The Missing History of Hong Kong Police Between 1841-1941 | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

The Missing History of Hong Kong Police Between 1841-1941

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Submitted by damonau on Fri, 2010-08-20 10:04

I have been told that as a result of the invasion and occupation of Hong Kong during World War II, almost all original records and correspondence of the Hong Kong Police were lost.  Most people suspected that they were deliberately destroyed prior to and during the invasion, or being shipped to Japan.  I understand that there are micro-filmed records of the original Colonial Office correspondence from 1842 to 1952 available at the Central Library, which have recorded some pre-war history of the Force.  However, all these records were “re-created” after the War.  To assist my research, I wonder if anyone could provide information on how the documents were destroyed or where they are now.

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Submitted by David on Sat, 2010-08-21 15:13.

It's not something I know of immediately. Who have you tried contacting so far? Then we'll see if readers can suggest anyone else.

Submitted by damonau on Mon, 2010-08-23 10:45.

Thanks David.  I've talked to some history experts in the Force and that's the information they gave me.  I have not talked to anyone else.  I was thinking if the local war experts would know anything about it. 

Without any information available now, I am trying to find out first, how did the Japs took charged of the Police Headquarters (Hollywood Road) during the invasion.  What exactly happened at Police Headquarters during the occupation.  Did the Police Force evacuated the Buildings before the Japs arrived (they should have know that the Japs was coming).  If so, the records / documents could have been removed to somewhere. 

Grateful if any members here could help. 

Submitted by David on Mon, 2010-08-23 20:58.

That helps, thanks. A couple of suggestions:

  • The book "Prisoner of the turnip heads" by George Wright-Nooth. He was a policeman in Hong Kong during the fighting, and was interned in Stanley Camp. The book is his memoir of that time, so may help you.
  • The Stanley Camp group has many people interested in that time, and would be another good source.
  • Tony Banham is a local expert on WW2 HK. He's in the Stanley Camp group, but can also be contacted via his website.

Please let us know what you find.

Submitted by Mike Watson (not verified) on Wed, 2010-10-13 00:20.

Damon, I had the same experience almost thirty years ago while doing research for a book on the history of the HKP. It is true that most of the records relating to the HKP were lost/destroyed prior to the surrender to the Japanese on 25 December 1941.

 Police HQ at Central Police Station was bombed/shelled on 15 December and sustained a number of direct hits which resulted in three deaths and a number of serious injuries. The bombing was repeated on the following day, as a result of which it was decided to evacuate the building and the headquarters were moved to Gloucester Building, where they remained until the surrender. It is conjecture, but not unreasonable to suggest that some records would have been destroyed in the attack, while others might have been destroyed by police officers to prevent them falling into the hands of the Japanese, particularly documents of a classified nature held by Special Branch.

Some records were preserved and were held at the Public Records Office, including copies of annual reports by the Commissioner of Police, some of which make interesting reading and give an insight into police operations prior to WWII.

Mike Watson

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2010-11-04 23:21.

I have just read your question - you can find quite a detailed account of the police 1841-1898 in Austin kerrigan's PhD (University of Wales, Cardiff - may be accessible via interlibrary loan), and also my book on criminal Justic ein HK. The Police Museum has some uncatalogued material but your best bet is the Public Records Office.

Hope this is of help,

Carol Jones

Submitted by Sean Gannon (not verified) on Tue, 2011-01-04 05:04.

Hi Mike,

I am researching a PhD on the British Palestine Police services and am at the moment trying to establish how many members of the British Gendarmerie might have joined the HKP between 1923 and, say 1930. Do you know whether any HKP nominal rolls survive for this period in Kew?

Regards,

Sean