Adventures of Young James Brooke (Part 1)

Most of us know the story of Sarawak under the Brooke family. Even those who didn't pay much attention in class back then would vaguely remember being told that it all started in August 1839. That was when the English adventurer James Brooke sailed up the Sarawak River and first sighted the rows of attap houses that make up the city we now call Kuching. The rest, as they say, is history.

Well, I have often wondered about the story of James Brooke BEFORE that time ... What was he like as a child? Where did he live? What were his parents like? What kind of early education did he receive? What about his social life? Any girlfriends or boyfriends? What about the time he spent in India and England and Burma (where he fought and was wounded) and other parts he spent time in before he came to Sarawak?

I'm talking about the story before the story we all knew. In Hollywood terms, I believe it's known as a prequel. They did it for Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker, Sherlock Holmes, Bruce Lee  ... so why not Mr Brooke? 

So I have started a bit of research on this, and over a series of postings I'd like to share what I have found so far. I'll also need your help. I welcome any new information you have come across on this theme, so that together we may piece together what could be a most interesting story.

Anyway let's begin ...

Childhood in India

James Brooke was born on 29 April 1803 in Secrore, a suburb of Benares in India. He was the second son of English judge (of the High Court of India) Thomas Brooke, and Anna Maria Stuart, who was born in Hertfordshire. She was the illegitimate daughter of Scottish peer Colonel William Stuart, 9th Lord Blantyre, and his mistress Harriott Teasdale.

James Brooke lived in India for the first 12 years of his life. I am still looking for details of his childhood life here, which I reckon would be pretty comfortable given his father's status. I will try to delve into this in more detail in future posting.

Anyway at age 12, he was sent back to attend school in England. 


James Brooke in School

So it was around 1815 that James Brooke started school at Norwich Grammar School (see map above to locate Norwich).  The school is a very old one and still there, apparently doing quite well. 

This is the school crest. You can find out more about Norwich School by clicking on HERE or THERE..

The school boasts some fine architecture. Below you see the school chapel, which I believe was already there during James Brooke's time.

Norwich School Chapel

Norwich Grammar School is closely associated with Norwich Cathedral

(original construction of which began in 1096, was completed in 1145,

and the final stone spire was erected in 1480)

At the time the headmaster was Mr. Edward Valpy (a brother of the famous Dr. Valpy of Reading).  During Brooke's school days Dr. Samuel Parr, who at one time had been the headmaster, was a frequent visitor at the school.

Among James Brooke's schoolmates was Sir Archdale Wilson, the captor of Delhi in 1857 (link to this SITE for something on their combradeship), and George Borrow, English author of novels and travelogues.

James Brooke was a boy of marked generosity, truthfulness, and courage. Apparently on one occasion he saved the life of a school-fellow who had fallen into the river Wensum.

However the young James Brooke obviously didn't like school much. He ended his school life somewhat abruptly by running away.

I can't find any records of exactly how long he stayed at Norwich School but it seems that he did not stay long - perhaps 2 years at most. We do know that at age sixteen, he was appointed a cadet of infantry in Bengal. It is also mentioed in some writings that he was tutored at home in Bath (see later) for a while after he left school.

May I urge any Josephians in the UK who are interested in Sarawak history to consider a visit to Norwich School to dig up more information from their records, and perhaps supply us with nice photos too.

After Norwich Grammar School, records show that James also attended HEIC Military School, Addiscombe, Surry. This was probably the preparatory training required for his intended military career.

James Brooke the Soldier

Brooke joined the army in India on 5 May 1819, as an Ensign to the 2/6th BNI. He transferred to the 18th BNI in 1824, was promoted to Lieutenant in the 6th BNI on 25 August 1821, and to Assistant Commissary-Gen on 1 May 1822.

On the outbreak of the First Burma War (1824-1826), he formed and drilled a body of native volunteer cavalry, which he commanded in a battle at Rangpur in Assam. Unfortunately on that occasion, he was wounded - most documents record the wound was in the lungs, but a few papers mention that a bullet hit him in the private parts (which may explain why he never married). In any case, this incident led to his being invalided home with a wound pension of 70 Sterling Pounds a year. At some point in his military years, he was also awarded the India Medal.

Apparently James Brooke was "struck off" on 13 Dec 1827 (not sure what this term means, but I reckon it suggests he was no longer fit for duty).

After an absence of upwards of four years he returned to India. It was an unsually long voyage, and he was unable to reach Bengal within the prescribed period of five years. He decided to resign from the East India Company's service in 1830, returning to England in the ship in which he had gone out, and visiting, in the course of his voyage, the Straits settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore, China, and Sumatra. During this voyage he seems to have formed the projects which determined his subsequent career.

This is an intriguing period in young James Brooke's life that warrants further research, so I will probably return to it in a future posting.

Widcombe Crescent, Bath

Returning to Bath, where his family resided at No.1 Widcombe Crescent, in the latter part of 1831, James remained in England until 1834

Widcombe Crescent in Bath, Somerset, England is a terrace of fourteen Georgian houses built in 1808 by Thomas Baldwin, and designated a Grade I listed building. 

No. 1 Widcombe Crescent, Bath

We know that in 1834, James Brooke purchased a small brig, and made a voyage to China. I am in search of material on his travels in China, but so far have not been able to find much.

In 1834, his mother Anna Maria died (aged 61), and in the following year his father Thomas Brooke also died (aged 75). James Brooke inherited a fortune of 30,000 Pounds Sterling, purchased a schooner of 142 tons, in which, after a trip to the Mediterranean, he sailed on 16 Dec. 1838 for Borneo.

St Joseph's Private School - Update

This came out in the news today. (Thanks  Leo for letting me know !)

Anyone with young children of the relevant ages, please note the registration process.

Have a good day, all ...

Caption Time

We haven't done one of these for some time. The name of this game is "Caption Time", meaning that you are all invited to suggest creative captions for this photo. Then after a couple of weeks, we will take a look at the suggestions and collectively vote for the best one. Of course the "star" of the photo will have a few extra votes.

Attractive no-prizes will be given. Unless someone can sponsor some real prizes :-)

Anyway here's the photo ... a real classic in my opinion.  Obviously taken during the hairy days of the Seventies ...

Over to you guys and gals  ...

How Well Do You Know Your Kuching (Answers)

Here are the answers, except for "The Red Chamber" ... just to prolong the mystery :-)

(A)  No, not Shaolin Temple

but the Hainan Association on Carpenter Street

(B)  Phallic symbol, guarded by Felines

(go figure out the symbolism?)

(C)  I can still hear the distant sounds of the

Police Band playing here on Sundays in those years gone by

(D)  Recalling the Bridges of Our History

? To Be Revealed ?

(E)

(F) Photo of a framed photo hanging

in the current Fook Hoi Restaurant (at Padungan)

(G) I can't think of a wise crack caption

for this one

(H)  Padungan has Balls !

Hope you liked that little quiz ...

History of St Joseph's School book

I'm posting this just so that former Josephians who don't know of the existence of this little publication will be informed. This book was written by Brother Hilary McGroary. I think it is still available for purchase from the school office (anyone who knows, care to comment?)

A lot of interesting information and photos are included in this book. Of course, there will definitely need to be a revised and updated edition because this volume has one notable omission - I'm not in it ! LOL.

But it's quite ok. I forgive them since my old man is featured in there.

Kopi and Your Prostate

Hi guys and gals, I'm not medically trained so will have to rely solely on our doctor schoolmates to comment on this latest medical finding.

But I must admit this new research certainly sounds good to a kopi-lover like me.

There have been many newspapers and magazines carrying this story. Here's one from the Daily Mail (UK) ...

Six cups of coffee a day 'can slash prostate cancer risk'

By FIONA MACRAE

18th May 2011

Drinking cup after cup of coffee could more than halve the odds of developing a deadly prostate tumour, research suggests.

A 20-year study of almost 50,000 men found those who drank at least six cups a day were 20 per cent less likely to get prostate  cancer than those who never touched the stuff.

Strikingly, they were 60 per cent less likely than the non-coffee drinkers to die of the disease.

Those who like to restrict their caffeine intake will be glad to know the study found decaffeinated coffee to be just as effective.

The research is significant because prostate cancer, the most common cancer among British men, affects 37,000 a year and kills more than 10,000.

However, the Harvard University researchers say that non-coffee drinkers shouldn’t change their habits based on this study alone.

The American team compared the coffee intake of men quizzed about their diets every four years between 1986 and 2006 with their medical records.

Two-thirds of those taking part drank at least one cup of coffee a day and 5 per cent got through at least six, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reports.

Some 5,035 of the 47,911 men developed prostate cancer, with 642 of the tumours classed as lethal, meaning the men died from the disease or were expected to.

Even relatively small amounts of coffee – one to three cups per day – lowered the risk of lethal prostate cancer by 30 per cent. And bigger amounts had a bigger effect.

Importantly, the link cannot be explained away by the coffee drinkers having healthier lifestyles. In fact, they were more likely to smoke and did less exercise.

Caffeine is credited with a host of health benefits, including cutting the odds of asthma, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.

But in this case, the researchers believe that other plant chemicals in coffee are behind the benefits.They think compounds such as anti-oxidants may cut the odds of prostate cancer and reduce the likelihood of deadly tumours by altering levels of sex hormones, regulating blood sugar levels and cutting inflammation.

‘An association between coffee and lower risk of advanced prostate cancer is biologically plausible,’ they reported.

Kathryn Wilson, the study’s lead author, said: ‘If our findings are validated, coffee could represent one modifiable factor that may lower the risk of developing the most harmful form of prostate cancer.’ But British experts said other studies had failed to find that coffee protected against prostate cancer.

Dr Helen Rippon, head of research management at the Prostate Cancer Charity, said: ‘It is important to remember that studying diet is difficult because you are not studying a standardised product – coffee can be prepared in many different ways from many different varieties of bean.

‘That is why it is so important that studies like this are repeated by others, to see if the result stands up in other groups of men.

‘Although this study is a welcome addition to our knowledge, it is far from definitive and we would not recommend men who are not already habitual coffee drinkers to become so in the hope of preventing prostate cancer.’

She pointed out that heavy caffeine intake is associated with other health problems.

Well, you can access the original article at THIS SITE. Also check out what others have commented on the research. Interesting reading. Another article from the Los Angeles Times is HERE.

Have a good day. I'm having my third cuppa now.

How Well Do You Know Your Kuching?

Here's a little quiz to test how familiar you are with Kuching.

As usual, very attractive no-prizes will be given out to the first person who guesses all 8 correct locations. So put on your glasses, squint at these photos and start guessing  ...

(A)

(B)  

(C)

(D)

(E)

(F)

(G)

(H)

Over to you, boys and girls ...

Happy Vesak Day

.
A Very Happy Vesak Day to all our Buddhist friends !

And to all others, have a great holiday !

St Joe Teachers and Staff of 1974 and 1976

Originally I had intended to post this on Teachers' Day, which is usually celebrated on May 16th, but I reckoned it might be a good idea to put it up a little earlier, as some of you old foggies might need a few days to remember those individuals who painstakingly imparted their knowledge and wisdom to you back in the 70s.

Some teachers might be easier to remember, especially if they had, in their academic zeal, imparted some physical marks on your bodies to go with all that wisdom.  In a sense, one could say these teachers were extremely advanced in their thinking, and back then had already lived out that famous refrain that we associate with the current US President Obama: YES, WE CANE ...

I am including two photos of teachers and staff - which I found in a little publication called "A History of St Joseph's School Kuching, 1882-1994" written by Bro Hilary McGroary.

Seated (L to R): Mrs Pawie, Mrs Kong, Mrs Ngu, Miss Kho, Mrs P.K.Tang, Mr Sim Huai Kng, Mr S.V.Mathai, Rev.Bro.Columba (Principal), Mr Lu Chui Chua, Mrs Y.K.Tan, Mrs George, Mrs A.Tan, Mrs N. Lau, Puan Hasma Mohd. Nor
Middle Row: Rev.Bro.Hyacinth, Mr Anthony Goh, Cikgu Bujang Hadi, Mr Lee Hock Kia, Mr Jeremy Ting, Mr Chai Nam Gnok, Mr Michael Chew, Rev.Bro.Mark, Mr Tan Hoon Tee, Mr K.C.George, Mr William Chan, Rev.Bro.Adrian, Mr Christopher Kho, Mr K.S.Joseph, Mr T.M.Sebastian, Mr K.M.Clarence
Back Row: Mr Chai Vui Fah, Mr Liew Meng Kee, Mr James Ling, Mr Augustine Ong, Mr Chang Fui Shak, Mr Loh Swee Lim, Mr Nicholas Jee, Mr Kenneth Abbey, Mr Matthias Lee, Mr Simon Lo, Mr Silan Tenga, Mr Kanapathy, Mr Sani ak. Nyamoi, Mr Ambrose ak. Besoi
Not in Photo: Mrs B.H.Lau, Mr Tay Ah Boon, Mr Chong Hon Min, Cikgu Mohd Hol, Encik Bujang Karim, Mr Chong Lip Man
Inset: Mr Thomas Kuek

Seated (Right to Left): Mrs Anne Lin, Miss Kho, Mrs Teo, Mrs Yap, Mrs Wong, Mr Mathias Lee, Rev.Bro.Columba, Mr Mathai, Mrs Hanny, Mrs Tan Tuan Chong, Mrs A.Tan, Mrs Nellie Lau, Mrs Noor
Middle Row: Mr Silan, Mr Mok Kheng Joo, Mr John Kueh, Mr Ngui How Tuang, Mr Kanapathy, Mr Joseph, Mrs Minos, Mrs Ngu, Mrs J.Bugo, Rev.Bro.Adrian, Mr Peter Voon, Mr Lim Hong Chin, M Chai Nam Guok, Mrs Lau Bik Hoon, Miss Diana Ho, Mrs Goh, Mr T.M.Sebastian, Mr Simon Lo, Mr Michael Chang, Mr Lu, Mr Sani, Mr Clarence
Back Row: Mr Wong Ting Kang, Cikgu Hol, Mr Tan Choon Sam, Mr Patrick Chi, Mr Lau Choon Fui, Mr James Tan, Cikgu Zainol, Mr William Chan, Mr Augustine Ong, Mr Nicholas Jee, Mr Lee Hock Kia, Mr Chai Vui Fah, Mr Lawrence Tseu, Mr James Ling, Cikgu Bujang Hardi, Mr Anthony Goh, Mr Vincent Diyeng, Rev.Bro.Mark


Well, I hope this brings back some good memories, which I'd welcome you to share by posting comments. Who knows, perhaps some of the teachers and staff might be reading this blog too.

Singapore Goes To The Polls

Today is Polling Day in Singapore. The polling stations close at 8pm, barely an hour away. By late this evening we should know the results - how many did the PAP win? How did the Opposition do? All constituencies are being contested except for one - Tajong Pagar, a Group Representation Constituency (GRC), helmed by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, which saw a walkover.

Here's a scorecard for you to more easily track who's contesting where ...

Many have noted that this General Election has seen the most aggressive campaigning by the opposition parties. There are a number of veteran Opposition leaders as well as new faces which have gained renewed prominence during this election period.

Here's an interesting set of posters I got which reflect the personalities in very creative poses ...

Well, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled this evening, watching the election results as they unfold. Will further update this posting later.

Bye for now ...

The Day After

Well, as you might have heard from the news, the PAP won all the constituencies except two. In Hougang (a single member constituency), the Worker's Party candidate Yaw Shin Leong won (64.8% vs the PAP's 35.2% of votes). Most significantly, in Aljunied (group representation constituency), the Worker's Party led by Low Thia Kiang won (54.7% vs PAP's 45.3% of votes). The WP team comprised Low, Sylvia Lim (another firebrand of a lady!), Chen Show Mao, Pritam Singh and Faisal Abdul. So for the first time in Singapore's political history, there will be 6 Opposition members in Parliament. Let the fun begin ...

For other reading on the Election results, check out the New York Times or Yahoo News Singapore or The Straits Times article or this other Straits Times article or even Nicole Seah's post-election message ...


FULL RESULTS

This is from the Sunday Times on 8th May 2011 ...

In case you cannot read the info on the newspaper page clearly, here are the official results of Singapore's 2011 General Election (accurate as of 4am on Sunday 8th May 2011). Postal votes may change the numbers a bit, but are not expected to make a difference to the final results in any constituency ...

Bukit Panjang SMC 

PAP's Teo Ho Pin - 20,349 votes (winner)

SDP's Alec Tok - 10,362 votes

Hong Kah North SMC

PAP's Amy Khor Lean Suan - 18,149 (winner)

SPP's Sin Kek Tong - 7,553

Hougang SMC

WP's Yaw Shin Leong - 14,833 (winner)

PAP's Desmond Choo Pey Ching - 8,053

Joo Chiat SMC

PAP's Charles Chong You Fook - 9,630 (winner)

WP's Yee Jenn Jong - 9,248

Mountbatten SMC 

PAP's Lim Biow Chuan - 11,965 (winner)

NSP's Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss - 8,436

Pioneer SMC

PAP's Cedric Foo Chee Keng - 14,581 (winner)

NSP's Steve Chia - 9,430

Potong Pasir SMC 

PAP's Sitoh Yih Pin - 7,973 (winner)

SPP's Lina Loh Woon Lee - 7,859

Punggol East SMC

PAP's Michael Palmer - 16,969 (winner)

WP's Lee Li Lian - 12,765

SDA's Desmond Lim Bak Chuan - 1,386

Radin Mas SMC

PAP's Sam Tan Chin Siong - 18,591 (winner)

NSP's Yip Yew Weng - 9,110

Sengkang West SMC

PAP's Lam Pin Min - 14,667 (winner)

WP's Koh Choong Yong - 10,585

Whampoa SMC

PAP's Heng Chee How - 13,015 (winner)

NSP's Ken Sun - 6,672

Yuhua SMC

PAP's Grace Fu Hai Yien - 14,081 (winner)

SDP's Teo Soh Lung - 6,977

Aljunied GRC (5 seats)

WP's Chen Show Mao, Sylvia Lim, Low Thia Khiang, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap, Pritam Singh - 72,165 (winners)

PAP's Lim Hwee Hua, Ong Ye Kung, Cynthia Phua, George Yong-Boon Yeo, Zainul Abidin Rasheed - 59,732

Ang Mo Kio GRC (6 seats)

PAP's Ang Hin Kee, Inderjit Singh, Intan Azura Binte Mokhtar, Lee Hsien Loong, Seng Han Thong, Yeo Guat Kwang - 112,544 (winners)

RP's Lim Tung Hee Arthero, Lim Zirui, Mohamed Mansor Bin Abdul Rahman, Osman Bin Sulaiman, Tan Zhi Xiang - 49,779

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Hri Kumar Nair, Ng Eng Hen, Josephine Teo, Wong Kan Seng, Zainudin Nordin - 62,282 (winners)

SPP's Chiam See Tong, Lee Yeong Wee, Wilfred Leung, Mohamad Hamim Aliyas, Benjamin Pwee - 47,092

Chua Chu Kang GRC

PAP's Gan Kim Yong, Low Yen Ling, Alex Yam Ziming, Yeo Khirn Hai Alvin, Zaqy Bin Mohamad - 89,605 (winners)

NSP's Jeisilan Sivalingam, Nor Lella Mardiiah Bte Mohamed, Hazel Poa Koon Koon, Tony Tan Lay Thiam, Sebastian Teo Kway Huang - 56,817

East Coast GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Lee Yi Shyan, Lim Siang Keat Raymond, Lim Swee Say, Mohd Maliki Bin Osman, Tan Soon Neo Jessica - 59,895 (winners)

WP's Gerald Giam Yean Song, Glenda Han Su May, Mohamed Fazli Bin Talip, Png Eng Huat, Eric Tan Heng Chong - 49342

Holland-Bukit Timah (4 seats)

PAP's Christopher James de Souza, Liang Eng Hwa, Sim Ann, Vivian Balakrishnan - 48,682 (winners)

SDP's Ang Yong Guan, Michelle Lee Juen, Tan Jee Say, Vincent Rene Wijeysingha - 32,322

Jurong (5 seats)

PAP's Ang Wei Neng, Halimah Binte Yacob, Desmond Lee Ti-Seng, ong Kim Huat, Tharman Shanmugaratnam - 76,489 (winners)

NSP's Abdul Rasheed, Christopher Neo Ting Wei, Noraini Yunus, Ong Beng Soon Elvin, ong Hock Siong - 37,734

Marine Parade GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Fatimah Binte Abdul Lateef, Goh Chok Tong, Seah Kian Peng, Tan Chuan-Jin, Tin Pei Ling - 78,182 (winners)

NSP's Abdul Salim Bin Harun, Cheo Chai Chen, Ng Chung Hon, Nicole Rebecca Seah Xue Ling, yeo Tiong Boon - 59,833

Moulmein-Kallang GRC (4 seats)

PAP's Yaacob Bin Ibrahim, Lui Tuck Yew, Denise Phua Lay Peng, Edwin Tong Chun Fai - 44,828 (winners)

WP's Mohd Rahizan Bin Ya'acob, Toh Hong Boon, L Somasundaram, Frieda Chan Sio Phing - 31,721

Nee Soon GRC (5 seats)

PAP's K Shanmugam, Lee Bee Wah, Lim Wee Kiak, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Patrick Tay Teck Guan - 80,659 (winners)

WP's Chong Cham Weng, Angela Oon Kheng Faye, Poh Lee Guan, Sajeev S/O Kunju Raman Kamalasanan, Yam Poh Nam - 57,482

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

PAP's Gan Thiam Poh, Janil Arusha puthucheary, Penny Low, Teo Chee Hean, Teo Ser Luck, Zainal Bin Sapari - 100,382 (winnesr)

SDA's Harminder Pal Singh, lee Song Juan, Jeffrey Lim, Mohd Shafni, Sidney Soon, Tan Keng Hong - 54,546

Sembawang GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Hawazi Daipi, Khaw Boon Wan, Ellen Lee Geck Hoon, Ong Teng Koon, Vikram Nair - 84,185 (winners)

SDP's James Gomez, Luo Jie Jarrod, Mohd Isa, Sadasivam V, John Tan Liang Joo - 47,578

Tampines GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Baey Yam Keng, Heng Swee Keat, Mah Bow Tan, Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Irene Ng Phek Hoong - 72,664 (winner)

NSP's Fong Chin Leong, Goh Keow Wah, Goh Meng Seng, Raymond Lim Peng Ann, Syafarin Bin Sarif - 54,337

Tanjong Pagar (5 seats)

PAP's Chan Chun sing, Chia Shi-lu, Indranee Thurai Rajah, Lee Kuan Yew, Lily Tirtasana Neo - uncontested (winners)

West Coast (5 seats)

PAP's Arthur Fong, Foo Mee Har, Lim Hng Kiang, S Iswaran, Lawrence Wong - 72,465 (winners)

RP's Ho Soak Harn, Kenneth Andrew Jeyaretnam, Kumar S/O Appavoo, Low Chiak Huan, Zhu Laicheng - 36,395