Friday, January 3, 2014

72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

4 Jan 1942: RE Jones Diary

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 09:47 PM PST

Book / Document: 
R. E. Jones Wartime diary
Date of events described: 
Sun, 1942-01-04

Manila gone? Went to DI [scrounged?arranged?] my gear again OK & retrieved my wedding suit.

4 Jan 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:35 AM PST

Book / Document: 
Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
Date of events described: 
Sun, 1942-01-04

Today Hong Kong's 'Eurpean' civilians begin the journey that will lead to Stanley Camp.

The Japanese-run English language newspaper The Hong Kong News publishes a notice telling enemy civilians to assemble on the Murray Parade Ground tomorrow. Placards to this effect are also sent to the main residential areas and posted on the streets. But some people in outlying areas don't see the notice, while others choose to ignore it.

Up until today the civilians have been scattered all over the former colony: there's a substantial number at the Kowloon Hotel, some are in a camp at North Point, some in public edifices like the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Building or the Lane, Crawford Headquarters, while others are in some else's house. It's probably rare to find a family living on their own at their pre-war address. The concentration effect that has already moved them into larger groupings is about to get much stronger.

Sources:

Hong Kong News: Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 2007, 36

Notices posted: John Stericker, A Tear for the Dragon, 1958, 140.

4 Jan 1942, Harry Ching's wartime diary

Posted: 05 Jan 2013 06:03 AM PST

Book / Document: 
Harry Ching's wartime diary
Date of events described: 
Sun, 1942-01-04

Notice orders all enemy civilians assemble ((at)) Murray Parade Ground to be interned, must make own arrangements for protecting homes and take only personal belongings.

What to do? No-one we can leave in charge of our home. Debate exhaustively, and read notice over and over. "Enemy subjects in this order include British, American, Dutch, Panamanian and other nationals whose countries are at war with Japan, exempting Chinese and Indian." Japs could not possibly intern all British subjects. We decide do nothing. 

Smith family across the road of Irish ancestry. Father in Naval Dockyard, son a Volunteer and son-in-law a police officer - all now prisoners-of-war. Mother and daughter walk out bravely, abandon their flat, wave goodbye to us and step into rickshaws for two mile ride to assembly point. Back half hour later, advised call themselves Irish and thus neutral. 
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