- Occupation
- gardener and hawker
Details
Jimmy War Sing had a market garden in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. Very little is known about him.
The 1903-1904 rate book locates War Sing's house and garden in Neale Street, Katoomba known as MacCrae's Paddock which is now part of Katoomba Falls Reserve. He was there till at least 1907. The land was owned by a Miss Willis. Locals found Chinese bottles and children's toys (not Chinese) in the well at the back of 'Melrose' at 27 Loftus St. Jimmy War Sing's garden was behind this house.
Tixie Brown (when in her 80s) remembered a story about Jimmy War Sing. He allegedly saved the life of a Dave Brown who fell off a cart. Dave Brown always told the story that Jimmy saved his life by feeding him unwashed rice. Jimmy specifically asked to look after Dave after the fall.
There is another unsubstantiated story that Jimmy married a French woman.
Sources used to compile this entry: Slade, Colin, 'Investigating the Chinese community', Locality: Bulletin of the Community History Program, vol. 4, no. 2, July-August, pp. 7-11; Personal communication with Colin Slate 22/7/2005.
Prepared by: Sophie Couchman, La Trobe University
Archival Collections
State Library of New South Wales - Mitchell Library
- Davis, W.H. Album of Photographs, 1900-1902, 1900 - 1902, ML A4467; State Library of New South Wales - Mitchell Library. Details
Published Resources
Journal Articles
- Slade, Colin, 'Investigating the Chinese community', Locality: Bulletin of the Community History Program, vol. 4, no. 2, July-August, pp. 7-11. Details
Images
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- Title
- Jimmy War Sing on his fruit and vegetable cart
- Type
- Photograph
- Date
- c. 1900 - c. 1902
- Place
- Australia - New South Wales - Blue Mountains - Katoomba
- Details
Created: 10 March 2004, Last modified: 11 May 2006
