SOUL OF A CULTURE Written By Harry Parkes
Jonathan Chin was born and raised in Hong Kong. The son of a black British born policeman and Hong Kong Chinese mother. Jonathan starts a new life in Britain, becoming a policeman. He is also searching for his sister. His path finds himself torn between two cultures as a gang war erupts in London.
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PROLOGUE
Raymond Chin was in his study deep in thought. He was Hong Kong Chinese and a youthful 50 years of age. His reverie was disturbed by a knock on the door. A young man entered and bowed.
“Uncle, I am sorry to disturb you.”
“That’s OK Jonathan,” Chin replied as he beckoned the young man to sit.
Chin looked at the strikingly handsome young man whom he loved like a son. The boy’s olive complexion perfectly complimented his Negroid and Oriental features. In addition to this he was an articulate and softly spoken youth, 6 feet 2 inches tall of solid lean muscle. All in all he was an outstanding specimen.
Chin had been dreading this moment for years.
“What is on your mind Jonathan?”
“I would like to go to England Uncle.”
“Why?”
“I want to join the police force?”
“Why not join the Hong Kong police force, “Chin pleaded. “You would achieve great things here.”
“It is not what I want Uncle, I must go to England and find myself.”
“And your sister,” Chin said calmly.
Jonathan looked in surprise at the man whom he loved and respected above all.
“You’ve known how I’ve felt?”
“I have known for years Jonathan,” Chin replied.
“Uncle, you have given me everything and more.”
“But I know that it is not enough. You are all the things that I would have wished for in a son. Whatever you choose to do, you have my blessing.”
“Thank you Uncle,” Jonathan bowed and left the room.
Just before Jonathan entered his own room he passed Chin’s wife Juliet.
“Goodnight Aunty, “he said as he kissed her on the cheek.
“Goodnight my love.” she replied.
Juliet Chin entered the study and read the expression on her husband’s face.
“You knew this moment would come Raymond,” she said.
“Yes,”
“Every man must find his own destiny my love,”
“Do you not think I realise this,” Raymond Chin snapped uncharacteristically,
I have already lost a brother and sister and now feel that I am losing a son.”
“You still have me.”
Raymond Chin smiled and embraced his wife.
“Of course, how could I forget.”
Juliet Chin looked over her husband’s shoulder at the framed black and white photograph on the wall. It showed two men in uniform. One of the men was her husband whilst the other was a Negro. Raymond Chin read his wife’s thoughts. Without turning around he said,
“I remember that moment as if it were yesterday. John Henderson was the kindest and bravest man that I ever met.”
He turned towards the picture and bowed.
“I honour you old friend.”
Chin and his wife silently left the room.
Chapter 1 John Henderson
John Henderson was no ordinary man. He was black, 6 feet 2 inches in height and strikingly handsome and had obtained a law degree from Bristol University. He was born in Battersea, South West London in 1950 to Jamaican born parents, Albert and Eunice Henderson. He was the boy who stood out in a crowd. Henderson smiled to himself as he put on his police uniform and recalled how fellow school pupils and teachers used to laugh at him as he defiantly told them that he would seek a career as a barrister instead of the stereo typical railway worker.
His father, Albert Henderson, grew up in the town of Mandeville and had aspirations of becoming a policeman in Jamaica but put those dreams on hold when he met Eunice Reynolds who was from Santa Cruz. She was always top of the class in her school and planned to become a teacher. When the invitations came for West Indians to come to England and start a new life, they were amongst the first Jamaicans to set sail to the “Land of Milk and Honey” On reaching England on a cold February morning in 1950, they slowly realised that those dreams were not going to materialise. With regards to finding employment, nationalised industries such as London Transport, British Rail and the National Health Service were amongst the only employers readily opening their doors to West Indians. Seeking permanent accommodation was also often difficult, forcing many into certain areas of the major cities. As a result, Albert Henderson became a bus conductor and eventually located a rented room in Battersea for himself and a heavily pregnant Eunice.
Eunice Henderson steadily realised that her and he husband’s aspirations were limited so she put every effort into making her son become a success. As soon as John Henderson could talk, his mother was reading stories to him. By the age of four, he could recognise certain words and read them. Unlike many of the other children, especially the black kids, this boy loved school and as he grew older he outshone every other pupil. He also became the Southern Areas under 16 schoolboy boxing champion.
In 1968, against all the odds, Henderson got into Bristol University only to be faced with racial prejudice from certain students and lecturers. Initially the taunting and victimisation hurt. Physically, he was capable, being a former schoolboy boxing champion. Mentally, he wasn’t prepared for it so many evenings were spent alone in his room. One night whilst walking through the streets of a Bristol suburb he heard the sounds of people shouting. His curiosity led him to a church hall. Inside, people dressed in white were performing graceful movements, some of which resembled boxing. It took his breath away. Henderson stood in the doorway fascinated by the sheer speed and power that was being demonstrated. His mouth gaped open in awe at the dynamic use of hand and feet techniques, the like of which he had never seen before.
“Can I help you?” asked a small Japanese man, suddenly appearing from nowhere.
“I’m sorry, I was just passing and - - - - “
“Please stay, all are welcome here,” replied the Japanese.
That night was a turning point in Henderson’s life and he immediately became a Karate student of Master Tanaka. With regards to training, he had always regarded himself as being physically fit but he soon realised how inadequate he was in comparison with the other students. Tanaka tended to grunt out commands in Japanese. Henderson initially found all this a little disconcerting. As the weeks and months went by, all aspects of his fitness improved. His strength, stamina, flexibility, agility and speed were so much better. Henderson also found that the learning of new Japanese words and phrases no longer presented any problems to him. With Tanaka’s help Henderson found a part time dishwashing job in a local restaurant. As time went by, university life became bearable. He had made many friends through Karate, some of them were students at the university. Three and a half years later, Henderson was awarded a 1st Dan Black Belt
After graduating from university in 1971 with an Honours degree in Law, Henderson moved back to London with his parents with the aim of joining a London law firm. With his degree he felt he was bound to get what he sought. Over the coming months, Henderson attended many interviews. On many occasions he was told that the job had already been filled. Other times, the validity of his university degree was questioned. Six months later on a cold December day and after some prompting from his parents, a defeated and dejected Henderson headed towards the London Transport recruitment office in St James’ Park. After walking around for an hour trying to locate the office without any success, Henderson strolled into the local police station to ask for directions. Stephen Shaw was the duty sergeant that day.
“What can I do for you son?” he asked
“I’m looking for the London Transport recruitment office,” replied Henderson
“It’s just opposite our building.”
“Thank you sir,” replied Henderson as he went to leave.
There was something about the young man’s presence that impressed Shaw.
“What kind of a job are you seeking son?”
“Casual labour sir.”
“You look a bit too well groomed for that son.”
Over the next half hour Henderson explained his situation to Sergeant Shaw, who was so impressed that he encouraged Henderson to apply for a clerical vacancy at the police station. Two weeks later Henderson got the job. Although his parents and other relatives were proud of him, Henderson felt he that was underachieving, finding the job too mundane and monotonous. Nevertheless, common sense and past experience told him to keep his head down and stick at it. Little did he know that someone was watching and studying him.
Henderson had now been working at the police station for eight months.
“How’s it going son?” asked Sergeant Shaw
“Not too bad sir,” replied Henderson.
“How’s it really going son?”
Henderson paused.
“It’s fine sir, really.”
“You don’t fool me son, I don’t go around with my eyes closed you know”? Shaw said, smiling.
“Well .... I don’t know where I can go from here sir.”
“Ever thought of joining the force?”
“Me sir?”
“Why not, you’ll get a good reference from me and the boss.”
With the initial encouragement from Shaw, Henderson applied to join the police force, feeling that he had nothing to lose. His proud parents though, had some reservations.
“We don’t know of any black people in the police,” they would say.
“Just be careful out there son.”
Having been at university for three and a half years, eighteen months at Hendon police training school did not present him with any problems that he could not handle. He passed with flying colours. His proud parents were there to see him in his uniform on his passing out parade. Sergeant Shaw shook his hand.
“Well done son, you’re one of us now. Remember, not all police stations are like this one. Good luck.”
Henderson did not know what he meant and did not bother to ask. He smiled as he looked at his reflection in the mirror.
“If they could see me now they’d never believe it,” he sang.
Henderson had hoped that he would be an officer at St James’ Park station. He was posted to Soho station where he was given desk duties and asked to make cups of tea for the senior officers. On his first day, he went to the canteen for lunch, which was full of policeman eating and drinking. On seeing him, there was dead silence for a few seconds then everyone carried on as before.
“There aint any bananas on the menu,” he heard someone shout which brought a chorus of laughter. Henderson was used to this sort of thing as a university student so chose to ignore it. It was called canteen culture. As time went by he would sit by himself and close his ears to any derogatory remarks.
Three months into the job did not bring any changes from his desk bound duties. He queried this with the station commander.
“Be patient son,” he said. “All comes to he who waits.”
Four months later, he happened to see a circular advertising for police officers to work in Hong Kong for three years. He had always been fascinated by the Far East since studying Karate. Out of curiosity Henderson made enquiries and was told that these vacancies were for senior officers. Henderson ignored the advice and applied anyway. He had nothing to lose. A month later whilst eating his lunch in the staff canteen, another police officer carrying a tray of food, pulled up a chair and sat at Henderson’s table. Henderson looked at the officer for a moment, nodded and carried on eating.
“You’re Henderson aren’t you?”
Henderson nodded.
“I hear that you’re some boxing champion?”
“Not anymore,” replied Henderson.
“Well I’m the police boxing champion and I bet I could whip you.”
Henderson carried on eating without looking up.
“Not much of a champion are you?”
Henderson, sensing trouble, rose to leave the table. The officer stood up with him.
“Where do you think you’re going boy? I haven’t finished with you.”
“Look I don’t want any ……………”
Before Henderson could finish what he was saying, the officer went to grab Henderson’s wrist. Henderson easily evaded the grab, causing the man to nearly lose his balance much to the laughter of the other police officers.
“So you think you can take me do you?” The officer’s smile had turned into a sneer.
Henderson turned to walk away but sensed a punch aimed at his right ear. Henderson evaded the punch and at the same time turned and grabbed the officer’s wrist. The officer went down on one knee grimacing in agony. The canteen was silent.
Henderson thought no more of the incident as no one bothered him again nor made any remarks to his face. Three weeks later a letter was dropped on his desk addressed to him. He opened it and read its contents with disbelief.
An assault charge has been brought against you.
You are requested to report to the police disciplinary committee at 10.00 hrs on Monday 7th August.
Henderson clenched his fist in anger.
“I’ll show them,” he said quietly to himself.
On the day of the hearing, Henderson was ushered into a large room. Seated in front of him were three senior police officers. One of them read out details of the assault charge made against him. Henderson was made of sterner stuff. To the committee’s surprise and dismay, Henderson had worked on his own defence which made mockery of the charges. After about an hour, the committee took an hour’s break. When the meeting reconvened, one of the officials said to Henderson.
“Sergeant Henderson, we note your exemplary record and the fact that you received the highest marks as a cadet at Hendon. You have the makings of a very fine police officer; however the fact remains that your career could be blemished as we find any form of intimidation or violence unacceptable within our police force. At present we are undecided on this case. You are suspended on full pay indefinitely until a conclusion has been reached.”
Henderson was later to learn that the other officer had not been suspended.
Two weeks later whilst at his parent’s house in Battersea, Henderson received a letter in the post. He assumed that the committee had now reached a conclusion. To his surprise the letter informed him that he was on the shortlist of candidates to spend three years with the Hong Kong police force. Henderson had mixed feelings. He was elated about being on the shortlist but on the other hand he could not rid himself of the sense of injustice. Also, why was he now on the shortlist for Hong Kong? Henderson’s suspicions were confirmed when his old friend Stephen Shaw of St James Park told him that the assault case was the gossip of the stations around London and that when the station’s commander found out, all hell broke loose. Shaw also said that the case had become political as people in high places had become involved.
Henderson decided to prepare himself thoroughly for the Hong Kong selection board by finding out as much as he could about Hong Kong and its police force and even studying Cantonese. After being subject to a series of tests and gruelling interviews, Henderson was one of the six officers selected. He was elated. His joy and happiness eclipsed all the bitter memories of the past few months and it made him more determined to make his spell in the Far East a success.
Henderson was driven to the airport by his parents. When he got there, London airport looked like a West Indian carnival scene as friends and relatives had flocked in to wish Henderson well on his travels. Stephen Shaw was also there. Finally, after being smothered and crippled by the endless hugs, kisses and handshakes, Henderson made his way to the plane destined for Hong Kong International Airport. Yes, it was emotional. He was their hero.
“Hong Kong, here I come.”
Chapter 2 Hong Kong 1972-74
The flight seemed to be an endless one. Henderson was asleep much of the time. Every time that he woke up all he could see was the sea and the sky when he looked out the window. On arrival and after collecting his luggage, crowds of Chinese people ran towards him.
“Ali, Ali,” they yelled.
Henderson struggled to get through the crowd and tried to tell everyone that he was not Ali.
“This way Mr Henderson.”
The crowd soon disappeared. Henderson saw a small, slim young and unsmiling Chinese policeman holding a sign which spelt “HENDERSON.” The policeman bowed and extended his hand towards Henderson. When Henderson shook the hand he thought he sensed an indescribable sense of power radiate from the little man. He was escorted to a waiting police car. The Chinese took the wheel and drove skilfully through the streets. What astounded Henderson was the sheer number of people on the streets. It was completely different from London. The humid heat together with the sounds and smells made him dizzy and sick. He studied the driver who had introduced himself as Mr Chin. Henderson noticed that the Chinese could speak fluent English and was very formal and polite and if he was shocked to see a black policeman, he did not show it.
After about an hour’s drive to the city’s outskirts, the car pulled up outside a small house.
“This is my home Mr Henderson, please make yourself comfortable, I have some duties to attend to so I shall see you later.”
Chin’s wife, Juliet was a pretty and petite lady who could also speak English but not quite as well as her husband. Their little house was immaculate with various ornaments scattered here and there. There were also many trophies. From the front, the house looked deceptively small because at the back there was a sizeable area that contained what could only be described as fitness equipment which Henderson had never seen the like before. Also, there contained a six foot high solid wooden object with arms sticking out at various heights. When Chin returned, a multi course meal was served in Henderson’s honour. Henderson noticed that the couple had no children.
At the police headquarters, Henderson along with the other five British candidates, were formally introduced. Each candidate was staying at the home of a Hong Kong police officer. Henderson noticed how formally polite the Hong Kong police officers were and how they didn’t seem to notice that he was black. All six British officers had to go through 10 week induction training. Some of the training was classroom based whilst some of it was out on patrol. Raymond Chin was assigned to give Henderson one to one training. Henderson later learnt that all the police officers had to attend regular martial arts classes usually supervised by Chin. Henderson noticed that nearly everywhere that he and Chin went, people would treat Chin with such awe and respect.
Ten weeks went by quickly and Henderson was steadily acclimatising to Hong Kong. The fact that he was the only candidate who had taken the trouble to seriously learn Chinese earned him more respect amongst his Chinese colleagues. Initially, they were formally respectful and remained slightly distant though many spoke English quite well. The turning point came when Henderson was asked to give a lecture about life in the British police force. Henderson gave the lecture in Cantonese. This impressed many. Even the normally inscrutable Raymond Chin smiled. From that day the distance closed drastically with Henderson becoming the most popular of the British based policemen.
Henderson’s geographical knowledge of Hong Kong steadily improved as the months went by. He found the place a contradiction in styles. On the one hand, the corporate side showed affluent businessmen rushing to and from skyscraper buildings. Tourists were being carried around in Rickshaw carriages. On the other hand, if one looked further and deeper, the poverty was there for all to see with people living in often overcrowded and filthy shacks. Vicious looking youths with less than honourable intentions lounged around on street corners studying everything and everybody that came into their view.
One day during a routine patrol, Chin and Henderson were called to diffuse an argument between a women’s husband and lover. When both policemen broke through the crowd, a man and woman were lying in a pool of blood. The crowd indicated that a man had run through the nearby restaurant. Chin called the ambulance and radioed for help. They both entered the indicated restaurant. On noticing a trail of blood, they followed the trail to the rear of the restaurant which lead to an alley way. They saw a man running quickly. In swift pursuit, Chin called to the man telling him to give himself up. The man was about five paces in front of them. In a split second the man spun around. Henderson instinctively knew what was coming so he dived in front of Chin to shield him. A shot was fired hitting Henderson in the shoulder. Henderson soon passed out.
Henderson woke up to find himself in a hospital bed. Raymond and Juliet Chin were sitting by his side.
“Thanks to you Mr Henderson, we caught that man and you will be commended for this,” Chin whispered.
“More importantly, my brother, you risked your life to save mine. This will never be forgotten.”
Following an operation, the bullet was removed from Henderson’s shoulder leaving a small scar. From what Chin later told him, after the shot had been fired, he had passed out in shock and Chin had then caught and unarmed the assailant. Two weeks later Henderson returned to the police headquarters to a standing ovation and a commendation for bravery in the line of duty. All this information was reported back to London. Henderson would never know this.
The months went by quickly. One day out of the blue Chin said.
“It is time that you met the rest of my family. They are also your family.”
One Saturday when both policemen were off duty, Chin, his wife and Henderson drove to another suburb. The journey seemed to last for ages. Eventually the car pulled up outside a large house.
“This is my parent’s home, I have told them all about you.”
Chin’s parent’s treated Henderson like a long lost son. They looked so youthful. Chin later informed Henderson that both his parents were nearly sixty! Chin claimed that his parents had a vast knowledge of food, medicinal herbs and exercise much of which had been passed onto him. Chin had a younger brother of sixteen years called John, who idolised his older brother. Chin himself was twenty three years old.
“This is my sister Shola.”
Henderson looked at this girl who was 20 years of age. She had long black hair, large brown intelligent eyes and an oval shaped face without any blemishes. She was breathtaking to look at. Henderson was lost for words and knew then that he never wanted to return to England.
“Er, John Henderson, pleased to meet you,” he extended his hand.
“It is an honour to meet you John Henderson,” her eyes bore into his as she took his hand.
For the rest of the day Henderson found it increasingly difficult not to gaze at Shola. Henderson never got over that first meeting with her. She was, apparently taken with him too. After numerous visits to the family home he was permitted to take her out on dates. As time went by, their relationship grew stronger.
Henderson and Chin became inseparable. They were like brothers. Chin seemed to lose his inscrutable look when Henderson was around him. Despite all this Henderson still found Chin a little mysterious. This curiosity led him to ask the other officers about him.
“Didn’t he tell you,” they laughed. “That he had been the national Wu Su champion and is one of the youngest ever martial arts masters.”
They were all laughing because they all knew how modest and private Raymond Chin was.
It was one of those hot summer nights and Henderson was finding it increasingly difficult to sleep. Feeling thirsty, he went to get himself a drink. He heard as noise coming from the back of the house. Assuming that it could be a burglar, he tiptoed to the back of the house. He stopped suddenly and his mouth opened in awe as he saw Chin, stripped to the waist and moving with dazzling speed and agility. The moves were similar to Karate yet so different. The movements were more fluid and economical. The power was awesome. Master Chin seemed to float on air. Chin paused for a moment without looking up.
“Hello John, couldn’t you sleep?”
“How did you know I was here?” Henderson replied.
Chin just smiled.
“What is it that you are practising?”
“This is Wu Su. It was taught to me by my father and his father before him. Your Karate is a diluted form of Wu Su. Let me show you.”
For one hour Chin demonstrated for Henderson who slowly realised that this art was well beyond his martial arts training and undoubtedly that of Master Tanaka’s. Henderson subsequently learnt that many of these secret techniques were taught to a trusted few so as not to fall into the wrong hands. Over the coming months and when time allowed, Chin would train Henderson regularly. Initially, much to Henderson’s dismay, Chin had told him
“John, in spite of your obvious boxing and Karate abilities, many elements of your training lack depth.. Your breathing is laboured. I will teach you how to breathe properly so that your abdomen rises and falls much like that of a baby’s. This training will also maintain and improve your health significantly.”
It was now 1974, Henderson had now been in Hong Kong for two years and was the happiest that he’d ever been in his life.
“John, have you considered what you are going to do when your three years are up?” Chin asked one day.
Henderson pondered over the question for a while.
“I can’t leave Shola. I want to marry her but I miss my family in England. I will wait until the baby is born.”
Henderson had asked Shola to marry him. She had accepted without hesitation and was now pregnant with his child.
The streets of Hong Kong were now becoming increasingly violent as rival Triad gangs battled to the death for territorial and commercial advantage. More and more police officers were getting seriously injured whilst trying to curb the warfare. On one fateful evening Henderson and Chin were called to a gambling den reputed to be owned by one of Hong Kong’s largest Triad organisation. When they entered Henderson whispered to Chin,
“I’ll take a look upstairs.”
Henderson disappeared upstairs before Chin could answer. Moments later gunshots were heard. Nervous energy carried Chin up those stairs in a fraction of a second. Chin’s heart sank. His friend was lying in a pool of blood which was flowing from his chest and mouth.
“Hang on my friend, I am here,” Chin said as he gently held Henderson’s head in his hand.
Henderson opened his eyes and spoke.
“Tell Shola that I love her and will see her later.”
Henderson died two hours later in hospital. The nurses and doctors had tried everything to save him. The Chin family were distraught. Shola was inconsolable. Henderson’s death hit national and international headlines. He became a national hero. It seemed like the whole of the Hong Kong police force had attended the funeral. Henderson’s parents and Stephen Shaw were flown over for the funeral.
Four months had passed since Henderson’s death. Publicly, Chin carried on his duties with his usual professionalism but privately he could not get over the death of his best friend. Feelings of guilt would not leave him. Little did he know that worse yet was to come. During a routine self defence seminar that he was running, a young female officer suddenly entered and called out.
“Mr Chin, please come quickly.”
The urgency in her voice worried him. Chin rushed out of the training hall.
“It’s your wife on the phone.”
Chin’s heart missed a beat. As he struggled to regain his composure, he picked up the telephone.
“Hello.”
“Raymond, it’s Shola, she’s at the hospital.”
Chin was at the hospital in ten minutes. He found his wife, brother and parents crying. Juliet Chin pointed to Shola. Chin dropped to his knees. His sister was surrounded by doctors and nurses. Blood was everywhere. Most of the medical staff were crying. Shola had given birth to a perfectly healthy baby boy but there had been complications. She had lost a huge amount of blood and had subsequently gone into a coma. Shola died at ten minutes past two in the afternoon on the 24th May 1974.
Raymond and Juliet Chin adopted the baby boy and named him Jonathon.
Chapter 3 London 1995 -96 Jonathon Chin
Raymond and Juliet Chin were unable to have children so out of their depths of despair came a blessing. In addition to the joy of having a child, Raymond Chin felt that by taking little Jonathon as his own son, he would honour his dead friend’s memory. At the age of seven, Chin formally introduced Jonathon to the martial arts. The boy took to the training naturally. He proceeded to teach the boy everything he knew. He would also tell Jonathon stories about his real father and the type of man he was. Many times Jonathon would be a welcome visitor to the police station where he would see pictures of his father everywhere. As much as he loved Jonathon as his son, Chin preferred Jonathon to call him uncle. This was out of respect to his old friend, Jonathon Henderson.
Jonathon Chin was sent to the best schools that money could buy and ended his formal education at the City University of Hong Kong with First class degrees in Law and Psychology. He was now twenty one years old, a lean, muscular 6 feet 2 inches tall. His height, build and his mixed racial features combined to make him strikingly handsome. He could speak fluent English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese. Nothing that Raymond Chin could do or say could change the young man’s mind about going to England. He had given Jonathon the addresses of his Chinese and Caribbean relatives living in London.
“Remember Jonathon, the Chinese community in England is a closed one. They keep very much to themselves.”
Raymond Chin was now the Chief of Police in Hong Kong. Over the years he had done much to curb the Triad wars.
Jonathon was driven to Hong Kong International airport by his adopted parents. They were both crying. They were the two people he loved most in the world. They had taught and given him everything.
“I love you and I shall miss you both,” he said.
Jonathon Chin hugged him tightly. Juliet Chin struggled to let go of his hand.
On the aeroplane, Jonathon Chin thought about his life in Hong Kong. He thought of the sacrifices his adopted parents had made to bring up a mixed race boy in Hong Kong and how they had tried to shield him from prejudice. Looking back, Chin suspected that some of the victimisation was brought out of jealousy. Those experiences together with the martial arts training had served to build up an inner strength and strong will. Jonathon Chin would allow no man to intimidate him. Raymond Chin had taught him that it was what was in a man’s heart and mind that mattered, not the colour of his skin. He had been called many things during his schooldays. A lot of what was said to him had hurt deeply but his parents had always been there to soften the blows. He knew that his adopted father and real father had been like brothers. In his wallet, he glanced at family photos. For a second, he trembled and struggled to compose himself. He then went to sleep.
An hour after landing at Gatwick airport and obtaining his luggage, he was automatically recognised by his grandparents who could not stop hugging him. Eunice and Albert Henderson now lived in a large house in Croydon. Albert Henderson was a retired bus driver whilst his wife had eighteen months left with the Civil Service. Both were planning to go back to Jamaica where they had built a large house. When Chin arrived at the house, so many people were there and they all seemed to know him but he didn’t have a clue that they were.
“I’m your Aunt Margaret,” one said.
“Your father was my best friend,” another said.
Many commented on how much he looked like his father in looks and stature. Chin found it amazing to see so many black people and observed how different they were in comparison to the Chinese in they way they expressed themselves. He struggled to understand the accents. Music was playing non stop. There were pictures of his father on the wall. The food was tasty but so different!
When the guests eventually left, Eunice Henderson started tidying up leaving Albert Henderson to talk to his grandson.
“Do you know Raymond, that your grandmother and I were at your father’s funeral all those years ago. When we heard about your birth we wanted to take you back to England but your aunt and uncle would have none of it. Throughout the years they kept in contact with us so if you look around there are photos of you as a youngster. I have a message to give you. A Commander Shaw, a very nice man, would like to meet you. I have his details for you. All in good time though, relax son and tell me about Hong Kong. Do you know that there are a lot of Chinese people in Jamaica!”
Chin’s grandparents knew very little about his sister, having only seen photographs of her and once his father had left for Hong Kong, she was never heard of since.
A few days later Chin arranged to meet Mr Ho, an old and trusted friend of Raymond Chin’s and a restaurant owner. Chin travelled by London Underground to Leicester Square and walked around in circles for a while until he bumped into a young Chinese and asked where Chinatown was. Ten minutes later, he was in Chinatown. He immediately felt comfortable because it was like Hong Kong in miniature. Chin found the Golden Dragon restaurant and entered.
A Chinese waiter walked towards him.
“Mr Ho is expecting me,” Chin said in Cantonese.
“Please follow me,” replied the waiter politely as he studied Chin.
He was led into a small room where a robust looking middle aged man appeared to be meditating. The man opened his eyes.
“Ah you must be Jonathon, I’ve heard a lot of good things about you,” Ho said in perfect English.
“And I of you Master Ho,” Chin bowed slightly.
“Would you like some tea?”
Chin politely refused.
“How do you like England?”
“It’s OK, a little different to what I’m used to but I am slowly finding my way,” Chin replied.
“I here that you are living in South London,” Ho said thoughtfully. “You could have stayed with me.”
Chin shuffled uncomfortably but before he could reply, Ho interrupted.
“I hear that you are going to join the police force here?”
“Yes Master Ho.”
“You obviously like a challenge young man,” Ho studied the young man carefully.
“In Hong Kong, everyone knows my uncle, everyone knows about my father. Here, no one knows me.”
Ho looked at Chin and smiled.
“I met your real father once, a good man. You are very much like him.”
Ho suddenly changed the subject.
“How’s your Wu Su training?”
“I haven’t found a place to train seriously yet.”
“Your uncle tells me that you have mastered so much for one so young. Maybe you could teach here?”
Chin knew that this question would come and that if he took up the offer he would probably be teaching the Chinese community only. This did not rest easily with him.
“No rush young man, there is so much to think about,” said Ho sensing the young man’s discomfort. “Meet my two nephews.”
Two young men, roughly Chin’s age entered.
“Andrew and Jeremy are my top students.”
The two young men politely bowed. For a moment Chin thought he detected a trace of arrogance and a sneer from one of them. The two youths left. Ho looked at Chin, reading his mind.
“Ah, young peoples these days, they have so many temptations now. Life is so much more materialistic to them.”
Chin nodded in agreement because he had noticed the changes whilst growing up in Hong Kong. The meeting drew to a close. Ho walked with the young man to the exit of the restaurant.
“Times are changing here Jonathon,” Ho whispered seriously. “You may find yourself having to choose. If there is anything you need……anything, you only have to ask.”
Chin did not know understand what Ho meant.
One of Chin’s West Indian relatives drove him to an address in Romford, Essex. The front door was opened by a stocky grey haired man. For a second the older man hesitated then quickly regained his composure. He extended his hand.
“I’m Stephen Shaw, I knew your father.”
Shaw was now the commander at Soho police station. During their two hours together he spoke at length about Chin’s father. Chin learned later that it was Shaw who had arranged for his grandparents to fly to their son’s funeral in Hong Kong.
“You are so much like him, your looks, your manner, it’s uncanny. I expect you’ve heard it all before son. In all my years on the force no one has impressed me as much as your father. I am certain that he was on the road to greatness.”
Behind Shaw, Chin noticed a framed photograph of his father and his uncle. Shaw followed Chin’s gaze.
“Your father and I corresponded regularly until his….. er …. untimely death, Shaw coughed and continued, “I have also remained in contact with your uncle who has told me of your wish to join the police force here. I will be retiring in two years time but I will do all in my utmost power to help you. Things aren’t as bad as they were in your father’s day but there is always room for improvement. Good luck son.”
Even though Chin maintained regular contact with Master Ho, he had now integrated fully into the Afro Caribbean community and had even started teaching martial arts. Remembering what his uncle had taught him he studied and selected his students carefully. It wasn’t long before students from all colours and creeds were training under this incredible young man. Eventually Chin would delegate some of the teaching to two carefully selected senior students.
Within two weeks, Chin had completed and posted the Met police application forms. Six weeks later he was requested to attend the first of a succession of interviews and eventually a fitness test. Just over a year later, he sailed through his examinations at the Hendon training school. He was to be stationed at Soho police station. Chin sensed that Shaw had been instrumental in this. He received a phone call from his uncle and aunt congratulating him. His grandparents were happy for him but he could detect their reservations. Some of his friends and other relatives told him that the police were prejudiced. Chin politely explained that the force needed more police from ethnic minorities in order to make a difference.