1 Sep 1945, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Submitted by brian edgar on Sat, 05/25/2013 - 17:19

James O'Toole in Shamshuipo goes to see Joan Whiteley at Kowloon's Central British School, where the staff and patients of Bowen Road Hospital were transferred between April 9 and April 12, 1945. Ms. Whiteley was presumably one of the Queen Alexandra nurses who moved from Stanley to the hospital at the CBS following Matron Dyson's letter to Colonel Bowie - see entry for August 18, 1945

 

Admiral Cecil Harcourt issues Proclamation No. 1 'to establish a military administration'. Subject to any regulations enacted by the new authorities, 'All laws existing immediately prior to the Japanese occupation will be respected and administered.' 'Rights and property' acquired under the Japanese will stay in place for the moment, but are subject to later investigation. Proclamaton  No. 2, also issued today appoints Franklin Gimson Lieutenant Governor, who, subject to Harcourt's instructions, is told 'to set up and administer a civil government in the Colony.'

However, although the British Government appreciates Gimson's work during and after the war, they know he is tired and badly in need of a rest. Besides, David MacDougall, who has helped create British policy at the Hong Kong Planning Unit, is on his way to take charge of Civil Affairs in the Military Administration. London, aware of the huge debt owed to Gimson, will now try to manoeuvre him out of the colony as tactfully as possible. And his eventual reward will be the Governorship of Singapore.

Sources:

O'Toole visit: http://www.far-eastern-heroes.org.uk/James_OToole/html/dairy_1945.htm

Transfer to CBS: Donald Bowie, Captive Surgeon in Hong Kong, 1975, 247

Date(s) of events described

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