Shirley Gurner's diary of her journey to Hong Kong

Single Item

MS. 20456

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Shirley Gurner's diary of her journey with her parents from London via Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Vancouver, Japan, Shanghai and Manila to Hong Kong, March-May 1918, and of her time in Hong Kong until October 1918. With a transcript of a letter written by her mother, Mary, from Sicamous, British Columbia, 30 March 1918, describing their journey across Canada on the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Also, at the end of the volume, Shirley's diary of a journey with her mother along the Yangtze River, 1-19 May 1919, passing 'Nanking', 'Hankow', 'Tehang' and Chongqing, with a transcript of her mother's account of the journey from 17 May to 3 June.

Dates

Creation: 1918-1919

Extent

1 box

Language of Materials

English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 20456].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Shelfmark:

MS. 20456

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 20456

Additional Description

Abstract

Shirley Gurner's diary of her journey to Hong Kong.

Biographical / Historical

Shirley Mary Gurner was born on 22 March 1902 at Leopold House, Reading, Berkshire, the daughter of Vice-Admiral Victor Gallafent Gurner (1869-1950) and (Edith) Mary Gurner née Collins (1868-1928). Her father was posted to Hong Kong as Commodore-in-Charge of Naval Establishments from 1918 to 1920.

In 1925 Shirley married (William) Ronald Campbell Penney (1896-1964), a British army officer who fought in both World War I and World War II, and had two daughters. Shirley died on 28 May 1960 in Berkshire.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated to the Bodleian Library by Shirley Gurner's grandson, Charles Dixon, in 2020.

Related Materials

King's College London, Liddell Hart Centre for Miltary Archives: digital copies of photographs and papers relating to the voyages of Victor Gallafent Gurner including letters sent home to his daughter, Shirley.