Sex
Male
Status
Deceased
Walter Thompson was a Superintedent in the Hong Kong police when the Japanese attacked in December 1941.
He was wounded by shell fragments during the hostilities and interned in Stanley after the surrender. On the night of March 18, 1942 he began an escape with Gwen Priestwood. On their way to Chungking, they were helped by Chinese guerrillas, and Thompson decided to operate with them behind Japanese lines. He ended the war as a Lieutenant-Colonel.
http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/searchgarrison/uniformedcivilians.html
Note: In Priestwood's book on the escape (Through Japanese Barbed-wire, 1943) he's given the pseudonym Anthony Bathurst.
Comments
Movement Orders
To: Mr W P Thompson
From: Unknown
Dated: 26th July 1942
1. You are proceeding to South China to assist Mr Victor Gittins in the penetration of Japanese occupied territory, extending this penentration if possible to Formosa, Hainan, and elsewhere as opportunity offers.
2. You are to bear in mind that we are not in any way interested in what happens in Free China; and further that our main interest is confined to the Japanese fighting services.
3. We are only interested in the collection of intelligence and do not undertake any other activities such as organising the escape of prisoners etc.
4. You should co-operate with Chinese official circles in any way open to you and should supply them with any information regarding Japanese armed forces that you may obtain.
re: Movement Orders
I asked Elizabeth if Thompson was part of the BAAG. She replied:
No,Thompson was definitely not BAAG - he was SIS, as was Victor Gittins, etc.
SIS, the Secret Intelligence Service, is also known as MI6.
Walter Thompson - Escape from Stanley Internment Camp
Pausing only to make contact with certain guerilla officials in Wai Chau, I reached the Sai Kung area in the New Territories again on 12.4.42.During the next five days I completed preparations to reach Stanley peninsular by sea, and made three attempts to get round on 15th, 16th and 17th April. Owing to very adverse weather I was unable to achieve this object. I then decided that a personal attempt was not possible in the light of information received of precautions being taken at Stanley, and also because I was then satisfied that my presence in the district was no longer a close secret.
I then transferred to the Sha Tau Kok area of the New Territories where I remained until 26.4.42. in close contact with certain guerrillas, who I found sincerely anxious to help. During this period I made plans for opening up contact with
a) the internment camp at Stanley,
b) certain loyal Indians in the colony,
c) certain Chinese members of the force who I believed to have remained loyal,
d) Dr. Selwyn Clark, (former Director of Medical Services) and certain other Europeans at large in the colony.
I also made arrangements for a survey of an overland escape route from the Stanley internment camp, with a view to placing agents at various points en route, and securing the services of reliable boat people, so that in the event of an organised attempt succeeding, the escape would encounter the minimum of fatigue and danger.
Having satisfied myself that I could do nothing further at the time in the way of foundation work, I returned to Wai Chau, arriving there on 29.4.42. I reported my lack of immediate success for the information of His Majesty’s Ambassador.
I remained in Wai Chau until 10.5.42. expecting news of some developments, and also recuperating from the efforts of an indifferent diet over a period of months. Owing to the political difficulties, close contact with the guerrillas with whom I was working was impossible, and when I left Wai Chau in response to a request from His Majesty’s Ambassador to visit Chungking for a personal discussion, I had not yet received any fresh news.
His Majesty’s Ambassador was aware of the nature of my mission through information given to him by Mrs. Priestwood at my request. Time and secrecy being such important factors, it was impossible without many weeks travel, to consult His Majesty’s Ambassador personally for authority to undertake this work.
Mrs. Priestwood in addition carried from me a dispatch containing all the information in my possession about conditions in Hong Kong during and after the war, with instructions to transmit the relevant portions to the authorities concerned.
I had hoped to be able to return to the vicinity of Hong Kong to continue the work started, and with this hope in view, I tendered my services to the Military Attaché on my arrival in Chungking after interviewing His Majesty’s Ambassador. I asked that I should be permitted to concentrate on the interests of civilian internees. I had been informed that the Colonial Office approved of my remaining in China. On 23.6.42. I was however informed by the Military Attaché that my services would not be required.
I have incurred some expenditure in connection with this work, an account of which I have submitted to His Majesty’s Ambassador. His Excellency has been pleased to authorise that my expenses, other than purely personal expenses over the period 4.4.42. to 5.6.42., when I arrived in Chunking should be met by the Refugee Relief Fund, for which decision I am very grateful.
With approval of His Majesty’s Ambassador, I am leaving Chungking on or about 25.6.42. for New Delhi, to interview Mr Weightman, Joint Secretary of the External Affairs Department, Government of India, in connection with the suggestion put forward by His Majesty’s Ambassador for my future employment (Chunking Embassy telegram No. 398 of June 19th). [Note 3]
(Signed) W.P. Thompson
24.6.42
Walter Thompson
This letter was written by Walter Thompson on the same date as the above report. The punctuation and spelling are as close as possible to the original document in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Chung King
24.6.1942
Dear G.
I think a great deal of this latter man´s capabilities – in fact of both of them – Tsoi admits that we know only half of what he does. (I have broken a promise in putting these names to paper – so please be more than careful that they are not mentioned unless under circumstances to their advantage.)
Chan Tat Ming knew something of what I started to do when I was staying with him
Your note to Watie enclosure – sorry only able to send a “Digest” via Geoffrey.
Have asked Fisher to arrange for any wire to be handed to you.
Was expecting one from Scriven - probably unintelligible. If you think it worthwhile forwarding it, please do so by mail to c/o Hugh Weightman, Joint Sec’y, External Affairs Dept: Government of India – New Delhi.
Have written to Ride asking for any Safehand covers for me which may turn up to be forwarded to Barcley Gage for forwarding to me. Could you ask Barkclay Gage for me – with the attached note?
I think that s about all.
All the best and thanks,
Tommy.
Walter Thompson - Escape from Stanley Internment Camp
Thanks Elizabeth,
That's interesting, especially the plan to facilitate Colin Luscombe's escape from Stanley, which it seem was eventually not pursued.
One point about my earlier post and Thompson being Director of Special Branch. He was DSB in 1947-48 and then later went to Malaya. I have it the wrong way around in Note 3 above. (The wooden plaque with the list of post-WWII DSBs is on display in the HKP Museum, I checked it last week.)
Richard
Walter Philip Thompson 7 June 1909 - 24 October 1978
Ancestry Public Family Tree
Walter Philip Thompson born 7 June 1909 in Tac Chow Chekiang China son of Reverend Edward Thompson and Clara Elizabeth Chamberlain who married 25 November 1899 in Shanghai
Walter Philip Thompson married 19 September 1936 in Hong Kong
Passenger List 22 May 1947 Liverpool to Hong Kong
Walter Philip Thompson 37 occupation Colonial Police Service
He died 24 October 1978 in Sydney NSW Australia