The Forbidden City, Peking / Beijing, China
The Forbidden City, Peking / Beijing, China
Lord Meher Baba
Lord Meher Baba

 

 

Herbert Davy was from London, England and was one of the first to follow Meher Baba when he met him in East Challacombe in mid-September 1931. Herbert departed England 4 days later on the 17th September taking up a teaching position at Nanking University in China employed by the League of Nations. He travelled on the SS HAKONE MARU, arriving in Shanghai in late September.

Further down this web page is the first letter Herbert posted to "Chanji" Dadachanji which was written on the 23rd September 1931 when he arrived in Singapore on his voyage to China.

 

 Train travelling in China - Herbert is on the left-rear with unknown man.  Image rendered by Anthony Zois.
Train travelling in China - Herbert is on the left-rear with unknown man. Image rendered by Anthony Zois.

State flag of China since 1949      Old Nationalist flag in 1930s         Old Manchukuo Government flag

The train routes in Northern China & Russia. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
The train routes in Northern China & Russia. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
 Globe graphics created by Anthony Zois - ( Blue line ) the 3rd & last leg of Meher Baba's 1st World Tour. Asia-Pacific ship routes & Herbert Davy's epic train journey ( Purple line ) from Nanking ( China ) to Marseilles ( France ).
Globe graphics created by Anthony Zois - ( Blue line ) the 3rd & last leg of Meher Baba's 1st World Tour. Asia-Pacific ship routes & Herbert Davy's epic train journey ( Purple line ) from Nanking ( China ) to Marseilles ( France ).

 

 

Mid 1932 Train routes for Meher Baba and his group

 This is the train route that Herbert Davy took when he left Nanking in early July 1932 en route to Europe. Route graphics by Anthony Zois
This is the train route that Herbert Davy took when he left Nanking in early July 1932 en route to Europe. Route graphics by Anthony Zois
 L - R : ?, Jal Irani ( Baba's brother ), ?, ?, Herbert Davy, Rustom K. Irani, ?, ? somewhere in China in 1932 prior to Meher Baba's visit to China.  Image rendered by Anthony Zois.
L - R : ?, Jal Irani ( Baba's brother ), ?, ?, Herbert Davy, Rustom K. Irani, ?, ? somewhere in China in 1932 prior to Meher Baba's visit to China. Image rendered by Anthony Zois.

 

The following trips or journeys by Herbert Davy occurred after Meher Baba concluded his first visit to China in mid-1932 an left for India with his men Mandali.

 

 

Herbert Davy's 1st  Rail Journey - China to Europe

 

 South Manchurian Railway
South Manchurian Railway

 

 

Webmaster :

On the 4th July, 1932, Herbert Davy departed Nanking by train to the port city of Dairen as agreed upon by Meher Baba, who had left China 6 days earlier - 28th June by ship back to India.

Herbert was to proceed by train through Northern China often controlled by the Japanese forces, along the Chinese Eastern Railway which connects with the Trans-Siberian Railway at town of Chita in Russia. From there, onto Moscow, then Warsaw, Berlin and Amsterdam eventually reaching London, England.

After a brief stay with his family in London, he, along with his sister, Kitty, met Baba at the French port of Marseilles, on the 28th July at noon.



 

 

July 1932 : Herbert Davy's 1st train route back to Europe. Close-up map. Route graphics by Anthony Zois
July 1932 : Herbert Davy's 1st train route back to Europe. Close-up map. Route graphics by Anthony Zois

 

 

 

Early July, 1932

Period map of the 1930s - Northern China region - Manchuria, which was claimed and occupied by both Chinese & Japanese Armed Forces. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Period map of the 1930s - Northern China region - Manchuria, which was claimed and occupied by both Chinese & Japanese Armed Forces. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 

 The following towns mentioned below were all visited by Meher Baba's representative Herbert Davy on his rail journey across China and across to the Soviet territory. Read his correspondences on this web page describing his various journeys.

 

 

 

DAIREN ( TARIEN ), CHINA

Dairen ( Tarien ) Railway Station
Dairen ( Tarien ) Railway Station

 

 

 

HARBIN, CHINA

 

 

 

MANCHOULI, CHINA

 

 

 

CHITA, RUSSIA

 

 

 

Herbert Davy's 2nd Rail Journey - Europe to China

 

The Temple of Heaven, Beijing - 1937
The Temple of Heaven, Beijing - 1937

 

 

Webmaster :

The following paragraph sets up one of the reasons why Meher Baba sends Herbert Davy back China with a task along the way to do in Warsaw.

 

After thirteen days at sea, the Kaiser-i-Hind arrived in Marseilles on Friday, 29 July 1932. Baba was met by Kitty Davy and her brother Herbert, who had come from China via Russia. They boarded a train for Santa Margherita, located along the Italian Riviera. The next day, much to Quentin Tod's surprise, Baba arrived earlier than scheduled. Between the towns of Santa Margherita and Paraggi, Quentin had rented a separate villa for Baba and the mandali named Fiorenza, which Baba liked very much.

 

Lord Meher Online Edition Page 1452

 

1932 : Meher Baba ( centre ) with Herbert Davy ( left ) & Quentin Tod ( right ) at the Santa Margherita beach.
1932 : Meher Baba ( centre ) with Herbert Davy ( left ) & Quentin Tod ( right ) at the Santa Margherita beach.

 

Mid-August 1932

 

During their stay ( at Fiorenza ), Baba wished to walk to a distant beach. As they took off, the party spread out. This annoyed Baba. Calling them together, Baba stopped and indicated that he wished to go to the seashore, pointing in a specific direction where there was a beautiful tent. Herbert looked over an embankment wall and reported, "This is a private beach and it looks as if the owner is about to return. We will be trespassing. And no English gentleman would act in such a manner!" However, his sister Kitty said that Baba's slightest wish should be followed, and so what if the owner returned! Quite indignant, Herbert contrarily refused Baba's direct order to come along and join the others as they made their way to the beach.

As the group walked along the private beach, an old man with long hair and a beard, leading a little boy by the hand, came from the opposite direction. Strangely enough, the old man greeted Kaka in the Indian fashion of folding his hands to him. The old man walked back and forth in front of them, looking at Baba frequently.

 

Herbert eventually rejoined the group. Baba had gone into the tent and everyone was seated around him on cushions. Baba severely reprimanded Herbert in front of everyone, "Did you think I asked you to come solely for your own enjoyment? While you were sitting up by the road, one of my agents whom I wanted you to see came and left.

He was identical in appearance to my agent that you must contact in Warsaw when you go to Russia. By not seeing him here, your work there will be considerably more difficult."

Herbert admitted his mistake and said, "Surely we should use our common sense and warn you when you are likely to put yourself in jeopardy in the West [ by trespassing ]."

Baba agreed, "It was your duty to warn me, but you must give in when I insist."


Lord Meher Online Edition Page 1463

 

Meher Baba with Herbert Davy at Santa Margherita beach  in 1932. Cropped image by A. Zois
Meher Baba with Herbert Davy at Santa Margherita beach in 1932. Cropped image by A. Zois

 

Venice, Italy

On Saturday, 20 August 1932, Herbert left at 2:00 P.M. for the train station by gondola. Baba accompanied him and instructed him to go to Warsaw, Poland, to contact the agent identical in appearance to the old man seen in Santa Margherita.

When he got to Warsaw ( about 2 days later ), Herbert had a difficult time finding this old man, having missed seeing his twin. Searching high and low, he finally spotted a beggar who fitted the description given him by Baba. As Baba had instructed, Herbert handed him a few coins, and left enough money with someone else to purchase him a new suit.

 

Lord Meher Online Edition Page 1465-6

 

 

1932 Venice : Meher Baba seen with some of his men in a gondola.
1932 Venice : Meher Baba seen with some of his men in a gondola.

 

Webmaster :

 

Herbert’s journey from Venice to Warsaw began from Venice to Geneva which took 2 days. He stayed in Geneva for 5 days and arrange his next teaching assignment with the League of Nations. He then travelled for 2 days to Berlin, for a one day stay; the travelled for 2  days to Warsaw, Poland, where Herbert searched for 3 days trying to find this 'agent' in Warsaw.

 

After his stay in Warsaw, Herbert continued to Moscow, taking 2 days and staying for one day, before boarding the Trans-Siberian Railway train back to China.

 

Herbert's 2 letters further down this web page to Meher Baba and 'Chanji' Dadachanji dated 10th & 12th September 1932 describe the difficulty of this journey.

 

 

Map ! : Late August 1932 train route from Venice to Moscow. en route to China. - see route marked in pink.
Map ! : Late August 1932 train route from Venice to Moscow. en route to China. - see route marked in pink.
Map 2 : The Chinese train & sea routes that Herbert Davy's took to Peking. Map details by Anthony Zois.
Map 2 : The Chinese train & sea routes that Herbert Davy's took to Peking. Map details by Anthony Zois.

 

The following towns mentioned below were all visited by Meher Baba's representative Herbert Davy on his return from Europe on a rail journey across the U.S.S.R. & China. The following towns from the Soviet border to Nanking are mentioned in his letters written on the 10th & 12th September 1932. Read his letters on this web page describing his journey after this section.

 

 

HAILAR, CHINA

 

 

ANGANGCHI, CHINA

Heaps of beans at Angangchi station, China
Heaps of beans at Angangchi station, China

 

 

TAONAN, CHINA

Various scenes of the Manchukuo State
Various scenes of the Manchukuo State

 

 

SSUPINGKAI ( SIPING ), CHINA

 

 

MUKDEN, CHINA

 

 

DAIREN ( DAISON ), CHINA

Dairen in the 1930s
Dairen in the 1930s

 

 

 

TIENTSIN ( TIANJIN ), CHINA

June-July 1933 Portofino, Italy : Meher Baba & Herbert Davy relaxing ( cropped image by A. Zois )
June-July 1933 Portofino, Italy : Meher Baba & Herbert Davy relaxing ( cropped image by A. Zois )
June-July 1933 Portofino, Italy : Meher Baba & Herbert Davy relaxing.  Image cropped & rendered by Anthony Zois .
June-July 1933 Portofino, Italy : Meher Baba & Herbert Davy relaxing. Image cropped & rendered by Anthony Zois .

 

 

 

PEKING ( BEIJING ), CHINA

 

The Temple of Heaven, Peking ( Beijing )
The Temple of Heaven, Peking ( Beijing )
Mid-1930s Map of Peking. Click on map to enlarge.
Mid-1930s Map of Peking. Click on map to enlarge.
Peking Railway Station 1930s
Peking Railway Station 1930s

 

 

 

TSINAN ( JINAN ), CHINA

 

 

TAISHAN & MT. TAI, CHINA

 

 

CHEFOO ( QUFU ) & SHANDONG, CHINA

 

 

After Herbert's visit to Chefoo, he returned to Nanking by train to take up his League of Nations sponsored lecturing postion at Nanking University. In May 1933 Herbert had been summoned by Meher Baba and he returned to Europe on the S.S. Conte Rosso.

 

 

 

China Railways 1935

1935 : The map shows the various ship & train routes that were taken by Meher Baba & his men and also by Herbert Davy. Map details by Anthony Zois.
1935 : The map shows the various ship & train routes that were taken by Meher Baba & his men and also by Herbert Davy. Map details by Anthony Zois.
SS  EMPRESS OF CANADA is the ship Meher Baba & party sailed from Vancouver, Canada to Shanghai, China in January 1935.
SS EMPRESS OF CANADA is the ship Meher Baba & party sailed from Vancouver, Canada to Shanghai, China in January 1935.
China's borders between 1930& 1940
China's borders between 1930& 1940
June-July 1933 - Portofino, Italy : Meher Baba & Herbert Davy. Image rendered & colourized  by Anthony Zois.
June-July 1933 - Portofino, Italy : Meher Baba & Herbert Davy. Image rendered & colourized by Anthony Zois.

 

 

Letters & Cables sent to & from China - 1930s

 

SS  HAKONE MARU
SS HAKONE MARU

23rd September 1931 : Letter from Herbert Davy to "Chanji" Dadachanji

 

This letter was written when Herbert's ship reached Singapore en route to Shanghai.

Because the contents of this letter had no reference to China it was not re-typed.

 

 

 

21st & 23rd October 1931 : Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba

21st & 23rd October 1931 - Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba
23101931.htm
HTML Document 21.3 KB

 

 

 

25th October 1931 : Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba

25th October 1931 - Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba
25101931.htm
HTML Document 10.1 KB

 

 

 

15th November 1931 : Letter from Herbert Davy to "Chanji" Dadachanji

 

Because the contents of this letter had no reference to China it was not re-typed.

 

 

 

13th January 1932 : Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba

13th January 1932 - Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba
13011932.htm
HTML Document 23.2 KB

 

 

 

26th January 1932 : Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

Telegram from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy - 26th Jan. 1932
Telegram from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy - 26th Jan. 1932

 

 

 

20th Feb. 1932 : Letter from Herbert Davy to Rustom K. Irani

One page only
One page only
20th Feb. 1932 Letter : Herbert Davy to Rustom K. Irani
20021932a.htm
HTML Document 15.5 KB

 

 

 

18th March 1932 : Cable from Rustom K. Irani to Herbert Davy

 Telegram from Rustom K. Irani to Herbert Davy on 18th March 1932 .Baba's men Mandali travelling to China.
Telegram from Rustom K. Irani to Herbert Davy on 18th March 1932 .Baba's men Mandali travelling to China.
SS  CHENONCEAUX
SS CHENONCEAUX

 

 

21st March 1932 : Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba

21st March 1932 - Letter : Herbert Davy to Meher Baba
21031932.htm
HTML Document 21.9 KB

 

 

 

25th April 1932 ; Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

 

 

 

16th June 1932 : Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba

16th June 1932 : Letter to Meher Baba from Herbert Davy in the Palace Hotel, Shanghai
16th June 1932 : Letter to Meher Baba from Herbert Davy in the Palace Hotel, Shanghai

 

 

 

17th June 1932 - Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

SS  EMPRESS OF JAPAN
SS EMPRESS OF JAPAN

 

 

 

13th July 1932 : Telegram from Herbert Davy to Kitty Davy

Map 2 :  The rail & sea routes taken by Herbert Davy are described in the following letter. Map details by Anthony Zois.
Map 2 : The rail & sea routes taken by Herbert Davy are described in the following letter. Map details by Anthony Zois.

 

10th September 1932 : Letter from Herbert Davy to "Chanji" Dadachanji

10th September 1932 letter : Herbert Davy to "Chanji" Dadachanji
10th September 1932.htm
HTML Document 17.1 KB

 

 

 

12th September 1932 - Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba

12th Sept.1932 letter : Herbert Davy to Meher Baba
12091932.htm
HTML Document 30.6 KB

 

 

 

19th November 1932 - Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

 

 

 

1932-3  - Letter from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

Bentley's code 1930s
Bentleys1.htm
HTML Document 11.0 KB

 

 

 

1933 - Letter from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

SS Conte Rosso
SS Conte Rosso
Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy in 1933-4
Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy in 1933-4

 

 

 

16th Feb. 1933 - Cable from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba

 

 

 

8th March 1933 : Letter from Herbert Davy to "Chanji" Dadachanji

8th March 1932 Letter : Herbert Davy to Chanji
08031933.htm
HTML Document 25.2 KB

 

 

 

19th April 1933 - Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

 

 

 

28th April 1933 - Cable from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba

28th April 1933 Letter from Herbert Davy to Meher Baba
28041933a.htm
HTML Document 14.4 KB

 

 

 

1st May 1933 - Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

 

 

 

5th May 1933 - Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

 

 

 

12th May 1933 - Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

 

 

 

17th May 1933 - Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

 

 

 

27th May 1933 - Cable from Meher Baba to Herbert Davy

 Cable : 27th May 1933
Cable : 27th May 1933
RMS.  NALDERA
RMS. NALDERA