T
HE sudden death of Henry Graye lightweight concrete units, and a deen. Conceived by Henry as a on the 10th December, 1958 at the variety of other building components. common meeting place for everyone age of 56, deprived the Hong Kong For he was versatile and ever keen interested in building
even the building industry of a pioneer spirit to try something new, such as the client — and inspired by the Building and a leader, and the architectural magnetic vibrator which he used with Centre idea, this did not receive the profession of a friend and advocate. his blockmaking plant.
assistance it deserved from the indus-
this Colony, which was to be his home for so long.
March 1952 which cut short these
In his formative years, Henry With the fall of Hong Kong, Henry try and the architectural profession. Graye left his native London tor was interned in Stanley Camp where Henry worked hard to provide a Canada and the United States of his adaptability and skill in building materials bureau, and a showplace America where in 1927, he joined the matters was used to the full in assist for models of the Colony's future Strubel Ironworks as a structurai ing with the construction of kitchens, buildings, coupled with attractive fur steelwork engineer and in 1929 the tanks to retain water for domestic nishings and surroundings, where new Raymond Concrete Pile Co. of New use, and other camp activities, often ideas would be discussed and debated. York as a piling engineer. In 1930 requiring the demolition of useless At the same time he was, as an when Raymond's subsidiary company walls in order to get materials.
Associate Member of the Engineering in Hong Kong was in need of tech
On the resumption of peacetime Society of Hong Kong, taking his nical assistance, Henry came out to conditions, Henry Graye resumed his full share in the activities of that concrete products work, and, realiz body. He suffered a severe stroke in ing the value to architects and con- He had a great affection for the tractors of exchange of ideas, he de- efforts and caused him to curtail his area and its people, and he
was cided to revive the Hong Kong and energies. intrigued with the vigour and scale Far East Builder, which he originally
power and divine aid of its building industry, even in those conceived in 1936. A very bold ven- Henry made a grand recovery, and early years. So that when the Ray- ture indeed, the first post-war issue when, over the Christmas of 1953 mond Concrete Pile Co. and the Hong appeared late 1948, and contained the great squatter fire occurred at Kong Excavation & Pile Driving Co.
articles on current buildings of that Shek Kip Mei, he placed all his decided to vacate this field, Henry time including Electra House, Wat resources at the disposal of the govern- stayed on to take his chance in the son's new aerated water factory near ment, and organised a tremendous Kai Tak and the building scheme at production of concrete blocks for use formation of Jardine's Lookout.
on the housing projects which so Henry Grayc
These are still used in the Resettlement
commercial world.
In 1932, with the
Concrete Products Ltd.,
By will
began a search for full materiai Over the subsequent years Henry rapidly followed.
developed this technical
technical magazine success which, until the last few years, until it has come to be regarded schemes and other developments going
magazine being generally eluded him.
almost as an institution. ed every minute of the
almost as an institution. It is quoted on around our everyday existence. found much personal
by the Colony's press and circulates
his achievements.
to
the
war years.
But he enjoy struggle and happiness in
the
My own recollection of Henry not only in Hong Kong but in 17 Graye is one of great personal as- other countries as well. At times its surance and good humour.
He was Inventor, engineer, merchant, host
production has been uncertain, its an admirable host with a bright gay beer garden and restaurant, a
his fundamentally serious editor, writer, racehorse owner, have subject matter has been wanting, but side to all fallen to Henry's lot, over a quar- its comments appreciated.
it has usually been well received and nature. His conversation was inform- It was ed and precise, his opinion sincerely ter of a century, interrupted only by generally the exclusive work of Henry expressed. His car driving was Henry's business associates have in Graye, who not only organised the frightening to his passengers, but his
printing, wrote the articles, cluded some of the brightest figures collected the data, but who also took on the safe side. His success at the and judgement and alert mind were always in the annals of the Colony. But throughout it all a common link was
photographs, re-produced the races at the Valley was spasmodic! maintained with the building industry advertisements as well.
plans and chased after the vital But above all, his unfailing example through Concrete Products Ltd., and
of professional and personal integrity later the Hong Kong Building Service. The value of the Hong Kong and was a constant inspiration to all who In 1933 he invented and patented his Far East Builder was further enhanced had the privilege to know him, and own design of concrete block making by the issue of a Buyer's Guide and his readiness to help to the utmost machine, to use breeze ог stone subsequently by a Directory of the anyone who sought his aid will not aggregate; machines still in use to building trade; a volume which must be forgotten. To his wife Florence. produce the well-known "Grayeblock now be consulted by all engaged in, his daughter Marcia, and to his and "Vi-Con" block as widely used or allied to, that industry. It has secretary and family friend, Evelyn in the Colony's buildings.
been copied but not equalled.
Rocha, his loss is indeed a blow; by At the casting yard at Ma Tau Kok A venture which, largely through his business and profession he will ne his many friends inside and outside and then at Kun Tong, Henry or the intervention of bad health, came ganised the production of building to naught, was the "Builder's Ren- slabs,
coloured concrete products, dezvous,' on Island Road to Aber-
sorely missed.
J. R. Fürth
9
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