BAAG Reports and Weekly Intelligence Summaries: View pages

The following messages didn't appear in the Weekly Intelligence Summaries, but add to the information about radio sets in Stanley Camp. Thanks to Elizabeth Ride for sending these from her collection of wartime material.

She notes they were three documents written on the 9th of August, 1942, and adds "Clague was writing from AHQ Waichow to my father in Kukong (it was before BAAG HQ moved from Kukong to Kweilin, which was on 15th August 1942)."

The messages use several code words:

• baldwin = Stanley
• metropole = Chungking
• filly = radio
• septic = Selwyn Clarke
• spare = BAAG runner

Telegram Clague >> Ride 9.8.1942:

"... Septic chit arriving today through new spare understand refers baldwinians asks reply via metropoles filly numero un deux or trois september stop believe of no value to us concerns method obtaining money stop ..."

Letter Clague >> Ride 9.8.1942:  

"... Tse reports that a special and most important message was sent by Septic. A receiver is now working in or near Baldwin. The present wave length is 32 and Chung King are apparently aware of this fact, they want the wavelength changing to 45. The call of the station is X.R.W.S. Time of broadcast to be 7-9 pm Chungking time.

This obviously raises new implications. I think that possibly this wireless was used by some officials in peace time.

Septic said that if the message was received then Chungking should broadcast in its ordinary programme on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of September "Greetings to the Hong Kong internees". They can say anything else they like, but Septic and his friends will then know that the message has got through and presumably will listen in on their private receiver. ..."

Telegram Clague >> Ride 9.8.1942:

"... Baldwin filly ready for receiving ..."

This document is a report of conditions in Stanley Internment Camp from "an unimpeachable source", understood to be Bishop O'Gara**.

To; Military Attache, H.B.M. Embassy, Chungking.

Reference : INT/HQ/21 dated 21st August, 1942. 

From:    Lt.-Colonel L.T. Ride, C. O.,  B.A.A.G., Kweilin.

Subject:-    STANLEY INTERNMENT CAMP.

SECTION I(a)

The following first hand information concerning conditions in STANLEY and treatment of internees comes from an unimpeachable source.

Food.

At first the daily rations consisted of rice and vegetables only, with a little meat or fish but this latter was so small in amount that it had to be made into soup. Salt and condiments were considered as luxuries. After continued protests, $300,000 (HK) was obtained through banks for the use of internees. This worked out at about $105 per head, $75 of which was handed over to internees to enable them to pruchase ((sic.)) food from outside and $30 per head was witheld by the Japanese for the communal purchase of "luxuries such as salt". After further representations bread was also supplied, but the rations still lack essential vitamins and are very unbalanced, being preponderatingly carbonhydrates. ((sic.))    

Health.

Medical conditions in the camp have left much to be desired. The small hospital is under the charge of Dr. Utley; Professor Digby has done remarkably good work in improvising materials required for running an operating theatre.

Dr. Dean Smith submitted a medical report on the Camp after the introduction of the bread ration and in it he stated there was a marked improvement in morale but none. in the actual health of internees. Deaths and cases of sickness have been fewer than expected. Dr. Selwyn-Clarke's work is appreciated in the Camp but every now and again an under current of distrust which is always present comes to the surface; the general rank and file still remember that he was one of the Government officials who took advantage of his position to flout authority and keep his wife and child in HONG KONG.

In some quarters there is a strong feeling of resentment when the difficult problems of health of women and children arise; the feeling amounts to this "we cannot make special allowances for you, because you had no right to be here in HONG KONG".

My informer is of the opinion that no person with any bodily weakness at all will come out STANLEY unscathed.
 
Morale.

This has slightly improved in the Camp; rumours mostly based on speeches attributed to Churchill are responsible for this. It is confidently expected that the British Government will send ships out specially to repatriate the HONG KONG internees.

SECTION III(c).

General Treatment of Internees.

There have been numerous cases of ill treatment of internees by guards, face slapping etc., and the Indian guards are now the worst offenders.    A typical example is the following: When Japanese officials visit the Camp no one is allowed to move about; on one such occasion orders were passed around, but Dr. Balean (Senior) did not hear them; he continued on his walk and was in consequence subjected to very humiliating face slapping.

Atrocities.

Maryknoll Mission STANLEY.

During the fighting around STANLEY, the mission was captured by the Japanese and in it were a number of our wounded as well as 16 unwounded soldiers of various units.The Japanese killed the wounded and then bound all the rest including the MaryKnoll fathers. The soldiers were questioned. The first to be questioned was a tall officer who said his name was Lawrence; when asked his unit, the Japanese could not understand his reply so he said "I build bridges"; "Ah," they said, "build bridges". The second was an officer of the Middlesex Regiment, my informer thinks his name was "Newman". The rest of the sixteen he does not remember excepting that they were from various different units. These sixteen were later marched off and my informer says he has a lasting mental picture of these men going to their doom being lead by Lawrence, a tall soldier with his head hold high. A short time after they passed round the corner screams were heard and later my informant was told by his servants that they were made to witness the usual ill treatment and murdering of the sixteen by bayonetting. The Chinese servants were compelled to dig shallow graves and bury the bodies near the mission.

The Maryknoll Fathers had every reason to believe they were to share the same fate but for some reason they were left alive but bound.

Colonel Black and Captain Whitney.

Owing to the fact that internees fear to put anything
on paper and to the fact that this atrocity is continually being discussed, many variations of the story now exist and my informer would not commit himself to any one although he has his opinion as to the fate of any man captured in uniform during the execution of his duty in the STANLEY area.

He quoted the bravery of on elderly woman ((Sister Elizabeth Mosey)) who had been a nurse during the last war and who was in charge of a number of wounded in REPULSE BAY HOTEL. When our troops left, she remained behind in charge of the wounded and met the Japanese in her uniform complete with medals. The Japanese commenced their usual practice of ripping the bandages off all the patients but the nurse resisted so strongly and continuously that in the end the Japanese left them alone and my informer is of the opinion that her brave action, which might well have cost her life, certainly saved the lives of all the wounded. (My informer does not remember the name of the nurse nor was he present in REPULSE BAY at the time but he believes the story, which was told to him in STANLEY, to be true. The nurse Is now in STANLEY. I shall try to identify her).

Murder of the three V.A.D.s at STANLEY.

C.S.M. S.D. Begg of the H.K.V.D.C. is interned in S'TANLEY. He was wounded in the fighting nearby and was in the STANLEY Hospital. At the time of the surrender; his wife was a nurse there and after the surrender she end some other nurses were in an adjoining room and he was able to speak to his wife. They consolled one another with the fact that although they had lost everything they still had each other. At this point my informer says that Begg, when telling the story breaks down, for on the morning following, his wife and two other nurses were found murdered. Begg has the complete story together with the name and unit of the officer responsible; this he cunningly obtained by asking the Japanese for the name of the officer to whom they were indebted for their safety in the area.

A short time ago five bodies were discovered in STANLEY and they were all identified as those of the three V.A.Ds., Lt.-Colonel Black and Captain Whitney. The bodies wore buried and in the case of Mrs. Begg who was a Roman Catholic, the grave was blessed by a bishop in the internment camp.

Murder of Doctor and Wife near STANLEY.

My informer has no doubt that this story reported to you in Appendix "D" attached to B/36 dated 7.8.42. - Report No.8 - is completely false.

Rev. and Mrs. Martin.

Several stories of ill treatment by Japanese soldiers of Rev. and Mrs. Martin have been in circulation amongst refugees. My informer told me that he was told the following by Rev. Martin himself!: When the Japanese captured STANLEY Rev. Martin and his wife were living in a part of St. Stephen's College, togther with a number of overseas students. They were all severely handled by the Japanese soldiers and Rev. Martin and his wife were tied to chairs with their hands behind their backs and beaten. The Japanese left them there for a while and Mrs. Martin feared that they would cut her fingers off in order to steal her rings. Rev. Martin by a superhuman effort managed to wriggle close enough to remove his wife's rings Later the soldiers returned and it appeared that they were going to undress Mrs. Martin whereupon Rev. Martin shrieked and shrieked at them until He was exhausted. They were then beaten mercilessly and left in the room; the Rev. Martin considers that he and his wife owe their lives to the fact that the Japanese believed that they had been beaten to death.

Headquarters, B.A.A.G., Kweilin,  21 August, 42.    

Lt.-Colonel, C.O., British Army Aid Group.

Distribution:
Copy No.l - Military Attache, Chungking.
"        No.2 -    "    "    "
"        No.3 - File.
"        No.4     "

**Although Bishop O'Gara isn't mentioned by name in this document, in a later BAAG document (B/61, dated 29th Aug 1942), Lt. Ride writes:

I left KUKONG on Saturday 15th, spent Sunday and Monday at HENG SHAN (near HENG YANG) returning to HENG YANG on Tuesday morning to go to KWEILIN by American Air Transport. Unfortunately I had been given false information about this plane, and had to come on by train on Wednesday 18th; it had this good outcome, however, that I was able to see Bishop O'Gara of whom I have already written concerning his views on STANLEY. (See B/51 dated 21.8.42.)

Thanks to Elizabeth Ride for supplying this document from her collection of material on the life and work of her father, Sir Lindsay Ride.

((Major)) J D Clague wrote: "A nominal roll of internees arrived at AHQ from 99 ((Agent #99, Raymond Wong)) on 3.12.42.  A copy is attached".

((The nominal roll, a list of names of the internees in Stanley Camp, can be viewed at: http://gwulo.com/node/28555))

4. STANLEY INTERNMENT CAMP

It is reported from two sources that Dr. Selwyn-Clarke is to be sent to Stanley Camp. 68 said that it was because the Japanese discovered medical supplies in the Red Cross parcels send into P.O.Ws. Camps. These were traced to Dr. Selwyn-Clarke to whom the Japanese objected, not against supplying the drugs but the clandestine way in which it was done.

The second informant - 21 - said he had heard that the Japanese had sent an Indian named ABDULLAH to Dr. Selwyn-Clarke to ask for general guidance. The conversation was reported to the Japanese and rumour has it that the Japanese accuse Dr. Selwyn-Clarke of being in touch with H.B.M. Consul in Macao.

Recently a number of people have approached us offering to get in touch with Stanley. Knowing nothing of these people we have said we are not in the least bit interested, and hope the news gets back to the Japanese, who may well have sent some of these men to us.

MOST SECRET
******************

To: Military Attache,
H.B.M. Embassy,    
Chungking.    

Reference:
INT/HQ/211 dated 24th, Jan.,43.

From: Colonel L.T. Ride,
C.O., B.A.A.G.,    
Kweilin.

Subject:- Casualties. B.A.A.G.

I regret to have to inform you that the inevitable has happened to some of our men.

No.77 CHAN KWOK KWONG.

No.48 TSANG TAK HING.

No.49 LAU FOOK.

Are reported shot by a group of unknown persons off the SAI KUNG Peninsula. It is not believed to have been the work of the Japanese but full enquiries are being made.

No.4 HO WAH.

has been reported shot at FANLING, no further news to hand.

2. This news has upset me very much, especially about 77 who was a great kid and a great favourite of ours - we called him "DARE TO DIE" right from the start. Is it any wonder that one gets white hot under the collar when one thinks of the cumbersome ambassadorial red tape designed to protect the sacred rights of British subjects who, even if they are not working for the Japanese, are fleeing to the safety of British India as fast as they can flee; red tape that may conceivably bind the only hands that can, by quick action, save our lads from the supreme danger they are continually courting.

(Now I feel a bit better for having had my little say, even though it brings a blunt rebuke, a basket, of raspberries or a bowler bat; it is only fair to add that Clague is being warned that if treachery is at the bottom of these deaths, the culprit should never be allowed to enter the red tape - protected area).

3. When full particulars are to hand I shall write you again on the question of gratuity to families which is sure to arise.    

((Signature: L T Ride))

Colonel,
C.O.,  British Army Aid Group.

Headquarters,    
B. A. A. G.,    
Kweilin, China.    
24. Jan. 43.  
LTR/HMK

Distribution :-
   Copy    No.1 - H.B.M. Military Attache, Chungking.
      "        No.2 - G.S.I.(e), G.H.Q.,    New    Delhi.
      "        No.3 - File.
      "        No.4 - File

2. STANLEY INTERMENT CAMP:

Hongkong News of 13 Jan. 43 reports mails from U.S.A. were delivered to internees.

4. ESCAPE OF FREE BRITISH SUBJECT (THIRD NATIONAL - IRISH):

G.S. KENNEDY-SKIPTON, a Hongkong Government Cadet, arrived in Waichow on 27 Jan.43. He was brought out alone by a Chinese friend after a visit to TAIPO with his wife and two children, when they called on the Misses DILLON and JENNINGS at the Taipo Orphanage. His route was East immediately after crossing the road bridge at TAIPO MARKET and over the hills to LAI CHI WO (Map Ref: 292812) whence he went by boat at 0300 hrs. on 25 Jan.43 to TAI MUI SHA (Map Ref: 335891) and thence via PINGSHAN to TAMSHUI and WAICHOW. He hopes his wife and two daughters, aged 12 and 10 respectively, will be brought out later by the same guide. A letter from this gentleman, telling of his activities, was sent to H.Q. Kweilin under covering note Ref: Memo No.7/43 dated 21.Jan.43.

A verbal message from him for help to come out was received through one of his Chinese guides two weeks ago, but it was not thought fit to place our organisation at his disposal, and Captain Hooper merely quoted the first two lines of the "Old School Song" and said it was up to SKIPTON. It is assumed that this reference to his alma mater stirred his better instincts for he took the plunge almost immediately.

((This didn't appear in the Weekly Intelligence Summaries, but was a separate set of documents with information about radio sets in Stanley Camp. Thanks to Elizabeth Ride for sending these from her collection of wartime material.)) 

OFFICE OF H.M. MILITARY ATTACHE,
BRITISH EMBASSY,
CHUNGKING.

Reference: MA/133/3/F.            29 January 1943.

O.C., B.A.A.G., Kweilin.

SUBJECT:- Stanley Radio Set.

The attached are some reports received from New York.

The General does not feel that it is any use relying on S.C. ((probably Selwyn-Clarke)) as he is too afraid of being locked up.

((signature I can't read)) Major, R.A., for H.B.M. Military Attache.

Radio Recieving Set and Sending Set in Stanley Internment Camp, HONGKONG

Attached is a memorandum on this subject from Mr. J. F. DWYER. DWYER lived in the same room in Stanley Internment Camp with PAUL DIETZ, GORDON and FRED HILL. They were handy with their hands and, as noted, had in their room for a while a receiving set which they put together. Source was personally aware there were one or more receiving sets in Stanley Internment Camp but avoided inquiring into its location or the persons concerned with it as source expected to be interviewed by the Japanese at any time and the less information he had the better.

Some reference had been made to this receiving set in the interview of William P. Hunt and he refers therein to Dr. P. SELWYN CLARKE. CLARKE is the Director of Medical Services in Hong Kong and the Japanese did not intern him but permitted him to carry on nominally as Director of medical Services. At the time source left, CLARKE was still living in Hong Kong and was able to make occasional visits to Stanley Internment Camp. At this time, there were numerous receiving sets operating in Hong Kong and CLARKE was one of Stanley Internment Camp's sources of information from the outside world when occasion permitted his visits to Stanley Internment Camp. He naturally had to be very cautious as he was watched very closely by the Japanese.

Probably the most reliable means of communicating with internees will be through CLARKE as it is always possible that the Japanese may discover and destroy the receiving set in Stanley Internment Camp. If they discover it they are certain to destroy it and severely punish operators. Source knows CLARKE quite well as he was his Chief Deputy Medical Transport Officer during the war and source has every confidence in him.

The following appear to have had some information about the location and operation of receiving set in Hong Kong:

Mr. CHARLES L SCHAFER
Mr. WILLIAM P. HUNT
Mr. J.F. DWYER
Mrs. PERCIVAL WHITHAM
Mrs. ERIC NEVILLE BAYNES
Mrs. FREDERICK CYRIL GRANT

All of those people except SCHAFER, have been cautioned to keep quiet about radio receiving set and DWYER, DIETZ and GORDON have been cautioned not to attempt to send any message to Hong Kong.

Source has no information concerning sending set except that contained in DWYER's statement. DWYER is a reliable person.

HUNT when questioned about radio receiving set and sending set in Hong kong replied that he had presented all the information to Lt.Col. G.A. WILLIAMS, Assistant American Naval Attache in Shanghai, and that he gave WILLIAMS a memorandum concerning Times, Station etc. HUNT did not leep any copy of this memorandum and could not recally details.

22466/L28440A

14th January 1943

From: J.F. DWYER.

Operators of receiving set are W.D. WATERSON ((they spell it WATERTON below)) and REECE. They are responsible to GIMSON and FRASER. They listen regularly news commentary with K.G.E.I. The listen every evening at 8 P.M. until 4 or 5 in the morning.

Before we left Stanley Internment Camp, we arranged with WATERSON that if possible we would try to get some personal message through to him via K.G.E.I. Any message to WATERTON should be addressed to BILL DOUGLAS or WATTY DOUGLAS somewhere in China. K.G.E.I used to broadcast letters and messages to various people in the Far East, particularly broadcast letters, so that any time we wanted to send a message to him or the authorities wanted to get a message to Hong Kong, all they would do was to send it in the form of aboradcast ((sic.)) letter addressed to BILL DOUGLAS.

They also have a radio sending set buried, and they would us this only in case of emergency. WATERTON and REECE know about this. DIETZ, GORDON and DWYER are the only ones who know of this arrangement with WATERTON and the arrangement to communicate through BILL DOUGLAS. Everyone in Stanley Internment Camp suspected DIETZ, GORDON and DWYER of having a receiving set and we had one there for a while. Neither of us have thus far tried to communicate with Hong Kong. DWYER had a letter from DIETZ the other day and had forgotton the signal. We three turned our radio over to WATERTON.

DWYER thinks that the sending set apparatus would work and this buried transmitter can be used in case of emergency but they do not want to use that because once used, it can be traced after it's been on air only a few minutes.

They make a record of all the news on air and that is turned over to GIMSON and FRASER. GIMSON and FRASER callon these men in this certain section now and then and in order to avoid suspicion they have set themselves up a bakers.

HILL made a receiving set that he could hear San Francisco with. He is still there. HILL turned his equipment over to WATERTON and REECE, when HILL was released from Stanley Internment Camp to go back into Hong Kong.

C/28440/A.

14th January, 1943.

The following information was given to out New York Representatives by William P. Hunt. It deals with two radio receiving sets in the Internment camp.

There are two radio receiving sets in the Internment camp, Fred Hill, an internee built and operated one utilizing flashlight batteries. The other set was operated by the British Colonial authorities, details as to its location and received programmes having been given by William P. Hunt to Colonel G.A. Williams, U.S. Marine officer stationed in Shanghai. William P. Hunt says that on his departure he planned to bring a code with him for use in communicating with internees but destroyed this through a tip received from a friendly guard. He relayed this information back to the internees. He urges the re-establishment of sucha code which should be simple he adds. he further says that internees should be informed as to the wavelength and time of broadcasting. He adds that a code could be established throgh messages to the internees by Chinese couriers via go-betweens. The British Radio, he says, is operated by receivers who are approved by the British authorities and therefore presumably reliable. The British Radio however, needs additional batteries and tubes. He suggests the following method of getting batteries and tubes into the camp:

Doctor Clarke, on an agreed upon day, could place the materials in the space of his car which holds the storage battery. On arriving at the camp he could disconnect the wire and ask Fraser, of the Colonial Secretariat to have an internee repair man see what was wrong.Advised ahead of time of the project, internee repair man could put batteries and tubes in to his blouse and carry them into camp. Doctor Clarke habitually drives his own car to camp and parks in a position where this would be feasible. He emphasizes that the utmost confidence should be placed in Doctor Clarke's resourcefulness and nerve as well as in that on any internee selected for the task.

There are no sending sets in the camp but source says it is believed that a small one could be set up and this was the subject of extended discussions at a time when he, (William P.Hunt) believed he could get his hands on a transmitter.

4. STANLEY INTERNMENT CAMP: (Source: G.S.KENNEDY-SKIPTON).

Some months ago a man named RANDALL of the Hongkong Telephone Company, who was a strong swimmer, attempted to escape by swimming, but on coming ashore was caught, beaten up and sentenced to 3 years' imprisonment.

Kennedy-Skipton.

Hyde states and I quote:

"Kennedy-Skipton left here on the 24th and s'pose he is your worry now. He is a stupid "tammy" ((spelling?)) but make no mistake about it he did a great many people a lot of harm since the surrender. He willingly co-operated with the enemy when there was no necessity to do so and put into their minds many ways of getting a great deal of money, which they did in the form of back crown rents and such like taxes which they might not have thought of. Night and all of us here think alike on this subject. He is a man who thought that things would never be as they are now and had his silly eye on the main chance."

Free Europeans.

If confirmation is required of the report already forwarded to the effect that our agents have had great difficulty in persuading Free Europeans to allow themselves to be escorted to safety by members of our organisation the following quotation will no doubt convince them:

"At the time of going to press I am unable to get anyone to go with 'J'. although I know a few useful men who are more or less free. God knows what keeps them there." "Give me the chance they get and I'd be out of this hell hole in two shakes."

I would add that Mr. Hyde has since had more luck and two Europeans are reported to be accompanying 'J' and have safely reached tamshui to-day. 'J' is a Russian radio expert who was sent to Hong Kong by the Admiralty to set up some special Radio sets in the M.T.B's. He is reported by Hyde to have connection or branch office in Chungking.

I hope he will prove to be a useful asset. The Japanese have been making strenuous efforts to induce 'J' to work for them and have previously refused his application to leave Hongkong.

Bankers.

The following message has been received from Sir Vandeleur Grayburn:

"Dear C. Letters recd. O.K. No reprisals to take. Signing very slow. Will take 6 months. No serious damage done to our shop so far. Some amounts collected. Caretakers say proceedings will take "many" months. I think we will stay put same period. News good. Doubt huns can last many months. Thumbs up. regards. Night."

ESCAPES:

The following escapees arrived WAICHOW on 14 Feb.43:-

RAGNAR BRODERSEN, Norwegian: late of Thoresen & Co.
WILLIAM VALLESSUK, Russian: Radio Engineer.
HALFDIAN KVAMSO, Norwegian: Master Mariner, formerly
                                           Captain of S.S."HARALDSVANG",
                                           which was scuttled in Hongkong.

The latter's family is in BOMBAY and he is prepared to take over a ship after seeing his family.

Reports from the three men together with a report on their escape are appended. 

NORWEGIANS:

The Hongkong News dated 16 Feb.43, contains the following announcement:-

"All Norwegians residing in the occupied territory of Hongkong are hereby ordered to present themselves at the Foreign Affairs Department on Friday, February 19, at 10 a.m."

Our two Norwegian friends left Hongkong on 10 Feb.43, and expected that their absence would be reported within two days. ((See Waichow Intelligence Summary #19 for details))

There is every indication that the Japanese resent these frequent disappearing acts and proclaimed Martial law in the border area, increasing all their posts after the disappearance of two batches of Indians via this route.

Whilst their attentions were concentrated on the border area another party of six Indians were succesfully brought out via the sea route. What their reactions to this news will be, we shudder to think.

NORWEGIANS IN HONG KONG.

SEAMEN.

((The original document shows asterisks against some names in the first column, but does not explain their meaning. I have included them here.))

RESIDENTS.

((Where entries in the following tables have the same number in the first column, the original document marked them as belonging to the same family.)) 

RESIDENTS (VOLUNTARILY INTERNED AT STANLEY CAMP)

NORWEGIANS IN SHATIN

NORWEGIAN PRISONERS OF WAR AT SHAMSHUIPO CAMP

3. CIVILIAN INTERNEES:-

The Hong Kong News of 19.2.1943 contains the following:-

"Lisbon, Feb, 17th (Domei) - It is reported from LONDON that negotiation for exchange of internees are now going on between the Japanese and the British Governments, particularly regarding women and children, the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, declared in the House of Commons yesterday. He said that he understood that the Japanese Foreign Office was desirous of continuing negotiations, adding that British internees in H.K. were reported to be enjoying good treatment and good health."

4. NORWEGIANS:-

68 reports that 22 Norwegian nationals are to be interned. It is known that all Norwegian nationals were called on to report to the Gendarmerie shortly after the escape of the two Norwegians reported in W.I.S. No.19 of 17th Feb: 1943, but it is thought that no Norwegian nationals have yet been interned.

The BAAG records include the comings and goings at Kai Tak Airport. Here's an example for 12th March 1943:

3. STANLEY:

60 writes:- "Much improvement due to effort of D.M.S. Dr. S. Clarke and Red Cross parcels much appreciated but daily rations reduced by Japs. since arrival of parcels. Medical supplies from Red Cross not issued though badly needed, reason given by Japs. - misdirection on transit. The aged are finding conditions difficult due to mental and emotional strain. Malnutrition was at one time definitely danger, now under control. Canteen very useful but frightly ((sic.)) expensive. Parcels from outside friends manage to maintain health, cash also sent by outside friends. Dr. Harry Talbot recently caught returning to Stanley in possession of Yen 3000- he is at present under investigation by Foreign Affairs Dept: of Governor's Office. Sir V. M. Grayburn admitted responsibility of sending cash, said it was meant for some Bank Staff in Stanley. This episode so far not concluded as yet. Japs. Authorities discourage and stop as far as possible Chinese and Indians helping Internees.

4. GUARDS &c. (Source:- Escaped H.K.S.R.A., I.O.R. formerly a guard at Stanley).

Further to what was written in W.I.S. No.13 dated 16 Dec: 42, it is learned that there are at night two additional sentry posts (5 by day; 7 by night) and a change in the position of one. One road light, near entrance to Stanley Prison, instead of three are on all night apart from lights around perimeter wire (double apron) which are about 100 yards apart. Sentries are relieved every 2 hours starting from N.W. end of the camp and going round anti-clockwise, the whole procedure talking some 40 minutes.

Internees may not cross any roads after 21 hrs. but may walk around their quarters until 2300 hours.

Until about 1 month ago the "younger men", including PENNEFATHER-EVANS were put in Stanley Prison nightly from 1900 hours to 0700 hours. This began after the first Air Raid.

A.S.P. BIDMEAD and 3 other Europeans are said to be in Prison, the only other occupant being a DOGRA soldier (2/14 Punjab Regt:).

5. THIRD NATIONALS:

The rice issue to the above has been cut down from 6.4 taels to 3.2 taels (W.I.S. No.23 - Sub-Division 3 & 4 "EURASIANS" refers.)

6. EUROPEANS NOT P.O.W.

60 reports that a very strict watch is being kept on all "Free" foreigners who are suspected of organising escapes.

7. NORWEGIANS:

33 reports that the Norwegians were interned not because of escapees but because some of them made outspoken expressions of opinion, concerning the Japanese. Despite many reports that the Norwegians have been interned we still hope for the best. A definite answer to this question will be forthcoming soon.

Bankers.

The following chit has been received from ALEC KENNEDY, the H.K. & S.B.C. Junior who is living with GRAYBURN. A reply can be delivered.

"Dear Duggie,

Yours 22/2/43 received. Much regret I cannot see my way to avail yourself of your kind offer. Situation changed since others left. Am now on parole. I have expressed desire to be repatriated. Other junior colleagues of mine of military age and experience would appreciate official view as to whether they should apply for repatriation despite pressure from seniors to remain here. Many thanks for your help.

Regards, Alec."

It is presumed that these young men possessing military training can do little to assist the War effort by remaining in Hong Kong presumably with the idea of re-opening the H.K. & Shanghai Bank when victory is won.

However, no reply will be despatched pending an official answer.

BANKERS.

Further to W.I.S. No.24, 23 Mar 43, 19, 61 and 99 confirm that GRAYBURN (the former source says STREATFIELD also) is at the Gendarmerie H.Q., Ventris Road, Happy Valley, whither he was taken on 17 Mar 43. No visitors are allowed and a boy, sent by LADY GRAYBURN with clothes for her husband, was not allowed to hand them to him personally.

Dr. TALBOT is said (source 19) to have been out of STANLEY to undergo an operation about a month ago at the FRENCH HOSPITAL and M.Y. 3,000 with which he was caught are said to have been left for British Internees by American repatriates last year.

A second possible reason for GRAYBURN's detention was suggested by 60 who sais an unsigned HK$500 note (ofa a type?) not yet in circulation had been found and brought back from Free China.

The rest of the Bank staff remain free but are watched.

Everyone entering the Bank must now state his business and leave his name and address.

"PREST".

Reference W.I.S. No.16, 14 Jan 43 -

"PREST" now PRESS. This is S. P. WONG (J.P.) uncle of FIG No.46 who used to help 46 in his work. When his nephew died S.P. WONG apparently sent a letter stating that he would continue to help through 19 and gave his nom-de-plume.

This message together with some maps were unfortunately lost when 48, 77 etc. were killed.

"FREE" NORWEGIANS.

In a note dated 24 Mar 43 MONAGHAN states the Norwegians are definately interned.

CIVILIAN INTERNEES. (Source 98)

A list of names with a view to carrying out a repatriation scheme has been sent to the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Gimson, who is interned at Stanley, for approval but it is generally believed nothing will come of this as Gimson is said to be against it. He is reported to be firmly convinced that no one should be repatriated who will be urgently needed when the Colony is recaptured.

GRAYBURN and STREATFIELD. were expected to be released on 25 Mar 43 but had not yet, on 31 Mar, returned to the bank.

63 reports that the cause of these two men's arrest was that a Japanese spy got possession of a HK$500 note in Waichow and sent it back to Hongkong before that issue of notes was in circulation. We know nothing of this alleged incident here.

Norwegians.

Hongkong News 20 Feb 43 contains a notice stating that all Norwegians would be interned 22 Feb 43. (This is our first information of the exact date of internment - if correct.)

RELEASED CHINESE EX VOLUNTEERS. (Source - A former Chinese Regt. soldier who worked in the Japs Anti-Epidemic Squad from Sept. 42 to the end of Mar 43.)

There are 27 Chinese formerly interned in S.S. Po camp now living in May Hall, Hongkong University. Most of these were formerly volunteers, and all of these except one are now working in the Anti-Epidemic Squad (chinese characters) of the Sanitary Department (chinese characters). Immediately after their release in Sept. 1942 there were 32 men in May Hall. Since that time five have escaped.

The duties of this squad are injections and innoculation. The head of the Sanitary Department (chinese characters) who was concurrently the head of the Anti-Epidemic Squad (chinese characters) is a Japanese civilian TUNG LAM MAU (chinese characters). The 2nd in command of the Anti-Epidemic Squad is Sir ROBERT HO TUNG's son-in-law YEUNG KWOK CHEUNG (chinese characters). Another important official in the Sanitary Department is CHOI AH LAI (chinese characters) formerly an assistant to the Professor of anatomy in the University of Hong Kong. He was also a Japanese censor under the British Government in Hong Kong and thought to be a Formosan. His position is 'chinese characters'.

STANLEY INTERNMENT CAMP.

Group M report that about 10 Europeans including a barrister-at-law have been released from Stanley under guarantee of ROBER ((sic.)) KOTEWALL at whose house they are now staying. (Further particulars have been asked for).

Group U reports that the Assistant Camp Commandant of Stanley Internment Camp called the Staff together and lectured them. They were told that they were to give no service or facilities to any of the internees. On the same day one of the Chinese employees in the camp was called up and questioned.

A doctor who was implicated in some recent incident is seen to be limping slightly. This may refer to Dr. HARRY TALBOT who has previously been reported as involved in a charge of carrying money into STANLEY CAMP. (Z.C)

GRAYBURN AND STREATFIELD.

98 reports:-

"The accusation of sending money into Stanley through Dr. TALBOT has been dropped. They are now charged with conspiracy under the following headings:-

(1) Assisting FENWICK and MORRISON to escape.

(2) Corresponding with FENWICK and MORRISON since their escape.

(3) Financing their escape.

It is reported that their treatment in Ventris Road Station is horrible and unbearable, third degree having been used. The evidence supporting the charge is in CANTON. It has been suggested by the SUN WAH people (the Bankers) that broadcast through CHUNGKING or B.B.C. might effect their early release. Lady GRAYBURN was detained and questioned for 2 hours last Monday (5 Apr.) after being sent for by NOMA, Head of the Gendarmerie."

60 reports:-

"re V.M.GRAYBURN. He is now put in solitary confinement. Indian Guards changed to Japanese Guards. Actual reason for his incarceration still unknown. The rest of Bankers sent petition to Governor requesting investigation and proper trial. This petition motivated by news that he was at one time put among other criminals and petty thieves. Latest is that he has been transferred to Stanley prison after being found guilty of whatever he was charged with, but this lacks confirmation. Lady GRAYBURN arranged to meet Colonel NOMA on 8 Apr. regarding detention of husband, however, meeting did not materialise as she was afraid unable stand up to possible grilling, as savage Japanese methods no respecter of sex."

(The gist of these reports was sent in our message D.7 of 17 Apr. to H.Q., KWEILIN).

FREE EUROPEANS.

A report from 98 dated 14 Apr 43 states that:

Four Sanitary Inspectors
Eric Humphreys
Dr. Watson

have been warned that they may have to return to STANLEY at any moment.

GRAYBURN: (Source:99)

The following story accepted as true has just been received:-

Suspicion, that Chinese workers at Stanley Internment Camp were helping the internees, was apparently aroused and action taken by the Gendarmes. One of the assistants was detained for a few hours and there is a possibility that the Japanese had warning that TALBOT was to attempt to smuggle something into Stanley.

TALBOT returned in the usual way in an ambulance, but, before entering the Camp, the ambulance was subjected to a thorough search and the money already referred to was found.

All money for internees should be sent through the International Red Cross. TALBOT apparently admitted who had given him the money and the obvious question the Japanese want answering is from where did GRAYBURN get the money. The answer, so are almost certain, is from Indian merchants in exchange for Rupee Drafts.

The Japanese then seem to have jumped to the conclusion that GRAYBURN is financing all British activities and he is now being accused of helping FENWICK and MORRISON.

As he had not the slightest idea they were leaving, he will be unable to give any details away as I do not believe he has the slightest idea how it was arranged.

After GRAYBURN's arrest, he was visited by his boy who was eventually allowed to see him and who reported that he was in with all the other Chinese criminals and thieves and getting rice only to eat.

The boy immediately reported this to EDMONSON and a petition was sent to the International Red Cross by the other bank staff. The International Red Cross intervened through the Foreign Office and the Gendarmes were highly annoyed that news of GRAYBURN's conditions should have got out.

Lady GRAYBURN was then allowed to see her husband and was accompanied by the "boy". On the way to the prison, Lady GRAYBURN asked the accompanying Gendarme, "Couldn't something be done for GRAYBURN's comfort?" He immediately turned round and said, "How do you know how he is being treated?" The boy who was acting as interpreter replied direct saying that he had given the information.

GRAYBURN was given new clothes and it is said that the old ones were lice infested. GRAYBURN was asked one question only by his boy, i.e. "then will you be getting out?", to which he is reported to have replied, "Me, never."

GRAYBURN is now getting cold food supllied by the Bankers and clean clothes once a week.

He was reported to be quite cheerful, but STREATFIELD was said to be pretty depressed.

The above story came from a source in very close touch with the Bankers and is believed to be substantially correct. There is no evidence yet of third degree being used, but the report that TALBOT was seen limping is considered to be correct, but he is known to have been in a very poor state of health and the inference drawn by friends suggesting torture is considered to be unsound in the absence of greater proof.

One of our men is very conveniently placed and is permanently at the disposal of the bankers should they require any assistance.

GRAYBURN's detention is considered to be due entirely to the fact that the Gendarmes now realise he has supplies of cash available and may therefore easily be financing Allied enterprises. All F.I.G's. who contacted him in connection with his proposed escape are in Free China and have been for a considerable time.

Meanwhile, note-signing has been speeded up and it is rumoured that all Japanese requirements will be completed within two months when the Bankers will be interned presumably having served their purpose!

An agent reports that notes signed since the fall of Hongkong have been seen in circulation, but no definite proof is available.

EURASIANS:

Om 26 April J. L. QUIE and F. A. OZORIO arrived at A.H.Q. from HONGKONG. A joint statement is attached to this Sub-division at Appendix 'A': this contains much information about prisoners, internees, Third Nationals, etc.

OZORIO brought a letter from EMILY HAHN, an American journalist who is free in HONGKONG. The letter is addressed to:

MITCHELL DAWSON,
First National Bank Building,
CHICAGO Ill.

The following extract may be of interest:-

"Charles' arm has made what looks like a complete recovery, but I can't see very well at that distance." 

The above refers to Major CHARLES BOXER, who was wounded during hostilities and is now a prisoner in ARGYLE STREET P.W. Camp.

"I can manage by borrowing and selling things but that can't go on forever. Once upon a time we were told that the Red Cross would be allowed to lend money to Americans, but that idea evaporated. Their official here is not very effective. He is scared to death to ask for things and he would die of terror rather than insist."

The following information has been supplied by YEUNG TAK YI, a reliable Penang-born Chinese who arrived at A.H.Q on 27 Apr. 43:-

SIR VANDELEUR GRAYBURN AND MR. STREATFIELD:

These two men were found guilty - charge not known but suspected to be smuggling money into STANLEY INTERNMENT CAMP through DR. HARRY TALBOT - and are now in STANLEY PRISON together with other criminals. When they were at HAPPY VALLEY GENDARMERIE H.Q. food was at first allowed to be taken in to them; later this was not permitted but attempts were still made to send them vitamin tablets though the Indian guards. The Indians were later replaced by Japanese guards. Part of the sum of money with which this case is said to be connected was from Mr C. P. WONG to Mr. C. C. ROBERTS.

DR. SELWYN-CLARKE:

Dr. SELWYN-CLARKE has privately given money to wives of interned Volunteers to be sent into SHAMSHUIPO P.W. Camp for unknown regulars (Dr. SELWYN-CLARKE supplies the names of these regulars.)

FRENCH CONVENT:

In the French Convent ((was this the same as the French Hospital?)) some children of interned Volunteers are given education under a Miss CHEN. Parents are recommended by Dr. SELWYN-CLARKE to send their children there instead of to the other schools operated by the permission of the Japanese.

RED CROSS SUPPLIES:

The Japanese have refused to allow families of Indian and Chinese Volunteers to be given help by the RED CROSS. RED CROSS aid is similarly denied to families of "essential service workers"  (e.g. A.R.P. workers) killed during hostilities.

Considerable resentment has been expressed at this "discrimination".

VOLUNTEERS RELEASED ON GUARANTEE:

Three Volunteers, until recently prisoners in SHAMSHUIPO P.W.Camp, have been released under ROBERT KOTEWALL's guarantee. They are: FRED ZIMMERN, FRANCIS ZIMMERN, and ARCHIE ZIMMERN. They are now living in a garage in HATTON ROAD near KOTEWALL's house. ((Henry Ching: These three Zimmern brothers eventually married three daughters of Sir Robert Kotewall.))

There is a rumour that Volunteers may be released if a responsible person will guarantee that they will be given work.

P.W.'s SHIPPED AWAY:

Both Regular soldiers and Volunteers are amongst those sent away to JAPAN or FORMOSA. TEDDY FINCHER (of No.3 Coy. H.K.V.D.C) was seen in a lorry in NATHAN ROAD together with others bound for a ship. MRS. WOOKEY (Wife of a Volunteer) is certain that her husband, formerly a P.W. in SHAMSHUIPO P.W.Camp, is no longer in the Colony.

REPATRIATION:

Strong rumours have been heard from various sources to the effect that at least some of the civilian interneeys now in STANLEY INTERNMENT CAMP will shortly be exchanged and sent to Allied territory.

Appendix 'A'.

STATEMENT MADE BY J. L. QUIE AND F. A. OZORIO.

MORALE:

Among the Chinese and Foreign Community there is no doubt about the ultimate outcome of the war - complete victory for the United Nations. There was a wave of optimism during the winter that the war would be finished this year, but feeling has now become resigned that it will last two years or longer. The anti-Japanese feeling is very, very strong in all classes of the community. The Japanese, however, have the community completeley cowed with their "terror" tactics which they appear to deliberately foster in order to keep the population cowed. The anti-Japanese feeling amongst the Chinese is daily growing stronger due to the extreme difficulty of making a livelihood, the very high cost of living (the depreciation of the Hongkong Dollar - viz four to one Military Yen contributed greatly to this), the brutal treatment meted out to petty offenders and the forced evacuation of large numbers of the masses without any future means of livelihood. CIVIL INTERNMENT CAMP - STANLEY, SHAMSHUIPO & ARGYLE STREET PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS. Judging from chits smuggled in and out, the morale in these camps is high. The fact that parcels are permitted to be sent in once weekly has alleviated the hardships of these camps to a great extent.

ECONOMICALLY: The cost of living is rising and will undoubtedly continue to rise in the future. Business has consisted of dealings in stocks already in Hongkong and as these are being repidly depleted Chinese holders are reluctant to sell as there are no imports apart from a certain amount of foodstuffs. These conditions have been intensified since the Japanese took over KWONGCHOWWAN. The Japanese have placed practically everything under their control and Japanese firms are given preferences. All Public Utility Co's are being run by Japanese. A business tax has been instituted since the 1st April and is payable on profits made during the past year. Inspectors are being sent to all Chinese firms to examine books. The tax is (the figures are approximate) 10% on profits of Y5,000., 15% up to Y50,000., 20% up to Y100,000. - with a maximum of 30%. This tax will, no doubt, lead to a further rise in prices. A 10% tax has also been instituted on all drinks or meals taken in restaurants.

SHIP MOVEMENTS: Convoys appear to be arriving more regularly of late. These convoys consist of approximately 8 to 10 ships escorted by a destroyer and a sloop or 2 destroyers. The ships appear to be anything from 2,000 tons to 5,000 and anchor in Kowloon Bay, off Stonecutters and off Capsuimun. Hospital ships arrive regularly and appear to be loaded with other things than wounded. All scuttled ships in the harbour have been salvaged and put into commission by the Docks. The Docks are also extremely busy making wooden vessels run by auxiliary engines for coast trade.

GENERAL MILITARY MOVEMENTS: Troops appear to arrive regularly for training and after several months are shipped off or replaced by further recruits. The training is intensive, specialising in night fighting and none or very little parade ground stuff is indulged in. The training grounds are Gun Club Hill and ground attached, Marina ground and grounds of Kowloon Cricket Club and Bowling Green Club and Kings Park. Troops are quartered in Whitfield Barracks, Gun Club Hill, Humphreys and Carnarvon buildings and houses along Mody Road, Water Police Station, Y.M.C.A., Diocesan Girls School. It is believed that patrols in the New Territories have been geratly increased due to the escape of Indian soldiers.

Hongkong & Shanghai Bank: Occupied as Governor's Offices.

Hongkong Club: Admiralty.

Supreme Court: Chief of Gendarmes.

MURRAY BARRACKS: Occupied by troops and trained on Murray parade Ground.

Kowloon Magistracy: Opposite Alhambra Theatre - occupied by Chief Gendarmes for Kowloon.

King's Building and Union Building: Opposite Hongkong Post Office - occupied by Water Police.

Light Anti Aircraft Guns are in positions on Hongkong & Shanghai Bank, Supreme Court, Bank of Canton, Peninsula Hotel, Kowloon Water Police Station, Observatory Hill, Gun Club Hill. One Heavy anti aircraft gun fixed between Green Island Cement Co. premises and Kowloon Docks.

Chinese Councils: Appear (recently) to be making as few speeches as possible with the exception of LAU TIT SING, who, it is believed, is very pro-Japanese.

Recent Deaths: CRESSAL (PUISNE JUDGE) in Stanley, HOUSTON (POLICE MAGISTRATE), CHRISTENSEN (2nd BATTERY) in SHAMSHUIPO and GEORGE CROSS (FORMER C. M. CUSTOMS, RETD.).

SIR VANDELEUR GRAYBURN & R. P. STREATFIELD (H.K. & SHANGHAI BANK): Sentenced (sentence unknown) to Stanley Gaol for supplying money to be smuggled into Stanley for use of internees. DR. TALBOT said to have been 'third degreed' upon the same charge.

VOLUNTEER FAMILIES & DEPENDANTS: these people are undergoing more hardship and privation. An allowance is now being given through the International Red Cross of Y25 per month per person which is totally inadequate. Many families have been able to supplement this income by the sale of personal belongings but this cannot continue much longer. A number of the women have been driven to acts of prostitution. No words can emphasize strongly enough the necessity for increasing this allowance. These families, Chinese, Portuguese and other nationalities considered by the Japanese to be non-enemy are not allowed in Stanley Internment Camp. The belgian Government make an allowance of Y75 per month per person to those of their subjects who are in Stanley where food is provided. Information would be welcomed by the writers upon the following particular case - H. P. LIM, an Australian born Eurasian, was attached to Command Headquarters for some years as an assistant surveyor. Upon outbreak of war, he was drafted to the R.E.'s with rank of Staff Sergeant. He is now a prisoner of War in Japan. His wife ((Lily Lim)), an American born Chinese, wishes to know if she would receive an adequate living allowance if she were able to get into Free China or if she would be able to receive assistance to reach her home in America. She has one daughter nine years of age. She is receiving Y30 per month which she has supplemented by the sale of personal belongings. As these have practically all gone her future is desparate.

LEE WAN. (REGD. IN DOCKYARD NO.L901) - This man carried the writers' passport and papers to TAMSHUI (taking a different route to that of the writers) and was formerly Mess Compradore to the Dockyard Police and the R.A.M.C. stationed at SHAUKIWAN. Apparently some accounts were due him at the outbreak of war and he would like to know if he could collect anything here. He proposes to return to Hongkong during the course of the next few days.

CONCLUSION: The Japanese appear to be confident of their ability to retain Hongkong and are taking long term steps to supplement their war effort. Buildings damaged during hostilities have been or are being repaired. The old Government House is being repaired for use of quarters. The last census figures (issued two months ago) showed the 2,000 Japanese civilian families are now residing in Hongkong and Kowloon. The writers own personal opinion is that they are not so confident. The Japanese are buying as much Real Estate as they can under Chinese names with the result that the price of property is booming. The prices paid are ridiculously high which in the writers opinion evinces the desire to get rid of Yen which in turn is a "no confidence" sign.

The above is supplementary to the notes taken by your goodself yesterday. Any further information will be gladly given.

(Sd.) J. L. QUIE

(Sd.) F. A. OZORIO

27th April, 1943. - WAICHOW

INTERROGATION: 26 Apr. and 27 Apr. 43

J. L. QUIE and F. A. OZORIO, arrived WAICHOW 24 Apr. 43

J.L. QUIE: Before hostilities Secretary of Humphres Estate & Finance Co., Ltd.; Secretary of Peak Tramways & Managing Director of Q.B. Piggeries near YEUN LONG, N.T.; Asst. Q.M. of 2nd Battery, H.K.V.D.C.

Quie said he was 3 weeks in NORTH POINT CAMP then in S.S.P. ((Shamshuipo camp)) from which he escaped early in Feb.42 by cutting the wire about half way along the most Northerly sector, between the two sentry points and running across to shelter of buildings North of the vegetable patch just outside the wire. An R.E. Staff Sgt., LIM H. P. (see QUIE's report) gave him the wire cutters and OLIVER and PULLEN (both of 2nd Battery, H.K.V.D.C.) kept watch. B.S.M. ROSE (2nd Bty. H.K.V.D.C.) undertook to fake the roll call for 48 hours. (He has said that he knows how to get in touch with the P's.W. in S.S.P. and that it's easy, but he apparently did not try to find out if his escape was noticed, when and what were repercussions if any. B. HERSCHEND, the Dane, was writing a lengthy report on H.K. when he left WAICHOW and it is thought this may contain some reference to QUIE about whom he spoke strongly as being pro-Japanese, running his Q.B. Piggery for them and having taken a trip to SHANGHAI). After escape QUIE says he took a Chinese name, but obtained no Third National Pass but did have inoculation certificates, etc. He had Hongkong $10,000 with which he entered into the diamond business and did other brokerage jobs. He said his Q.B. Piggery was seized by the Japanese and he got no payment of any kind for the 2,000 or so animals there. All his clothes were saved from his former house in Boundary Street, KOWLOON. He lived after his escape in HOMUNTIN with a Chinese family. He came out with OZORIO and between them they have 9 pieces of luggage - everything they posess - a draft for U.S.$2,000 on the Belgian Ambassador in CHUNGKING obtained through his friend MARTIN, Manager of Belgian Bank in Hongkong. The draft bears MARS???'s ((Name unclear. Martin Heyes suggests it could be J H Marsman)) name. He and OZORIO spent H.K.$4,000 coming out and had some H.K.$700 plus a little C.N. Currency on arrival in WAICHOW. He holds a British Passport and carries a letter obtained from CLARK of Humphreys Estate & Finance Co., Ltd., who is in STANLEY.

F. A. OZORIO was, before hostilities, employed by DALZIEL in Central Dairy Supply Co., Ltd. During hostilities, he worked for Food Controller in KOWLOON and then joined a Volunteer Medical Unit under Capt. RODRIGUES was with whom he could not cross to Hongkong. ((Henry Ching thinks this was A M Rodrigues: "I think there were two Captains in the HKVDC in 1941 named Rodrigues. One was Captain A.M.Rodrigues who was in the Field Ambulance, and I think this is the one referred to.  I believe this was the Albert Rodrigues who in later years became Sir Albert and was appointed to the Legislative Council.  The other was a Captain J.S.Rodrigues – don’t know his unit.")) He stayed in KOWLOON when the Japanese arrived and has done nothing since. He carries a mutilated British Passport issued in SWATOW where he once worked.

QUIE and OZORIO got a Chinese to bring out their passports and other papers by a different route when they left Hongkong. They are fed up with conditions in Hongkong under the Japanese and have come to offer their serivices to the British.

Between them they have supplied the following information:-

They found that if they dressed well they were not interfered with by the Japanese. They made several preparatory trips to TAIPO by train to test the possibility of coming out unmolested. Their luggage was carried by road when they did come (by train) and they got past the Japanese sentries, near TAIPO on the road leading to EU TONG SEN's house ((ie "Sirmio")) on the East Side of TAIPO BAY, by paying some money.

S.S.P. and ARGYLE STREET P.W.CAMPS: Conditions are now not really bad. Volunteers get parcels weekly. Regular O.R's for a long time got parcels from their girl friends, but funds have gradually diminished and they get few now. Parcels were stopped for about 6 months during 1942 but were resumed just before Xmas when the first Red Cross supplies arrived. In 1942, sickness was severe - dysentery and typhoid - but now the men are divided into three categories A, B and C. A class look well and are now taken out to work. In 1942, work parties at Railway tunnel and Kai Tak could frequently be seen bringing back on stretchers men who had collapsed. B class work inside the S.S.P. Camp and C class are sick. RED CROSS representatives are frightened of the Japanese and are ineffective. ZINDL is in charge and several other Swiss including SUTER (later of S.O.C.O.N.Y.). once in '42, a request to inspect S.S.P. was refused and after 3 days a very cursory inspection was allowed. P's.W. chief needs are cholera and dysentery and eye medicines and vaccines, shoes, sunglasses. Attached is a copy of letter from Miss EMILY HAHN about RED CROSS matters. ((No copy of that letter found.))

They frequently said communication with the camps was easy and frequent. When asked how they said P's.W. inside made friends with the guards - chifly Formosans - who, for a sum, dealt with correspondence, etc. Major BOXER and COOKS (of Kowloon Dock) correspond with outsiders from ARGYLE STREET. Informants knew that in S.S.P. S. LEONARD of Dairy Farm and R.A.S. WATSON of China Mail carried on correspondence and "95% of non-regulars" do the same.

Some deaths in P.W. Camps they mentioned were :-

HOUSTON - H.K. Government Cadet, about 2 months ago.
CHRISTIANSEN - A Dane (2nd Bty. H.K.V.D.C.) just before Xmas (S.S.P.)
PETER LLOYD - 3rd degreed as result of ALKO (sic!) PEARCE's escape and died. 

ESCAPES: About October 42, OZORIO was for some reason called to a gendarmerie station where he saw 3 Canadians, with long beards, in a pitiable condition, apparently having dysentery and being left in an uncleaned cell after beating and torture. He heard 4 other Canadians were captured a wek later in WANCHAI. He knew no names.

STANLEY INTERNMENT CAMP: Conditions are said not to be bad and again it is easy to contact outsiders. The chief intermediary being CHESTER BENNET, and American formerly U.B.Beer salesman in LOXLEY & CO., who is free and who can be contacted at a bookshop run by PASCALL (a Jew, nationality not known, - formerly HARRIS Book Shop) in Ice House Street. BENNETT takes shoes to be repaired for internees and is general agent for them. DA SILVA - lawyer - "helps him and is pro-British".

Those allowed out of Stanley, and now free, include:-

• KERRISON - Inland Revenue Dept,. in which he is now again working.
• ERIC HUMPHREYS & HALLIGAN ((Maybe George Halligan?)) - Engineers working at French Hospital for food and M.Y.15 a month.
• MACLAREN - working in Gas Works, East point.
• SELWYN-CLARKE and his assistant ANGUS - In Medical Dept. People used to be able to see SELWYN-CLARKE freely and he distributed funds to the needy. Japanese now will not allow free access to him.
• GRO?ER, GREGORY, JACKSON and some Russians - Work at Dairy Farm.

Those over 55 years old are allowed out if guaranteed. Informants thought a Chinese "shop guarantee" was sufficient. Amongst the guaranteed free are:

• DR. MALTHRN ((spelling?)), an American.
• HILL, a British subject. ((There were several people with this surname - I'm not sure who it refers to.))

DEATHS:

CRESSAL - Puisne Judge, died early Apr. 43.

BANKERS:

QUIE had lunch every Monday with STREATFIELD and MARTIN (of Belgian Bank). The bankers say their work could have been finished six months ago and will be finished shortly when they expect to go to STANLEY.

Formerly anyone could enter the Bank and talk to whom they pleased. Now - since GRAYBURN's imprisonment - names and addresses must be left at the door.

INDIANS: Indian P. W. are worst treated. A former Indian police Reservist, DIN, now an Inspector with Office in Ice House Street, sent a message by QUIE to say Indians were at heart loyal but might be misunderstood for working for the Japanese.

MILITARY:

On MARINA PARADE GROUND alsongside K.C.Railway beside CHATHAM ROAD, KOWLOON, are stocked drums of oil.

Japanese troops train a lot here and on former KOWLOON CRICKET CLUB Ground COX's PATH, KOWLOON, especially at night when bayonet practice, etc. is also done.

On STONECUTTERS, there has been some building. Japanese style roofs can be seen and W/T masts have been erected.

Naval H.Q. are in Hongkong Club.

Convoys appear to sail weekly and consist of about 8 ships of 2/3,000 tons accompanied by two or more destroyers.

Hospital Ships come in about twice weekly and are laden down NOT with wounded. This is a standing joke amongst the populace.

ADMINISTRATION: OZORIO says he has seen Chinese tortured with the water treatment at former 2/14 Punjab Officers' Mess in Cameron Road (leading into CHATHAM ROAD) Kowloon.

MACAO:

The British Consul - REEVES - is said to have forbidden foreigners to escape from MACAO. 

He pays Macao $125 monthly to foreigners and Macao $90 monthly to locals.

H.B.W. 28 Apr 43.

((The following document describes the events leading to the Japanese arresting a BAAG agent working in Hong Kong.))

Attached to RD/28 d/19.5.43.

MOST SECRET

AN ACCOUNT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ARREST OF 60.

60, 61, and 63 have been for some time trying to arrange for the escape of Capt Ansari from MATAUCHUNG CAMP. Helping them in this enterprise was another man YEUNG TAK YI, not previously heard of at A. H. Q., YEUNG was born in PENANG and was formally a schoolmaster at QUEEN'S COLLEGE, HONG KONG.

In order to further this plan, 60 attended on 12 April 43 and meeting of the Indian Independence league. There he asked several of his acquaintances which Indian was ANSARI. It seems that several people pointed out to him a certain Indian with a moustache, and 60 made up his mind that this was ANSARI. After the meeting was over, 60 accosted this man in the street, addressing him as "LIEUT. ANSARI". The man allowed himself to be drawn into conversation and did not deny that that was his name; the two had tea together in a cafe. When they parted, 60 had asked him to tea the following day in his own house, and was still under the impression that he was ANSARI. The man had accepted the invitation and had asked whether he might bring a close friend of his; to this 60 had agreed and had arranged to meet the 2 Indians at the PEAK TRAM STATION.

On the following day-13 April 43-the moustached Indian and one other Indian arrived at the PEAK TRAM STATION as arranged; 61 and 63 watched their approach to see that they were not followed or accompanied by detectives. There appeared to be no deception, so 60 went forward, met them and took them to his house for tea. Others present were: 61, 63, YEUNG TAK YEE. A distant relative of 60's called A. HING acted as a servant at the tea party and 60's wife saw all the guests, though she did not sit at the tea.

YEUNG and 61 were suspicious before the party about the identity of the moustached Indian whom 60 had met because his description did not tally with that of CAPTAIN ANSARI, especially in that his English was not as good as that of ANSARI was reputed to be. During the tea party, the moustached Indian was asked directly whether or not he was in fact ANSARI. He at once admitted that he was not and explained the deception by saying that he had long been waiting for a chance to escape from HONG KONG and could not resist seizing this opportunity when it offered. He went on to say that if 60 etc wanted to arrange for ANSARI's escape, then he and his friend were the ones best placed to help. He said that he and the other Indian were both working in the I.N.A. H.Q. And could through I.N.A. influence arrange at any time for ANSARI to be brought out of the camp. It may here be recorded that A.H.Q. are now reasonably satisfied that the 2 Indians are:-

1. L/NK MOM'D SABAR (moustached), 2/14 PUNJAB REGIMENT

2. L/NK MOM'D IQBAL, 1st HONG KONG REGT., H.K.S.R.A.

It was arranged that some plan on the following lines should be put into operation: the two Indians should bring ANSARI out from the camp, and 60 and his friends should arrange for all three of them to be brought to Free China. SABAR and IQBAL agreed to this, but objected that ANSARI would probably not be prepared to trust them. They therefore asked 60 what means he had previously used to contact ANSARI. 60 revealed to them that it had been done through an Indian named MASTER, also a prisoner in MATAUCHUNG CAMP. MASTER is not actually known to A.H.Q. but it is thought that he is an ex-volunteer, probably local Indian, and it is known that his wife is free and had taken 60's message into the camp; it is thought that she had also been sending messages to ANSARI for 97, but independently. It was finally agreed that SABAR and IQBAL should first of all bring MASTER out of the, and that 60 should see him in person and convince him that they were to be trusted. MASTER was then to go back into the camp and inform ANSARI of what was afoot. After that ANSARI was to be brought out at the first opportunity and everyone was to leave at once for China.

As soon as the Indians had left, there was an altercation between 60 and 61 who said that 60 had been most incautious in the whole matter, and that in particular it had wrong to mention MASTER's name. 60 finally agreed that MASTER and got in touch with the 2 Indians again and told them that the plan had been changed-they were not to bring MASTER out of the camp, but were to wait for favourable conditions and bring out ANSARI himself. In the meantime 60 would do his best to get in touch with ANSARI by other means and warn him to expect some action.

63 was at once sent to A.H.Q.where he arrived on 17 April 43. He brought a brief report from 60s saying that definite headway had been made, and 63 himself gave verbal information that the general plan was to make use of two Indians from the I.N.A.office who had promised to help by bringing ANSARI out of the camp and to come out themselves to Free China with ANSARI. But neither 60's written report nor 63's verbal report contained any information about the mistaken identification of the moustached Indian or about the negotiations which had led up to the plan being formed. 63 is not necessarily to blame for this as he knows no English, and since the conversation at the tea-party was carried on in English he himself was not clear about what had happened. 63 did however explain that 60 was waiting for a letter from ANSARI before taking any action, that a letter was expected at any moment, and that as soon as it arrived 61 would be sent up to A.H.Q.to report. He never actually did so.

There are arrived at A.H.Q., at the same time as 63, a report from 19 to the effect that he had made contact with ANSARI through NARANJAN SINGH, an Indian doing guard duty for the Japanese, and was hoping to make arrangements soon for his escape.

Reply was sent to 60 as follows: "good work; hope all is going well. Be quite certain that plan is good before you act. Am ordering close cooperation between all agents." At the same time a message was sent to 19 ordering him to cooperate with 60 and enclosing a note for ANSARI warning him that he might expect action through either of two channels. 63 left A.H.Q.on 19 April 43.

What happened later is not so clear; it is known that neither of the A.H.Q.vestiges reached 60 or 19, but 19 was nevertheless informed (by 25) to some extent of the progress made by 60. 19 certainly knew of the "mistaken identity" episode, and 19 did not approach 60 or suggest cooperation. It is thought that he considered 60's plan rather rash.

On 21 April 43 at about 13:00 hours YEUNG TAK YI took some rice to 60's house and found the house occupied by gendarmes who questioned him closely about his business. The rice provided a pretext and he was allowed to go but was unable at the time to find out what had happened. He got in touch with 63 at once. 63 had already been to 60's house that morning – having just returned to HONG KONG from A.H.Q.– had seen from the street that something unusual had happened, and had not entered the house at all. Both YEUNG and 63 made all efforts to find out what had happened, 63 through an ex-soldier (R.A.) named TO of the LOK TIN TEI Gambling Den, SHAMSHUIPO (this man knew 60, 61, 63 and YEUNG and probably had a shrewd idea of what they were doing) and YEUNG through the friends and relations of 60. By the evening of 21 April 43 the following information was already known to 63 and YEUNG through TO: 60's house was raided at 03:00 hours on 21 April 43 and 60, 61, 60's wife and A. HING were arrested. They were kept under arrest in their own house until about 17:00 hours and meantime a thorough search of the house was carried out. The gendarmes questioned everybody about a man named Lee whom they wanted to arrest. At about 17:00 hours the whole party was taken to the CENTRAL POLICE STATION. As Lee was the false name used by 63 at the tea-party, YEUNG and 63 at once assumed that the raid was the result of information given by the two Indians.

At about midday on 22 April 43 message was received by YEUNG from 60's wife who had been released on the previous night soon after the prisoners arrived at CENTRAL POLICE STATION. This message corroborated the information already received but added that 63's real name was now known to the gendarmes who were searching for him and for a man named YEUNG. YEUNG drew from this the inference that A.HING had probably told the Japanese all he knew, and he at once moved to another house. He arranged for his servant to watch the house where he usually lived, and he received news the same evening that Japanese police agents were watching the house; so he decided to leave HONG KONG at once. He left on the morning of 23 April 43, having looked in vain for 63, and arrived at A.H.Q.on 25 April 43. He was identified by 62 and gave all the information he had. He is still at A.H.Q.and arrangements have been made to support his family in HONG KONG for the time being.

In the meantime 63 had been expecting a call from 25 on 21 April 43. By the morning of 22 April 43 he had still heard nothing from him, so he went to look for him. He was told by a relation of 25's in a SHAMSHUIPO shop that 25 had been arrested in his aunt's house on the 21 April 43. 63 at once went to 75 at Y and reported all he knew. Shortly after his arrival at Y an incoherent report was received through the Gs. To the effect 63 had been arrested and tortured and that he had given away information leading to the arrest of 25 at shop Z together with "two fokies". This is clearly quite false as 63 has never been arrested at all and is safe in Free China. According to orders given to 25 on 7 April 43 he was to cease going to shop Z and the Z collecting work was to be carried out without the shop being used. As far as is known at A.H.Q. 25 had carried out these instructions. 63 was proposing to return to HONG KONG to try to find out the real facts when 62 arrived at Y from A.H.Q. 52 had already seen YEUNG TAK YI on the road and knew that 63's real name was known to the Japanese. 63 rightly decided that he could not return to Hong Kong and at once proceeded to A.H.Q., where he still is. Arrangements have been made to support his family and that of 60 in HONG KONG for the time being.

On 29 April 43, 19's father and other members of his family arrived at A.H.Q.and reported that 19 was arrested in the house where they all lived on the morning of 21 April 43 at about 06:30 hours. The whole house was searched – without anything incriminating being found – and 19 was told that he would be held on a charge of having undesirable associations. It is known that 97 also has been detained (this was learned through YEUNG, who had it from 60's brother JIMMY) but it is not known on what charge or when the arrest occurred. It is believed that 97 has for some considerable time past been in touch with the prisoners in the Indian camp (MATAUCHUNG CAMP) through MASTER's wife. It is most unlikely that 97 was arrested through 19 as the real contact for 97 was 98. 98 went to 19's house on the afternoon of 21 April after 19 had been taken away by the Japanese; he was warned by 19's father, destroyed his reports and got away without doing anything to cause suspicion to be aroused and without being questioned.

A later report from the Guerillas has now been received to the effect that Shop Z was raided at 08:00 hours on 21 April 43. None of importance was caught and no incriminating documents were found. 99's family who lived there were arrested but all except 99's brother have already been set free. 99 himself was at A.H.Q. at the time and his successor at post Z was not in the shop when the raid took place. As 99's successor does not receive his instructions direct from us, it is not known whether he was in fact using the shop at the time of the arrests. The Guerillas were officially informed on about 10 April 43 that we intended to close the shop.

As soon as 60's arrest was reported to A.H.Q. orders were sent to 47 to try to investigate the matter. Reply has now been received from 47; he reports that many people have been arrested including "British and Portuguese". Some Indian traitors, he says pretended that they wish to escape and got full details from Chinese who were willing to help which they at once reported to the Japanese authorities under ENDO. Several Indian P.O.Ws in MATAUCHUNG Camp, including Captain ANSARI and a local Indian Volunteer, have been arrested. Many Chinese have been detained including some peasants from the New Territories who were connected with some escape route. 47 stresses that this affair is "not of gendarmerie but of Indian Independence League" and he lays the chief blame on HAKIM KHAN.

He gives the names of several men who have, he says, acted as informers, including that of MOM'D IQBAL and says he can probably supply fuller details later.

NOTE: the information contained in the above report is drawn from the following sources: 63, YEUNG TAK YI, 19's family, Guerilla Intelligence, 99 and 47. The report summarises all information available on 6 May 43. Every effort is being made to get fuller information as soon as possible.

((The above text was originally attached to BAAG document RS/28. In the AWM collection its file number is 11/32/130 - 11/32/134. A copy is filed in the Elizabeth Ride Collection here in Hong Kong under the date 19th May 1943.))

MOST SECRET   Sheet 3.
SECTION I
(d)
HONG KONG.  KWIZ/03 d/20/6/43.
REPORT NO.3.

Source: Mrs A. ELVIDGE.
Date: 15 Jun 43.
Grade: C.2.

Informant is the Chinese wife of a ship's Captain employed by S.T.WILLIAMSON. She left HONG KONG with her son aged 15 on 5 May 43, and came out by overland route through WAI CHOW.

She frequently sent parcels into friends in STANLEY; each person is now only allowed to send two (2) parcels per month; one is allowed to send in 3 lbs of potatoes per person.

The following are copies of three cards used by internees in acknowledging parcels from friends in HONG KONG. Copies made of the cards are attached.

One was written on the 17 Feb 43 and not received till 14 Apr 43; another on 1 Feb 43 and received on 12 Feb 43, and the third on the 10 Feb 43 and delivered on the 11 Mar 43.

(i) "Mrs A.ELDRIDGE (British)
10 YEE WO STREET
TOP FLOOR,
HONG KONG.

From:-
G.B.WITCHELL (MRS)
CIVILIAN INTERNMENT CAMP.
STANLEY. BLOCK 2. ROOM 5.
(British)

On the reverse side of card:-

"17.2.43.

"Dear MRS ELVIDGE.
VERY MANY THANKS FOR YOUR GREATLY APPRECIATED PARCEL AND CARD.
WE ARE GLAD TO HEAR YOU AND SUNNY ARE WELL AND HOPE YOU HEAR FROM MR ELVIDGE SOON.
WE THREE ARE KEEPING WELL.
WITH BEST WISHES AND KINDEST REGARDS
GEORGE, DOLLY
& NORAH WITCHELL."

(ii) "TO
MRS A ELVIDGE (British)
9 YEE WOO STREET, TOP FLOOR
CAUSEWAY BAY
HONG KONG.

FROM:
G.B.AND A.WITCHELL (British)
CIVILIAN INTERNMENT CAMP
BLOCK 2.ROOM 5.
STANLEY "

On the reverse side of card:-

"1-2-43.
"YOUR CARD AND PARCEL RECEIVED GREATLY APPRECIATED. TRUST YOU HAVE HAD NEWS OF YOUR HUSBAND AND THAT YOU ARE WELL.
KINDEST REGARDS AND BEST WISHES.
GEORGE AND DOLLY WITCHELL."

(iii) Written in pencil:-

"MRS A ELVIDGE (Chinese)
9 YEE WOO STREET
TOP FLOOR
CAUSEWAY BAY
HONG KONG."

On the reverse side of card:-

"R.MURRAY (BRITISH)
BUNGALOW "A"
CIVILIAN INTERNMENT CAMP
STANLEY
10.2.43.

"DEAR MRS ELVIDGE,
VERY MANY THANKS FOR THE PARCEL. IT WAS VERY KIND OF YOU AND I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL.
I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT I AM KEEPING WELL.
WITH ALL GOOD WISHES
YOURS SINCERELY,
(signed) R.M.MURRAY."

On the 19 Apr 43, she received a note from S.T.WILLIAMSON from STANLEY to the effect that he and all his late staff were well. This refers to:-

T.RAMSAY
R.MURRAY
MRS.E.MARTIN. ((I'm not sure if this refers to Mrs E G Martin, or Mrs E M Martin))
G.WITCHELL, wife and daughter.

Some months ago informant decided to leave HONG KONG in order to go to India to meet her husband. She thought that there might be some difficulty over medical certificates and so she obtained one from Dr P.S.SELWYN-CLARKE, of which the following is a copy:-

"Dear Mrs Elvidge, in accordance with your request, I have to inform you that the tests which have been carried out including the Sigma reaction on your serum shows that you are free from infectious disease of any kind.

Yours sincerely,
P.S.SELWYN-CLARKE.
19.iv.43."