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Off to Christmas Island

Apparently, in 1922 a lady did not need to dress fashionably when visiting Christmas Island. A lovely little glimpse of a British lady about to embark on a great adventure with her husband. Together they will travel to Christmas Island on a scientific quest. I wonder, did she enjoy her stay on the island? You can read in more detail about the British Eclipse Expedition here.

OFF TO CHRISTMAS ISLAND
To Photograph the Eclipse of the Sun
~~~~~
A Lonely Spot with a Golf Course

Mr Spenser Jones, the young chief assistant at Greenwich Observatory, has just left Liverpool for Christmas Island, where in September next he is to photograph the eclipse of the sun. Amongst the large quantity of luggage-estimated at 4 tons which he and his wife have taken with them is a big telescope.

When he had got on board the Holt liner Mentor, which is to take him as far as Singapore, Mr Spenser Jones found time for a few words. “We are,” he said, “having to make a six months’ preparation for a task which will only take about four minutes. However, I think it will prove worth while.”

Mrs Jones’ Luggage.

Mrs Spenser Jones’ own luggage consists only of a few small trunks containing the flimsiest of clothes, for the temperature of Christmas Island is not that of a British Christmas.

“One will not need to dress fashionably and to have special gowns for particular occasions,” she said. “I understand there are only two other women on the island, and such things as social functions will be unknown.

“One feels as though one were going on to play Robinson Crusoe – although we shall be much more civilised than that gentleman. There will be tennis and, of course, swimming: and I believe the few residents on the island have made a small golf course. I am looking forward to the trip immensely.

“Although I am not an expert astronomer, I think I shall be of use not only in connection with my husband’s work but in making the island home comfortable. I am sure a woman’s help will be needed in that direction.

No Shops.

“It will be pleasant to get away from cities and live a free life for a while. It will be strange, too, not to have any shops to tempt one to buy. It is sometimes said that women cannot live without shops, but my coming experience will enable me to prove that one woman at least can be happy without for a time.”

From Singapore Mr Spenser Jones will travel the 800 miles to Christmas Island in a small vessel belonging to the company which leases the island. He will arrive at his destination in March, and will be busy for six months preparing his instruments to take the photographs. There are 30 white people on the island, the population consisting mainly of Chinese coolies.

The photographic apparatus has a 13-inch diameter object glass and a telescope tube 12½ feet long.

“Off to Christmas Island.” Evening Telegraph, 30 Jan. 1922, p. 2. British Library Newspapers

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Christmas Island Archives was selected for preservation by the State Library of Western Australia. It is now listed in perpetuity on PANDORA, Australia’s website archive established by the National Library of Australia.

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An ammunition cave used by the Japanese during the An ammunition cave used by the Japanese during their occupation of Christmas Island in WW2. The circular opening in the wall is where I believe a ventilation pipe was inserted. Its purpose was to keep a stable temperature and extract noxious fumes. Its use as an ammunition cave may have predated WW2. To find out more about this cave read Helena van der Riet's excellent thesis "The Archaeology of the Japanese World War II Occupation of Christmas Island". It can be found on my website (see link in my bio) under the "Documents" section. 
#christmasisland #cave #ammunition #ww2 #ww2history #worldwar2 #worldwar2history #japaneseoccupation #ww2japanese #christmasislandarchives
I love Victor Purcell's observations of human beha I love Victor Purcell's observations of human behaviour on Christmas Island in 1926. The European community caused him the most angst.
#christmasisland #christmasislandhistory #history #islandlife #colonial #straitssettlements #christmasislandarchives
An old water tank near South Point located along t An old water tank near South Point located along the old railway track. I understand that a couple of years ago it was totally overgrown by the jungle and was invisible until it was cleared.
#christmasisland #ruin #relic #industrialrelic #watertank #colonial #christmasislandarchives
Back in 2020 as we were leaving the Old European C Back in 2020 as we were leaving the Old European Cemetery my sis-in-law @mily_barrett spotted this now 72 year old engraving in the concrete path. A nice little reminder from a long gone workman that he was once doing a job there.
"1.7.1951
Pipe Repar" ... 
The last seen letter is partially obscured. The word repair has likely been misspelt?
#christmasisland #history #christmasislandhistory #relic #cemetery #path #oldpath #christmasislandarchives
A sad end for Norman Howard. His gravesite lies in A sad end for Norman Howard. His gravesite lies in the Old European Cemetery on Christmas Island. His story and the mystery loss of his headstone lead to a surprising misidentification of his gravesite. Read about it now on my website. See bio for link. Look under “latest updates” for “Norman Howard - turning in his grave”.
"In memory of Norman Howard
European Overseer
Aged 32
Died 6.3.24"
#christmasisland #straitssettlements #christmasislandhistory #cemetery #headstone #gravesite #grave #colonialhistory #christmasislandarchives
Straits settlement 1 cent coins that I found parti Straits settlement 1 cent coins that I found partially buried. The verdigris colour of one of them caught my eye. How I came to be in that specific spot to find them is another whole story LOL. I donated them to the Island's Tai Jin House museum.
Left top to bottom:
Tails side “Straits Settlements 1936”.
Head side “George V King and Emperor of India” 
Right top to bottom:
Tails side “Commissioners of Currency Malaya 1939”
Head side “George VI King Emperor”
There was another 1 cent coin found along with these as well and was dated 1943. 
I am not sure if such a small denomination would have been used for gambling? However, it has been told that on the Island when Straits Settlement coins were no longer a viable currency they would be saved and then scattered/given as offerings to the good brothers during the Hungry Ghost month. I found these coins during that very month in an area that metal detectorists had been over previously. Perhaps the coins were revealed to me 🙂
#christmasisland #christmasislandhistory #christmasislandrelic #relic #relichunting #indianoceanislands #ghostmonth #straitssettlementscoins #straitssettlements #oldcoins #christmasislandarchives
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