass was held on Friday 16 July at St. Margaret’s Church in Happy Valley. Cardinal Wu was the main celebrant assisted by fifty concelebrating priests and many of his friends. His co-worker at the airport, Father Patrick O’Regan, SVD, paid fitting tribute in his eulogy to Father Lea’s years of service in the diocese. After the Mass, burial took place at the Catholic Cemetery in Happy Valley. *Birth in Ireland: [11 July 1933] *Ordination: [21 December 1957] *Death in Hong Kong: [13 July 1993] *House of Studies, Cheung Chau: [1959] *Rosary Church, Kowloon: Vicar Cooperator [1960], [1961] *La Salle College: Assistant [1962], [1963], [1964], [1965], [1966] *Mother of Good Counsel, San Po Kong: Assistant [1968] *Christ the Worker’s Chapel, Ngau Tau Kok: Assistant [1969] *La Salle College: [1970] – [1977] *Sacred Heart Chapel (R.A.F.Chapel), Kai Tak: [1970] – [1993] Information obtained from http://archives.catholic.org.hk/memory/J-Lea.htm Father Lea’s grave is located in St Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley. The remains have been exhumed and are now placed in the wall behind the Chapel (outside the Chapel).
Contributed by: | Ignatius Wong (1981 F7) 2006-03-13 05:33:15 |
Description: | Father Lea’s command of the English language was very inspiring. At Form 6 and 7, he was our Ethics teacher. One day he came into the classroom, greeted us and was greeted by us, and then proceeded to write two words on the blackboard: “facetious”, and “abstemious”, and asked us to find the similarities between them. We quickly turned to our dictionaries and all other means possible, but to no avail. At the end of the class, he pointed out the obvious: that the two words contain all the vowels, a-e-i-o-u, and in order. “Now,” said Father, “try this on the DBS boys.” Another time during Ethics class, he spoke softly about an incident that had happened at school, the details of which I can’t remember. But what he did say I remembered for life. “Don’t curse the darkness, but light up a candle.” These words have been my guiding star for many years to come. Thank you Father. |
Contributed by: | Tommy Chan (77) 2005-12-30 17:52:22 |
Description: | Father Lea always like to ask us funny questions during English lesson , eg,”What is LOYAL ?” Of course,no one knew or had the guts to answer his question in English . After moment of silence and all our heads kept down,he would give us the answer with his usual similing face , “LOYAL is LOYAL !” We have learned this simple way or trick of answering from him. Whenever any of us had the guts to use this simple way to answer his funny questions,he always seemed to be contended with his usual smiling face. I miss Father Lea !! |
Contributed by: | Victor Cheung (89 AL) 2004-12-25 22:51:16 |
Description: | It’s rattlingly sad to learn that Father Lea has passed away. He will always be remembered for his sense of humour and pleasant personality. A lot of funny memories are still sticking in my mind and I will certainly treasure them in my life. His jokes and smiling face will always be remembered by all those people who knew him. |
Contributed by: | Mark Huang (85) 2004-06-29 23:37:23 |
Description: | At Form 7, classmates were busy burning the midnight oil for readying themselves for the coming A-levels. Often students would fall asleep at ethics class, resting their head on the desk. Fr Lea never raised his voice (and he was kind of understanding). He would very gently say, “Anyone who would like to read the next passage, please put his head on his desk.” Then at final / mock exams for A levels, most students did not use their precious time to revise for the ethics exams. Many learnt the trick to pass the exam: once the test paper is received, the students would dictate the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be continuously for the duration of the exam. No student every failed that test when writing the exam like that. It’s well known Father Lea’s English was impeccable. Once he saw a student using a dictionary that was, in his views, not of a very good standard. He went to the boy, held up his book and said: “This dictionary is not so good. Maybe you should find a DBS student, and hand it to him and nicely say to him, “送俾你” (soong bei lei) (A gift for you)”. Fr Lea said it in his rarely used Cantonese, and I can still remember the broad cheeky smile on his face, clearly enjoying his own joke as much as we did. May God be as gracious to dear Father Lea’s soul as he was to us! RIP, Father Lea. We miss you. |
Contributed by: | David Hsu (1973) 2004-06-29 13:37:12 |
Description: | Father Lea was our form master of F3A of 71-72. His English vocabulary is astounding and whenever he introduces new vocabularies, we have to raise our hands and ask him to explain the meaning. As those English words are just not in the lexican dictionary there is no way we could get the meaning. He is kindhearted and never did spank any students except asking the student to stand on the chair for first offence and to stand on the table if of more serious offence. Can you visualise standing on the table and Rev Bro Casimir doing the routine walking the corridor exercise. It is the most scarry mind boggling treat. |
Contributed by: | Lee Fong 2004-06-28 18:41:18 |
Description: | I think Father Lea used to teach at a girl’s school before joining LSC. He said girls were very emotional so he preferred to teach boy’s school. |
Biography
Bruce entered La Salle College in September 1951 at the age of 11, reading Class 8 (equilivant to Primary 5). [La Salle Primary School was non-existant then] La Salle College was then located in Perth Street, as the school building was taken over by the British Government. Bruce left La Salle in June 1956. Therefore Bruce never studied in the La Salle Road campus, which the school returned to from Perth Street only in 1959.
Contributed by: | Chan Yuk Cheung (1958) 2004-12-23 11:44:59 |
Description: | Brace Lee was the first person I had a fight in my life. I gave him a black eye!!! When I told my friends that I gave Bruce Lee a black eye nobody believe in me! Indeed I did. It happened about primary 5 or 6 at that time. I was playing marbles with a group of friends while he was doing shot put. The problem was he tried to throw his lead ball right into our marble ring. We moved to a new area of the football field and he followed us throwing his heavy lead ball right into the middle of our marble games. We pleaded with him not to spoil our game but he refused. Eventually I got so mad that I attached him physically, the first time in my life. I had never fought anymore fight in my life! Knowing Bruce Lee’s past behaviour in school (I thought) the principal did not punish me at all. His brother, Lee Chung Sum my classmate was not angry with me and I continue to be his and Bruce’s friend especially within the Boy Scout 17th Kowloon. I suppose that his father got him to learn Chinese boxing after that incident. See my contribution to his bright future! Ha! Ha! Ha! I remember visiting his home or where he was practising his Wing Chun Boxing(?) with a type of wooden stilt and a few branches extending out from the main wooden post. I also remember him presending good acting during our normal campfire evening during the Scout camping nights. I was impressed with his acting as a monkey trainer getting his monkey to dance with a rope around its neck. Later on I tried to imitate that particular act with serious flop. “Wor Chun Kiang Si Dai Li Nai (I bring you all the way from Kiang Si to do the dancing etc…)” My acting skill was far behind his that nobody in the audience laughed at all! Bruce was a good actor and fighter in his earlier years. I gave him a black eye only because he had not started learning his Kung Fu. I miss him and all the fine time together during the Scouting contact. |
Biography
A Requiem Mass for Mr. John Richard Lee, our beloved teacher and loyal old boy, was held on 10th December 2003. JR Lee, as he is usually referred to, passed away on 21st November 2003. The requiem mass was attended by Mr Lee’s family, Brother Thomas, Brother Patrick and over 30 old boys in the School Chapel. A special Memorial Book with 73 messages from old boys all over the world was presented to his family.
Contributed by: | Brian Ho 2014-01-22 10:34:58 |
Description: | Mr Lee was my formmaster of 5S2 in 1973. Every day, he delivered a nice short story to the class first thing in the morning. Many stories were about life, in addition to augmented English instruction. Mr Lee stressed that, if he did not teach us the proper way, other people in the workplace would laugh behind us instead of correcting us. |
Contributed by: | Edwin Kwok 2009-11-16 17:57:55 |
Description: | “STUDY YOUR SPECIAL BOOK AND YOU WILL GET CREDIT!” I FOLLOWED HIS INSTRUCTION AND I GOT THE CREDIT IN THE EXAMINATION. LEARNING FROM HIS ENTHUSIASTIC WAY OF TEACHING, I GOT MORE CREDITS IN MY LIFE. THANKS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! |
Contributed by: | Matthew WU 2007-06-23 11:18:05 |
Description: | I echo K Leung’s description on Mr Lee. He has his unique and effective way of teaching English. He bought different items to class and taught us a new word. One stunning example of the items was an axe. The other thing is that, he taught us by our mistakes and asked us to write it down in a “Special book”. My “special books” are still well kept at home. Thanks Mr Lee. Class of 5D 1982. |
Contributed by: | K Leung 2005-10-01 15:42:08 |
Description: | John Richard Lee is the first teacher who really taught me how to make good use of a Dictionary. He always insisted that we should look up a dictionary when in doubt of the meaning, pronunciation or where the stress should rest…thus correcting a lot of our mistakes and most importantly, he taught us to how to learn for ourselves. Thanks again my teacher, I’ll always remember you as an insisting and enlightening teacher. Class of S.4 1978 |
Biography
Peter Lee (58), second from left
Peter Lee (58), the elder brother of Bruce Lee (60) and Robert Lee (66), passed away of a heart attack on 3rd September 2008 at the age of 69. Peter’s Chinese name was Lee Chung Sum. Peter is arguably one of the all-time greatest fencers of our school. He was the Hong Kong colony champion, and among other competitions, he represented Hong Kong in the Commonwealth Games in Wales, United Kingdom, in 1958. Quoting from the “Sons of La Salle” school history book relating to Peter and his fencing team: – quote – La Salle began fencing in the late 50s, and won the Championship in the first interschool Fencing Competition in March 1958. Peter Lee (58), the elder brother of Bruce Lee, was the Colony Champion-at-Arms, and represented Hong Kong on a number of occasions. Peter was both fencer and coach to the La Salle Fencing Team, which later started a streak of winning the Interschool Fencing Championship from 1968,, amassing eleven victories in the next thirteen years. – unquote – Peter was not only a top athlete, but also a scholar. He worked in the government as an Assistant Director of the then Royal Observatory. He later migrated to Australia. Peter also taught in La Salle College for a time in the 1960s. Peter had two brothers and also two sisters. May Peter’s soul rest in peace. In the fencers photo, Peter is the second student from the right. In the group photo of the staff of the Royal Observatory (1983), Peter is fourth seated person from the right, with a hallmark La Salle student photo pose of crossed arms. (Old Boys, please offer any additional information on Peter, as we currently do not have much more. 8th September 2008) PS: thanks to Clement Chan (87) for pointing out some errors in the information, which have been rectified.
Contributed by: | djuro george madjarevic 2013-09-13 17:42:47 |
Description: | please,i need more information about peter lee and bruce jun fan lee school days. and more true facts! thanks and heartly greetings from island of krk north dalmatia croatia europe |
Contributed by: | Clement Chan (1987) 2008-09-11 00:18:05 |
Description: | Two more photos of Peter can be found here: http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/news/2004/pre0218c.htm |
Contributed by: | Clement Chan (1987) 2008-09-09 10:58:54 |
Description: | According to the recent interview of his ex-wife, Mary Cheung, Peter was only Assistant Director but not the “Head” of the Royal Observatory. Another proof is as follows: http://www.hko.gov.hk/abouthko/history/directors_c.htm The Directors were all Britons during Peter’s serving period. But we can also locate him in this old photo as follows: http://www.hko.gov.hk/abouthko/history/photos/gp_1983.jpg The gentleman who sit at the fourth from right is obviously Peter. May he rest in peace. |
Biography
Contributed by: | Lee Fong 2004-06-28 19:05:55 |
Description: | Was Lawrence a Physics teacher? I thought he’s a Science teacher. Some teachers said he’s an adept martial fighter and a Chi Kung master. When RE teacher Kwok sir suffered from diabetes, Leung used Chi Kung to heal him. |
Biography
The following was shared by Paul Liu (87), posted by Constantine Au (87) on 23-Sep-2002 Dear All LaSallians, (especially those from class of 1987) Our dear friend, Li Siu Hung Gabriel (class of 1987), (also known as So Gwa Gwa) our Valedictorian (if we have that kind of a tradition, he would have been the one, as he is the one having 8As and 1B in HKCEE) passed away on 29th August, 2002. He was a Ph.D. Graduate in Applied Physics from Stanford University and have co-founded Bandwidth9 Inc. in Pala Alto. After suffering from Glioblastoma Multiforme (a form of Brian Cancer) for two years, God finally set him free and wanted him back in Heaven. May he rest in peace.
Biography
The following is contributed by Clarence Ng (1969) in April 2010.
Mr. Liao’s Chinese name was 廖日新. He taught F.1 and F.2 students in a variety of subjects. Mr. Liao taught me Bible History. He read stories from the Old Testament to the class with his soft baritone voice. And among all the Bible stories he told in the class, the story of Samson was my favorite one. He was a very nice gentleman, and he took care of students. I remembered, once in a rainy cold evening, he offered me a car ride from the Majestic Dome to my home in his personal vehicle. I would still like to say thanks to him again, today.
After LSC, Mr. Liao assisted Bro. Felix at the new De La Salle Secondary School, Fanling, New Territories.
Biography
The following announcement was made on 10 September 2006: Dear All I just received an email from Brnadan Lim (84). I am saddened to share the passing away of Mrs Rosalina Lim, at the age of 94. Mrs Lim passed away peacefully in Baltimore, Maryland, USA on 8 Sep. She was 94 years old. Mrs Lim was exceptionally close to the La Salle family, and the Lim family is probably one of the closest families connected to HK La Salle. Besides being an LSPS teacher in the 60s and 70s, Mrs Lim was also the wife of Mr Benedict “Tiger” Lim, who was a teacher in our St Joseph’s Branch School, Chatham Road, TST (1917-1931), and he was one of the first teachers to teach in La Salle College starting December 1931. Mr and Mrs Lim had two sons, Oswald and Basil, who attended LSC in the 50s, and in turn, their sons also attended La Salle in the 1980s. The funeral will be held next Saturday in Baltimore, USA. However, the family does not plan to have any ceremonies or memorials in Hong Kong. Let us pray for the soul of Mrs Lim. Grant her, Lord, eternal rest. And let everlasting light shine upon her. Please grant peace and comfort to the Lim’s at this time of sadness. With sadness and warm regards, Mark Huang
Biography
Brother Sebastian Lim was one of the pioneer-staff of La Salle College. He devoted his life in educating the youth in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore for over 35 years. Brother Sebastian served as a teacher, Prefect of Boarders and supervisor of primary schools. He later became the Principal of St. Anthony’s School, Singapore in 1966. Then Brother Sebastian returned to La Salle College for a short while teaching Catechumen class, before he was forced to retire to Malaysia due to illness. He was a small man in size but had a big heart. Thousands of students were impressed by his devotion to education and his kindness. The school library of the old La Salle Primary School, Hong Kong was named after him. Brother Sebastian passed away in Penang on 8th October 1969.
Biography
Mr. Francis Xavier Loo’s Chinese name was 盧錦倫. Upon finishing his high school education in Hong Kong, he went to study in the United Kingdom. After obtaining a diploma from a UK University, with a major in business administration, he lived and worked in the UK for many years before returning to Hong Kong.
At La Salle College, Mr. F.X. Loo was a devoted HKCEE English guru and an award winning boy scout leader. With over 20 years experience with HKCEE, he compiled every English structure question and answer into his classroom lecture notes. For each HKCEE English composition topics, Mr. F.X.Loo was the only teacher that would write sample essays and distribute them to the students. He trained every student and practiced with him on a one-on-one basis for the oral portion of the HKCEE. For his dedicated commitment to prepare every student’s English conversation examination, quite often he would have gone beyond the classroom. That was the way Mr. F.X.Loo had helped hundreds of La Salle boys passing HKCEE English with Distinctions and Credits, making LSC one of the most reputable English language achievement programs in Hong Kong; at the same time he nurtured LSC into a prestigious school in Hong Kong.
He signed his name as X.Loo, and most of the students called him X.Loo, and all the students should have known him by that name.
< Information supplied by Clarence Ng (69) >
Biography
The following is contributed by Clarence Ng (1969) in April 2010.
Mr. Mann taught F.1 and F.2 Chinese at La Salle College in the early 1960s. He was one of the oldest teachers for the youngest boys at our school. Mr. Mann was born in the Qing dynasty and grown up genuinely in classical Chinese literature and Confucian education. His experience was teaching a variety of schools in China, including rural village schools, schools for the blind, and etc. The subjects he taught was mainly reading and writing Chinese.
He was the most talkative teacher in the classroom, but it did not mean he was always teaching. Most of the time, he was simply complaining that students did not respect elderly people (teachers), the same way as he did, when he was a kid. When he stood on the podium to lecture, he used artistic hand movements, very similar to crane style kung fu and/or a puppet show artist. Those made most students laugh. It must be the experience he acquired when he was teaching at rural village schools in China. He played seek and hide with students, and tried to tell jokes during the class section like a comedian. But his jokes were average and he upset some people to create those jokes.
Those old boys who had Mr. Mann as his Chinese teacher would likely remember him as an old style freelance comedian with his amazing artistic hand gestures, who likes to perform an entertaining show for young children.
Biography
Brother James Marcian, son of James Cullen, was born in Ireland on 31 August 1868. He never actually served in La Salle College, but it is believed that Brother Marcian composed the lyrics of the School Song. It is known that he also wrote the lyrics of many other Lasallian schools in Asia, including that of our sister school, St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong. Bro Marcian served two terms as Director of St Xavier’s Institute, Malaysia, the first was from 1912 to 1915, succeeding Brother James and the second for a brief period in 1917. Brother Marcian was greatly revered by many people as Novice Haster at the Novitiate in Pulau Tikus, Penang. He died on 2 September 1938 in Hong Kong at the age of seventy. See also: http://www.geocities.com/smi_ipoh_online/smi/history/Our-past2.html
Biography
Ronald Douglas Maxwell (aka Roy) was a student of La Salle College in the 1930s. Like many young men in Hong Kong in the early 1940s, he joined the Hong Kong Volunteer Defense Corps (HKVDC) to defend Hong Kong against Japanese invasion in December 1941. Roy was Eurasian, and belonged to No.3 Company, where many other Lasallians were posted.
During the battle against the invading Japanese, on 23 December 1941, Roy was with his company in Wanchai guarding a post, and he kept looking out for the Japanese invaders. Arthur Gomes (33) recalls that Roy’s fellow soldiers told him to keep his head down, as there were Japanese snipers around. Before he had a chance to listen, Roy was shot in the head by a Japanese sniper and died immediately.
Three of his fellow comrades, including George Roylance and William (Willie) Sprinkle (St Joseph’s OBs) carried his body to Club Lusitano in Central, and consulted the commander on what to do. On checking the records, it was Roy’s wish to be buried in a Church ground. The closest church was the St John’s (Anglican) Cathedral along Garden Road, and so they brought the body there. There they found a foxhole (a defensive fighting positions large enough for a soldier’s entire body and his equipment), and so they deepened the hole and lay Roy’s body to rest there.
After the war in 1945, Roy’s family was ask if they wished to relocate Roy’s remains to the Sai Wan Commonwealth War Cemetery. Roy’s mother did not prefer the relocation as she would be farther away from the grave and would not be able to visit it regularly. Her wishes were respected, and Roy’s remains stayed where they were first laid to rest.
Even though the grounds was an Anglican Church, Roy was in fact a Roman Catholic, like many of his Lasallian classmates. According to the Church, it is the only known grave there.
According to Arthur Gomes (33) a gravestone was prepared for Roy at Sai Wan Commonwealth War Cemetery, but since his remains were not moved, his grave there remained empty, and the grave stone there states that he is buried within the Cathedral grounds.
In the book, “Streets-Exploring Hong Kong Island”, author Jason Wordie shared the following:
Roy Maxwell’s grave
Within the grounds of the Cathedral, under a spreading tree and surrounded by low chain railing, lies the grave of Private Roy Maxwell, a local Eurasian serving in the Hong Kong Volunteer Defense Corps, who was killed in Wan Chai on 23 December 1941, two days before the British surrendered to the Japanese.
Maxwell was buried here shortly afterwards by three of his fellow Volunteers who were with him when he was killed. Surrounded by a low chain-mail fence, Maxwell’s is the only known grave in the Cathedral precinct. Maxwell has another gravestone at Sai Wan Commonwealth War Cemetery, which records that he is buried within the cathedral grounds.
End of quote
Here are details found on Maxwell in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Mrs. C.E. Maxwell of Kowloon, Hong Kong. Alternative Commemoration – buried in Hong Kong (St. John’s) Cathedral Grounds.
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Hong Kong Volunteer Defense Corps
Age: 22
Date of Death: 23/12/1941
Service No: 3176
Additional information: Son of Mrs. C.E. Maxwell of Kowloon, Hong Kong. Alternative Commemoration – buried in Hong Kong (St. John’s) Cathedral Grounds.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. E. 21.
Cemetery: SAI WAN WAR CEMETERY
An anecdote from Arthur Gomes: although Roy was Eurasian, he had dark hair and had a Chinese look.
At the time of writing this section (13 December 2006), Roy’s elder sister, Gladys and younger sister, Nancy, are together living in the USA. Two other sisters, Kathleen and Connie, and Roy’s parents, have passed away.
Updated by Mark Huang (85) on 13 December 2006.
April 2010 update
The grave of Maxwell was redone in February 2010.
Source of Grave Stone photo:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maxwell_Tombstone.jpg