I believe this refers to Dr Gustav C Canaval born 3 July 1899 and his wife Helen L. Canaval born 23 Sept 1904. They were in Stanley but were later moved (Oct 1943) to St Alberts, Rosary Hill I assume as medical doctors for the "internees" held there. I am not sure if internee is the right word as they had some degree of freedom to move around (as indeed did Ellen Field ....author of Twilight in Hong Kong). Emily Hahn writes about them being present at a party she attended at Max Oxford's place "and the two Canavals , Doctors, man and wife that everyone was swearing by......."
According to Donald Bowie, on August 17, 1945 he walked from the Central British School (Kowloon) to 'a nearby internment camp' and met Mr and Mrs Canaval and the Selwyn-Clarkes - so this must be Ma Tau-Wai. Could they have got across the harbour from Rosary Hill at this early stage or had they moved there earlier?
Source: Donald Bowie, Captive Surgeon in Hong Kong, 1975, 257
Dr. Gustav C. Canaval's signature appears as "G. C. Canaval M. D." under "1st Committee" on the "Day Joyce Sheet" held by the Imperial War Museum. He was likely elected as "Block Doctor"?
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Canaval
I believe this refers to Dr Gustav C Canaval born 3 July 1899 and his wife Helen L. Canaval born 23 Sept 1904. They were in Stanley but were later moved (Oct 1943) to St Alberts, Rosary Hill I assume as medical doctors for the "internees" held there. I am not sure if internee is the right word as they had some degree of freedom to move around (as indeed did Ellen Field ....author of Twilight in Hong Kong). Emily Hahn writes about them being present at a party she attended at Max Oxford's place "and the two Canavals , Doctors, man and wife that everyone was swearing by......."
Best rgds.
Philip Cracknell
re: Canaval
Thanks Philip, I've updated this and added a new page for Helen L Canaval.
(You're welcome to add new 'Person' pages too, just use the https://gwulo.com/node/add/person link)
Regards, David
According to Donald Bowie, on
According to Donald Bowie, on August 17, 1945 he walked from the Central British School (Kowloon) to 'a nearby internment camp' and met Mr and Mrs Canaval and the Selwyn-Clarkes - so this must be Ma Tau-Wai. Could they have got across the harbour from Rosary Hill at this early stage or had they moved there earlier?
Source: Donald Bowie, Captive Surgeon in Hong Kong, 1975, 257
Gustav C. Canaval et al
Updated 15 April 2026
Dr. Gustav C. Canaval's signature appears as "G. C. Canaval M. D." under "1st Committee" on the "Day Joyce Sheet" held by the Imperial War Museum. He was likely elected as "Block Doctor"?
See: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30083388. An explanation of the "Day Joyce Sheet" is given at: https://gwulo.com/media/46458
In 1941, the office(s) of Doctors G. C. and Helen L. Canaval was in Shell House, 24-32 Queen's Road Central.
Source: Hong Kong $ Directory: https://archive.org/details/31761120250378/page/46/mode/2up?q=canaval