Diary pages from this date

E. D. Sykes, head of the Eurasian Welfare Association, is arrested.

The reason for his arrest is unclear, but he's asked if his Association is receiving funds from Dr. Selwyn-Clarke or the British Government. He denies this and claims that he's kept the Association going by claiming rations for 250 fictitious members and then selling the extra food. He's accused of defrauding the Japanese Government and eventually given a ten year sentence.

Source:

Hong Kong Sunday Herald, January 5, 1947, page 2

Note:

Sykes was believed by the British Army Aid Group to be involved through a Welfare Committee with Dr. Selwyn-Clarke in 1942, but it's not known what contact if any he had with him at the time of his arrest. Selwyn-Clarke's 'protector', the senior Japanese Medical Officer Colonel Eguchi, was still in Hong Kong, so the Kempeitai, who believed the doctor was the leading British spy, seem to have been operating on the understanding that they could only take him into custody if they could get plausible evidence against him from others - after his escape in October 1942 Dr. Fehilly told the BAAG that the Kempeitai were questioning those people they arrested about Selwyn-Clarke. Eguchi left Hong Kong in late April and the doctor's arrest followed on May 2.

For something of this story see the Chronology entries for: February 10 and 11, 1943 and May 2, 1943 and following.

“Quiz” Concert (Stericker, Young, Gilmouth (sp.?)), E. Price (4) v. Sikes ((sp.?)), Kell???, Pennefather-Evans, Davies (11) ) ((The quiz is probably between two teams of four the result being 11 - 4 the figures in brackets following each group of four names separated by 'v'))

It is exactly one year today (52 weeks and one day) since we arrived in this internment camp! Almost to the minute, 3.30; and on just such a clear and sunny day. What pandemonium and chaos! But more of that presently.

We had been allowed to send a card each and a parcel to the prisoners of war camps in Argyle St and Sham Shui Po. The cards (besides the address) could contain 10 words which had to be printed in block letters, and the message could contain a Christmas greeting and refer to the sender’s state of health - nothing else. We sent our two cards to Capt. Minn and Bunny Browne (my best man). I had made another ash tray, out of a piece of shell case, for Capt. Minn and had cut around the edge “25-12-1942. FBM ARGYLE STREET CAMP”.  It was a circular ashtray with a lip around the edge. Later I made the other one of the pair which we gave to Maudie for a Xmas present. On hers I inscribed 25-12-1942 MAM STANLEY CAMP”.  They may be interesting souveneirs later (if they are not too hidious to use in a civilised room).  At first we thought Bunny was in the regular camp at Sham Shui Po and we had decided to part with our remaining half of a bath towel and a cake of soap.

Cookhouse.

((G.))