Background
Most of his life he lived and worked in Beijing.
Most of his life he lived and worked in Beijing.
In November 1896 Henri joined the Customs Service. Starting from 1908 till 1910 he worked as an assistant in charge of Samshui Customs. From 1910 to 1912 Destelan served as an Acting Commissioner of Hangchow Customs and Postmaster ex officio. In 1912 he was promoted to the title of Deputy Commissioner of Customs. In 1913 Henri joined the Postal Service as a Postal Commissioner and Chief Secretary to Mr. T. Piry, Postmaster General. In June, 1917 on Mr. Piry’s retirement in he was was appointed Co-Director of Posts.
