Everything tagged: HKVDC

Photos tagged: HKVDC

1935
1935
1935

Pages tagged: HKVDC

Roberto Leo BARKUS [????-????]

Submitted by Admin on Mon, 10/09/2023 - 12:04

Mentioned in the Jurors Lists, 1938-41:

c   Barkus Roberto Leo Draughtsman H. K. & Whampoa Dock Co., Ld.   On premises

 And in the 1942 list of POWs:

Barkus R L HKVDC Lce/Corp. 4113

Lionel Arthur DABELSTEIN [1902-1982]

Submitted by Admin on Thu, 09/21/2023 - 11:20

He is mentioned in the 1940 Jurors List:

c   Dabelstein, Lionel Arthur Factory Manager, Organic Fertilizer Co., Ld. Fanling.

Then in the 1942 lists for POWs and wounded:

Harold Richard DARBY (aka Dick) [1919-1993]

Submitted by Alan Ho on Tue, 08/15/2023 - 10:56
  • In 1939 he enrolled with the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps (HKVDC), rising to the rank of sergeant, in charge of one of their two Bren guns.
  • as a prisoner of war on Christmas Day 1941 when Hong Kong fell, interned as a POW until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
  • was the Bishop of Sherwood — a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Southwell — from 1975 until 1988

 

Henrique Alberto de Barros BOTELHO (aka Colonel Botelho) [1906-1999]

Submitted by Alan Ho on Fri, 05/12/2023 - 11:47
  • Hong Kong-born Portuguese lawyer, civil servant and soldier, who was an honorary colonel of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force (predecessor of the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (Volunteers) ) from 1961 to 1968.
  • He also participated in the Battle of Hong Kong that broke out in December 1941. After Hong Kong fell, he became a prisoner of war until he was released after Hong Kong's liberation in 1945. 

Kenneth William FORROW [1916-2004]

Submitted by Alan Ho on Thu, 05/11/2023 - 12:17
  • Forrow joined the Volunteer Air Arm as a cadet pilot and trained to fly torpedo-bombers and amphibians. These aircraft were destroyed by the Japanese when they invaded Hong Kong on December 8, 1941. Later, he was assigned to a Volunteer rescue unit and continued to rescue civilians before being captured. He was eventually imprisoned in Sham Shui Po POW camp, where his mother was also interned in Stanley.
  • He helped the Hong Kong Football Club survive after WWII. His leadership rebuilt the club, which remains a thriving institution today.

Ferdinand Maria CASTRO (aka Sonny Castro) [1919-1985]

Submitted by Alan Ho on Tue, 05/09/2023 - 12:11
  • Around 230 Portuguese survivors were imprisoned in Hong Kong's Sham Shui Po Camp. Despite harsh conditions, the men entertained themselves with shows. Sonny Castro was known for his imitations of actresses like Carmen Miranda. He kept up the men's spirits by performing in many shows. One Canadian officer remembered Sonny as a "wow" of a girl and noted that the shows were wonderful for the morale of the whole camp.
  • If you want to learn about him, you can find more information on the following websites :

Leon WEILL (aka Leo) [1906-1944]

Submitted by Admin on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 13:34

Notes from annpake:

Leon Weill  born 15 January 1906 Hong Kong and died 27 April 1944 Shamshuipo POW Camp Husband of Vera father of Gerald and Bernard (Grave Stone Happy Valley Kong Kong) (Commonwealth War Graves shows death as 27 April 1945)

His entry in the 1942 list of POWs: