Home Davies papers discovered in house clearing

In February 2023 Chris Main, from the UK, contacted Christmas Island Archives. In the course of a house clearing, he had come across his grandfather’s papers (his grandfather being a former District Officer on Christmas Island) Chris wrote:

I came across a lot of papers belonging to my Grandfather, Robert William Home Davies – always known by his 3^rd Christian name, Home. (Pronounced Hyoom). In 1955, Home was appointed District Officer of Christmas Island, or more accurately, stand in District Officer while the incumbent, Claude McLaren Reid, was on leave in the UK. The period in question was 1^st May to 8^th December 1955.

Chris has scanned some of the aforementioned documents and has allowed them to be shared on this website. Many thanks go to him.

Christmas Island Trade Store – The ship is in! It is July 1953. The trade Store is being restocked. What culinary delights were awaiting the Islanders and how much did they cost?

General notes for future District Officers Christmas Island (Transcribed) – It is early 1952. The guard is changing. A new District Officer will be arriving. The current D.O. writes to his successor on what to expect and gives some sage advice on how he, the new D.O. and his wife, can have a happier time. His observation of the European population is philosophical!

Christmas Island Club (Barbeque and dance) – Must have been quite the event. Stamina was probably a requirement.

List of Government Servants and their families – Is your family here?

Christmas Island telephone directory – but not for the general populace.

Christmas Island Staff list – The Island Manager was nearly left off.

Christmas Island English School (sports carnival) – shows school motto, names of judges, scorers, starter, announcers, photographer and acknowledgements

Chris also provided an interesting insight into his grandfather:

There were some alterations made to the house [Tai Jin / Buck House] during Home’s stay, at the request of the McLaren Reids. The main purpose of this was to add a proper kitchen to the living quarters, which had previously been somewhat improvised. In conjunction with the architect, Home decided to revise the instructions he was given on the required layout, because, in his opinion, he had to ‘plan for the good of the house and not the views of one incumbent’. Not surprisingly, the McLaren Reids were pretty annoyed when they got back! That is the kind of man Home was. He upset the British Government (who ultimately were his employer at the time) by ruling against them in the Indian Courts during the run up to Independence – which in the end required an Act of Parliament to sort out. From Home’s perspective his decision was the only one he could make, as it was correct according to the law. Refusing to do what was expected of him if he didn’t agree with it is to his credit in many ways – but it wasn’t always in his own best interests. When he accepted the job in XI, he had to relinquish his position as a Magistrate in Singapore, and when he returned, the ‘powers that be’ declined to support his application to return to the bench.