Scriven's escape

REPORT ON THE ESCAPE FROM SHAM SHUI PRISON CAMP BY:

Capt. R. D. SCRIVEN, I.M.S.
A/Capt. A. G. HEWITT, MIDDX REGT.
P/O E. D. CROSSLEY, R.N.Z.A.F.

The members of this party included a Cantonese speaker (Scriven) and one very familiar with the New Territories (Hewitt).

The plans were first discussed in mid January and it was hoped to obtain a Junk and go direct to SAYUCHENG, but outside contacts failed. On the 1st January it was learned that a Sampan was coming to the slipway to sell food that night and the party awaited it from 0100 hours 2nd Feb.

The sampan was fired on by sentries coming to the slipway but took us aboard and was fired on again but landed us on the shore. The CASTLE PEAK ROAD was crossed, GOLDEN HILL climbed and the day 2nd Feb. spent in hiding between GOLDEN HILL and SHINGMUN. The night 2/3rd was spent making a detour behind SHATIN and the day 3rd Feb. in the hills 3 miles North of SHATIN. Late afternoon 3rd Feb. the party met friendly villagers who guided it to the hills above TAIPO. At dusk another villager was met who suggested various arrangements and left the party to wait for him above TAIPO; this man did not return. At 0300 hrs 4th Feb the party was attacked by robbers numbering about eight. A fight ensued during which Hewitt suffered two severe head wounds and had a tendon of his right thumb severed; the robbers were driven off. On the evening 4th Feb. were fed and cared for by villagers in WOR YIU (one mile west of TAIPO) and guided to a path round TAIPO. The FANLING ROAD was crossed and the party headed for BIRD’S PASS. At 0230 hrs 5th Feb. the party was attacked by about 70 villagers one and a half miles south of BIRD’S PASS; all three men badly beaten and robbed of money, watches and personal possessions.

The food, compass and map escaped. At dawn 5th Feb. BIRD’S PASS was crossed and the day spent resting north of this point. During the late afternoon the party resumed its march. Crossed FANLING, SHATAUKOK ROAD hear KWANTI and left the NEW TERRITORIES by crossing the SHUMCHUN RIVER, north east of TAKAULING. Early morning 6th Feb. the party resumed with the object of heading for SHAWAN; they were stopped by a Kowloon Chinese who knew HEWITT slightly. Telling us that the Japanese were in occupation of the surrounding towns he arranged for us to go to the village of TAI KANG. The headman LEE CHAN KONG fed us, gave us money and had us conducted during the night 6/7th through the Japanese lines to the KOWLOON -CANTON RAILWAY 8 miles north of SHUMCHUN. Here the party was taken in charge by the PO ON Guerillas and taken to a camp in the PO KUT area. It was learned that the WAICHOW district was impassable and the party remained for seven days; the time was employed in intensive training and lecturing to recruit guerillas by the members of the party.

(See previous account of PASSMORE, FAIRCLOUGH and WEDDERBURN).

On the afternoon 13th Feb. the party now six in number set off with guides towards PINGSHAN but owing to a late start and bad weather had to retrace its steps after crossing the Railway and spent the following night in the PO KUT area.

On the 14th a fresh start was made and from that time until afternoon 18th Feb the party marched via PINGSHAN - west of TAMSHUI - TAMSHUI - WAICHOW road. During the march the party was guided throughout by guerillas and all food and incidental expenses were also met by them. On the afternoon. 18th Feb. the first unit of the regular Chinese Army was contacted 20 miles south of WAICHOW; by this time the general shape of the members of the party was not good, nearly all having suffered from diarrhoea (Crossley particularly badly) and Fairclough's feet being badly damaged by the rough going. On the 19th Feb. the party was conducted by troops to WAICHOW, Fairclough being carried by stretcher. From here the party was providied for by the KWANTUNG PROVIDENT RELIEF