HONG KONG CEMETERY
HISTORY
Where opened?
The Hong Kong Cemetery was opened in 1845. This is most Hong Kong people know that. But the cemetery was used in 1841. On June 18th, 1841, Dr. Cree recorded in his journal that the body of Captain William Brodie of HMS Rattlesnake was buried that afternoon in the new cemetery in Happy Valley. From the watercolour drawn by Dr. Cree, one sees the funeral cortege of William Brodie moving slowly into a valley surrounded by hill which resembled Happy Valley.
1843s from Morrison Hill overlooking Happy Valley , visible from afar Wong Nai Chung Village.
" Illustrated London News " Early Cemeteries and illustrations depicting a horse farm
Why called "Happy Valley"?
“Happy Valley” this name is come from British writer, Samuel Jonhnson, in 1759 wrote “The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia”, The “Happy Valley “meaning away from danger and sadness of bliss. It is generally to describe Cemetery.
Who buried in here?
Hong Kong Cemetery was also of officially called Protestant Cemetery. When it was first opened, it was managed by the Colonial Chaplain. The fact that the cemetery was originally for Christians was very clear.
Who were the first Chinese buried in the Hong Kong Cemetery? A total of 156 were found in the Hong Kong Cemetery. Among the Chinese buried in the cemetery, those who could be identified include famous people, such as Sir Kai Ho Kai, family members of Kwan Yuen-cheung, Wen Qingxi, Chan Ayow, Yang Quyun, Hong Chunkui (Quanfu), Choa Leep-chee, Wei On, Mrs Woo Hay-tong and her son, Huang Yonghao, etc.
Most Important Development
Hong Kong Cemetery is closely connected with the modern history of China and Hong Kong. Here we would also find British soldiers killed in the First and the Second Opium War, soldiers and their family members who died of fever in Hong Kong, senior government of officials of early Hong Kong and missionaries who had come from afar to preach the Gospel, teachers and friends of Dr. Sun Yat-yen, father of the modern Chinese revolution, the frist group of Chinese Christians, and people of various nationalities that had contributed to the growth of Hong Kong.
