Brother Lawrence was born on the 1st December, 1929, in Co. Laois, Ireland. He is the blood brother of Brother Mark. He ranks number 9 among seven brothers and four sisters.

He joined the De La Salle Brothers in 1943. After the usual formation and study courses he was sent to England for Teacher Training at St Mary’s College, Twickenham, London, from 1949 to 1951. Brother Lawrence takes up the story himself.

“Ireland is my homeland. It’s so green and beautiful that it’s called the Emerald Isle. It’s a land of fertile plains, rolling mountains, many lakes, beautiful beaches and craggy headlands.

I had my early education In Ireland. At the age of 19, I went to London for teacher training. I came to Hong Kong in 1958 and taught in La Salle College until 1963 when I went back to Ireland for further studies. Later I went to Malaysia, Singapore and Borneo to teach. In 1975 I returned to Hong Kong and taught in St. Joseph’s College. In 1979, Brother Brendan, the Principal of Chong Gene Hang College, retired and I was appointed to take his place.

In my student days and for many years afterwards I liked to play games, such as Gaelic football and tennis. I also loved gardening but now there is little opportunity for it.

Reading is my hobby now. I like to read novels, especially historical novels. I also enjoy walking and travelling.

In general, the students of Chong Gene Hang College are friendly and co-operative. Some are very intelligent and hardworking. Others are easy-going and difficult to motivate. The school is quite successful in extra-curricular activities.

We need to strengthen moral education and education for democracy. We need to become ‘democratic people.’ Establishing a Students’ Union in the school could help in this process. The students’ movement for democracy in China (1989) impressed the whole world but its brutal suppression and the white terror that followed has horrified people everywhere. The innate yearning for freedom cannot be denied forever.

The teachers in Chong Gene Hang are devoted, tolerant and hardworking. I am greatly edified by the amount of time, energy and patience they give to their students. Many sacrifice their lunch break to help the students.”

After eleven years at the helm of Chong Gene Hang College, Brother Lawrence was assigned as Principal to Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College in 1990 and remained as Principal until his retirement in 1995. He continued on as Supervisor of the school until 2010.

He is now retired and lives in La Salle College, Kowloon. However, he still continues as a school manager in both Chong Gene Hang College and Chan Sui Ki College. Currently, he needs some health care because he suffered a minor stroke and has difficulty walking. He goes for physiotherapy treatment regularly every week.

Brother Lawrence is the tallest La Salle Brother in Hong Kong, a definite asset in his tennis-playing days.