19 Sep 1943, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

Submitted by Grace on Wed, 11/05/2014 - 14:04

Dow / Martin

To Mr. & Mrs. E. Himsworth, a son (Brook)

Farewell to Fr. Murphy and 4 sisters of I.C. ((Probably Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, ie Roman Catholic nuns. Thanks to Barbara Anslow for providing their names as listed in Greg Leck's book Captives of the Empire:

))

Book / Document
Eric MacNider's wartime diary
Date(s) of events described

Comments

A list of Canadians NOT wishing to take part in a future repatriation was drawn up in July/August 1942 and included 9 French-Canadian sisters. Perhaps the other five stayed by this decision while four changed their minds or were instructed to return?

Their names are:

Josepehine Boldue

Anna Bourbeau

Yvonne Gerin (sic - but maybe Guerin?)

Germain Gonthier (?)

Jeanne Moquin

In the Good Hope School 1954-2004 Year Book, it recalls the MIC Sisters first arrival in HK in 1927.  Some or all of the Sisters named here were likely founders/teachers of the first school in 1954.

She was also known as Sister St. Stanilas de Kostka. I know her quite well as she sposored me at my Second Holy Communion at Easter 1942 in Stanley Camp, presided by Canadian Bishop .

She had missioned to Hong Kong in 1933. She did not return to Canada but instead elected to go to Canton in December 17, 1942. Sister St. Stanislas passed away in Canton on September 3,1945, a victim of T.B.

I am in touch with the Order's Archivist in Quebec, Sister Huguette Turcotte, MIC.

  

Sorry, I have no more information. But interesting to learn about Germaine Gonthier and the 'China group,' and hopefully more will emerge.

Another thing I noticed on the lists of Canadians seeking/not seeking repatriation: Anne Costello (wife of George of the CPR) who Bob Taztz has told us about before is not on themost comprehensive list of would-be repatriates  I could find (October 29, 1942) but her husband George is. I found some discussion of 'special cases' but not of hers - if she was or had claimed to be Irish I guess that some attempt would have been made to get her back to Canada. To me that looks like she chose to stay

I only have a limited memory of Mrs. Costello residing in the Canossian Convent as a refugee in 1942. I knew her husband was connected with shipping and I had a few conversations with her about a career in the navy. Maybe I was inspired by her as eventually I did join the navy as a young man.

I remember well how she gently chided me once for being too serious for a young boy 10 years old, not realizing my circumstances. I knew she meant well that's why I was drawn towards her.

Five Sisters had earlier left Stanley Camp and arrived in Canton on 18 December 1942. They were :

1. Anna Bourbeau, Sister Marie-du-Saint-Sacrement;

2. Germaine Gonthier, Sister Saint-Stanislas-Kotska (spelt Stanislas de Kotska);

3. Joséphine Bolduc, Sister Marie-des-Victoires;

4. Jeanne Moquin, Sister Saint-Jean-de-l’Eucharistie;

5. Yvonne Gérin, Sister Thérèse-de-l’Enfant-Jésus;

Source: "The Precursor" July-August 1943 bulletin at: https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3242653?docsearchtext=anna%20bourbeau,%20hong%20kong

Four Sisters elected to remain in Stanley Camp and assist in camp activities. On 23 September 1943, they boarded the repatriation ship "Teia Maru" and were exchanged for Japanese prisoners at the Port of Mormugao, Portuguese India on 19 October 1943. The Sisters arrived in Jersey City on the "Gripsholm" on 1 December 1943. They were:

6. Corinne Crevier, Sister Marie-de-Saint-Georges;

7. Yvonne Forest, Sister Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue;

8. Aurore Plouffe, Sister Saint-Étienne and

9. Annette Beaudoin, Sister Saint-Philippe

Source: "The Precursor" January-February 1944 bulletin at: https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3242121?docsearchtext=crevier