Cross Ref: The Story of Sarawak

If you are interested in Sarawak history, do click on the following two new postings on Sheepstor ...

http://story-of-sarawak.blogspot.com/2011/12/memorable-visit-to-sheepstor-part-1.html

and

http://story-of-sarawak.blogspot.com/2011/12/memorable-visit-to-sheepstor-part-2.html

Find out what this little village in the county of Devon, south-western England has to do with Sarawak history.

New blog on "The Story of Sarawak"

Hi fellow Josephians of the 70s and all friends who have been following this blog,

Thank you for your support and interest. This blog continues because of you.

Just a short note to tell you that I will soon be creating a new blog tentatively to be called "The Story of Sarawak" where I will try to put together all those postings related to Sarawak history that have been covered in this and its predecessor blog. The reason for this is that I've found that many more people are interested in those historical snippets, and these interested parties may be neither Josephians nor regulars on our Josephian blogs.

I will still include relevant history in this "Josephians of the Seventies" blog, but may copy and adapt some of these postings for the new "History of Sarawak" blog, which will be available on

http://story-of-sarawak.blogspot.com

Thanks all

--- James (aka Website Jaga)

History Textbook from Primary School

Recently one of our schoolmates, ELAS, mentioned this textbook in a Facebook discussion. I remember it well and wish I had preserved mine for posterity ... especially since I'm quite sure my old textbook was a First Edition (the one shown below is the Second Edition).

A lesson to schoolchildren today ... don't be too hasty to throw away your old textbooks after exams are over. They might be valuable one day.

But have you ever wondered who was Vernon Mullen, whose name we were familiar with for a number of years during our youth? Well, I did some investigation. Apparently he was a Canadian educator who did some teaching of English in different parts of the world, including Sudan, Ethiopia, Sarawak and China. Mullen was in Sarawak from 1957-1963 and again from 1965-1968. Apart from the familiar history book above, he also published his memoirs "Them Lions Will Eat Them Up: Teaching English Around the World" (Voyageur Pub, 1999). I'm still looking for a copy for my collection so if anyone has any ideas where I can find one ...

Historical Diversion: New book in my Collection

Do any of you remember this history book? "The White Rajahs: A History of Sarawak from 1841 to 1946" by Sir Steven Runciman was first published in 1960 by Cambridge University Press. It was never a standard textbook if I remember correctly, but it remains a very useful reference.

Anyway I found this copy in Select Books at Tanglin Shopping Centre, Singapore yesterday.

Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3

Fig 4

Fig 5

Well, at least for this Hari Raya holiday, you know what I'll be reading ...

Living History

I've realised that as I get older, I seem to appreciate history more and more. Back in school, history was simply another subject. Interesting enough if you happened to have a good teacher, but otherwise just a bunch of events and dates to memorise and regurgitate for exams.

This morning, I happened to be listening to the radio while driving when an old Billy Joel song that I loved came on. I always thought Joel was a great musician but this musical number was simply brilliant. This song was first released in 1989 when Joel was forty years old. The song covers historic items between 1949 (when he was born) to 1989.  If we had such musical and video accompaniment during our history classes back at St Joe, maybe more of us might have taken up history in college.

Here's the Billy Joel number. If you still haven't guessed the title, it's called "We Didn't Start The Fire", and it showcases many historical events and figures during our lifetime. Turn up the volume and enjoy. You can even dance if you like  ...

As you know, I have taken a special interest in Sarawak history, and  have dedicated a number of postings in this blog to stories about the Brookes and other individuals and events in our state's colourful history. We in Sarawak have a great multicultural heritage that generations after us should know about. Perhaps one of these days, I should work on a book to cover some of the less documented aspect of our history.

In recent years, I've also been increasingly involved in another kind of history - family history or genealogy. I may have mentioned this in earlier postings of my blog. It is fascinating to trace your ancestors and their descendants, and it is particularly exciting when you can overlay your family history with your state or country's history. My genealogical project has taken my father and myself to various parts of Sabah (Kota Kinabalu, Beaufort, Membakut and Kuala Penyu), Labuan, Sarawak (Kuching) and Singapore. Anyway, we recently completed the first edition of our first genealogical book "Tracing the Roots of the Yong Family" and we are in the final stages of the second book "In Search of Lau Chek" (Lau being my mother's surname).

Well, that's it for today's posting on Living History. As always, you are encouraged to share your thoughts and experiences.

Some Books on Sarawak History

Here's a small selection of the books on Sarawak history that I have collected.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

I've got a couple more books layng around which I might take another photo of and post later.

More Snapshots of Old Kuching

I have a new friend living in Kota Kinabalu, who has been posting old photos of Kuching on his Facebook page. His family must have lived in Sarawak some years back. In fact I believe his father is a former Josephian from the late 30s.

All this has inspired me to hunt down some other old photos I have in my possession. Here is a random selection to share with you. I'm sure they will invoke nostalgic memories. Do share them ...

Pic 1: Satok Road (circa late 1980s)

The picture above is a familiar one for me. I remember Swee Hua Cinema (the big building) when it first opened. A few of my aunts lived only a few houses away and I often spent afternoons at their place. I remember walking over to Swee Hua to catch a matinee once in a while. From this picture, it seems that Swee Hua had already ceased operations and looks quite run-down.

The interesting thing about Satok Road is that on the left side of the road are mostly Chinese residences, whereas on the right side are largely the Malay homes.

Pic 2: Th Old General Post Office and surrounds

I am not sure when this picture was taken, but if you look carefully I think there are some clues. I invite you to make a guess and share your reasoning why you think it is that period.

Pic 3: View looking towards the Central Padang and former Secretariat building

Remember those special events on the Padang when we were small .... when we had to line up, wave flags and do those marches and other shenanigans ...

The Adventures of Young James Brooke (Part 2)

I recently ordered (from an antique books store in Australia) a book that included the letters of Rajah James Brooke to his lady friend Miss (later Baroness) Angela Burdett-Coutts. It chronicles the most interesting relationship between Rajah Brooke with this lady, who actually gave significant sums of her own money in support of Rajah Brooke's cause in Sarawak. One would think we should have at least a road in Kuching named after her.

This book will obviously take pride of place in my Sarawak history book collection. In this posting, let me share some photos with you ...

Note the book sitting on my traditional native tablecloth

A close up of the book spine

Title pages of the book

One of the Contents pages

Part of the Introduction chapter

A part of the history e never learnt in school ... which explains much about

why Rajah James Brooke never got married

Hope you enjoyed reading about this little piece of our Sarawak history ...

"Remembering Anthony" Expo at Pustaka Negeri

This interesting item came out in Borneo Post yesterday.

Any of you guys and gals who are interested in Sarawak history, especially the Brooke era, should try to visit this Expo about the last Raja Muda of Sarawak, Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke when it opens .

Anthony Brooke passed away on 2nd March 2011 at the age of 98. Click HERE for more details in one of my previous postings.

The Expo opens on 8th June and continues till the end of the month. I for one will try my best to be there.

Added on 9th June 2011

This came out in the Borneo Post today (thanks Leo!). I still don't know if any of our brothers attended ....

A historic occasion

section 1 of 3 of clipping

section 2 of 3

section 3 of 3

From "The Sarawak Tribune" (9 June 2011)

In Memory of Anthony Brooke

by Elmer Yeo

KUCHING: The passing of Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke, who was the Raja Muda (heir apparent to the throne of the White Rajah) before Sarawak was ceded to the British, marked another important chapter in the history of Sarawak.

Brooke, who was 98 years old when he passed away in New Zealand on 2 March, 2011 is survived by his wife Gita Keiller, son James Bertram Lionel Brooke and a daughter Celia Margaret Brooke.

An exhibition in his memory, highlighting his ties and links with Sarawak, is being held at the State Library in Petra Jaya here 8 to 30 June.

The Chairman of the State Library Board of Management, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo, officiated at the launching of the exhibition by James Bertram Lionel Brooke, yesterday.

In his short speech, James Brooke described his father as a man of integrity and strong will.

He said he regretted not having the opportunity to get close with his father who was a travelling man and was constantly away.

He said the family had to leave Sarawak hastily in 1941 due to the impending Japanese conquest of South-East Asia, and their return to the UK where they were relocated at Liverpool.

James also spoke briefly about the decision of the Third Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke to cede Sarawak to the British government in 1946 in return for a pension, thus ending the rule of the White Rajah.

Meanwhile, the small but informative exhibition showcases Anthony Brooke’s life from his early years to the period when he was appointed the Raja Muda, and his opposition to the cessation of Sarawak to the British.

Anthony’ Brooke’s anti-cessation campaign ended in 1951 when the spread of communism became a greater threat to the stability of Sarawak.

When the anti-cessation movement came to an end, Anthony Brooke devoted his time to promote peace, unity and the protection of the environment and the indigenous people.

He divorced his first wife, Kathleen Hudden in 1965 and remarried in 1982.He and his second wife Gita Keiller visited Sarawak in 1983 to participate in the 20th anniversary celebration of the formation of Malaysia.

Anthony Brooke’s month-long stay in Sarawak (from 18 Aug to 18 Sept) in 1983 gave him the opportunity to meet with old friends, former co-workers and government officials, being invited as guest of honour at numerous functions and excursions to other parts Sarawak.

In his later years, he settled down at Wanganui in the north island of New Zealand, and to keep alive the fond memories of Sarawak, he even had a special memorabilia room called the Sarawak Room’ in his house.

The exhibition reveals that Anthony Brooke, towards the end of his life, forgave family members “who had conspired to deprive him of his singular inheritance”.

Besides the pictorials and written stories, there was also a small collection of government documents that were related to the anti-cessation period.

Al so present at the ceremony were the State Library’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Japri Bujang Masli and Anthony Brooke’s grandson, Jason Brooke.

“By the act of your ancestors and mine, and by the accident of birth, I was born to be your servant – a relationship formally recognised by the British Government in its treaties with Sarawak and my family.

That relationship was impugned but not changed by my uncle’s cessation of Sarawak, and its annexation by the British Government.

In good or ill, so long as you wish to maintain that relationship, I shall continue with gratitude, affection and pride to regard myself as your servant” – Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke.

(end)

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.

Travel Tips - Manila Old and New

I've visited Manila a few times over the past six months as part of my work. The country is going through a period of much optimism under the new leadership of the President Benigno "Noy Noy" Aquino III (also called PNoy). PNoy's stated priorities of reducing poverty and fighting corruption have been much welcomed by the people. Admittedly, the process has not been easy or smooth (remember the HK tourist hostage crisis?). However in my dealings with various politicians and senior officials, I've met many smart and committed individuals and I'm hopeful that there will be significant national progress.. Many global companies have also stepped up their exploration of new opportunities arising in the Philippines.

Manila (or more strictly Metro Manila, since it is made up of many different cities, of which Manila is just one) is a culturally rich and vibrant metropolis. There are many interesting places to visit, and also a sharp contrast between different cities.

For today, let me share one place in Metro Manila which is OLD, and another place relatively NEW .

I've been doing some reading up on Philippine history. I believe that a good understanding of what happened on these islands in the past will make my encounters and explorations of various places in and around Metro Manila more meaningful.. Take for instance the walled city called Intramuros ...

Pic 1

Intramuros (which literally means "within the walls") was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. The Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Lagaspi first arrived from Mexico (then under Spain) landing at Cebu in 1564, and at Luzon in 1570. After discovering the rich resources and location of Manila, Legazpi declared the area as the new capital of the Spanish colony in the Philippines in 1571.

One impressive structure in the heart of the Intramuros is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Manila. Originally built in 1591 by the Spaniards, it has undergone destruction by fires, earthquakes and other calamities, but each time it has been rebuilt (see Pic 4).

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Not far away  is the Church of San Agustin. Completed in 1607, this is apparently the oldest church still standing in the Philippines. No other surviving building in the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date St Agustin Church. This building is also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pic 5

Pic 6

At another part of the Intramuros, beside the Pasig River, stands a wall which commemorates the maritime expeditions between Mexico and the Philippines. This place is called Plaza Mexico. This apparently was the actual port of call of the fabled galleons of the past. Indeed the galleon trade which lasted almost three centuries was one of the economic engines of the Spanish Empire of the day.

Pic 7

Another notable site within Intramuros is Fort Santiago, a 16th century defence structure which has borne testimony to the valor and bravery of the Filipino through the centuries. Originally, what stood on the site of Fort Santiago was a wooden fort of Raja Sulaiman, a Muslim chieftain of the pre-Hispanic Manila. It was destroyed by conquistadors when they arrived in 1570. The Spaniards rebuilt the fort (as well as the rest of the Intramuros) in 1571. Much of the fort was destroyed during the Spanish-Chinese War (1574-75) and rebuilt again. It became the main fort for the spice trade to America and Europe over the next three centuries.

There are various interesting spots within the fort, but the centrepiece must be the Rizal Shrine, dedicated to the national hero Jose Rizal who was executed by the Spaniards on 30th December 1896. Here one can see some of the books written by Rizal as well as the cell he spent his last nights before he was executed.

Pic 8

Pic 9

Pic 10

Next let's move to something relatively NEW in Metro Manila.

The SM Mall of Asia is reputedly the 3rd largest mall in Asia and the 4th largest in the world. It was built in 2006 on 19.5 hectares of reclaimed land and has a gross floor area of some 390,000 sq metres.

Pic 11

Pic 12

Pic 13

Pic 14

Pic 15

Pic 16

Well, that's it for now. Enjoy and do share any comments.