GOCK MING William

Description

Biographical informationGock Ming William was born in June 1877 in Canton, China. He migrated to Western Australia in June 1897. He was five feet four and three quarter inches in height.

He was the husband of Mabel Gock Ming, they married in Richmond, Victoria on 4 November 1910. He was the father of Harry, Una, Mavis, Edna and Sheila.

He was the manager of Wing Hing & Co, 207 William Street, Perth, from at least 1910. In 1916 he resided at 88 John Street, West Perth.

He travelled overseas twice: October (probably December?) 1910 to November 1912. As part of his application to travel, he stated that he was an 'importer of groceries and produce merchant' and had lived in both Queensland (6 years) and Perth (7 years) since arriving in Australia in 1897. Willie Ming was not required to produce a handprint on his CEDT by Boarding staff as he was 'a well known business man of good repute'. (NAA Item ID: 4317455).

He travelled again between August 1922 to January 1923.

He travelled overseas with his wife and children in March 1925. In January 1928, William wrote to the Collector of Customs requesting his CEDT be extended for a further 3 years. "I left Australia to come to China on important business. That business is not yet completed." (NAA, PP4/2, 1936/451, Item ID: 4317455, p. 135). Knowing his daughters would need to be identified on returning to Australia, he sent photographs of his daughters to the Collector of Customs in 1928.

He requessted a further extension in 1931: "My reason for applying for a further renewal is as follows:- My children are all studying in China, and since the death of my wife I must remain with them until their education is completed when I shall be able to return with them to the Commonwealth.” (NAA, PP4/2, 1936/451, Item ID: 4317455, p. 131). His CEDT was extended again in 1937 but on the basis "that no further extensions will be permitted him". (NAA, PP4/2, 1936/451, Item ID: 4317455, p. 117).

It appears that they did not return to Western Australia.

The Gock Ming family is featured in Mavis Gock Yen's book, "South Flows the Pearl: Chinese Australian Voices".Other nameGok Ming (William) (differentiated name)Willie Ming (also known as)Date of birthJune 1877

Person