November 30, 2009 | 
Author 
Sir Robert Bristow
Reading up on the Old Lighthouse Bristow Hotel I was curious about Robert Bristow and his house which is today refurbished into a boutique hotel. To put in simple terms, Sir Bristow was the architect of the Cochin Port and he said this on the BBC in 1935 ~
I live on a large Island made from the bottom of the sea. It is called Willingdon Island, after the present Viceroy of India. From the upper floor of my house, I look down on the finest harbour in the East.
Lady Gertrude Bristow
Robert Bristow and his wife lived in Kochi for 21 years and are credited for the great changes in Cochin society. Lady Gertrude was instrumental in forming the Lotus Club – the first non-English only club of Kerala. The story goes that Lady Gertrude was denied entry into the elite Cochin Club where the aristocrats hobnobbed and the rest, as they is history. She presided over the Lotus Club for over 10 years and today decades later it is considered an elite club on its own.
The Cochin Port-building feat was carefully recorded by Robert Bristow in his book the Cochin Saga. But for his engineering prowess, today’s Kochi, Willingdon Island and the Naval Base would never have happened.
Posted in Culture, Enviroment, Fort Cochin, Kerala Hotels | 
Tags: Cochin Saga, Cohin Port, Kochi, Lady Gertrude Bristow, Lotus Club, Robert Bristow, Willingdon Island
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[...] is the original: Robert and Gertrude Bristow « Slices of Kerala Life By admin | category: dream hotel | tags: cochin, days-ago, dream hotel, hotel, indian, [...]
The Cochin Port Trust had also mentioned that the Lighthouse was an integral part of Sir Bristows life and he would personally watch the ships from this Bungalow.
That’s an interesting piece of info you have shared, Vickram. Thanks for the comment.
The Cochin Port Trust had also mentioned that the Lighthouse was an integral part of Sir Bristows life and he would personally watch the ships from this Bungalow.
That’s an interesting piece of info you have shared, Vickram. Thanks for the comment.
I was interested to see your piece on Robert and Gertrude Bristow. Lady Bristow was a Great-Great Aunt of mine, and I have several photographs of her and her husband, and a few letters that she wrote to the family. So I was interested to learn that her home is now a boutique hotel. She had a very colourful life, and I am extremely proud of her. Please alert me if you ever discover more about their Indian days.
Audrey
Audrey, wonderful to know that you have letters and photgraphs of the Bristows. Here at the Bristow House I’m afraid, except for the huge house no personal items remain. If you can write up anything about what your Great-Great Aunt shared about her life here in letters, I’ll be happy to post it on our blog. Will forward you any information I come across about them. I’m sure a few ancient members here may remember something. Thanks for writing in.
Shyama
I was interested to see your piece on Robert and Gertrude Bristow. Lady Bristow was a Great-Great Aunt of mine, and I have several photographs of her and her husband, and a few letters that she wrote to the family. So I was interested to learn that her home is now a boutique hotel. She had a very colourful life, and I am extremely proud of her. Please alert me if you ever discover more about their Indian days.
Audrey
Audrey, wonderful to know that you have letters and photgraphs of the Bristows. Here at the Bristow House I’m afraid, except for the huge house no personal items remain. If you can write up anything about what your Great-Great Aunt shared about her life here in letters, I’ll be happy to post it on our blog. Will forward you any information I come across about them. I’m sure a few ancient members here may remember something. Thanks for writing in.
Shyama
I have just stumbled across your very interesting piece that adds to my knowledge of my great uncle. My father inherited a number of his possessions when he died in 1966. Unfortunately my father is seriously ill in a nursing home and many of his possessions are in my care as well as some already given to me. You may be interested to know that I possess all Sir Robert’s medals including the Commander of the British Empire and the Knight Batchelor breast badge. In addition I possess a large silver tray presented to him by the Government of Cochin in March 1941. I have many photos and also a few letters written when he moved to South Africa.
My wife and I intend to visit Cochin sometime next year because of a growing interest in my family history.
I have just stumbled across your very interesting piece that adds to my knowledge of my great uncle. My father inherited a number of his possessions when he died in 1966. Unfortunately my father is seriously ill in a nursing home and many of his possessions are in my care as well as some already given to me. You may be interested to know that I possess all Sir Robert’s medals including the Commander of the British Empire and the Knight Batchelor breast badge. In addition I possess a large silver tray presented to him by the Government of Cochin in March 1941. I have many photos and also a few letters written when he moved to South Africa.
My wife and I intend to visit Cochin sometime next year because of a growing interest in my family history.