Friends of Theo and Lil Bagram were Sir Atholl and Lady Gertrude MacGregor, he was Chief Justice of Hong Kong. These wonderful photographs show how relaxed and happy everyone was in each others' company before the outbreak of the Second World War.
L-R: Lady Gertrude MacGregory, Sir Atholl MacGregor and Lillian Bagram at the entrance to the Bagram home at Branksome Towers, Hong Kong.
Sir Atholl MacGregor watches as his wife, Lady Gertrude and Lillian try to get the attention of the pigs.
Lillian Bagram and Lady Gertrude make a fuss of the pigs as they tuck into their food. Interesting to note that Lillian wrote the pigs were originally flown to Hong Kong from England.
Atholl MacGregor was interned by the Japanese in
Stanley Internment Camp from 1941 to 1845. During that time he
continued to act as Chief Justice for the internees, including
granting a number of divorces. MacGregor survived the war, but
contracted Beriberi in the camp. His last official act as Chief
Justice was to swear in Franklin Charles Gimson as acting Governor
of Hong Kong following the Japanese Surrender. Atholl was carried on
to the first hospital ship 'Highland Monarch' leaving Hong
Kong for England. It arrived in Southampton on the 9th November
1945.
He died on the 30 October 1945 at Port Sudan* whilst on
his way to England with his wife Lady Gertrude. He was buried at sea.
This is the ship that Sir Atholl and his wife were evacuated onto at Hong Kong, bound for Southampton. He was passenger 212. Lady Gertrude boarded as wife........
Lady Gertrude disembarked as a widow......
This page of the
passenger listing indicates passenger 212 died on the voyage.
*Sir Atholl MacGregor died on the 30th October 1945 at Port Sudan. However the Probate notice states he died at "Abadia, Suez area confirmation by Lady Gertrude Mary MacGregor."