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Cockney British Chinese

Connie and Leslie Hoe look back to the 1920s/30s when they were growing up in the original Chinatown in Limehouse where they were part of quite a unique group of children...

Cockney British Chinese
听
Length:	2:47 min
Date:	June 2008
Subject:	China Town

By the docks of East London, the first Chinatown was established.

The first inhabitants of Limehouse Chinatown mostly comprised of seamen听 who, for various reasons, stayed on in Britain.听

On a few occasions听Chinese crews on British tankers and vessels were torpedoed in British waters and were put up in boarding houses in Limehouse to await new ships.

For some,听 staying put in Limehouse was more of an attractive option than getting back on a boat again.听

Many of the Chinese men had children with their English partners or wives and a community of children who were half Chinese and half British was born.

Some of the Chinese men owned businesses such as laundrettes and restaurants.听 Other enterprises included gambling, a popular Chinese type of bingo called 'pukka pew'.

Connie and Leslie have fond memories of growing up in Limehouse in the 1920s/30s as part of London鈥檚 first Chinese community. The couple have become keepers of its history, holding many of the records, photos and memories.

last updated: 12/05/2009 at 14:40
created: 17/06/2008

Have Your Say

Do you have any memories of Limehouse Chinatown?

Peter Ng
I remember the Area fro the sixties as a child at the Chinese Childrens club and the summer camping trips to Grange Farm in Essex. I also remember Mr & Mrs Hoe at the club! and I have had the pleasure and sadness of watching the area change over the years in particular as whilst working in the area as a Police Traffic Motorcyclist!

David
Editors note:Message for Susan who's grandfather lived in Pennyfields, could you email me david.faye@bbc.co.uk and I can give you some information about the photographs.

richard of swindon
well done its good to here of history's .... .. cheers

Noel Pugh
My mother took me to East India docks to see my brother working officer on a ship.Limehouse was unique and although there were many Chinese there, I thought they wassome Chinese shipping company somewhere, I was about 10 years old. Could anyone re-create that scene? I wonder .Todays Londoners probably dont realize that docks existed where the subway is nowand the Mirror building.

Susan
My grandfather lived in Pennyfields and married an English lady. I Love to see the photos or get some more info, how do I get in touch?

Susan
My granddad was one of the Limehouse Chinese who married an English lady, how do I get to see some of the photos that Mr and Mrs Hoe keep?

Raymond Lo
I remember Chinatown in the 50's & 60's as my father was an ex-sailor from Hong Kong. I remember the Hoe's as the helped run a chinese children club in Poplar where we went every week. It has been a long time since I saw Leslie. Please pass on my regards.

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