HK says Goodbye to Pioneer of English Education

Mark O'Neill May 12, 2025 19:18

On May 7, 150 people crowded into St John’s Cathedral in Garden Road to say goodbye to a polymath and pioneer of English-language education who lived in the city for 42 years.

Dr Verner Bickley arrived in Hong Kong in 1983 as Founding Director of the Institute of Language in Education and lived here ever since. He died on February 9, aged 98.

In a written tribute, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President, The Education University of Hong Kong, wrote: “Dr Bickley’s remarkable contributions to the field of language education have left an indelible mark on our institution [The ILE merged with the Hong Kong Institute of Education in 1994, which transformed into EdUHK in 2016] and the broader educational landscape in Hong Kong, fostering a legacy of excellence and innovation. His remarkable achievements and kind spirit will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

After retirement from Government service, Verner wrote the basis for a new English-language teaching course for schools as well as a portion of the materials. With modifications over the years, the course is still used today in Hong Kong and in the mainland.

He was also founding Chairman of the Executive Committee of the English-Speaking Union, Hong Kong (ESUHK), later Chairman Emeritus. Verner adjudicated at Speech Festivals and Public Speaking Competitions in Hong Kong, the Mainland and elsewhere.

With his wife, Gillian, he founded the two international Proverse Prizes for unpublished writing submitted in English.

At the memorial service in the cathedral, Mrs Mary Szeto, former director of the ESUHK, said that Verner had packed many lives into one, with an astounding range of activities.

“He had incredible energy and was always thinking of the next project. There are not many people who give so much of themselves, without thinking of what they can get in return” she said. “He had many interests and talents, including taking part in local Cantonese films.” These starred, variously, Jackie Chan, Leon Lai and Jet Li.

David Parkin delivered the first Eulogy on behalf of Martin Thomas (who was unable to attend), both being Representatives of the District Grand Lodge of the Far East of which Verner was also a member. Verner’s life, they said, was too full to mention all of it. “He was much admired, loved and respected.” Verner became a Mason in Singapore.

“He was good company, making everyone feel valued. He was quiet and tenacious, a great humanist, a true gentleman, with deep intellect. He had a good sense of humour and many entertaining stories to tell. He contributed to Hong Kong in many ways, including through the organizations he was involved in. He had a profound impact on Hong Kong’s wider English language cultural life. His legacy will endure.”

His wife Gillian said that Verner had great respect for others whatever their station in life. “He was always learning. He was good at choosing people. When we rode on the MTR, he looked at the other passengers and wondered what they were thinking and feeling.

“Planning for retirement, we thought about going to live in the Pyrenees. But, when the time came, could not bear to leave Hong Kong,” she said.

Gillian was his second wife. They married on 7 May 1986. (The memorial service took place on their 39th wedding anniversary.) Verner’s first wife Lois died in 1985, after 29 years of marriage. They had two children. One of them, Simon, who lives in Australia, read a psalm at the ceremony.

Verner was born on April 28, 1926. He was educated in the United Kingdom, but lived and worked in Asian and Pacific countries for around 70 years.

Verner had a gift for both the spoken and the written word. He could hardly remember a time when he was not able to read and could not conceive what the world could be like to those who did not read books. He wrote more than 20 books on culture, education and literature, as well as many articles. He wrote two books of Memoirs.

He started his career as an Education Officer of the United Kingdom Overseas Civil Service in Singapore. He taught at the famous Raffles Institution and was later head of the Department of English and Speech Training at the then Singapore Teachers’ Training College. As a British Council Education officer, he was posted to Burma, Indonesia and Japan, where he was also First Secretary (Cultural) at the British Embassy.

This was followed by ten years at the East-West Centre in Honolulu, Hawaii, mostly as Director of the Culture-Learning Institute. Then came two years in Saudi Arabia as head of English-language training for Saudia, the national airline. In 1983, he came to Hong Kong.

Among the many tributes received is one from Lord Boateng, Past Chairman of the ESU of the Commonwealth. He writes, “Verner Bickley’s life was one well and long lived in the service of others. He represented the very best of the values of mutual respect and understanding that bind peoples together regardless of race or creed ... He leaves a legacy in the many lives he touched through his tireless work in promoting understanding between peoples through effective communication.”

Mark O'Neill

A Hong Kong-based writer, teacher and speaker.