David LOIE (aka LUI Fook-wing / BAAG codename "M.S." / 雷福榮) [1906-1943]

Submitted by Admin on Thu, 03/20/2014 - 22:03
Names
Given
David
Family
Loie
Alias / nickname
LUI Fook-wing / BAAG codename "M.S." / 雷福榮
Sex
Male
Status
Deceased
Born
Date
(Day & Month are approximate.)
Birthplace (town, state)
Greymouth, Westland
Birthplace (country)
New Zealand
Died
Date
(Day & Month are approximate.)
Connections: This person is ...

Photos that show this Person

Comments

From the entry for David Loie in the BAAG Personnel Register, Ride Collection.

Nationality British (New Zealand-born Chinese), born New Zealand date unknown, Analytical chemist, BAAG September 42 - October 43.

“Loie was employed in the Government Laboratories in Hongkong and during hostilities was a member of the Hongkong Police Reserve.  After the surrender he was compelled to continue his work in the Government Laboratories, but at the same time, he organised a group of workers from amongst the Police reserve and immediately offered their services to the BAAG.  Having access to all the work in his department, he was able to pass on most accurate and valuable information concerning the economic position of the Japanese in Hongkong.  In 1943, his group was betrayed and he was arrested, tortured unmercifully and executed.  While alive, his work was of the utmost value and the whole scheme was organised and planned by him, and his conduct in prison proved him to be a man of most outstanding courage and loyalty.”  (signed) L T Ride, Colonel.  1945.

Wife: Lau Tak Oi, executed 29th September 1943.

David Loie was second in command of the Chinese Company of the Police Reserve and is mentioned in the Reserve's history and for his work with the BAAG. For Gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the King's Police Medal.

Source: History of the Police Reserve by Mr. T. O. Ts'o, Senior Supt., Police Reserve in The Hong Kong Police Magazine, March 1952, Vol. 2 No. 1. See  here

I have seen a photo of David Loie’s mother with his King’s Police Medal for Gallantry, which as Moddsey correctly points out was awarded posthumously.

I can’t recall where I have seen it; George Wright-Nooth’s “Prisoner of the Turnipheads” springs to mind. It would make sense for his mother to have received it, given that David’s next-of-kin (his wife) was later executed by the Japanese.

Having dug out my copy of “Turnipheads,” I find I was correct! G W-N does indeed include a photo in the book of David’s mother actually wearing his K.P.M.

G W-N also mentions how David committed suicide whilst undergoing Japanese interrogation, by throwing himself off the balcony of the Supreme Court building.