2011年5月27日 星期五

Lt Fontaine's head

[HMS Cockchafer, 1881 - the famed British Banterer-class composite gunboat trapped inside Danshui Harbor during the Battle of Fisherman's Wharf/Sino-French War]

Alexander Frater* reported on March 13, 1885:

"...I went up yesterday to the city of Taipei in accordance with an arrangement made with the Imperial Commissioner to see the heads of some of the Frenchmen that were killed during the fight of the 8th of October last, so as, if possible, to pick out Lieutenant Fontaine's one. Dr Johansen, the medical attendant on this consulate who consented to accompany me, was of the greatest assistance as a scientific man; and I am glad to say that we succeeded in identifying the head, even though it was almost a bare skull. I brought it down to Tamsuy with me, and buried it in the consulate grounds till the views of deceased's family can be ascertained. I shall send a separate report about the recovery of the head to Earl Granville [Note: probably the Foreign Secretary who instructed Frater to recover Lt Fontaine's head] direct..."

Two points: (1) Clearly Liu Ming-chu'an's claim that the heads of the Frenchmen were already buried in Oct, 1884, was not true; and (2) Burial of Fontaine's head in the "consulate grounds" was apparently a temporary measure; although we still do not known what Fontaine's family views were.

*Notes on Alexander Frater: Age on first appointment of China consular service: 22. Father's occupation and place of residence: Assistant city chamberlain, Aberdeen.
He retired as consul at age of 52 due to ill health. Age of death: 53.
Remarks: nominated by Aberdeen University. Previously was War Office clerk.

[This post is based on Fung-yin's new find.]

4 則留言:

  1. I don't understand. Are you thinking they (meaning the 18 French marines who died in combat) are at the No 1 Public Cemetery (across the street from the seaplane base near Danshui MRT station)?

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  2. It was full of twists and turns. The best we can re-construct is this:

    17 (not 18, the 18th seemed a hapless non-French who was caught near the battlefield and killed) headless bodies were buried in the No. 2 Public Cemetery northwest of Danshui Golf Course (not No. 1). The heads, some or all of them ended up in Taipei (most likely Wanhua where Liu Ming-chuan's headquarters was). Frater was able to retrieve one, that of Lt Fontaine's and buried it in the grounds of the British Consulate. We still don't know what Fontaine's family request was after learning this news. The best case is that Fontaine's head had been returned to France for a proper burial, but we just don't know (yet).

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  3. Hi,
    What are you guys talking about?
    I thought the #1 public grave yard was clean up and non-existing since 80s when the new highway passing through it.
    ChoSan

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  4. Hi Chosan,

    Part of No 1 Public Cemetery (near the MRT Station) still remains, the rest is now buildings and parking lots. It was No 2 Public Cemetery that was cleared to make room for the highway and the Golf Club. This is the area of interest as far as the Sino-French war. Unfortunately, a lot of recovered artifacts are now lost.

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