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Fueled at daybreak. We always made a point of fueling daily so that boats were always "topped up” at the beginning of a day, also did our fueling as early as possible so as to be completed before enemy aircraft were about. (Right through the war they only operated by day). At 0800 took over duties of Flotilla Duty M.T.B.

Remained alongside dock so as to be in touch with X.D.O. by telephone. Checked our orders re C.B.s all of which were to be destroyed except one special code and signal book.

Took all the rest ashore and burnt them.

Yesterday there was a tremendous battle on the Devil’s Peak Peninsula.  Twice in the afternoon we were asked to put down big concentrations of 6” How 9.2” guns on enemy advancing to the attack.  We beat them off and by evening were still holding our original line, but the General decided that the peninsula must be evacuated.  We got the guns across safely, but the lighters to take the mules were sunk and the entire lot, about 100, were lost.

The following day ((i.e. the 13th)) we were ordered by the Marine Department to scuttle our vessel alongside the dockyard wall, a task I had to do and which broke my heart to see such a fine vessel which had been home to me for 6 months lost in this ignominious way.

We were offered accommodation in the European Staff Quarters of the Dockyard Company on Stanley Terrace. 

Three surgical casualties were admitted on this day . 

Arrangements were made for Army casualties to be admitted as necessary . 

We hear rumours that the Mainland is being evacuated and that the Royal Scots, Middlesex Regt. and the Indian Regts. are fighting a rearguard action back to Kowloon. Other rumours are that looting and rioting by Chinese agitators is taking place in the city of Kowloon. Police have opened fire to stop the looting.

7.45 am   A perfectly quiet night – and so a lovely sleep. A bit stiff this morning but otherwise fine – now to my new office to organise it.

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In Hong Kong our advanced posts have been withdrawn, but Chinese are attacking the rear flank of the Japanese there.

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Hong Kong Outposts Retired

Japanese pressure on our advanced positions at Hong Kong has caused us to withdraw in the direction of Kowloon, but this movement is from our advanced positions only.

Chinese forces under the direct command of General Chiang Kai Shek are cutting off the Japanese from the rear and back in their attempts to take Hong Kong.

Very quiet this side of the Island. Prison routine as usual. Another 300 Pris’s discharged.

The position of the Chinese Army seems to be in doubt so what the Japs are doing over at Kowloon I cannot imagine. Digging in & bringing their guns up maybe.

These were fairly uneventful days except for a fair amount of shelling . During a lull the pharmacist and one sick berth attendant were leaning over a balcony behind the sick berth staff quarters when a shell burst immediately underneath the balcony supports . By good fortune , neither was hurt .

Diary not available from this date until 22nd January 1942. but the following written up from brief notes of that period when diary was recovered.

On 14th we got an urgent order to move 24,000 cartridges for 6 inch shells from Kennedy Magazine.  I heard that there were some 28,000 six inch shells stored in various magazines and at batteries, but the bulk of the cartridges were in the old Kennedy Magazine, which was in great danger now the Japanese had reached Kowloon, as it was in full view.

On Sunday 14th December there came an urgent message from General Maltby for the setting up of a fortress observation post on the north face of the Peak which could dominate the mainland.  Information regarding the movements of the enemy was vital and the post came under the direct control of General Maltby himself and his GSO1.

((Source - a dramatization of the history of the Hong Kong Volunteers, which was broadcast over Radio Hong Kong on 31st May 1954 as part of the HKVDC Centenary Celebrations))

From the 14th. December 1941 the camp was shelled daily usually in the afternoons and evenings resulting in 2 killed and 37 wounded. The two killed were buried by Inspector Trimble, Sanitary Department.

The assorted group we've been following around Kowloon are still in the Hing Wah.

It's Gaudete ('rejoice') Sunday, and Father Gallagher preaches a sermon on that theme to his fellow prisoners: 'Rejoice Always!' That's not easy:

The first four days we had nothing to eat, and made a broth out of gold fish, and gold fish water, that the children in the school had left behind them.

During the morning Mike and Tai having to go out to H.Q. I spent the time at Punjabi H.Q. I just returned from there to find a telephone call to report back to meet Tai who drove me up to the Middlesex H.Q. in Leighton Hill. (Mike O’Conner’s house) Evidently a ship lying off Taikoo Docks – M’sex area – had been boarded by an observation party of Japs. and, for some reason, never clearly defined, shell fire could not be brought to bear on it.

Church services had a more than normally solemn atmosphere. There were heavy artillery exchanges throughout the day. There were signs that services were breaking down, and anxiety was expressed about the water supply. Supply is rationed and people are urged to conserve. The scavenging service is failing, and garbage is piling up everywhere in the streets where ever-individualistic householders are dumping it. Much of the Island is without flush closets, and the bucket removal service is made impossible by shelling in daylight and black-out at night.

Fairly quiet forenoon. Went up at daylight.

Several alerts p.m. 9 planes bombed up behind Mount Kellett and 4 bombs later in [...] and market. Oil store fire got under control.

[Bevis sinking river steamers and block ships.] Went up at 5.45. News from Claire that Day and others OK at Kow. Hosp.

APVs shot up and rammed junks coming from Lamma.

Felt refreshed after several hours sleep.

Spend morning ascertaining damage — seems certain only bent prop and possibly shaft, however, can't do anything until No.11 comes off the slip. Most annoying a sheer waste of time.

Went up to the office and had tiffin in the school. Not very good - they don't seem keen to dish out too much food - why!? God only knows - the storeroom is crammed full of the stuff.