Here's the second half of the summer update:
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A book I've been waiting for impatiently is finally available: Barbara Anslow's wartime diaries are now available in print, under the title Tin Hats and Rice. Barbara had just had her 23rd birthday when the Japanese attacked Hong Kong in 1941. Her diary follows her through the battle & surrender, the long internment, and the eventual liberation in 1945. Barbara has added comments throughout the book, explaining any events and descriptions that might not make immediate sense to modern-day readers. She has also added material from her mother's and sister's accounts of the events, and rounded it off with an index of all the people mentioned. Tin Hats and Rice will be invaluable reading for anyone who had a family member imprisoned by the Japanese, or who wants to learn more about Hong Kong's wartime history. More information: |
Other news
- I've been asked if there will be a second volume of the Gwulo book: Yes! I've worked on it over the summer, and will send the draft out for editing in a week or so. I'm aiming to have it printed and ready for sale by late November.
- Another resource for the history of the Royal / Hong Kong Police
- Remembering the 1960s water shortage
- Videos from inside the old Air Raid Shelter tunnels
- Tuen Mun comparison: 1992 vs 2017
- F O Eustace at Lower Richmond Road
- Derek has confirmed the location of the "1911 Gunners at West Battery" photo I posted last year, with a very detailed photo of the area.
- Looking for more information & photos of Queen's Road Central & Bonham Strand in the 1920s
- Does anyone remember the location of Garway Villas? Somewhere along Castle Peak Road in the 1960s & 70s.
- Film Footage of Sophie Weill and Harry O'Dell Family Hong Kong
- The end of the Comet Tanks in Hong Kong
- Looking for a colour print or painting of either the First or Second Opium Wars
- How did Discovery Bay get its name?
- Lady with Sir Robert Hotung confirmed as Ms Gwilliam
- Tymon has found a better map to identify old military locations from their grid references
- An interesting discussion about the development of Wanchai Road in the early 20th Century
- Where was John Thomson's (1837-1921) photographic studio location in present day Hong Kong?
- A history of Comet tank 20ZR65
- Kwok Siu Lau's original Comprador Agreement
- Tito Xavier's riding school opposite the PG Farm
- Alison & Andrew Gerrard are kindly sharing the wartime diary of Andrew's great-uncle, George Gerrard, who was interned at Stanley.
- And a few notes from our summer in the UK. It started well, when I found that the Gwulo book is available to buy at the Chung Hwa bookshop in the Hong Kong airport. Handy to know if you're heading overseas and need to pick up a last-minute gift! Then a few historic sites I enjoyed in the UK this visit:
- I went to the RAF Museum for the first time, easily accessibly by Tube in London. Loads of planes of course, and plenty of interesting displays too.
- Down in Wales we went for a second visit to the Chapel Bay Fort. We enjoyed last year's visit but it poured with rain, so we went back to enjoy another visit in the sunshine. The volunteers really know their stuff, and the guided tour is first class. There are lots more forts from around that time in Pembrokeshire, and they share many similarities with Hong Kong's coastal defences. The only other one that is open to the public is the fort on St Catherine's island at Tenby. We visited it for the first time this year, as it has been closed for many years. Not so much to see as Chapel Bay, but still worth a visit, and the volunteers there give a good talk about the fort's history.
- Finally, up in the borders I enjoyed a visit to Jedburgh, spending time at the Abbey and the Castle & Jail museum. I especially enjoyed the audio guide in the Abbey, it is very well done.
Photos
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