Person

Ko, Bong

• Go, Bong
• G.B. Simon
• Ko, Sha Pong
• Ko, Sha Bong
• Go, Jun Shun

1880-1957

KO Bong arrived in Canada in 1896 at the age of 16. He spent his first 25 years in the country living in Victoria. He later moved to Vancouver’s Chinatown where he owned and operated an unusual store – a combination jewelry and sporting goods store located at 528 Main Street.

Ko Bong was well known for his involvement in China’s politics. He was a personal friend of the revolutionary Chinese leader Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, who visited Vancouver at least twice in the early 1900s. In 1911, Ko Bong became heavily involved in generating local support for overseas efforts to overthrow the Manchu dynasty.

Ko Bong applied for and became a naturalized British subject in 1909. By 1923/1924, he was living at 569 Johnson Street in Victoria and working as a merchant. He was married to JEW Fun Shee (Chow Shee) and had six sons and four daughters.

In the 1930s and 1940s, during the war, Ko Bong learned how to fly in case he was needed by China for their fledgling air force. Four of his Canadian-born children enlisted for the war effort: John, Peter, Andrew and Mary. There exists a famous Yucho Chow photo in the City of Vancouver Archives showing Ko Bong sitting proudly with his four children dressed in their uniforms.

Ko Bong founded The New Republic newspaper in Victoria. He was also a founder of the Kong Chow Benevolent Association in Victoria, and later became president of the organization's Vancouver branch.

Ko Bong died in 1957 at age 77.

Ko Bong (Family)

Ko, Luke (1912-1932)

Ko, John (1912-2008)

Ko, Mathew (1909-2000)

Ko, Mark (1911-1928)

Ko, Mary Chan Wah (1917-2011)

Ko, Andrew (1922-2002)

Ko, Garnet (1923-1931)

Ko, Mabel Sue Wah (1913-1935)

Ko, Ruby Dain Wah (1915-1935)

Ko, Peter

Jew Fun Shee ([1875]-1938)

Description supplied by collector/curator