Tombstone Reconstruction Article
By Sir Enrique R. Sadiosa KCR
China Regional Commander Knights of Rizal
Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken's (Mother Of Josephine Bracken) Memorial Gravesite Unveiled Today At Happy Valley Cemetery In Hong Kong
A restored, more fitting memorial gravesite of Madam Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken was unveiled today, April 11, 2021, at the Happy Valley Cemetery in Hong Kong (formerly the Hong Kong Colonial Cemetery). Elizabeth, a native of Ballcarry, Northern Ireland, was the mother of Josephine Bracken, the common-law wife of Dr. Jose Rizal and National Hero of the Philippines.
Elizabeth McBride married James Bracken, a footsoldier in the 28th Regiment, in Belfast in 1868. The couple was blessed with five children: Charlie (1869), Nelly (1871), Agnes (1873), Francis (1875), and Josephine (1876).
Elizabeth's unmarked stone block is inscribed with the number "4258". It is located at Section 41 of the cemetery. She was buried here on November 9, 1876. Her tomb remained unmarked after 145 years.
The design, which was earlier approved by the Bracken family descendants in Northern Ireland, was laid out by Sir Pieter Nootenboom, KGOR. Nootenboom was aided in the reconstruction process by Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR, China Area Regional Commander, Lady Merle Nootenboom, Mr. Ronald Balumen, and Mr. Mayo Rosaldo Ong. The grave is surrounded and protected by a retinue of masonic graves as escorts ~ both on the downward slope in front of the grave and also on the slope above & behind the grave. Mr. Leung Chun-kit of the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, where the Hong Kong Cemetery is being supervised, assisted in the research on the restoration project as well as Mr. Morris Cheung, Senior Head Gardener, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
On the controversy regarding the whereabouts of Jospehine's unmarked tomb at the Catholic section of the cemetery, Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR, and Sir Pieter Nootenboom, KGOR, hypothesized that Josephine, who died at the age of 25 of tuberculosis on March 14, 1902, was buried on the same tomb of her mother on March 15, 1902. All who died of tuberculosis in the former British colony had to be buried the next day in unmarked communal graves (due to a lingering plague in Hong Kong at that time). However, as there would not have been time to arrange for a new grave, the relatives would have arranged with the gravedigger to bury Josephine on the same grave as her mother's whose stone block is unmarked (one should be aware of the Filipino burial customs of burying dead family members together on the same grave is still the norm to this day). This is, perhaps, the reason why Josephine's grave cannot be found today.
The following Knights of Rizal and Kababaihang Rizalista members, as well as individuals in Hong Kong, have contributed to the realization of this restoration project: Sir Dr. Nagar Lai, KCR (China Chapter Commander), Sir KH Chan, KCR, Sir Kelvin Lau, KCR, Sir Thomas Chan, KCR, Sir Steven Cheong, KCR, Sir Benedict Chan, KCR, Sir Kenneth Tse, KCR, Sir Mike S. O. Lee, KCR, Sir Michael Li, KCR, Mr. Wigmore S. Capiendo, Mr. Charlie L. Gamboa, and Mr. Mauricio Molina.
(The Order of the Knights of Rizal is the sole order of knighthood in The Philippines. The Order was created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal. The Order was established in 1911. The Order was granted a legislative charter by President Elpidio Quirino as a non-sectarian, non-partisan, civic, patriotic, and cultural organization under Republic Act 646 on June 14, 1951.
Story and photos by Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR).
#KORbucketlistdestinations
By Sir Enrique R. Sadiosa KCR
China Regional Commander Knights of Rizal
Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken's (Mother Of Josephine Bracken) Memorial Gravesite Unveiled Today At Happy Valley Cemetery In Hong Kong
A restored, more fitting memorial gravesite of Madam Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken was unveiled today, April 11, 2021, at the Happy Valley Cemetery in Hong Kong (formerly the Hong Kong Colonial Cemetery). Elizabeth, a native of Ballcarry, Northern Ireland, was the mother of Josephine Bracken, the common-law wife of Dr. Jose Rizal and National Hero of the Philippines.
Elizabeth McBride married James Bracken, a footsoldier in the 28th Regiment, in Belfast in 1868. The couple was blessed with five children: Charlie (1869), Nelly (1871), Agnes (1873), Francis (1875), and Josephine (1876).
Elizabeth's unmarked stone block is inscribed with the number "4258". It is located at Section 41 of the cemetery. She was buried here on November 9, 1876. Her tomb remained unmarked after 145 years.
The design, which was earlier approved by the Bracken family descendants in Northern Ireland, was laid out by Sir Pieter Nootenboom, KGOR. Nootenboom was aided in the reconstruction process by Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR, China Area Regional Commander, Lady Merle Nootenboom, Mr. Ronald Balumen, and Mr. Mayo Rosaldo Ong. The grave is surrounded and protected by a retinue of masonic graves as escorts ~ both on the downward slope in front of the grave and also on the slope above & behind the grave. Mr. Leung Chun-kit of the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, where the Hong Kong Cemetery is being supervised, assisted in the research on the restoration project as well as Mr. Morris Cheung, Senior Head Gardener, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
On the controversy regarding the whereabouts of Jospehine's unmarked tomb at the Catholic section of the cemetery, Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR, and Sir Pieter Nootenboom, KGOR, hypothesized that Josephine, who died at the age of 25 of tuberculosis on March 14, 1902, was buried on the same tomb of her mother on March 15, 1902. All who died of tuberculosis in the former British colony had to be buried the next day in unmarked communal graves (due to a lingering plague in Hong Kong at that time). However, as there would not have been time to arrange for a new grave, the relatives would have arranged with the gravedigger to bury Josephine on the same grave as her mother's whose stone block is unmarked (one should be aware of the Filipino burial customs of burying dead family members together on the same grave is still the norm to this day). This is, perhaps, the reason why Josephine's grave cannot be found today.
The following Knights of Rizal and Kababaihang Rizalista members, as well as individuals in Hong Kong, have contributed to the realization of this restoration project: Sir Dr. Nagar Lai, KCR (China Chapter Commander), Sir KH Chan, KCR, Sir Kelvin Lau, KCR, Sir Thomas Chan, KCR, Sir Steven Cheong, KCR, Sir Benedict Chan, KCR, Sir Kenneth Tse, KCR, Sir Mike S. O. Lee, KCR, Sir Michael Li, KCR, Mr. Wigmore S. Capiendo, Mr. Charlie L. Gamboa, and Mr. Mauricio Molina.
(The Order of the Knights of Rizal is the sole order of knighthood in The Philippines. The Order was created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal. The Order was established in 1911. The Order was granted a legislative charter by President Elpidio Quirino as a non-sectarian, non-partisan, civic, patriotic, and cultural organization under Republic Act 646 on June 14, 1951.
Story and photos by Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR).
#KORbucketlistdestinations
Tombstone Reconstruction Article
By Sir Enrique R. Sadiosa KCR
China Regional Commander Knights of Rizal
Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken's (Mother Of Josephine Bracken) Memorial Gravesite Unveiled Today At Happy Valley Cemetery In Hong Kong
A restored, more fitting memorial gravesite of Madam Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken was unveiled today, April 11, 2021, at the Happy Valley Cemetery in Hong Kong (formerly the Hong Kong Colonial Cemetery). Elizabeth, a native of Ballcarry, Northern Ireland, was the mother of Josephine Bracken, the common-law wife of Dr. Jose Rizal and National Hero of the Philippines.
Elizabeth McBride married James Bracken, a footsoldier in the 28th Regiment, in Belfast in 1868. The couple was blessed with five children: Charlie (1869), Nelly (1871), Agnes (1873), Francis (1875), and Josephine (1876).
Elizabeth's unmarked stone block is inscribed with the number "4258". It is located at Section 41 of the cemetery. She was buried here on November 9, 1876. Her tomb remained unmarked after 145 years.
The design, which was earlier approved by the Bracken family descendants in Northern Ireland, was laid out by Sir Pieter Nootenboom, KGOR. Nootenboom was aided in the reconstruction process by Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR, China Area Regional Commander, Lady Merle Nootenboom, Mr. Ronald Balumen, and Mr. Mayo Rosaldo Ong. The grave is surrounded and protected by a retinue of masonic graves as escorts ~ both on the downward slope in front of the grave and also on the slope above & behind the grave. Mr. Leung Chun-kit of the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, where the Hong Kong Cemetery is being supervised, assisted in the research on the restoration project as well as Mr. Morris Cheung, Senior Head Gardener, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
On the controversy regarding the whereabouts of Jospehine's unmarked tomb at the Catholic section of the cemetery, Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR, and Sir Pieter Nootenboom, KGOR, hypothesized that Josephine, who died at the age of 25 of tuberculosis on March 14, 1902, was buried on the same tomb of her mother on March 15, 1902. All who died of tuberculosis in the former British colony had to be buried the next day in unmarked communal graves (due to a lingering plague in Hong Kong at that time). However, as there would not have been time to arrange for a new grave, the relatives would have arranged with the gravedigger to bury Josephine on the same grave as her mother's whose stone block is unmarked (one should be aware of the Filipino burial customs of burying dead family members together on the same grave is still the norm to this day). This is, perhaps, the reason why Josephine's grave cannot be found today.
The following Knights of Rizal and Kababaihang Rizalista members, as well as individuals in Hong Kong, have contributed to the realization of this restoration project: Sir Dr. Nagar Lai, KCR (China Chapter Commander), Sir KH Chan, KCR, Sir Kelvin Lau, KCR, Sir Thomas Chan, KCR, Sir Steven Cheong, KCR, Sir Benedict Chan, KCR, Sir Kenneth Tse, KCR, Sir Mike S. O. Lee, KCR, Sir Michael Li, KCR, Mr. Wigmore S. Capiendo, Mr. Charlie L. Gamboa, and Mr. Mauricio Molina.
(The Order of the Knights of Rizal is the sole order of knighthood in The Philippines. The Order was created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal. The Order was established in 1911. The Order was granted a legislative charter by President Elpidio Quirino as a non-sectarian, non-partisan, civic, patriotic, and cultural organization under Republic Act 646 on June 14, 1951.
Story and photos by Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR).
#KORbucketlistdestinations
By Sir Enrique R. Sadiosa KCR
China Regional Commander Knights of Rizal
Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken's (Mother Of Josephine Bracken) Memorial Gravesite Unveiled Today At Happy Valley Cemetery In Hong Kong
A restored, more fitting memorial gravesite of Madam Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken was unveiled today, April 11, 2021, at the Happy Valley Cemetery in Hong Kong (formerly the Hong Kong Colonial Cemetery). Elizabeth, a native of Ballcarry, Northern Ireland, was the mother of Josephine Bracken, the common-law wife of Dr. Jose Rizal and National Hero of the Philippines.
Elizabeth McBride married James Bracken, a footsoldier in the 28th Regiment, in Belfast in 1868. The couple was blessed with five children: Charlie (1869), Nelly (1871), Agnes (1873), Francis (1875), and Josephine (1876).
Elizabeth's unmarked stone block is inscribed with the number "4258". It is located at Section 41 of the cemetery. She was buried here on November 9, 1876. Her tomb remained unmarked after 145 years.
The design, which was earlier approved by the Bracken family descendants in Northern Ireland, was laid out by Sir Pieter Nootenboom, KGOR. Nootenboom was aided in the reconstruction process by Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR, China Area Regional Commander, Lady Merle Nootenboom, Mr. Ronald Balumen, and Mr. Mayo Rosaldo Ong. The grave is surrounded and protected by a retinue of masonic graves as escorts ~ both on the downward slope in front of the grave and also on the slope above & behind the grave. Mr. Leung Chun-kit of the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, where the Hong Kong Cemetery is being supervised, assisted in the research on the restoration project as well as Mr. Morris Cheung, Senior Head Gardener, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
On the controversy regarding the whereabouts of Jospehine's unmarked tomb at the Catholic section of the cemetery, Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR, and Sir Pieter Nootenboom, KGOR, hypothesized that Josephine, who died at the age of 25 of tuberculosis on March 14, 1902, was buried on the same tomb of her mother on March 15, 1902. All who died of tuberculosis in the former British colony had to be buried the next day in unmarked communal graves (due to a lingering plague in Hong Kong at that time). However, as there would not have been time to arrange for a new grave, the relatives would have arranged with the gravedigger to bury Josephine on the same grave as her mother's whose stone block is unmarked (one should be aware of the Filipino burial customs of burying dead family members together on the same grave is still the norm to this day). This is, perhaps, the reason why Josephine's grave cannot be found today.
The following Knights of Rizal and Kababaihang Rizalista members, as well as individuals in Hong Kong, have contributed to the realization of this restoration project: Sir Dr. Nagar Lai, KCR (China Chapter Commander), Sir KH Chan, KCR, Sir Kelvin Lau, KCR, Sir Thomas Chan, KCR, Sir Steven Cheong, KCR, Sir Benedict Chan, KCR, Sir Kenneth Tse, KCR, Sir Mike S. O. Lee, KCR, Sir Michael Li, KCR, Mr. Wigmore S. Capiendo, Mr. Charlie L. Gamboa, and Mr. Mauricio Molina.
(The Order of the Knights of Rizal is the sole order of knighthood in The Philippines. The Order was created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal. The Order was established in 1911. The Order was granted a legislative charter by President Elpidio Quirino as a non-sectarian, non-partisan, civic, patriotic, and cultural organization under Republic Act 646 on June 14, 1951.
Story and photos by Sir Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, KCR).
#KORbucketlistdestinations
Inscription
Tomb number 4258 in Section S41 of Happy Valley Cemetery, Hong Kong
Family Members
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