24 May 1943, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Submitted by brian edgar on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 23:20

The banker D. C. Edmondston is arrested, probably because of his contacts with Consul Reeves in Macao.

 

The Gendarmes go to Wah Yan College and at about 6.30 a.m. arrest Canadian (claiming Irish nationality) Thomas Monaghan for his role in organising escapes.

Jesuit Father Bourke is in the Wah Yan College chapel during morning prayers when he sees six Gendarmes, looking 'tense and grim' arrive. One is left on guard while the others go upstairs. Half an hour later Bourke watches Mongahan being led to the prison van - he smiles as he passes, and that's the last Bourke will ever see of him.

Then two of the Jesuits themselves - Father Patrick Joy and Father Gerard Casey - are taken a little later on less serious charges.

 

Mr. Hattori, Chief of Foreign Affairs, visits Stanley and says that repatriation of women, children and the sick will take place in the summer.

Source

Edmondston: Affidavit of Kathleen Helen Edmondston, reported in the China Mail, April 9, 1947, page 2

Wah Yan arrests: Hong Kong Public Records Office, HKMS100-1-6, 'Steering Neutral In Troubled Waters', typescript by Father Bourke

Hattori: Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 1973, 68.

Note: Bourke gives April 24 as the day of the arrests. However, after studying sources in the National Archive of Canada I believe that the correct date is today and that the three were arrested, like Edmondston, because of their contacts with the British Embasy in Macao.

 

Date(s) of events described