I did see your comment when you posted it last month and I apologise for the delay in replying!
It took me a while to find which box I'd packed the original letter but finally got around to typing out the words, so here it is ...
29th August, 1945
Dear Sir/Madam
We, the undersigned, being the Senior Officers of Forces who have been Prisoners of War in Hong Kong, wish to take the opportunity of expressing to you, on behalf of all Officers and other Ranks, our very dear appreciation of your efforts in providing us with parcels.
It is possible that all those who have benefited may not have an immediate opportunity to thank you personally but that must not be allowed to leave an impression that all of us do not realise, as far as is within our power, both in the collection of supplies and the delivery of parcels, which is your selfless service you have had to overcome.
We realise that there must be many who have helped and of whose identity we are ignorant, and we would be glad if you would if you would inform any such of our ffe [sic] feelings in the matter, and that it is our hope that we may have some opportunity in the future of repaying the great debt that we owe.
It is our intention, at the earliest moment, to inform the Authorities at Home of the great service which you have so unselfishly performed during the years of our imprisonment, and to point out that the receipt of these parcels probably saved many lives and undoubtedly prevented the complete breakdown of the physical and mental health of large numbers.
We have the honour to be (Sir/Madam)
Your obedient Servants
(signed) Commander R.N., Senior Naval Officer
(signed) Colonel R.A. Commanding Imperial R Troops
5th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Field, Fred Denton ,Lieutenant-Col. RA Commanding
Source : 'The Battle For Hong Kong 1941-1945: Hostage to Fortune' by Oliver Lindsay :
In December (1943) a Chinese threw a message in front of two other POWs. It was also signed ‘68’ and seemed to be genuine. Bird consulted Lieutenant Colonel F D Field DSO MC, Royal Artillery, the senior officer now in Argyle Street. Communications were maintained with the Chinese contact by Bird and T S Simpson walking to the wire talking to each other in a loud voice so that the Chinese contact, strolling beyond the wire on the road, could hear the camp news. It was agreed that contact be renewed, but also that no written messages be sent because there was no proof that BAAG was still involved. Five months later another note was dropped over the fence. By now we were very suspicious and those involved agreed to break off visual contact, and to pick up no more messages.
Comments
Senior Naval Officer's letter dd 29th August 1945
I was hoping you would provide a separate revised text of the letter since the original is tattered and blurred.
I did try to enlarge it but the result was still limited in scope and not very helpful. Sorry for the extra work.
Separate revised text of the letter dd 29th August 1945
Hi Megabyte
I did see your comment when you posted it last month and I apologise for the delay in replying!
It took me a while to find which box I'd packed the original letter but finally got around to typing out the words, so here it is ...
29th August, 1945
Dear Sir/Madam
We, the undersigned, being the Senior Officers of Forces who have been Prisoners of War in Hong Kong, wish to take the opportunity of expressing to you, on behalf of all Officers and other Ranks, our very dear appreciation of your efforts in providing us with parcels.
It is possible that all those who have benefited may not have an immediate opportunity to thank you personally but that must not be allowed to leave an impression that all of us do not realise, as far as is within our power, both in the collection of supplies and the delivery of parcels, which is your selfless service you have had to overcome.
We realise that there must be many who have helped and of whose identity we are ignorant, and we would be glad if you would if you would inform any such of our ffe [sic] feelings in the matter, and that it is our hope that we may have some opportunity in the future of repaying the great debt that we owe.
It is our intention, at the earliest moment, to inform the Authorities at Home of the great service which you have so unselfishly performed during the years of our imprisonment, and to point out that the receipt of these parcels probably saved many lives and undoubtedly prevented the complete breakdown of the physical and mental health of large numbers.
We have the honour to be (Sir/Madam)
Your obedient Servants
(signed) Commander R.N., Senior Naval Officer
(signed) Colonel R.A. Commanding Imperial R Troops
(signed) Lt-Colonel Commanding --- [paper torn]
TO:-
Mrs L Pio-Ulski
23 Cameron Road
1st floor
Kowloon
Thank you most sincerely for
Thank you most sincerely for taking the trouble to transcribe the original letter written 75 years ago and how amazing it has survived all this time.
F.D. Field (Fred Denton Field)
F.D. Field (Fred Denton Field)
(signed) Colonel R.A. Commanding Imperial R Troops
5th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
Field, Fred Denton ,Lieutenant-Col. RA Commanding
F.D. Field (Fred Denton Field)
Again, many thanks for your comment, Alan! More information to add to my genealogy blog :D
Cheers
Nona