Diary of a journey among the Lois of Hainan

The diary of Lieutenant John (Jack) de Luze Simonds' thirty-six day expedition to the 'Lois' [Li] people of Hainan Island, China during February and March 1910. The expedition team included the Rev. C. H. Newton (American Presbyterian Mission, Hainan); G.W. Pearson (Consul; Hoi Ho); Ling Sun (cook);...

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Date(s) of creation: 1910
Level: Collection
Format: Archive           

Reference number: MS 381086
Summary: The diary of Lieutenant John (Jack) de Luze Simonds' thirty-six day expedition to the 'Lois' [Li] people of Hainan Island, China during February and March 1910. The expedition team included the Rev. C. H. Newton (American Presbyterian Mission, Hainan); G.W. Pearson (Consul; Hoi Ho); Ling Sun (cook); Meng Ngi (personal attendant); Sand Do (head groom); and two soldiers. The diary comprises forty typescript pages containing daily diary entries for the period and three pages of statistical appendices. It also includes twenty photographs of the expedition, including 'Lois' [Li] villages and at Nam Fong and Fan Hiang and two loose geological maps of Hainan Island.
Main author: Simonds; John de Luze (1884-1917); British Army officer
Extent: 40 pp.
Admin history: John (Jack) de Luze Simonds was born in Reading, Berkshire, in 1884, the son of Louis DeLuze Simonds and Mary Elizabeth Turnbull; a Berkshire family of brewing magnates. Simonds was educated at Winchester School.

Simonds joined the Royal Artillery in 1904, serving with the Garrison Artillery in Malta before being posted to Hong Kong as the aide-de-camp to the commander in chief, General Sir Charles Anderson. While serving in Hong Kong in 1910, Lieutenant Simonds led a 5 week expedition to the aboriginal 'Lois' [Li] ... View more
Acquisition: Initially deposited at SOAS Library on loan in March 2010. Subsequently gifted by the Duncan Simonds Family to SOAS Library on 24th April 2015.
Access status: Open
Copyright: Copyright held by SOAS, University of London
User restrictions: For any future displays/exhibitions of this item, please note: "Gifted by the Duncan Simonds Family to SOAS Library"
Language: English
Format: Archive           
Access Points - Person, Corporate & Family Names:
Name Code Person, Corporate or Family Name Type of Entity
GB/SOASNAF/P1218 Simonds; John de Luze (1884-1917); British Army officer Person
Access Points - Places:
Place Code Place Name
1814991 China