Thread by @VintageShanghai

This item at the #Shanghai History Museum intrigued me. It was the 2nd prize in a police cycling race in 1904. When I saw it, many questions ran through my head: What was the 1st prize? Who were the winners? After some digging, I found the answer and more. A thread. 🧵 (1）

The #Shanghai Municipal Police held annual sports events soon after its establishment. Bicycle races have always been a key competition. Here is a picture from the 30s. (2）

The Police Sports 1904 was held on 15th October. It was a fun event with many exciting competitions, like ‘Throwing the Hammer’ and a ‘Costume Donkey Race.’ Thanks to a local newspaper, we know the final results. Here is the result of the ‘One Mile Bicycle race.’ 👇(3）

The 1st place winner, Mr. C Mills, won a ‘Gladstone Bag.’ It probably looks like this. 👇 (4）

Mr. Mills was a sub-inspector of SMP. He left #Shanghai in 1915 and served with the 3rd Seaforth Highlanders during World War I. Mills survived a German machine gun bullet through the lining of his heart and returned to SMP in 1919. (5）

For the next decade, Inspector Mills remained in #Shanghai, arguably one the most dangerous places for a policeman. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for ‘exceptional bravery and leadership in effecting the arrest of armed robbers.’ He retired to Canada, in 1930. (6)

Now I want to present you the owner of that Silver Tankard, 2nd Place Winner: Mr. R.C. Aiers. He had a more successful career. Mr. Aiers joined the force in 1900 when he was 18. He was a 3rd Class Sergeant in 1904 and made Inspector in 1917. (7)

He was commended in 1918 &1919 for action taken during a ‘Rickshaw Riot’ and for work concerning the ‘repatriation of enemy subjects.’ He became Superintendent in 1926, Assistant Commissioner a year later, and Deputy Commissioner in 1930. (8)

In the 1920s, he was decorated by the Chinese government with the 'Order of Chia Ho' and again in 1931 with the 'Military, Naval, and Air Force' Medal. One of the outstanding achievements of Mr. Aiers in the Force was the introduction of the ‘card-index system.’ (9）

Mr. Aiers retired in 1938. He brought the Silver Tankard to England. How did it get back to Shanghai ? I don’t know. There obviously are many more interesting stories. I think it’s a curse to be a curious history buff because, often, your curiosity can never be satisfied. (10)

@HistoricSH @chinarhyming @bickers