R.A.F. Men Adopt Two Chinese Boys
Two little Chinese boys have been adopted by a R.A.F. Spitfire Squadron stationed at Kaitak airfield, Kowloon, Hong Kong. When the squadron took over the airfield from the Japanese, the children, who are brothers, presented themselves at the orderly-room. One could speak English, and he informed the corporal that his father had been murdered by the Japanese, and his mother was seriously ill. A visit was made to the mother, and she was told that her children would be “adopted.” She was delighted, and the station medical officer who examined her said that the news may speed her recovery. The children have been named “Big Wings” (aged eleven) and “Little Wings” (aged eight).
Source: Liverpool Echo, page 4, 29th November 1945
Comments
Big Wings & Little Wings
Several more pictures of the boys exploring Spitfires at Kai Tak are listed on the UK's Imperial War Museum website under 'Photographs' and the "Hong Kong" catagory
I wonder what their future lives were after Hong Kong had settled down after the war was over?
Well spotted IDJ!
Well spotted IDJ!
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205207400
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205207401
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205207402
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205207403
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205207404
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205207405
I wondered too how things fared for the two lads in the post war years
The IWM appears to have
The IWM appears to have silent footage of the boys as well
http://www.colonialfilm.org.uk/node/2346
In the notes section it listed the name of the elder boy as 'Chang Kwai-Tong'