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A Chronology of
Brigadier General Arthur Benison Hubback’s Life
1871-1946

1871

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13 Apr                

Birth of Arthur Benison Hubback in No. 74, Rodney Street, Liverpool, Lancashire to Joseph Hubback (b.1814–d.1882), merchant and Lord Mayor of the Borough of Liverpool (b.1869-d.1870) and his 3rd wife, Georgina, née Eliott-Lockhart (1)

 

12 May              

Baptism ceremony at St Peter’s, the parish church of Liverpool (2)

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1872

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17 Dec               

Birth of brother, Theodore Hubback

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1874        

          

20 Jan               

Signing of The Pangkor Treaty. Official British involvement in the policies of the Malays and eventually the establishment of the Federated Malay States and later, British Malaya.

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1876/77       

 

Birth of brother, Joseph Guy Hubback

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1878              

 

Birth of Sister, Mabel Josephine Hubback

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1881          

 

1881 census records family address at Banks Road, West Kirby in Wirral.

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1882   

               

7 Apr                 

Birth of brother, George Clay Hubback.

                          

Family moved to Ravenscar, the Downs, Wimbledon.

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1883           

                

6 Sept                

Father, Joseph Hubback dies after a long duration of illness at Wimbledon (3)

                          

Henry Franklin Bellamy appointed as Superintendent of Selangor Public Works Department (4)

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1884-87   

     

At boarding school Fettes College, Edinburgh on a scholarship he won (5)

Founded in 1870, Fettes College was an all-boys boarding school up to 1970.  

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1884   

           

Arthur Charles Alfred Norman signs a five-year contract at $1800 per annum as Chief Draughtsman and Assistant Superintendent to H.F Bellamy at Selangor P.W.D (6)

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1887

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6 June               

Articled pupil of Thomas Shelmerdine, City Architect & Surveyor Liverpool (7)

Architectural Articleship - mixing formal studies and working as an understudy to the city architect in Liverpool. This form of Articleship in seeking formal education for Architectural Degree was available then during his era.

 

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1888               

 

Appointment as Junior Assistant to Thomas Shelmerdine, City Architect & Surveyor Liverpool, paid 18 shillings per week (£47 per year). (8)

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1890

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June                  

Appointment as Assistant in City Architect & Surveyor Office, Liverpool.

 

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1891                  

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Described in census as Architect & Surveyor.

 

May                   

Thomas Groves appointed as Chief Draughtsman of Selangor P.W.D

                          

July                    

Chief Draughtsman T. Groves reported to be incompetent to prepare designs, assigned as Clerk of Work in Klang instead.

 

Aug                    

Malacca based J. D. Alwis appointed as Chief Draughtsman on a three-month probation.

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31 Oct               

Chief Draughtsman, J.D Alwis’s probation ends and is appointed as Clerk of Work in Klang.

 

15 Nov               

Charles Edward Spooner arrives in Selangor as State Engineer at Selangor P.W.D. Former Superintendent H.F Bellamy becomes Deputy State Engineer. A.C.A Norman reduced from Assistant Superintendent to Assistant Superintendent & State Architect of Selangor P.W.D, and put in charge of the drawing office and of the plans drawn. (9) 

 

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1893

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16 Feb                

Regent Alfred John Bidwell signs a three-year agreement with Selangor P.W.D as Chief Draughtsman for a salary of $1500 per annum. (10)

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Nov                     

Deputy State Engineer, H.F Bellamy takes a twelve-month leave due to health problems.

 

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1894                  

                           

Appointment as Surveying Assistant (City Architect & Surveyor Liverpool), paid 40 shillings per week (£104 per year). 

 

2 June               

Plays cricket for Liverpool in the Liverpool vs. Birkenhead Park match, Aighburth Liverpool.

 

Nov                    

Deputy State Engineer, H.F Bellamy returns to Kuala Lumpur from England to resume his position in Selangor P.W.D.    

 

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1895

 

11 March           

R.A.J Bidwell tenders in resignation as Chief Draughtsman of Selangor P.W.D, expressing unhappiness with his pay and additional job scope as Acting Architect. Bidwell cites an offer from a private firm for $275 a month as proof that he was underpaid.

 

March                 

None of the officers in the Colonial Service could be spared to serve as Chief Draughtsman of Selangor. Crown Agents in London were requested by Selangor P.W.D to select a candidate in England with an offer of about $135 a month. (11)

 

15 May              

Signs a three-year contract to serve as Chief Draughtsman of Selangor P.W.D, with a salary of $1800 per annum. Contract signing witnessed by Thomas Shelmerdine (19570073435). Hubback’s address in the agreement appears as 134 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster.

 

28 May              

Attends his farewell party thrown by colleagues at Alexandra Hotel, Liverpool.

 

30 May              

Departs from England for Selangor. Draws half of his salary from the date of his departure. (12)                                        

 

10 April              

R.A.J Bidwell ends his tenure as Chief Draughtsman and Acting Architect to join private practice Messr. Swan and McLaren in Singapore.

 With Swan and Mclaren, R.A.J Bidwell designed The Raffles Hotel (1899), Teutonia Club (1900, now Goodwood Park Hotel) and Victoria Memorial Hall (1905, now Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall). R.A.J Bidwell became one of the most important architects in Singapore.

 

20 June             

Selangor State Architect, Arthur Charles Alfred Norman’s privilege leave expires.

 

5 July                 

Arrives in Klang. Three year period of service begins. Performs Architect’s duties in addition to his work as Chief Draughtsman. Selangor P.W.D agreed to pay a salary of $75 per mensem from 30th May to 4th July. Receives a full salary $150 per mensem from 5 July onwards. (13)

 

4&5 Aug            

Visits Sungei Ujong with H.F. Bellamy (Deputy State Engineer) and Mr. Paxon, (Hydraulic Engineer).

 

23 Aug               

Recommendation by C.E Spooner (State Engineer) for appointment as Acting-Architect in addition to duties as Chief Draughtsman and to draw the half pay of both appointments from 5th July onwards. Norman’s half pay = $1500. Hubback’s half pay = $810. (14)

 

Sept                   

Receives an allowance of $10 a month for the employment of a Munshi to pursue a course in the Malay Language in accordance with notification of No.195 in Selangor Government Gazette of 13th April 1894.

 

4th Nov               

Brother Theodore, then an employee of Dock Yard, Liverpool, signs a three-year contract as District Engineer of Selangor P.W.D with a salary of $200 per mensem. (15) 

 

20 Dec               

Takes leave to take part in an Inter-State Golf Match in Singapore.

 

21 Dec               

Brother, Theodore Rathborne Hubback arrives in Klang/Kuala Lumpur and begins his service as District Engineer in Selangor P.W.D.

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1896

 

Appointment as Acting District Engineer in Ulu Langat.

 

3 Jan                 

Returns from Singapore.

 

17-18 Feb          

Ruptures muscle - goes on medical leave.

 

11 April              

Opening of Kuala Lumpur’s Waterworks.

The Ampang Waterworks begun in 1891 and completed in 1896 by Mr. Paxon, Hydraulic Engineer, and J. O’hara his assistant.  Contractors were Messrs. Howarth Erskine & Co. (afterwards absorbed by the United Engineers Ltd).

 

15-30 June        

Suffers from Sinus - granted medical leave

 

June                  

Position of State Architect abolished. Former State Architect A.C.A Norman appointed as District Engineer of Kuala Lumpur. (16) 

 

1 July                 

Inauguration of the Federated Malay States.

Kuala Lumpur becomes official capital of F.M.S. Frank Althelstane Swettenham appointed as Resident-General of F.M.S.

 

9 Sept                

Applies for extra pay as Architect.

 

Makes his first century in cricket.

 

Wins the medal for Handicap of the Selangor Golf Club.

 

9-11 Oct            

Applies for permission to leave the State (to play cricket in Perak). Sustain injuries while playing cricket and injures face cannoning against another player.

 

22 Oct               

Returns to position as Chief Draughtsman. Position of District Engineer Ulu Langat taken over by Supernumery Engineer C. Maudsley.

 

Nov                    

Unanimously elected as Selangor Club’s Cricket Captain by the Selangor Club Committee, replacing Mr. Dougal. A.B Hubback largely helped in obtaining cricketing funds.

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Appointment as sub-committee member of Selangor Club for Entertainment with Rev. F.W Haines, Dr. Travers, Captain H.L Talbot, St. L. Parsons, W. Tearle and R.G Watson.

 

Dec                    

A portion of the parade ground came to be under the control of the Selangor Club. Selects the first pitch at the St. Mary’s end of the Padang.

 

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1897

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4 Feb                 

Plays cricket in a Selangor vs. Singapore match.

 

22 Feb               

Receives an allowance of $25 a month for Architectural work services. (17)

 

26 Feb               

Goes to Kuala Lipis to supervise the construction of the last section of the Selangor-Pahang Trunk Road.

 

March                

Put in charge to oversee the execution of the Federal Buildings (new Government Offices) in Kuala Lumpur.

 

15 March           

Receives Horse Allowance for supervising the construction of Federal Buildings (new Government Offices).

 

3 April                

Opening of the new Government Offices on Gombak Road (today Jalan Raja) – later known as the Federal Secretariat Building and today, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad.

 

May/June           

Chief Draughtsman’s job title officially changed to Assistant Architect. Pay increased from $1800 to $2000 per annum, with compensation.

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June                  

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, completion of her 60th reign.  

Public celebrations in British Empire colonies and its protectorates. Kuala Lumpur showcased among others, a water fete at the Public Gardens, sports, processions, fireworks, flower shows and a parade at the Padang, enjoyed by both the European and native residents of the town.

Assigned as clerk of courses for the Native Sports. Performs on top of the portico of the Government Offices as part of the Diamond Jubilee Minstrels troupe with Messrs. Severn, Maynard, Todd and Thomson. Wins drop kick in the European Sports (for Europeans and Eurasians). Takes part in quarter mile run, but lost. Wins first place for high jump, a tie with H.F Nebronner at 4ft 10in. Injures foot while jumping. Both winners agreed to give the price to a Singh who was only one inch below them.

 

14 July               

First Durbar convened among Malay Rulers of Perak, Selangor, Pahang and Negri Sembilan in Kuala Kangsar.

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Sept                   

Appointment as Acting Factory Engineer to replace Factory Engineer Thomas Groves who is due for a 15 months leave. Moves out of the government quarters shared with Mr.Whitly on Venning Road (today Jalan Perdana, Jalan Ria & Jalan Tembusu) to the Factory Engineer’s Quarters.

 

24 Oct–25 Nov   

Takes leave to play for the Straits Settlements Cricket Team in a Cricket Festival in Hong Kong.

 

28 Oct               

Thomas Plowman Hangling King arrives for duty as Architectural Assistant at Selangor P.W.D, $2000 per annum.

 

8th Nov              

Plays in the Interport matches 1897/98 Hong Kong vs. Straits Settlements, Hong Kong Cricket Club  Ground, Hong Kong.

 

14th Nov            

Plays in the Interport matches 1897/98 Hong Kong & Shanghai vs. Straits Settlements, Hong Kong Cricket Club Ground, Hong Kong.

 

12 Dec               

T. Groves leaves the country for his holiday of 15 months.

 

Dec                    

Resigns from Selangor Public Works Department. (18)

                          

Architectural Assistant, T.P.H King replaces A.B Hubback as Acting Factory Engineer. (19) 

                          

Draughtsman and Surveyor of Selangor P.W.D, B. Ramakristna Row, performed dual duties of Architectural Assistant and Draughtsman while T.P.H King was away.

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1898         

 

April/May           

B. Ramakritsna Row receives an extra pay of $25 for performing dual duties as Architectural Assistant and Draughtsman.

 

May                   

Starts a brick-making company with contractor W. Nicholas on a 3-acre land in Kerling which is rented out for $10 per acre by the Government. (20) 

Secures, among others, the contract for the erection of bridges on the Tanjong Malim Railway Extension and to supply bricks to the Railway Department for the Kajang section of the Seremban Railway extension.

                 

Enters a design competition for Singapore’s Town Hall with W. Nicholas, but was however unsuccessful.

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Dec                    

T. Groves returns to Selangor and resumes post as Factory Engineer.

 

Completion of Carcosa, Kuala Lumpur.

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1899

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Nov                    

Represents F.M.S in a cricket match in Burma.

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Dec                    

T.P.H King reported to be incompetent and recommended to be dispensed of by State Engineer, C.E Spooner.

 

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1900        

          

Jan                    

T.P King absent without leave. Advert put up by Spooner for a new Architectural Assistant. (21)                                              

11 May              

G.W Allsop appointed as Architectural Assistant Selangor P.W.D.

 

7 July                 

T.P.H King’s contract as Chief Draughtsman ceases.

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Sept/Oct            

G.W. Allsop dismissed from his position as Architectural Assistant.

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Oct/Nov             

Brother, T.R Hubback transferred to Seremban as District Engineer.

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Nov                    

Applies for a 25-acre land on Jalan Reko (Kajang) for brick making.

 

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1901

                          

22 Jan               

Death of Queen Victoria

 

17 Feb               

Sir Frank A. Swettenham becomes Governor of the Straits Settlements.

 

15 May              

Appointment of C.E Spooner as General Manager of F.M.S Railways (F.M.S.R) (22). District Engineer of Lower Perak (also vice to Charles Spooner), Patrick Blackstock McGlashan became State Engineer of Selangor. (23) 

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Former State Engineer of Perak, Francis St. George Caufeild, M.I.C.E becomes Director of FMS Public Works Department.

                          

1 July                 

Dissolves brick-making company with W. Nicholas on mutual terms. 

 

1 July                  

Joins government service as Govt. Asst. Architect to Director of P.W.D & 3rd Grade Executive Engineer, F.M.S. Involved in all the architectural works for the Government of Federated Malay States under directorship of Francis St. George Caufeild, M.I.C.E.

 

28 Oct               

Marries Margaret Roses Frances (Daisy) Voules at St. Mary’s Church, Kuala Lumpur. Leaves for Honeymoon in Bukit Larut, Taiping by train.

Margaret R.F. Voules is the daughter of Sir Gordon Blennerhassett Voules, a judge in India and Frances Cotton Minchin, also sister of Arthur Blennerhassett Voules, Resident Councilor of Penang.

 

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1902

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4 Jan                  

Performs in a comedy play entitled ‘Breaking the Ice’ with wife at the Selangor Club’s concert.

 

28 Apr-Aug         

District Engineer, A.C.A Norman goes on long leave.          

 

11 Sept              

Birth of son, Arthur Gordon Voules Hubback.

 

Formation of Malay State Volunteer Rifles (M.S.V.R) by the F.M.S Government.

 

Appointment as Captain of M.S.V.R.

 

Oct                    

Visits Seremban for a few days to discuss new government buildings which were to cost $100,000.

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1903

 

25 June             

A.C.A Norman retires from post as District Engineer of Kuala Lumpur and returns to England.

 

July                    

Second Durbar convened in Kuala Lumpur.

 

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1904

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Jan                    

Sir Frank A. Swettenham retires from Colonial Office while on leave.

 

Feb                    

Sits on the committee of St. Mary’s Church, Kuala Lumpur.

 

8 Sept                

Completion of the Municipal Office & Town Hall, Kuala Lumpur.

 

18 Dec               

Takes one month leave.

 

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1905

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4th Feb              

Plays Straits Settlements in Federated Malay States cricket matches, Federated Malay States vs. Straits Settlements at the Padang, Kuala Lumpur.

 

Submits application to Royal Institute of British Architects (R.I.B.A). Accepted as a R.I.B.A Associate member (A.R.I.B.A).

 

April                   

Appointment as Acting Assistant to Director of P.W.D in addition to exercising duties as P.W.D Assistant Architect in the F.M.S Government.

 

May                   

Completion of F.M.S Railways Central Offices, Kuala Lumpur.

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Appointed Divisional Commander of the Selangor M.S.V.R Division

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1906                  

 

March                

Represents F.M.S at a hockey match, F.M.S vs. Colony

 

16 Aug               

Cricket match, Federated Malay States in Straits Settlements 1906, Straits Settlement vs. Federated Malay States at the Padang, Singapore.

 

Completion of Selangor Museum, Kuala Lumpur

 

Completion of Residence for High Commissioner, Kuala Kangsar.

 

The beginning of ‘Kuala Lumpur Electric Light Scheme’.

 

Captains the F.M.S team in a cricket match in Burma.

 

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1907                  

 

30 March           

Plays Straits Settlements in Federated Malay States 1906/07 cricket match, Federated Malay States vs. Straits Settlements at the Padang, Kuala Lumpur.

 

July                    

Promoted as Major at M.S.V.R and appointed as Commandant a few days later.

 

5 Aug                 

Plays Federated Malay States in Straits Settlements 1907 cricket match, Straits Settlements vs. Federated Malay States at Penang Cricket Club Ground, Penang.

 

Completion of General Post Office, Kuala Lumpur.

 

Completion of British Residency, Seremban.

                       

30 Sept               

F.M.S Director of Public Works, F. St. G. Caulfeild retires at 55 years old.

 

Takes charge of the Federated Malay States Volunteer Rifles Force (M.S.V.R).

 

Submits Type Plans for Shophouses at Old Market Square, Kuala Lumpur.

 

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1908

 

9 Jan                 

Returns to Kuala Lumpur from Penang.

 

31 July               

Plays for Federated Malay States in Straits Settlements Cricket Match 1908 - Straits Settlements vs. Federated Malay States at the Padang, Singapore

 

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1909      

            

28 Jan               

Wedding of brother, Joseph Guy, to Miss Ina Agness Pitt at St. George’s Church, George Town, Penang.

 

6 Feb                 

Opening of Anderson Boys’ School, Ipoh.

 

13 March           

Goes on a long leave back to United Kingdom for a holiday and to attend military training at Bisley. M.S.V.R throws a farewell party and presents a cheque as an indication of appreciation.

 

14 May               

F.M.S Railways General Manager, C.E Spooner dies.

 

25 July             

Submits application to be a R.I.B.A Fellow member (F.R.I.B.A).

 

July                     

Wins 2nd prize in Barlow Shooting Competition in Bisley. Strains leg muscle at cricket while in the U.K, unable to play for the rest of the season.

 

11 Dec                

Opening of Malay College, Kuala Kangsar.

 

23 Dec                

Opening of Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur.

 

Dec                     

Becomes a R.I.B.A Fellow member (F.R.I.B.A)

 

Completion of F.M.S Railways Office, George Town

                         

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1910

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Jan                    

Completion of Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur.

 

1 April                

Arrives in Penang from United Kingdom.

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Appointment as a Major in M.S.V.R.

 

July                    

Sister, Mabel marries Hugh Bowring Mulleneux

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Completion of District Office, Klang.

 

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1911     

 

Appointed as Government Architect of F.M.S.

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30 Jan               

Plays in Straits Settlements in Federated Malay States cricket match 1910/11, Federated Malay States vs. Straits Settlements, the Padang Kuala Lumpur.

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April                   

Completion of F.M.S Survey Offices, Kuala Lumpur

          

2 May                

Federal P.W.D Assistant Architect, William Sherrin Huxley appointed as Acting Government Architect of F.M.S to relieve A.B Hubback who was about to return to England to attend the coronation of King George V.            

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22 June             

In command of the F.M.S Coronation Contingent. Attends the coronation of King George V together with his contingent (Capt. Redfearn Shaw, Sergt.William Hay, Sergt. Russell Grey and Privates A.Dubois, A.B Cross, E.C Fane, A.B Waller, Thornton and Stamford Raffles). The F.M.S contingent was inspected by the Prince of Wales, Lords Roberts, Kitchener and other generals.

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1 July                 

Opening of Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.

 

11 Aug               

Opening of Kuala Lumpur Railway Station Hotel.

 

Aug                    

Returns to Kuala Lumpur from England.

 

Nov                    

Opening of Federal Lunatic Asylum, Tanjung Rambutan.

Resigns as member of Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board (24).

 

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1912

 

25 Jan               

Promoted as Lt. Colonel in the M.S.V.R.

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Kuala Lumpur ‘Tauchang Riots’. Leads M.S.V.R detachment in town to maintain safety.                                                   The “Tauchang Riots" happened during Chinese New Year. Anti-Manchu elements went on a rampage through Kuala Lumpur streets, seizing individuals and cutting off their queues (tauchang in Chinese). The disturbance went on for several days.  

 

Oct                      

Birth of daughter, Yvonne, at Carcosa, Kuala Lumpur

 

19-24 Sept         

Arrives in Singapore on F.M.S yatch ‘Sea Belle’ with M.S.V.R contingent for the maneuver.

 

Elected President of the Selangor Football league.              

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1913

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Serves as President of Selangor Golf Club for one year.

 

May                  

F.M.S Assistant Architect, W.S Huxley sent into residence at Ipoh and was put in charge of the  construction for the New Post Office & Town Hall and New District Hospital in Ipoh and the State Mosque in Kuala Kangsar.

 

Aug                  

Takes position of Honorary Diocesan Architect for the Diocese of Singapore.         

           

Dec                   

Leaves for Kowloon, Hong Kong for the Kowloon Central Railway Station Project.

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Completion of Preparatory School, Kuala Kangsar.

 

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1914

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30 Jan               

Reports on the Malay States Volunteer Riffles for year 1913 as the Commanding Officer.

 

April                   

Assistant Architect W.S Huxley arrives in Kuala Lumpur from Ipoh as Acting Government Architect as A.B Hubback was about to go on a long leave. Acting Assistant Architect Leofric Kesteven sent to Ipoh to take over Huxley’s duties.

 

12 May              

Leaves on Nippon Yusen Kaisha ship for England.

 

July                    

L. Kesteven appointed as Assistant Architect P.W.D

 

28 July               

Outbreak of World War 1 (officially)

 

August                

Arrives in England with family.

 

23 Sept              

Military Appointment – Joins the 19th battalion, London (territorial) regiment, as a Major.

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Completion of Selangor Museum’s Extension and Renovation, Kuala Lumpur.

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1915

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1 Jan                 

Eligible for an increment of $25.

 

26 Feb               

Military Appointment – Lt. Col commanding the 20th London Regiment Teritorial Force – 47th Division B.E.F. Serves in France, The Soanne. Brigadier of 19th & 20th London Battalion.

 

Completion of Supreme Court, Kuala Lumpur.

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1916

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10 Jan/March    

Appointment as Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George C.M.G.

 

Feb                    

Brigadier General, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Division.

 

Completion of Town Hall & Post Office, Ipoh.

 

28 March            

Opening of Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus, Hong Kong.

 

______

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1917

​

1 May                  

Official opening of Railway Station & Hotel, Ipoh.

 

Completion of Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar

 

Completion of F.M.S Railways Central Offices 1917, Kuala Lumpur

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______

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1918

​

7 April                

Architect R.A.J Bidwell dies.

 

8 April                

Contractor Towkay Ang Seng dies.

 

21 October        

Brig, Gen Co. of the 63rd Infantry Brigade, 37th Division BEF.

 

11 Nov               

End of World War 1(officially)

 

______

 

1919

​

10 Jan               

Receives the Distinguished Service Order Companion (D.S.O) award.

 

6 June               

Appointment as Adjutant, volunteers – Colonel, T.F (1919)

 

11 July               

Attends the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London with wife.

 

Sept                   

Director of a Rubber Company Gordon (Malaya) Rubber Estates Ltd.

 

October             

Decides to remain home. Accepts appointment as Deputy Agent, Malayan States Agency.

 

20 Nov/30 Dec   

Official retirement from position as Deputy Agent, Malayan States Agency.

 

______

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1920    

           

Serves as Colonel commanding the 5th London Infantry Brigade of the Territorial Army

                          

Brother, Theodore’s home, dubbed as Sunlaws in Bukit Betong near Kuala Lipis completed.

______

​

1923  

            

Singapore Society of Architects formed.

 

______

​

1924                  

​

26 March           

Attends funeral of father-in-law, Sir Gordon Blennerhassett Voules at Bournemouth.

 

May                   

R.W Sinclaire appointed as Government Architect, F.M.S.

 

Retires as Colonel of 5th London Infantry Brigade of the Territorial Army.

 

______

 

1926    

              

Dec                    

The Great Flood of 1926.

A large number of Hubback’s buildings in Kuala Lumpur were all half submerged in water.

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______

 

1929

​

Jan                    

Walter Frederick Hedges appointed as Chief Architect, F.M.S

W.F Frederick Hedges is the architect of the new Gap Rest House and the Sultan of Perak’s Istana in Kuala Kangsar.

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______

 

1930  

                

July                    

Wedding of son, A.G.V Hubback to Elizabeth Jane Pearson Rogers in St.Marks. North Audley Street, London. Home address listed as 20, Lancaster Road, Wimbledon.

 

Beginning of global economic depression

 

Singapore Society of Architects reincorporated as Institute of Architects of Malaya. W.F Hedges becomes first president of its Kuala Lumpur branch.

​

______

 

1931

​

27 June             

Attends Gordon (Malaya) Rubber Estates 9th Annual General Meeting at the Abercorn Rooms, Great Eastern Hotel, Bishopsgate, London.

​

Sir Cecil Clementi introduces devolution scheme.

​

______

​

1932

 

Effect of Clementi’s scheme - twenty-three Executive Engineers and Assistant Engineers, Chief Architect (W.F Hedges), three Assistant Architects, and 116 Technical & Waterworks Subordinates and Apprentice of the Federal P.W.D were retrenched.

 

______

​

1936    

            

Takes salute at the Wimbledon War memorial on Armistice Day.

​

______

​

1937     

             

Oct                      

Death of Thomas Groves in Germany

​

______

​

1939    

         

Works as Senior Admin at the Sailors, Soldiers and Air Force Association (S.S.A.F.A), Hertfordshire.

​

______

​

1940

               

End of global economic recession

​

______

​

1941                

  

March                

D. Cuthbertson appointed as Government Architect

​

8 Dec                 

Japanese invasion in Kota Bharu marking the beginning of Japanese Occupation in Malaya.

 

______

​

1942                  

​

11 Jan               

Koi Corps, the first Imperial Nippon Army unit to enter Kuala Lumpur arrived. 

 

Death of Brother, Theodore Rathborne Hubback.

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______

                        

1944

                           

17 Oct                

Death of A.C.A Norman.

​

______

​

1945

​

15 Aug               

Surrender of the Japanese. End of World War II.

​

______

​

1946                  

​

April                   

Establishment of the Malayan Union consisting of nine Malay states and Straits Settlements of Penang and Malacca with Sir Edward Gent as Governor.

​

14 June             

Sir Frank A. Swettenham dies in London

​

______

​

1948

​

31 Jan               

Founding of Federation of Malaya. Malayan Union dissolved.

​

8 May                

Dies at his home, 4 The Hollies, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire of heart failure. 

​

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Reference List

(01) U.K National Census Records for 1871, www.ukcensusonline.com (accessed 25 Oct 2013)

(02)

(03)

(04)

(05)

(06)

(07)

(08)

(09) ANM Acc. No 1957/0060498

(10) PWD 1235-95

(11) ANM Acc. No 1957/0055424

(12) ANM Acc. No 1957/0057979

(13) ANM Acc. No 1957/0060292

(14) ANM Acc. No 1957/0060498

(15) ANM Acc. No 1957/0094799

(16) ANM Acc. No 1957/0060498

(17) ANM Acc. No 1957/0069034

(18) ANM Acc. No 1957/0080965

(19) ANM Acc. No 1957/0073435

(20) ANM Acc. No 1957/0075929

(21) ANM Acc. No 1957/0089522

(22) ANM Acc. No 1957/0098185

(23) ANM Acc. No 1957/0098172

(24) ANM Acc. No. 195/0160108W

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