Stonecutters Island Forum

MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Veronica Cox (nee Smith) on November 2, 2010, 13:01:03

Hi,

Is anyone with MCTC connections allowed to post messages? I lived on Stonecutters from 1970-72 and 75-76 with my father who was with MCTC. I wondered if anyone from that side of the Island had made any contact with you.

regards, Veronica

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Mike Mcnamara on November 2, 2010, 14:54:28, in reply to "MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hi Veronica,

Please feel free to post your messages here. We are all interested in everyone's connections with the Island. Looks like you had two stints on the Island, I only managed one!

Looking forward to further posts from you.

I have also sent you a separate email with a link to the Flickr Home Page where we have a number of pictures from past residents of the Island.

Regards

Mike

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Veronica Cox (nee Smith) on November 4, 2010, 12:42:26, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

I was in Hong Kong with my parents, Colin & Mary, sister Deborah and brother Robert. We lived in 25c South Shore on our first tour (1970-72) and then 31 South Shore (bungalow) from 1975-76. I have great memories of Stonecutters Island, especially all the people that served at the MCTC and their families. As a child, I remember watching the planes come in (at just above roof-level) and the many typhoons (most memorable being Typhoon Rose)-on occasions having to be brought back to the Island from school (Gun Club and St Georges),via Sham Shui Po, on a landing craft as the sea was too rough for the walla-wallas!I remember the great community spirit, especially at Mess Do's and down at the swimming pool.Does anyone else know Mrs Wyn Robinson - she was fantastic and taught all of us to swim! Was anyone on Stonecutters when the Queen Elizabeth caught fire and eventually sank in the sea behind the island, after being refurbished? That was something I will never forget! My father took photos of the tragic event, every 30 mins,throughout the night (he was on nights at the MCTC at the time)and has a fantastic collection of photos now. When we went back for our 2nd tour, the rusted hull was being removed, but you could still see it above the waterline. I went back to Hong Kong in 1995 for a holiday but never made it back to the Island.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Mike Mcnamara on November 4, 2010, 16:33:07, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Great post which I'm sure will bring a lot of memories back for those that lived there.

I worked at the Navy Wireless station and just missed the QE fire by a few weeks, but I remember going to that end of the island to photograph the remains. Has your dad posted any of his images on the web, Flickr/Picasa?

I hope we get some more responses from others who lived on the island. Certainly was a great place for kids to grow up on.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Colin Johnson on November 14, 2010, 22:34:03, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Sorry we just missed you. We left on 6th.January 1970. But I was Navy. However we did know and have Army friends and may have common friends.
Mike. I can't remember how to get onto your flikr site. Can you let me know again please. REGARDS

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Jim Robinson on December 22, 2010, 10:09:59, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Having spent three tours on the Island at the MCTC or technically the Combined Military Establishment (CME Hong Kong) 1967-69, 1970-72 and 1974-76 when it was closed. It was the last overseas corrective establishment. I witnessed the fire on the QE and in fact rang the HK fire brigade to warn them but spotted a police boat alongside and realised that they would contact the Fire Services. The saddest part was watching the ship toppling over the next day, whilst all the ships in the harbour were sounding their sirens in salute. Numerous people were using my verandah to watch all this and many of the ladies were crying.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by KEN SCOTT on August 8, 2011, 22:48:37, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

I LIVED AND WORKED ON THE ISLAND 1970-73 SAW PLENTY OF TYPHOONS WAS ON DUTY FOR ROSE.WE LIVED ON EAST PIER AND MY DAUGHTER WENT TO ST GEORGES.WE HAVE LOTS OF PHOTOS OF THE SEAWISE UNIVERCITY BURNING AND TOPPLING OVER.NAME I REMEMBER FROM MCTC WAS JOHN CANNON REASON BEING HE WAS AN INSTRUCTOR AT COLCHESTER WHEN I HAD A HOLIDAY THERE.MY DAUGHTER WOULD REMEMBER A LOT MORE NAMES

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by KEN SCOTT on August 20, 2011, 9:32:07, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

I WORKED IN THE AMMO DEPOT,DID SPELLS OF DUTY DRIVER &CRANE OP WHEN CIVVIE DRIVERS WERE OFF.DURING TYPHOON ROSE WE WERE ON DUTY WHEN IT GOT LIGHT NEXT DAY WE FOUND A SHIP CALLED "WATADAMBU" AGROUND ON THE OLD WALLA LANDING PIER.PLAYED PLENTY OF FOOTBALL ON THE PITCH JUST PAST THE JR MESS.DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GRAVES THAT WERE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE RANGE

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by KEN SCOTT on August 30, 2011, 19:29:47, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

SPEAKING TO MY DAUGHTER SHE REMEMBERS WYNN ROBINSON,ALSO A YOUNG LAD CALLED TIMMY SILK.GUN CLUB&ST GEORGES WERE HER SCHOOLS.MY WIFE USED TO DO BUS ESCORT,WE LIVED ON EAST PIER,WE WENT BACK IN 2005 BUT THE ISLAND IS NOW CHINESE ARMY&CONTAINER PORT

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Roy Boulter on September 5, 2011, 19:19:25, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Jim, always interested in this subject. A great piece of family and military history. Do you have any further info on what the CME was used for before its conversion and do you have any idea what the PLA might be using the buildings for now?

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Roy Boulter on September 5, 2011, 19:25:10, in reply to "MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Veronica, yes, Roy Boulter and Frances Boulter ( nee Simpson ). Lived on the Island at the same time and knew your parents well. Still send and receive Christmas cards each year. Frances was there with her parents Frank and Alice, her 2 sisters and her brother. We were married and Jim nad Win robinson ( see this page ) attended our wedding in 1974. Nice to see your name on the webb site

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Veronica Cox (nee Smith) on September 14, 2011, 12:04:56, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hello Roy,

Are you the same person that married Frances? My Dad (Colin Smith) and I were talking about Hong Kong the other night and came up with a whole lot of names of people serving on Stonecutters when we were there. Taffy Williams, Fred Lennie, Wally Swan, John Cannon, Bill Silk, Frank Simpson, Charlie Bouch, Jimmy James, Pete Powers - the list is endless! I believe that a lot of those people moved back to MCTC Colchester from there? Do you remember going to the Sgts Mess? We have great memories of times there and of Wong Shing, the barman. We kept in touch with Wong Shing, Robert Ho and Ho Che Sang for years - Ho Che Sang is living in Canada now (we get a card every christmas). I wonder where all of the other "young" people are now? The Silk boys, Robinson girls (Ann, Susan, Jill), the Williams (Lizzie, Shirley, David), the Bouch girls (Sarah & Jane)and all the others we all went to school with?

Regards,

Veronica (Smith) Cox

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by KEN SCOTT on October 7, 2011, 20:31:22, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

A LOT OF THE NAMES YOU MENTION ARE FAMILIAR I WAS AT THE AMMO DEPOT 70-73 WE LIVED ON EAST PIER MY DAUGHTER REMEMBERS THE SILK BOYS&THE ROBINSON GIRLS.HER NAME WAS DONA.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Morag Swan on November 21, 2011, 16:48:33, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hello my daughter Gilian found this website it's great seeing old friends names.It would be lovely to hear from anyone .

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Gillian Swan on November 21, 2011, 17:12:49, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hi Veronica, do you remember our little gang, hope so as we lived next door to each other. Karen Gillian and Jimmy Swan. Jack and Walter use to visit. Everything in your message I remember so well. I was looking on a website for Gun Club and was sure I saw a school photo with Deborah in it.
My dad is a Chelsea Pensioner now and my mum is a very proud 'Nanny and Great Nanny. I remember Auntie Wyn Robinson very well, who also taught us how to swim. I've never been back to Hong Kong but would love to one day. I hope everyone is well.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Veronica Cox (nee Smith) on January 31, 2012, 18:47:10, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hello Morag & family,

How are you all? Long-time-no-see! I was just going through the updates on the site, when I saw your name, along with Gillian's. We lived next door to you in the flats (no 25 South Shore) way back in the 70's. Colin, Mary, Deborah, Veronica and Robert Smith.With the exception of Robert (now living in Scotland), we all live in and around the Colchester area. I have just told Dad that you've been on the site and he's sitting here talking about old times! Do you remember when Colin used to play his trumpet on the armah shed roof, by the flats? I remember all of the stray cats that lived around the area, also the long walk up the hill, past the big boulder and up all those steps to get to the flat. We must have spent the best part of our time down at the NAAFI and swimming pool. Those were the days! I went back to HK for a holiday in the 90's but never made it across to the island. You can drop me an e-mail if you'd like to. Regards to you all, Veronica, Mary & Colin Smith

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Veronica Cox on April 16, 2012, 16:02:10, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hi Gillian,

I have just been through hundreds of photos of when we were in Hong Kong. There's lots of us all as children! Will try and put somne of the photos on flickr on Stonecutters Site. Regards to you and your family.

Veronica (Ronnie) xx

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Gillian Swan on May 2, 2012, 13:37:53, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hi ya I know what you mean about photos, we have hundreds of them.
I have found a couple of groups on Facebook for Stonecutters & The Gun Club, I'm sure there was a class photo with your sister Debbie in it .
My family are all well hope yours is too, take care love Gill xxx

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Mike McNamara on May 4, 2012, 8:04:23, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hi Gillian,

Saw your post and had a look at the Facebook pages, still waiting for a response to my request to join the group, but good to see other sites about the Island as well.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by ArchinaNorth North on May 7, 2012, 17:00:46, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

We were there too

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by ArchinaNorth North on May 7, 2012, 17:10:06, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

I was there then too and I went to Gun Club Hill Primary.

Conrad North

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by REG STEERS on October 2, 2012, 19:55:04, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hi Veronica. I guess your father was Colin Smith RSM Mctc Stonecutters 1975-1977. My wife (Mary) and our two children - Paul and Yvonne Steers, lived in the large house on top of Stoncuters. We would walk down the many steps to the south shore walla-walla boats. I remember your lovely Mum Mary. Do let me know if I have the right person (Veronica). Love you --- Bye.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Veronica Cox (nee Smith) on October 3, 2012, 14:35:11, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hello Reg, Yes, you have the right person. Colin is my dad

. I recall you calling him some time ago. We are all keeping okay, though Mum lives in a care home now. Think Dad told you that already? How are your family? Hope that they are all well. Great times were had by all I think when we lived on Stonecutters Island. A wonderful life for children and adults alike! I have found 2 ex-stonecutters friends from this site and have befriended them on facebook. Well, take care and love to everyone, Ronnie (Veronica) xxxx Ps Theres a Stonecutter's Island group on facebook - lots of photos a memories on there xx

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Henry Orton on July 19, 2013, 20:13:42, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

I was an, ahem, inmate there in 1970, and remember an NCO named Swan. A huge man as I recall? Most inmates lived in fear of him, but he took to me kindly. I was a bit of a curiosity as I was in the RN, and at the time the only non Army inmate. I'd like to say my time there helped sort me out, but that took a couple of years longer once out of my teens. Visited HK in the 90's but Stonecutters was being connected to Kowloon then and looked like a giant construction site.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Harry Weeks on October 23, 2014, 11:16:54, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

I was your neighbour and Dona baby sat Simon (now 45 years old) Ofcouse I met up with her again at 6 Ord Bn. Hope that you are all well.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Jade cannon on February 1, 2019, 22:09:38, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

John cannon was my Grandad 💙 amazing man. I heard so many stories about Hong Kong and had lots of memories at the mctc in Colchester for Core weekends.

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Johnny chubb on May 2, 2020, 20:26:40, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

I was in here 28 days did 20 taught me never to fall foul of army discipline again some of the staff in here in the late 60,s where really sadistic bastards hope they had some cuppuponce some day

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Jeff Levene on December 16, 2020, 18:53:45, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

Hi, I did 28 days also in January 72...watched Queen Elizabeth burn and keel over from cell window.
I know what you mean about the screws but there was one or two decent ones who I found reasonable but certainly a tough regime.
Having no door on the toilet was very ignominious in the eight man cell and ‘bumping’ the concrete floors was a pain.
The worst part was seeing the lights twinkling at night in Kowloon from the cell window.
Remember having to shave our bed side stools with the blue Gillette razor blade to get the wood white and clean. ‘Short arm’ inspection and a haircut every week. The barber wore a mask, allegedly for hygiene reasons but I reckon it was in case we recognised him when we got out!
Assault course, field punishments and the PT were all ‘taxing’ - I came out a lot fitter than when I went in!

Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)

Posted by Karen Norman on January 15, 2021, 9:14:11, in reply to "Re: MCTC Stonecutters Island (1970's)"

I remember you - I was at Gun Club Hill School from 1972 ton1974 - my maiden name was Karen Gillies

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