[
    {
        "id": 212733,
        "series_id": 26,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-rashkb-journal-engine",
        "series_title": "RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "RAS-1992",
        "page_number": 42,
        "title": "RAS-1992",
        "content_text": "27\n\nrendered eminent service to the Imperial cause. The Double Dragon Jewelled Star (Shuang-lung Pao-hsing) was, he repeated, conferred on him in Kueichou during his first campaign in that province (1867-1869). He described it in his second note as consisting of a pure heavy gold [2oz or more] medal rather than a star, about one and a half inches in diameter, with a hole in the centre about half an inch in diameter, filled by a light sapphire globe revolving on a gold pin inserted through it. On one side were two dragons in high relief, on the other, four characters, also in high relief, viz. Ta-Ch'ing Feng-tseng meaning 'a title of honour bestowed by the Ch'ing dynasty'. The jewelled globe in the centre was intended to represent the light blue button and rank of colonel which Mesny then held. Had the medal been conferred by the Emperor, Mesny added, he would have worn it in Europe in 1878 but as it was the gift of a provincial viceroy he did not. Mesny also wrote that he preferred his ordinary Chinese rank and decorations, the Flowery Plume or single-eyed Peacock's Feather and, later, the ordinary order of Pa-t'u-lu with special designation of Ying yung, the Penetrating Knight, awarded to him by the Emperor.\n\nMayers, again, in The Chinese Government wrote about this minor award;\n\n'Isolated distinctions have indeed been conferred in China on foreigners of various nationalities, principally for services rendered in the command of drilled troops during the Taiping rebellion, and subsequently in the collection of the Customs revenue, which are known, with reference to the European term 'star', by the designation pao-hsing; but as these are bestowed, for the most part, by provincial authorities, and without the sanction of any established rule or recognised statutes, such as are required to constitute what is commonly known as an 'Order', the badges thus conferred can scarcely be regarded as having any real value as authentic marks of distinction.'\n\nMesny was recommended for 4th Degree civil rank in 1866 which, if it had been awarded, would have entitled him to wear a mandarin square 'wild goose' breast badge. He recorded that the fourth degree civil rank had the right to wear and were distinguished by a dark blue button on their official cap. The embroidered robe, mang pao, had but eight dragons with five claws on each foot. The dress badge worn by civil officers and all ladies of their class and degree bore the semblance of a swan",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/dfo323lmgvd/RAS-1992.txt",
        "external_url": "https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/qf85tx75x",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 215018,
        "series_id": 26,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-rashkb-journal-engine",
        "series_title": "RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "RAS-2000",
        "page_number": 114,
        "title": "RAS-2000",
        "content_text": "70\n\nA Royal Engineer officer was posted to the camp to supervise the construction of permanent buildings for the Hospital and he also supervised the construction of an officers' mess. The joining fee was F Fr. 40 and a further F Fr. 2 per day. Friday evening was guest night. Stuckey's cubicle was also well fitted-out, made from timber scrounged by his servant, Wu.\n\nThe officers and Chinese were well fed, the latter tending their own vegetable gardens near the Hospital. Sir Sam Fay recounts an amusing episode:\n\n'Some genius reported that special food in the form of cuttle-fish and old time eggs were necessary for health. Three shiploads reached Liverpool, but due to the smell were ordered to be sent to Dieppe, where many Chinese worked in the bakery. Being Northerners, they laughed, as they were grain eaters despising southern China's delicacies. The specialities were quickly dumped in the Channel.'\n\nAnother story is told of the deputation to an officer from coolies working in an ammunition factory. They requested extra food as they did not have the same opportunity to steal food as did the dockworkers.\n\nIn August the Chinese at the Hospital celebrated the 'Eighth Moon Festival' with races and a football match, won by the white staff, 2-1. Favourite platoon officers were invited to partake of specially prepared food.\n\nIn September 1917, Mr O'Neil from Manchuria, a Chinese speaker, planned to run the YMCA hut for the Chinese, being available for white personnel in the evenings. In early November the Chinese staged a Chinese play as an \"opening ceremony\" for the new YMCA and a collection by them raised a sum of F Fr. 680, saying that they could not take the benefits freely without contributing.\n\nStuckey remarked that at least two coolies won the Distinguished Service Medal for conspicuous bravery, going through a barrage three times to get food for their company when its supply had been cut off by enemy fire. Occasionally the coolies fought the war their own way and after one German air raid, killing some Chinese, their friends then killed several German prisoners before the sentries were aroused.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/dfo323lmgvd/RAS-2000.txt",
        "external_url": "https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/nk328168n",
        "rank": 0
    }
]