From Band of Music to Band of Brothers
It was the late thirties and early forties that the Chan brothers from Victoria, B.C. formed a band in their church basement.
Their family owned the Panama Café on Government Street where the band used to practice.
Another member of the band was Limmy Lee who became the first Chinese pharmacist in Canada. His practice was on the corner of Main and Pender Streets in Vancouver's Chinatown.
Four of the Chan brothers from Victoria started the Celestial Gents in 1939 until 1940. They played the Victoria Auditorium and the Chamber of Commerce Hall in Victoria and at the Palomar Ballroom in Vancouver.
All of the Chan brothers enlisted in the war.
Roy Chan distinguished himself as a member of the elite Force 136 under Captain Roger Cheng in Sarawak, British North Borneo by aiding the local head hunters to frustrate the enemy forces through guerrilla warfare. For their bravery, the Military Medal was awarded to Louey King, Jim Shiu, Norman Low and Roy Chan.
If any one can identified the people in the above 1940 photographs, please contact the museum.
--------thanks to Herby Chan for story and photographs