WINIFRED
EMILIE TAYLOR 1900-1999
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Winifred Emilie Taylor (1900-1999) born 6th August 1900 Cliftonwood, Bristol. Daughter of Robert George Taylor and Matilda Taylor (nee Luke) Sister of my grandfather, Sidney George Taylor of Bristol (1895-1963)
All details here are from news paper cuttings (given to me by my gt aunt Winnie in 1979) books and family letters. These are correct to the best of my knowledge.
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From Ralph Pixton "On the Line" Zebra Books 1978
"The mother of Hong Kong radio has to be Joan Younghusband, a former Gilbert and Sullivan star who, upon arriving in Hong Kong in 1927, was dismayed to find there was no radio.
Having worked on radio in London doing a children's hour programme, Joan realised how helpful and popular this kind of show was, both with children and their parents. She pestered government officials and eventually found a sympathetic listener in Bella Southorn * the acting governors wife. With Mrs Southorn's help, Joan formed a committee with the aim of founding a radio station. The government eventually provided a small sum of money to equip a studio on the first floor of the old post office building and with a second hand piano, a second hand gramophone and a set of curtains, the project took off.
There were no fans, certainly no air conditioning and no soundproofing. But the children's programme "Fairy Castle" took off with the help of two recruited uncles' Geoff and Dick.
When the first programme went on the air there were only thirty radio receiving licences in the whole colony. But enthusiasm grew, as the government only charged five dollars a year and soon more than 300 children were registered on the children's programme club.
Once the success of "Fairy
Castle" had been proven, the range of radio programmes expanded. Records
were supplied by Hong Kongs leading music shops and as a part of their routine,
radio staff had to carry them to and from the shops each day. A live concert
followed and later a Portuguese evening, which was a great success. Broadcasts
in Chinese were the next step and from this small beginning emerged the wealth
of radio and television talent that we now have in Hong Kong.
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During the First World War she was a secretary to John Russell Harvey of Harveys Wine Merchants of Bristol.
From a letter written
by Winnie to my father in July 1979 from Hong Kong concerning a family friend.
"I don't know anything about the present firm of Harveys, but if it is
as good as the old regime, then he couldn't work for a better firm, and wine
tasting is quite an ART.
As you know, I worked for them from 1917 to 1923. The hours were long; sometimes
9.a.m to 11.p.m. because most of the male staff had joined up.
The chairman John Russell Harvey became paralysed at an early age, and was
driven to Denmark Street every day, where he was met and helped to his desk
in his large private office. He was a prolific writer and at the sound of
3 bells-(1 long,2 short) I was required to take dictation.
His home was at Leigh Woods where he and his wife and their family entertained
the staff-strawberry and cream teas in their beautiful garden. Luvverly.
From Winnie in Australia aged 96
Edward his brother was quite a character, and spent a lot of time in the cellars
! He was an expert taster and well known in Denmark Street as he sported a
straw boater, winter and summer, a monocle completed his eccentric image.
I also took his dictation -usually short and sweet !
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During these years I was taking expensive singing lessons from a German Professor
Arthur Waleven, whose headquarters were in Baker Street, London, but took
pupils at his studio in Park Street, twice a week. I used to hurry like mad
to get through my work and then ask for an hour off. Edward the wit would
say "alright, off you go Clara Butt, but stop butting those plaits in
my face "!! No short bobs in those days ! His home was at Yatton and
he always travelled by train.........
..
.I
wonder if ANITA Sherry is still on the market ? I remember when he named it
after his first daughter and was sold if I remember rightly at 3/6 a bottle.
Bristol Milk was 8/6 and Bristol Cream 10/6. Still two great sherries and
very popular out East. I don't suppose many of the old staff are left. But
the forgoing may be of interest....................................
All through the years, on our home leaves, I used to cast a nostalgic eye
on Harveys of Denmark Street. I recall the many celebrities who were invited
to wine and dine at the Old Gaunt House. Royalty included, hence the coat
of arms above the old entrance. History has it that King Edward 7th on supping
B.M. for the first time, remarked "You must have some mighty fine cows
around here!"
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.......................................................................................................
So ends my saga of J.H. and S and my remininiscence of some truly happy days.
Incidently my salary was £4 a week, (considered good in those days)
and we received a yearly bonus, which I set aside for singing lessons.....
February 1923 launched a singing career in Bristol Colston Hall after taking lessons from a Professor Arthur Waleven on Park Street, Bristol.
Annual Co-operative Festival
February 9th 1923 Press
Colston Hall Bristol
Saturday next, Feb 10 6.30 p.m. All Bristol concert programme. Gly Eastman
(Bass) Miss Winifred Taylor (Soprano) Frederick Griffin (Tenor) Miss
Edna lyn (Elocutionist)
Speaker. James Ramsey MacDonald M.P. at 6.45. PM Dancing, fancy dress competition.
A miscellaneous programme
(Feb 9th 1923)
Bristol Co-operatives
are to have a festival at the Colston Hall to-morrow evening when a long and
miscellaneous programme will be offered. One of the soloists is Miss Winifred
E Taylor, a young Bristol lady
who is just entering upon music as a career. Those who have heard her anticipate
success..........
1923 married Percy Younghusband in Cardiff, Wales.
1928 Union Church,
Kowloon
To-morrow being my last Sunday before going on furlough, it will be a
happy memory to carry away with me if we have a full church on that day.
But I am writing chiefly to remind you of the social meeting on Tuesday 29th
March, at 8.30.p.m.
There will be an exceptionally good musical programme . Besides our local
singers- Mrs. Robson and Mr. Chapman - Dr. MacCandliss is coming from Canton.
We are also fortunate to have the help of Madame Winifred Taylor, of
London and Provincial Concerts, who will be making her first public appearance
in the colony.
Mrs. Jenner is kindly providing humorous interlude.
Tickets are being sold at 50 cents to defray expenses. Hoping to have this
opportunity of saying goodbye to yourself and others of my congregation,J
Horace Johnston Minister
................................................Winnie
on stage in Japan in 1936 .....
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Kowloon Concert. Naval
& Military Y.M.C.A. Entertainment Committee
Hong Kong Telegraph (date ?)
A delightful programme was presented at the rope factory by Mrs. Younghusband,
under the auspices of the Naval and Military Y.M.C.A Entertainment Sub-Committee.
The hall was packed to overflowing and it was evident from the enthusiastic
applause which greeted every item that the boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The band of the 1st Cameronians, under the baton of Mr. Horace Dowell, L.R.A.M.,
opened with popular airs. Dr R.J. McCandliss, the well known baritone gave
delightful songs from his repertoire and as a second encore gave Kiplings
"Trooping Song," after which the boys were still loth to let him
go. He was accompanied by Mrs.McCandliss at the piano. Unfortunately, this
is his last performance prior to an "up-country" appointment.
"Gibo and Hewo" kept the boys amused with cross-patter, funny stories
and comic songs, while a merry band of melody makers known as "Winnie's
Warblers" charmed with their instrumental and vocal harmonies.
Mrs.Stanley Logan was
well received for her delightful soprano songs. Professor Thereses and his
talented partner were a tremendous success in their classical and jazz dances,
and Mr. Lane, of wizard fame, mystified all present with illusions and sleight
of hand. We hope to see more of this talented magician at future entertainments.
Mr. V.C. Labrum, in imitations of George Robey, proved irresistible, while
Mrs. Younghusband and Mr. L.E. Hopkins in an old English folk duet
were one of the great successes of the evening.
At the end of the programme cigarettes contributed by the British American
Tobacco Co., were distributed under a lucky number scheme. The officer Commanding
the 1st Cameronians called for a vote of thanks to Mrs. Younghusband and her
artists, which was heartily responded to, and a delightful evening was brought
to a close with the singing of the National Anthem. Mr Rupert Baldwin, A.T.C.L.,
was the accompanist of the evening...................
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City Hall Recital,
Hong Kong
October 29th 1927
Mrs. Younghusband and Mr. Harry Ore.
Music lovers in the colony are promised a treat on Monday, November 14
1927, when Mrs. Younghusband, who has charmed many ex servicemen and
others with her fine soprano voice, and Mr. Harry Ore, the well known local
pianist, will give a vocal-piano recital in the City Hall, commencing
at 5.30.p.m.
The recital promises to be far more interesting than usual by reason
of the fact that Mr. Harry ore is playing some of his own special compositions.
These include a charming Macoa nursery rhyme and a number of popular Chinese
folk songs transformed into classical concert pieces.
Music lovers to whom Mr. Ore has played them privately speak highly of
them, among them being the famous Benno Moiseivitch, who recently gave two
recitals in the Theatre Royal. Mr. Moiseivitch was so charmed with the composition
that he specially asked Mr. Ore for a copy of the Chinese pieces.
It is interesting to note in this connexion that Mr. Ore's South China Fantasy"
has been accepted for publication by Messrs. W. Paxton and Co., London. Among
his other items will be Liezt's version of the evergreen "William Tell"
overture and Chopin's First Polonaise, Op. 22. Mrs. Younghusband has
chosen "Zoraida" the Moorish Maid, by Parker, "Nymphes at Fauns,"
by Bemberg and others. Those who have heard Mrs. Younghusband before
will doubtless take advantage of hearing her in these beautiful concert ballads.
The programme is one that will appeal to a critical audience and should draw
a full house.
Entertaining the Troops
Enjoyable Concert at City Hall
(paper? date?)
An excellent concert was provided at the City Hall on Saturday evening
for the entertainment of service men, the attendance being extremely large,
and applause free and hearty. The work of organisation was carried out with
complete success by Mrs. Younghusband.
A number of well-known and accomplished local artists figured on the programme,
but because of its length it was not possible to give all the encores that
were merited. From the start to the finish the various numbers, which were
delightfully varied, were gone through without a hitch.
The programme was opened by the popular Donnithorne Amateur Orchestra, with
the waltz "Espana" by E. Waldtenfel, and "The Wildflower,"
a selection by Youmans and Stothart. Amongst the fun makers were Tod and
Dick, with a repertoire of songs and stories to keep the audience amused,
and a popular reception was accorded to a Cameronian with "Musical Verbosities"
and the brothers "Dido" who sustained a comedy sketch.
Mr. Harry Ore scored great sucesses in Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody,"
No. 2, and Chopins's "Nocturne." An exceptionally fine rendering
of Sanderson's "Be still, Blackbird" was given by Mrs. H. Minney,
while Surg. Lieut. Bradfield R.N. was loudly applauded for his rendering of
"An Emblem" and "Smilin' Through."
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Service Men's Concerts.
City Hall Well Filled.
A Capital Show
(date ?)
The City Hall was as full as ever for the first concert produced in the
hall by the new commitee.The names of many ladies and gentlemen who volunteered
their services to Mrs. W.T. Costen, again appeared in the programme of Saturday
night, arranged by Mrs. P Younghusband. There were also a number of new contributers.The
Six What-Nots,Mr. W. A. Hannibal, Mr Jack Anstis and the male voice choir
of the Queen's Royal Regiment. A novelty was a dance turn- the inevitable
Charleston-by the Misses V. Capell, P. Capell, E. Rose, I thompson, and P
Gibson. Mrs. J. Stanley Logan gave three charming old songs that seemed to
be even more popular than the most popular modern ones, and Mr. S Komor gave
a novel character study-"A Japenese Theatre." A baristone solo by
Mr. E.L. Hopkins was refreshing, and the old English song "Oh, No John,"
sung by Mrs. Younghusband and Mr. Hopkins was one of the great successes
of the evening. Other items were Messrs Hawkins and Beaver in a clever little
sketch, Mr. Rupert Baldwin, A.T.C.L. at the piano, Mr. R. Sutherland and 'Enry
Padre Bohn distributed the lucky prizes
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From Ralph Pixton "On the Line" Zebra Books 1978
"The mother of Hong Kong radio has to be Joan Younghusband, a former Gilbert and Sullivan star who, upon arriving in Hong Kong in 1927, was dismayed to find there was no radio.
Having worked on radio in London doing a children's hour programme, Joan realised how helpful and popular this kind of show was, both with children and their parents. She pestered government officials and eventually found a sympathetic listener in Bella Southorn * the acting governors wife. With Mrs Southorn's help, Joan formed a committee with the aim of founding a radio station. The government eventually provided a small sum of money to equip a studio on the first floor of the old post office building and with a second hand piano, a second hand gramophone and a set of curtains, the project took off.
There were no fans, certainly no air conditioning and no soundproofing. But the children's programme "Fairy Castle" took off with the help of two recruited uncles' Geoff and Dick.
When the first programme went on the air there were only thirty radio receiving licences in the whole colony. But enthusiasm grew, as the government only charged five dollars a year and soon more than 300 children were registered on the children's programme club.
Once the success of "Fairy Castle" had been proven, the range of radio programmes expanded. Records were supplied by Hong Kongs leading music shops and as a part of their routine, radio staff had to carry them to and from the shops each day. A live concert followed and later a Portuguese evening, which was a great success. Broadcasts in Chinese were the next step and from this small beginning emerged the wealth of radio and television talent that we now have in Hong Kong.
Ode to serenity after
51 years in Hong kong
Monday May 21 1979 (Marsha Prysuska, "This is Hong kong") The time
January 1928. Fresh from London where she starred in Gilbert and Sullivan
productions. Joan Younghusband arrives in Hong kong with her husband Percy,
better known as "Pip". "Predictably after the excitement of
first nights, flowers and all that goes with starring in London's West End,
Joan found the Hong kong of that time with population of 250,000 somewhat
slow, not to say boring.
The rickshaw and the sedan chair were the most popular mode of transport in those days, with only the most adventurous among the population daring to step on the few antique-type buses of the era. But then, no one was in too much of a hurry to get anywhere in those leisurely days when all of Hong kong travelled at a sedate sedan chair speed-limit.
Now, after 51 years and five months (less the years during World War 11 which she spent in Australia), Joan is leaving a Hong kong which has speeded up to a maniacal tempo. Joan and I all but shout at each other because the noise from a crew demolishing the building opposite is making normal conversation impossible. "Its crowded and noisy," Joan say's "and above all it's too expensive for someone whose pension is in sterling" There is no trace of self pity in Joan's statement. The eyes flash brightly. "I've had a full and happy life in Hong kong" she says and the times which I remember with the greatest joy are the times when I was doing something to bring some fun to the people living here."
Part of enlivening the scene was the start of station Radio ZBW, Hong Kong (now Radio Television Hong kong) and this came about through the efforts of the acting Governor Sir Thomas Southorn, and a few interested parties, Joan included. Hers was the first feminine voice heard on the station. "In the book RTHK produced for the 50th anniversary" Joan told me, they state I was the stations first paid employee, That's wrong. I was an honory secretary, as well as being Auntie Joan on the children's show, but paying for the stationary out of my own pocket got a bit much, so they gave me £150 per month which just about covered printing and other expenses"
Joan stayed with ZBW for around three years ... "don't ask me about dates, because Im no good at remembering them". Around 1934 3,000 members of the Shanghai Defence Force arrived in Hong kong-Im not sure if they had already defended Shanghai or were waiting to- and here they were. Something had to be done to entertain them "
It all sounds so simple when Joan says that she had formed two concert parties. "I was so lucky" she say's, because there was so much willing -local talent. Singers, dancers...we travelled to the camps where the boys were stationed because there just wasn't a hall big enough to seat them all"
So there was Joan and her two concert parties, each numbering 12, giving two
concerts a week in the different camps plus one "bumper" concert
at the old City Hall (where the Bank of China now stands) on Saturday nights.
When the concerts were in the camps situated in Kowloon, Joan used to meet
the entertainers in the Old Kowloon hotel-now the site of the fire station
and Welfare handicraft shop in Salisbury Road, Tsimshatsui.
From Joan's description, it was quite a place. "A man called Ogilvy owned
it," she said " and it wasn't very posh. If you had a drink at the
bar, you got your elbows wet, but it was great fun."
Also a great place to rub shoulders with "characters" with visitors
and with the hotels residents of whom the most illustrious one (although not
at the time) was a young woman married to a man in the US Navy. She is now
, and has been for about 40 years known as the Duchess of Windsor.
She was Joan say's "very vivacious" in those days, and had quite
a following among the navy," The mind boggles at the thought of the Duchess
like Duchess getting her elbows wet on the old Kowloon hotel's bar, but Joan's
recollections are fresh and clear."In 1934," she say's I produced
Merrie England at the old City Hall, not one of the cast is still alive today."............
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Younghusband of Lincolnshire
All
details here MUST be checked against original documents. This is a
work in progress rather than a definitive tree.
Home
1 Possibly John Younghusband b: Abt. 1796 lincolnshire, UK
... +Mary b: Abt. 1796 lincolnshire, UK
.. 2 WILLIAM YOUNGHUSBAND b: Abt. 1819 Lincolnshire, UK d: Abt. 1884 Possibly
Chorlton, Lancashire
....... +Maria Gardner b: Abt. 1821 leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire m: 1849
Bedfordshire d: Possibly abt 1868. Did he marry twice?
In 1881 William Younghusband is living at 177 Plymouth Grove, Chorlton, Manchester
which street had been home to Elizabeth
Gaskell
....... 3 Eliza Ann Younghusband b: Abt. 1851 Manchester, Lancashire
....... 3 Marion Younghusband b: Abt. 1852 Manchester, Lancashire
....... 3 Louisa Younghusband b: Abt. 1854 Manchester, Lancashire
....... 3 Edward Younghusband b: Abt. 1855 Manchester, Lancashire (An Edward
Younghusband died Salford, Lancashire Jul-Aug-Sep 1925)
............ +Mary Jane Kenyon b: Blackburn, Lancashire m: 1878 Blackburn
............ 4 Ann Alice Younghusband b: Abt. 1880 Blackburn. Lancashire
.......
3 FRED YOUNGHUSBAND b: Abt. 1857 Manchester, Lancashire d: Jun 1902 Newport,
Wales
............ +Elizabeth Alice Greenwood b: 1858 Pendleton, Lancashire m: Sep
1878 Manchester d: 1902 Newport,Wales
............ 4 Herbert William Younghusband b: 1884 Cardiff, Wales died abt
1948 Surrey.
................. +Gertrude Jane Merlin born 1888 Cardiff, Wales m: 1909 Cardiff,
Wales died 1968 Surrey
1923 Kelly's Directory, South Wales
................ 5 Fred Merlin Younghusband b: Abt. 1910 Cardiff, Wales died
1976 Hampshire
................ 5 Jules Percy Younghusband b: Abt. 1912 Cardiff, Wales died
1973 Hampshire married Dorothy C Nock 1945 London
J
P Younghusband : 34 Tuffnells Way, Harpenden (date?)
............ 4 Alice Younghusband b: 1887 Cardiff, Wales
................. +Thomas Henry Phillips Rees m: 1910 Cardiff, Wales
................ 5 Marjorie Phillips Rees b: Abt. 1914 Cardiff, Wales
................ 5 Vernon H P Rees b: Abt. 1911 Pontypool, Wales
............ 4 PERCY YOUNGHUSBAND b: 1888 Cardiff, Wales d: Hong Kong
London Gazette 9th February 1915
Hong
Kong who's who
Percy Younghusband born June 5, 1888, Cardiff, Wales; British; Church of England;
married to Winifred Emilie Taylor, former Mezzo-Soprano of D'Oyly Carte Opera
Co., London; educated at Monckton House School, Cardiff, Wales, 1902-1904;
...........
Economic bulletin - Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
Messrs. P. Younghusband,
Ltd., Prince's Building, Hong Kong.(Date?)
The following services are available: Cargo surveys including outward shipments;
and super-
vision of inward and outward bulk oil shipments. Fees for the above services
will be given on request.
This firm represents the following organisations: General Superintendence
Co. Ltd., Geneva; Cargo
Superintendents (London) Ltd., London; Far East Superintendence Co. Ltd.;
Universal Testing
and Superintending Co. Inc.; Amalgamated Marine Surveyors; and Springbok Drydock
and Ship-
building Co. (South Africa) Pty. Ltd., Durban.
................. +Daisy Kathleen Murphey b: died 1937 Staines, Middlesex?
............ *2nd Wife of PERCY YOUNGHUSBAND:
................. +Winifred
Emile Taylor b: 06 Aug 1900 Cliftonwood, Bristol daughter of Robert
George Taylor and Matilda
Taylor (nee Luke)..
Percy Younghusband (third from the left with his arms round a woman who may
be Auntie Winnie)
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4 Elsie Younghusband b: 1893 Cardiff, Wales
............ 4 Fred Younghusband b: 1894 Cardiff, Wales died possibly 1960
Hendon, Middlesex
................. +Irene A Birch m: 1927 Bristol
............ 4 Margaret Younghusband b: 1897 Cardiff, Wales
................. +Frank Henry Vincent Cook m: Ontario, Canada
....... 3 Emily Younghusband b: Abt. 1860 Manchester, Lancashire
.. 2 Possibly Edward Younghusband b: Abt. 1821 lincolnshire, UK
.. 2 Possibly Mary Younghusband b: Abt. 1824 lincolnshire, UK
.. 2 Possibly Joseph Younghusband b: Abt. 1830 lincolnshire, UK
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