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When Hong Kong Governor Sir Alexander Grantham (above) retired in 1958, he and his wife, Lady Grantham, sailed away from the city with thousands lining the both sides of Victoria Harbour to bid them farewell. Photo: Express Photo
Post MagazineShort Reads

When retiring Hong Kong Governor Sir Alexander Grantham bade farewell to the city and thousands came to wave him off

  • When Sir Alexander Grantham retired as governor of Hong Kong, crowds of well-wishers gathered on January 1, 1958 to see him and his wife off
  • Sir Alexander and Lady Grantham sailed from Queen’s Pier on the HMS Bougainville amid emotional scenes; thousands of people lined the harbour to see them off
From our archives
Dave Besseling
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“Thousands of people yesterday lined the approaches to Queen’s Pier, and hundreds of others filled windows and rooftops of buildings directly overlooking, as the retiring Governor, Sir Alexander Grantham, bid goodbye to Hongkong,” reported the South China Morning Post on January 1, 1958. “At the Pier a large gathering assembled to wish them bon voyage and a happy life ahead.

“Later, along the waterfronts of both Hongkong and Kowloon, thousands of people waved towards the HMS Bougainville, with Sir Alexander and Lady Grantham on board, as she gracefully steamed past on her way to Lyemun Pass.

“At North Point, residents of the newly completed Java Road flats cheered and waved vigorously in a spirit of gratitude.

“These warm and spontaneous demonstrations by the people of Hongkong further showed the love and affection which they had for their beloved Governor and his gracious wife.

30,000 Hongkongers bid farewell to governor Sir Alexander and Lady Grantham, at Hong Kong Stadium on December 28, 1957.

“There were emotional scenes at Queen’s Pier. Several ladies wept, while Lady Grantham was also in tears. Sir Alexander appeared deeply moved.

“Before leaving Government House, Sir Alexander inspected a Police guard of honour, led by the Hongkong Police Band and followed by the Medal Party [ …] representing the whole Police Force and commanded by Inspector Yuen Se-hung, took up position on the eastern driveway, while the Police Band, under the direction of Mr W.B. Foster, Police Director of Music, played a selection of waltzes.

When a Christmas choir singing for Hong Kong’s governor got help from crowd

“Shortly before the vessel reached the Yacht Club, the fire-float, Alexander Grantham, fired a long string of crackers. When this had ended, 20 fire-fighting jets on the float went into action in an impressive water display.

“The float had all its signal flags up, and the words ‘Bon Voyage, Good Luck and Good Health’ were emblazoned in large letters.”

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