My mother and Grandmother left Hong Kong in 1940 on a ship. My grandfather remained as a serviceman. My mother ended up in Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne. My initial question is what boat did she leave on. I believe the Empress boats were for civilians only, is this correct. My mother does believe she went to Manilla initially. Her maiden name was Simms. She evntually returned to England via the Suez Canal during the war - I am also seeking information about this. I am trying to research about my mothers life for a "this is your life" book for her 75th birthday, in April this year, any help or information would be gratefullt received.
Hi Duncan, If you visit
Hi Duncan,
If you visit http://gwulo.com/node/19021 and listen to the recording, at 02:54 Barbara mentions the first ship was for servicemen's families.
Did your grandfather come to Hong Kong as a serviceman, or was he working in Hong Kong and fought as a volunteer?
There is some more information about the evacuations if you go to http://gwulo.com/node/17008 and click the links in the "Pages" box.
Regards, David
empress ships
Hi David
Thankyou for that i have looked at all the clips and listened to the interview. I think I would conclude that the two ships that I have seen on a Pathe news clip must have done several trips (Empress of Asia and Empress of Japan). My mother remembers being told about going to Manilla and then on to Oz. I am intrested in finding out more about the evacuation and how and why decisions were made, for instance why did they go to Melbourne? Any pointers? Also the community that they lived amongst.
As for my Grandfather he was in the Artist Rifles so in the services and was in Hongkong for a couple of years prior to the war, with my grandmother. his name was Arthur Simms. I can find out more about him (sadly he died before I was born). He was captured and was a POW my mum believes at Stanley.
re: Empress Ships
Hi Duncan,
You should contact Tony Banham to see if he can tell you more about the evacuations, as he's mentioned he is researching them. His contact details are on his website:
http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/hkwdhome.html
He may also be able to add more about your grandfather. His website shows this entry under "Army Educational Corps":
Sims, Arthur James Fred W.O.II
See: http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/searchgarrison/supportingunits.html
It's unlikely that Arthur was at Stanley, as almost all the people interned there were civilians. He was probably at one of the POW camps instead, Sham Shui Po or Argyle Street camps.
Regards, David