Yesterday (5th August 2013) 68 years since the photograph was taken on 28th August 1945 (which was recently posted in http://www.mansell.com), comparing with old family photos I and family members formally identified HKVDC # 4732 Private John Bernard Patrick Byrne – aka Barney – Irish Prisoner of the Japanese – at Yoshima POW Camp Sendai 2B – is seated bottom row – far right.
In May 1943 Barney was transported from Shamshuipo POW Camp on board the hell-ship Naura Maru to Japan to work as a slave labourer in the Yoshima / Iwake coalmines.
The full story is at http://nialljoreilly.com/2012/12/07/john-bernard-patrick-byrne-barney/
Comments
Thanks for this. There's a
Thanks for this. There's a brief mention of Mr Byrne here
http://www.claritaxbooks.com/2012/11/war-taxation-hong-kong-1940-41-2/
He was one of the few men who joined the Volunteers after the attack had begun when fighting was certain, and either capture or death highly likely and the letter you published doesn't show one glimpse of regret or self-pity. What a remarkable man.
Photo of HKVDC # 4732 Private John Bernard Patrick Byrne – aka B
Hi Brian
The family relationship notwithstanding, I wholeheartedly agree woth you that this is a remarkablle story of an Irishman who not only chose to defend Hong Kong, when he didnt have to, but who also left a last legacy to this day (even though he suddenly died in Hong Kong at the age of 43 in 1956) in the form of JBPB & Co which now operates as a subsidiary of BDO Limited in Hong Kong and was formerly known as Grant Thornton Hong Kong).
I am intrigued by your comment "...He was one of the few men who joined the Volunteers after the attack had begun when fighting was certain... "
Barney's diary mentions at the outbreak of war"“… the Japs start dive bombing and machine gunning the half a mile down the road. Out of bath – into uniform and I was sitting behind my machine gun within two hours..” which would imply that Barney was already in HKVDC and knew exactly where his battle station was located before the attack.
Could you elaborate on your comment. Are you referring to a particular source? Precise information is so hard to find, and it is great for me to read your comment.
All the best
Niall
Hi, Niall. Sorry - good
Hi, Niall.
Sorry - good example of how error is created by making assumptions and not checking sources. I was remembering that vivid picture of Barney in the bath nursing a bad hangover when the bombing started and because I knew that some of the Volunteers were called into position around 11 a.m. on the Sunday (e.g. Lindsay, Lasting Honour, 34) I assumed he wasn't at that time in the HKVDC. Obviously not all Volunteers were mobilised on the Sunday.
As you say, the essence of the story is that a remarkable man chose to fight when he could have stood aside - no doubt because he understood clearly the issues involved - and accepted the consequences over a four year period with great dignity, courage and balance.
BTW, do you know the book Jesuits Under Fire In The Siege of Hong Kong (Ryan, 1944)? It's one of the best accounts I know of the civilian experience during the hostilities and provides plenty of support for your contention as to the way in which many Irish people interpreted neutrality. As well as travelling around Kowloon and Hong Kong carrying out religious duties in conditions of great danger, the 27 Jesuits seem to have accepted non-combattant roles of assistance to the Government whenever asked (e.g. working in the Billetting and Food Controls and answering a summons to go to Queen Mary Hospital to help 'step up morale' amongst the frightened staff).