Grand Master Chan Tin Sang (1924-1993)
Gong Gong’s 1956 Passport Photograph taken by the British Authorities in Hong Kong has been digitally enhanced and colourised. He and his family fought on after the British Army surrendered in 1941. Around 10,000 Hakka people were killed by the Imperial Japanese throughout the New Territories between 1941-1945 – fighting with traditional Chinese weapons. The British Authorities refused to arm the local populace. Most of his family were captured, tortured and brutally murdered by the Imperial Japanese Forces. Due to the bravery of the Hakka people – the British Authorities took the unusual step of raising a monument to their bravery in the New Territories after the British resumed colonial control of the region in 1945 – following the Imperial Japanese Surrender. To be clear, the Hakka people were “civilian” men, women, and children offered no military support (unlike the brave Gurkha warriors). As a consequence, and due to their bravery and law-abiding behaviour, the British State invited these “Guest People” ro resettle in the UK as a reward for their loyalty and sacrifice. Master Chan Tin Sanng – our Chinese grandfather – was a martial arts Master who brought his gongfu style to the West and transmitted the lineage to Adrian Chan-Wyles – the only inheritor of the complete style.
