When the Union flag still fluttered over Hong Kong: Ex-pat's fascinating pictures show a world of boat trips, polo and picnics in former British colony 120 years ago before it was given back to China

An ex-pat's pictures have shed fascinating light on a world of boat trips, polo and picnics in former British colony Hong Kong 120 years ago before it was given back to China.

Navy officer H. J. A. McCaffrey travelled widely around China, Hong Kong and Macau, mingling with the well-heeled colonial administration - and now his newly-revealed snaps have sparked a bidding war.

There were not only plenty of picnics, boat trips and pagoda visits but also sports days with sack and wheelbarrow races.

McCaffrey explored famous landmarks including Hong Kong harbour, Victoria Peak and Tiger Island's Pearl River.

He was accompanied by his wife Rhoda and her friends who wore stylish white dresses with bonnets.

Pictures were taken by Navy officer H.J.A McCaffrey on his travels around China , Hong Kong and Macau

The Navy officer was with his wife Rhoda and friends wearing white dresses with bonnets

He depicted sports days and polo events across ex-British colony Hong Kong 120 years ago

McCaffrey's pictures have now sparked a bidding war - attracting a winning offer of £3,400

The couple encountered many Hong Kong and Chinese natives who lived in humble villages and farmed the land.

There are images of McCaffrey's military parades and the Wellington Barracks' Coronation Arch complete with British flags.

Another photo shows a Chinese prisoner in the stocks, while a woman is seen holding her young child on a street corner.

The album, consisting of 365 images, went for eight times their £500 estimate at auctioneers TW Gaze, of Diss in Norfolk.

It ultimately sold for £3,400, with auctioneers' fees taking the final figure paid by the undisclosed buyer to £4,200.

Specialist Robert Henshilwood said: 'The album has come to us from a dealer and unfortunately we don't know more about it.

'We have had enquiries from collectors in Hong Kong and one person thought they may be a descendant of the McCaffreys.

'What stands out to me about the album is how extensive it is with over 300 images, and also the variety of them.

'It is not just topographical photos, as there are lovely images of the local population farming and going about their everyday lives.

'It was colonial times and the British do seem to have been enjoying a very privileged lifestyle, so there is a contrast with the villagers.'

The UK handed Hong Kong over to Chinese control at midnight on July 1, 1997. 

Under a deal agreed by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Hong Kong was given to China with a scheme called One Country, Two Systems meant to protect its freedoms until 2047.

H. J. A. McCaffery's photo album was put on sale by auctioneers TW Gaze, of Diss in Norfolk

The Navy officer is pictured here with his wife and travelling companion Rhoda

The newly-unearthed pictures portray Britain's colonial past in the Far East

This image depicts the 25th Fortress Company lining up in Hong Kong in 1901

H. J. A. McAffrey annotated his photos including this one of Hong Kong's 'Happy Valley'

He captured snapshots of life in military bases and colonial homes more than a century ago

This coronation arch in Hong Kong was dedicated to King Edward VII

McCaffrey's wife Rhoda is seen here posing alongside some of his naval officer colleagues

Hong Kong in the early 1900s was captured by intrepid H. J. A. McCaffrey's camera

A masonic outing to the beach in July 1903 was memorialised here

Sports day photos show activities such as a sack race in McCaffrey's collection

H. J. A. McCaffrey, in his naval uniform, is shown here alongside his wife Rhoda

The pictures from 120 years ago have prompted a new bidding war after being put on sale

McCaffrey travelled across China, Hong Kong and Macau as part of his military endeavours

He captured not only the life of locals but also social events put on by colonial officers

The Union Flag was lowered for the last time and Hong Kong was handed back to China after 156 years of British rule in July 1997

Chris Patten (right), the 28th and last governor of colonial Hong Kong, received the Union Jack flag after it was lowered for the last time at Government House.

Protestors in Hong Kong were seen here shining laser pointers during a clash with police during anti-government protests in the city in 2019

Activists that year used umbrellas to shield themselves during a demonstration

A molotov cocktail was thrown by protesters in Hong Kong during clashes with police 

She signed the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration involving a lease that ended on July 1, 1997, when the ceremony was carried out involving governor Chris Patten.

China's Beijing regime produced in 2019 a Hollywood-style blockbuster to recreate the handover ceremony amid anti-government protests. 

Pro-democracy demonstrations broke out that year only to be crushed by the Chinese government. 

China's president Xi Jinping railed against Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists in June 2022 as he arrived to attend celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain.