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“...C
CHEFOO SCHOOLS ASSOCIA
DECEMBER,
1942....”
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“...CHEFOO SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
Presidents :
Mr. & Mrs. F. McCarthy.
Vice-Presidents :
Miss L. Blackmore. Mr. F. H. Rhodes.
Mr. D. E. Hoste. Mr. H. G. Judd.
Rev. W. H. Aldis. Miss E. Rice.
And the Principals of the Chefoo Schools : Mr. P. A. Bruce (Boys’ and Girls' Schools). Miss A. Carr (Prep. School).
GREAT BRITAIN BRANCH COMMITTEE. Chairman :
Mr. W. D. Mudditt,
26, Berkeley Court, Coley Avenue, Reading, Berks.
Ex-Officio :
Mr. H. F. Joyce,
Brook Cottage, Scrase Bridge, Haywards Heath, Sussex.
Hon. Secretary :
Mr. J. S. Green,
C.I.M., Newington Green, London, N.I6.
Hon. Treasurer :
Mr. B. B. Burnett,
59 Lenmore Avenue, Grays, Essex.
Editor :
Mr. J. G. Weller,
14 Lichfield Road, Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey.
News Editor :
Miss Mary Weller,
Hornsey Central Hospital, Park Road, Crouch End, London, N.8.
Mr. D. Barling. Miss G. Briscoe. Mr. E. H. Weller
Mr. J. M. Slimmon. Miss E. J. Williamson Miss W. G. Rouse.
Scottish Secretary :
Miss M. Findlay,
c/o 72 Marchmont Road, Edinburgh, 9.
China Secretary:...”
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“...which had been delayed, but we hope to be in time to wish you all a Happy New Year, if not a Merry Christmas. The prospect before us is certainly brighter than it has been ; but while we rejoice with those who have good news to share—and, especially, welcome those who have arrived home by the re-patriation parties—we sorrow with others who, during the past few months, have suffered (or still suffer) anxiety or bereavement. In particular we shall remember in our prayers the staff and children at Chefoo in their present difficult situation ; news of them is contained in this news-letter and our thanks are due to those who have contributed it.
This letter also brings the sad news of the resignation of Howard Joyce from the office of Honorary Secretary to the C.S.A. It would be impertinent to remind you of the debt which the Association owes to Howard. For twenty years now he has been its moving spirit and no-one among us is more beloved. Although he has resigned, you will see from the list of...”
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“...the Secretaryship but he insists that it be only for the duration of the war. It is very noble of him to come to our help and we are very grateful to him. He is John Green, a member of our Committee and a staunch old Chefusian. Members must not imagine that he has plenty of spare time but, like many of us, he is very fully occupied in Civil Defence duties. However, in his post as Accountant of the C.I.M. he is in an excellent position for keeping in touch with the activities of O.C’s and the Chefoo Schools. Furthermore, for the time being, he will have the able assistance of Ernest Weller who is living nearby.
Therefore, will all members please note that all future communications for the Secretary should be sent to John Green at the address given in the list of officers in this issue. Subscriptions
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“...by thanking you for all your loyal help in the past and by asking you to give your support to those who now direct the affairs of the Association.
Yours very sincerely,
HOWARD JOYCE.
REPORT OF THE
Melbourne Chefoo Re-union
held at the C.I.M. Home in December, 1941.
The reunion was the most representative gathering yet held in Melbourne. Chefoo years 1905 to 1941 were represented. We sang the good old songs such as “ Parent comes to Chefoo ”, played games on the lawn and indoors, and had charades, as usual. The appreciation of those present for the generous hospitality of the Home was expressed to Miss Batterham by Alf Pike, who also resigned his position as Secretary. New officers were elected, and after supper Jack Burgess led family worship during which the crisis involving Chefoo was specially remembered.
Those present were :
Mrs. Boxer (Alice Stevens) ; Jack and Rene Burgess,; Graham McKie ; Ina (Trudinger) Meares ; Mrs. Bailer ; Beth (Herbert) Eton ; Alf Pike and his fiancee Armis...”
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“...effect that the negotiations for the removal of the schools to
Shanghai have not succeeded and the entire school, together with foreign residents in Chefoo, have been interned in the Presbyterian Mission Compound in Chefoo.
From Mr. S. Gordon Martin : points and passages from a letter written on July 10th 1942, about end-of-term activities.
Towards the end of June . . . “ came word that hustled us forward. A British evacuation boat would be leaving shortly : everything must be advanced a week. . . . The boys and girls rose to the situation, as they always do.
“ ... So with the Pyramid and the singing of ‘ Lord of all power and might ’ ended another Open Day Drill. Gloriously normal, thank God, who hears your prayers for us. The boys
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“...has been for a year or two. The three men with whom I have had to do in connection with these boating matters are pleasant and even friendly . . .
“ Yesterday—the Sunday after term—was an exceedingly happy day with the baptism of 19 boys and girls. We are looking forward to C.S.S.M. services about the middle of August, not on the shore.
“ So join us in praising God, and be at rest in Him about us.”
From Lady Beauchamp : now back in England from Chefoo, after being repatriated :
At the out-break of hostilities between Britain and Japan we in Chefoo were at once guarded night and day by Japanese at our gates and sometimes Chinese guards were appointed. Mr. Bruce and other heads of banks and business were all taken to ” prison ” and lodged in one of the hotels, Astor House. They were there for the two coldest months of the year with hardly any firing and inadequate food. However, they were then released,
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“... we could go in and out as we liked from daylight to dark. Other places were more strictly treated. Almost every day Japanese soldiers came round investigating and measuring and generally, making a nuisance of themselves, but fortunately they are very fond of children and used to play around with the Prep-ites. We were put on strict rations at once and as we had money and supplies in store we were able to make ends meet till in March the Japanese offered all British and American residents in Chefoo a scheme of relief. After prayer about this matter we were led to reply that we had laid in a certain reserve of money and supplies, and as our principle was not to ask for money, we declined their help with thanks looking to God Almighty to
supply our need. In wonderful ways the Lord supplied all our needs and opened channels for obtaining money.
A day or two after war broke out the Japanese sent us a document telling us that we were now enemy nationals and that we must behave ourselves, etc...”
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“...In Memoriam.
DAWN KING.
Many Chefusians will feel keenly the loss of their friend Dawn King, who died suddenly on September 27th. She was at Chefoo from 1927-1936, where she did well with her studies and was loved and respected by staff and girls alike. After arriving in England, she attended Camden School for two years and from there won an exhibition to Royal Holloway College.
Dawn has been my friend since we started at the Girls’ School in Chefoo. She was one of the staunchest Christians I have ever known. We met quite frequently after coming to England, and every time of meeting left me refreshed and strengthened in spirit, brought nearer to the Lord Jesus Christ whom she served so whole-heartedly. I can only think of her now as gloriously delivered into His presence and serving Him in fulness of joy. “ His servants shall serve Him.”
Our deepest sympathies go out to all her family, and particularly to her Mother in China. M.W.
ALFRED MOORE.
Mrs. Esther Moore writes: ” My dear Alfred...”
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“...for Christmas. He has got in touch with JACK SCHLICHTER who is in the Canadian Army, but has not been able to meet him. According to the latest news, written in May, MR. and MRS. CROFT and JOAN have been allowed to stay in their own house in Tientsin.
JEAN DILLEY was married last September and is now Mrs. Harry Wooding. Her husband is a Presbyterian minister in Cedar City, Utah. MRS. DILLEY left Chefoo at Easter and arrived in America in August.
P. J. DOHERTY is still teaching at Eversfield Preparatory School for Boys at Solihull, near Birmingham. The school has many similar traditions to Chefoo. He would like news of “ PAT ” GROSART, “ SODA ” and “ TOBY.”
MR. and MRS. J. N. DUNCAN bought a cottage in W. Somerset last July, and moved in in August. Their home is on the main Bristol-Exeter road next-door to the conspicuous Blackbird Inn, 2 miles from Wellington and 5 from Taunton. Any Chefusian travelling that way will find a welcome.
MONICA EARLE is teaching in a school in Trinidad. ROSEMARY...”
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“...last January to HOWARD JOYCE. Here are some extracts :
“ I am at the University of Toronto still, demonstrating for the Biology department, and acting as a don for a women’s residence belonging to one of the University colleges, i.e., Victoria College. When my M.A. in General Physiology is completed this coming Spring, I’m going to return home to dear old G.B. . . .
“ You’ll be interested to know that a party of ten of us, organised by Mary Nicoll went carol-singing on Christmas Eve, in the old Chefoo tradition. Let’s see — there were Priscilla and Margaret Fische, Myrtle Ludbrook, Mary and Rachel Nicoll, Marion Harris, Kay and Marion Rouse, and Mary Kirk and myself. We tootled about all over the city, and were out four hours. We hired a taxi, and I drove a borrowed car. It was colossal fun, and we had numerous humourous adventures en route. Amongst other folks we visited the C.I.M., the Rists, and Millie Graham (nee Oldfield). But were our voices sore at the end ? . . .
”... I forgot to mention...”
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“...Finals in Physics, which is her subsidiary subject for her Honours Degree. As she is going to teach, she will not be called up. KATHLEEN has passed “ Higher.” Mr. and Mrs. Pailing were to have been repatriated and so left Tsinan for Shanghai but plans were altered and they have not been able to come. They are camping out with other would-be repatriates at the American Country Club and are quite enjoying the communal life. They have been well treated. They have met several people connected with Chefoo : MR. and MRS. CLARKE and DAVID, the SKEWES family, the CLAYTONS, MRS. PARRY and JOHN STURT.
REGINALD PARROTT is in the Middle East and is well. He is a Lieutenant in the Buffs. Mr. Parrott is in Shanghai. Mrs. Parrott was holidaying in New Zealand when the Japanese occupied Shanghai ; she reached England on August 25th but was bitterly disappointed in missing Reg by three weeks.
From DAVID PARRY, with the Corps of Signals in Iran, comes the following airgraph message, dated 11/10/42 :
“ I have...”
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“...Wentworth, Yorkshire, with her youngest daughter ; her other two girls are in the W.L.A. and her husband is a Major in the Army.
DORIS and MURIEL ROUSE have been in a flat on their own since March and really enjoy looking after themselves. DONALD ROUSE (Winifred’s brother) is missing from the raid on Dieppe. He was in the Royal Rgt. of Canada. The latest news of MR. ROUSE and OLIVE is that they were well and living in their own house in Chefoo. Mr. Rouse is Secretary of the Chefoo Mutual Aid Society which looks after the interests of the British in Chefoo.
STANLEY ROWE has been passed by a Selection Board for training at a R. Signals O.C.T.U. and is expecting a move soon. He has heard from his Mother, who is in Shanghai.
MABEL SEARLES (nee FORCEY) writes : “ For myself, I am still a
mere housewife trying to help the war by saving salvage and fuel ! We now have a son, by name Robert Ashley, who has just reached the
great age of eight months. He is a great little fellow with enormous feet...”
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“...in England on October llth on one of the repatriation ships, writes : ” I was at Chefoo from
1896 to 1906. My wife and I are C.M.S. missionaries in Hangchow, where our daughter EVELYN (Chefoo 1932-41) has been home with us for a year. We were well treated in Hangchow but were included in the repatriation party which left Shanghai on August 4th. Our son NOEL travelled to Lorenco Marques on the second repatriation vessel, where he found us waiting for him. The Japanese allowed five children to come down from Chefoo to join this party, CALVIN, LUTHER and ATHENE COOK, JOHN STURT and NOEL TAYLOR and they all joined their parents waiting for them at Lorenco Marques. The Cooks stayed in South Africa and the Sturts went to New Zealand. FAITH CLAYTON also accompanied the Burdett family (British Consul at Chefoo) home, having perforce to leave her parents and sister behind in Shanghai till “ next time.” Other Chefoo residents evacuated were MRS. MACMULLAN, the BIRDS of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank...”
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“...Merchant Marine, having served for some seventeen months. His boat was torpedoed and sunk off the Barbados in May. After eight days in a life boat he and his small party reached the Barbados and thence were trans-shipped to New Orleans. He has been in New York for about eight weeks waiting trans-shipment to the British Isles. We had tea together, followed by a short walk down by the Hudson River and then, finally, supper.
“ I mention this incident because it appears to me there are other sons of Chefoo parents who might be similarly stranded during these trying days in New York. If so, I, for one, should be very glad to do what I can to make them feel at home. I have written Rhoda expressing my pleasure over her suggestion to John that he make this call on me. My name is in the New York telephone directory, so I am not difficult to locate.”
FERN GRIFFIN is taking a business course and living at the C.I.M. Home in Philadelphia. (Her father has recently been appointed Assistant Home Director...”
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“...HARRIS—a small bungalow in a suburban area of Toronto. Fresh air, rest and plenty of rice helped Mary to gain three pounds (according to the Clinton Street School scales !)
A short and unexpected Chefoo Reunion was held on a street-car in Montreal between VERA ARENDT and JACK SCHLICHTER.
JACK SCHLICHTER has joined the Canadian Army.
MARY KIRK has a position in the photographic department of the Banting Institute, Toronto, and is thrilled with her work.
PRISCILLA and MARGARET FISH are both in the second year of the Pass Course at the University of Toronto.
IRENE BANNAN is working for the New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville, Tennessee, mostly among young people. She has also some duties connected with the Presbyterian College in that city. Irene recently met DR. and MRS. BRYAN from Chefoo.
PHYLLIS MARY BANNAN attended a six-weeks summer school at Columbia University, New York. She has a Fellowship in History and is continuing her studies towards a Ph. D. at the Western Reserve University...”
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“...doubt!—Ed.)
JOHN HERBERT is the proud father of a recently-arrived son.
BETH (HERBERT) ETON has returned from China and is not allowed to return there owing to ill health. She is now improving.
DORIS JAMIESON is in a Bank at Wangaratta.
GWEN JAMIESON is in the Department of Information, Canberra.
WINIFRED LACK is teaching at “ Abbotsleigh ”—a school for girls in Sydney. She recently had a most entertaining holiday with CONNIE WEBSTER at one of the seaside resorts. They had a Chefoo week-end when a number of the Chefoo Sydney-siders visited them.
BETTY LEWIS has been in Sydney for some time, and we understand she is still there.
PEGGY (LYONS) ROBERTS has evacuated temporarily from Brisbane to Bendigo with her three youngsters.
RUFUS LYONS is a hospital attendant in an Adelaide Hospital.
FAMIE LYONS is night sister at the Bendigo Base Hospital.
JEANNIE LYONS is the Accountant at the Hanro Knitting Mills, Bendigo.
MARY MATHEWS is now schoolteaching at the Hospital for the After-Care of Infantile...”
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