Originally published in The Gateway Issue No. 5 (August 2008)
Brother Casimir holds the distinction of having been the longest serving Brother in La Salle College. He spent his entire teaching career there. He must also hold the distinction for the number and variety of posts he occupied, a somewhat breathtaking list as follows: teacher, prefect of boarders, sports-master, violinist in school orchestra, harmonica player, spiritual director of Mother of our Redeemer praesidium, editor of the school magazine, designer of school magazine covers, honorary president of the old boys’ association, oral examiner for French in the Hong Kong General Certificate of Education examination, deputy principal, Director and Principal of the school.
He was born in a troublesome year, 1914, which saw the outbreak of World War I, and in a troubled spot, Czechoslovakia. The exact place of birth was Svolenska-Slatina. In later years he would be unable to visit his family and place of birth because of political developments and would have to resort to long and taxing negotiations in order to obtain temporary or emergency travel documents. At one stage, even the Vatican tried to help by issuing brother Casimir with an emergency travel document.
We do not know the initial influences, but, at the age of 14 we find him heading for Lembecq, Belgium, to begin his training to become a De La Salle Brother. He proved to be a bright boy, a leader in his class. He also had a good singing voice and was often asked to sing solo at the chapel services. From Belgium he was transferred to Dover, England, to continue his studies. He had a gift for languages, becoming particularly fluent in English and French. Later in life he would take out a degree in French from the University of London. It amused him to be sometimes mistaken for a Frenchman!
Brother Casimir arrived in La Salle College, Hong Kong, on a crisp December day 1933, the 18th to be exact. Brother Michael Curtin met him when the boat arrived “and surely never alighted on these shores a more delightful vision.” Brother Michael was struck by his youthful appearance and vigour. The school had just emerged from her cocoon of bamboo scaffolding and Brother Casimir immediately fell in love with the “majestic dome.”
At first sight Brother Casimir appeared pretty stern. Yet his smile could light up a room. He was strict in class without being rigid and expected his students to perform to the best of their abilities. The lines of Oliver Goldsmith come to mind:
“Yet he was kind, and if severe in aught,
The love he bore to learning was at fault.”
He was a born teacher, giving a clear exposition whatever the topic. He taught Religion and French and English at all levels but perhaps he is best remembered for his teaching of Geography. He wrote and had published “A First Geography” textbook intended to stimulate young pupils in Hong Kong. His masterpiece was a map of Hong Kong made from Ordnance Survey maps with all the exact contours cut out in fretwork. It graced a wall of the school library for years.
The pleasant routine of life was rudely shaken at 8.00am on the 8th December 1941 when Japanese planes bombed the nearby airport. When it was realized that this was not an air-raid practice but the real thing, the Brothers gathered the pupils together, told them that the scheduled examinations were postponed indefinitely and to go home. Kowloon was overrun within a matter of days. The Japanese put up their national flag and the red-cross flag on the Dome and La Salle College became a Japanese military hospital for the duration of the War.
The Brothers sought refuge in Vietnam and on the 1st March 1942, Brother Aimar led a group of eight there, Brother Casimir among them. The Brothers in Vietnam graciously welcomed and took care of this band of ‘exiles’. Brother Casimir himself was able to teach French to the young Brothers both in Nhathrang and Dalat. At the same time he followed events closely in Hong Kong. On the 1st May 1946 he managed to get a place on a Dakota and returned to Hong Kong. Together with Brother Cassian, they spared no efforts to get La Salle College up and running again. He also took charge of the Boarding Department until the end of 1947 when he requested leave for University studies and a visit to his family whom he had not seen for 15 years. The visit was disagreeably eventful because, while there, a communist uprising took place and Brother Casimir had to escape with the help of a friend.
Ireland gave him refuge while he studied for and took out an honours degree in French at London University (1948-1951) He then returned to La Salle to exercise his talent for teaching, for conducting extra-curricular activities and for school administration until his untimely death in 1977. He never missed or wanted to miss a lesson. He marked the students’ exercise books and gave all the basic drills in English and French with meticulous care. Most of his energy was spent in building up a solid Form 6. He taught French at different levels and specialized in Advanced Geography. The students treasured his notes and would refer to them even at University level.
There were other arrows to his bow. Although no great sportsman himself, he did a stint as an enthusiastic Sports-master, and the sports results did not suffer. A more amenable post, perhaps, was that of Editor of the College Magazine, ‘The Lasallite’. He remained Editor of the magazine for nine years. Since he had artistic tastes, the beautiful covers of ‘The Lasallite’ were designed by him. He played the violin for relaxation and also in the school orchestra and was instrumental in the formation of the first Harmonica Band in the school. On Christmas Eve, and being good at harmonics, he would accompany the young carol-singers on their visit to the hospitals. In keeping with his personality, all these activities were performed without fanfare.
In 1965 he was appointed Director and Principal of La Salle College and steered the ship capably and wisely. He was straightforward in his dealings with staff and students and had a good listening ear, listening attentively and understandingly to all. Nothing was too small to merit his attention. He was on good terms with government officers of the Education Department, with the Catholic Church authorities and with parents and old boys. Nothing of earthshaking consequence took place in the College during his reign and this must have pleased him for he was not much for fanfare.
This is what his Head Prefect at the time had to say:
“While he was feared by the boys, he was actually very tolerant of a student’s omissions unless he went over the top. Then no amount of pleading from teachers and parents would save the boy from Brother Casimir’s wrath! I learned in my senior years to find Brother Casimir a very warm and caring headmaster.”
Another of his students recalls:
“The stern voice, the rolling R’s in French class, the smile, the twinkle in the eye and much, much, more made him the wonderful teacher he was to me. Brother Casimir in my heart forever.”
One special interest was the La Salle College Old Boys’ Association which he helped to revive after the War. He encouraged the old boys to join the Association and to take an active part in helping the school. He was aided in this by possessing a marvelous memory for faces and facts. Another special interest was the Scouts and he would attend their functions if at all possible.
In his final Message as Principal to the editors of the school magazine, ‘The Lasallite’ ,1970-1971, he reflected a little on his life as follows:
“I feel my heart filled with gratitude and praise to God whose loving providence has gently led me to these shores where I seem to have struck deep roots. In perspective, I can truthfully say that the thirty eight years of my association with La Salle have been the best and happiest years of my life.”
When he was about to step down as Principal, he was entertained to dinner by the staff. Brother Michael Curtin, a senior member of staff, spoke on their behalf, and told a witty story.
“Recently a young student returned home with a very bad Report; all the teachers blamed him for laziness. The father wanted to impress this fact on the boy’s mind so he said ‘Who is the laziest person in your school?’ The boy said he didn’t know. So the father went on ‘While all the others are working at their tasks, who is it who remains idly seated at his desk?’ The boy scratched his head for some time, then answered ‘The Headmaster’. Now, perhaps there are Headmasters like that, but the Headmaster of La Salle is something more.”
He stayed in office for six years and then, in typical modest and humble fashion, continued in the rank of teacher. He never sought any privileges because he was the former Director. His words at the 1969 Speech Day reveal his vision of a proper Lasallian education, an education “in which the head and the heart, knowledge and wisdom, culture and character walk side by side in perfect harmony, not omitting manners and morals.” These words may be read as a good summary of the man himself.
On his retirement as Principal, the school scout troop presented him with an embroidered silk painting, famous in Chinese art, called ‘The Hundred Birds’. The birds represent the numerous students who passed through Brother Casimir’s hands. The painting still holds a place of honour in the Brothers’ dining room.
As the Director of the Brothers’ Community he was kind, humble and cheerful. Basically he was a simple man without a trace of vanity. Although he shouldered a very heavy load at all times, he seemed to find time to listen to all who approached him with their problems. He was well liked by his Brothers for he was courteous and friendly and fulfilled Cardinal Newman’s ideal of a gentleman as “one who never inflicts pain.” He was evidently convinced that one cannot love God without loving others.
To all who knew him, it was clear that his virtues came from a deep, personal faith in God and devotion to Our Lady. Even at the busiest time of his life, he never wanted to miss a religious exercise in the Church or Chapel where he would be deeply absorbed. His love for Our Lady was shown by the many years he served as Spiritual Director of “Mother of Our Redeemer” Praesidium.
Generally speaking, Brother Casimir was a serious minded-man and yet there were times when he would ‘unwind’ as it were. Occasionally, when there was a social evening, he would be happy and enjoy a glass of wine. At that time, in the old school, there was a fine billiards table in the Brothers’ residence and he would look forward to playing against other Brothers, and often enough beat them too. On these social occasions he would be a genial host and everybody would be at ease.
Came Whitsun 1977, he was looking forward to the end of the school year and busy making arrangements for his home leave. Forms 5 and 6 had already been dismissed for public exams and the rest of the school would be having exams in a few weeks. On Whit Monday, 9th May, he went to conduct the Oral Examination in French for the Hong Kong G.C.E.
Brother Casimir had never paid too much attention to his health or diet. He tended to neglect his blood pressure and yet he seemed to be in reasonably good shape. But all was not as it seemed. The end was to come quickly. On the evening of the 9th May he went to bed early, telling a Brother that he had an upset stomach. Next morning he was in the Chapel for the morning prayers and served the Community Mass. He taught class all day.
His Director at the time, Brother Raphael Egan, describes what unfolded:
“I met Brother Casimir in the corridor on his way to the bathroom about 2.30pm and made the routine greeting “How are you?” He said, “not well,” and when I looked at him he was ashen and perspiring. Realising he was unwell, I accompanied him back to his room. I phoned the doctor and he arrived about 3.10pm. Brother Casimir was chatting away with the doctor and nurse when he got another massive attack. He was dead within minutes.”
Many old boy priests concelebrated the funeral Mass in St Teresa’s Church, which was filled to capacity with staff, students, parents, old boys and friends. Brother Casimir got a big “send off.” He had gone to the master he always served. The words of the school song he loved to sing comes to mind:
“She would have us ever minding
That above is our true home.”
