yinpong's Groupon: 72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

Thursday, December 17, 2015

72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

18 Dec 1943, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

Posted: 29 Nov 2013 06:04 AM PST

Book / Document:

R. E. Jones Wartime diary

Date(s) of events described:

Sat, 18 Dec 1943

Marj 32. M H Rs sweetheart. [Many Happy Returns?] Next time I'll say it.

4oz Peanut Oil issued. 2 Pkts cigs.

No news.

With Steve pm.

Flash's to N 10pm.

Black-out.

18 Dec 1943, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Posted: 07 Apr 2014 12:47 AM PDT

Book / Document:

Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Date(s) of events described:

Sat, 18 Dec 1943

Douglas Ford, Hector Gray and Lanceray Newnham are together in a condemned cell at Stanley Prison. Ford is doing his best to care for the other two, who are seriously ill.

Lieutenant H. C. Dixon, who is awaiting trial, is carrying out cleaning duties in the corridor; he is struck by the way in which, inspite of his knowledge that today has been set for the executions, Captain Ford has made the interior of his cell meticulously neat. Dixon recives last requests from Lieutenant-Colonel Newnham (who wishes that his love be sent to his family) and Captain Gray (who asks that if possible his remains and his silver watch should be sent home), but he's then hustled away by warders. Soon after the guards come for the three condemned men.

The guards try to tie their hands behind their backs, but Ford successfully protests that his two companions are too weak to walk without his help.

They are driven in a van to one of the beaches on the south side of the island - probably Big Wave Bay - where they are tied kneeling with their backs to three wooden crosses.

All three will be awarded the posthumous George Cross for their refusal, under prolonged torture, to reveal anything about the resistance in the POW camps.

See also July 10, 1943: http://gwulo.com/node/19506

Sources:

Raph Goodwin, Passport to Eternity, 1956, 188-190;

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2815357/NEWNHAM,%20LANCERAY%20ARTHUR

http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/jap_pows.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hector_Bertram_Gray

Note:

Goodwin gives December 19 as the date of execution, but most sources give today.