19 Sep 1943, Eric MacNider's wartime diary
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Submitted by Grace on Wed, 2014-11-05 14:04
Book / Document:
Date(s) of events described:
Sun, 19 Sep 1943
To Mr. & Mrs. E. Himsworth, a son (Brook)
Farewell to Fr. Murphy and 4 sisters of I.C. ((Probably Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, ie Roman Catholic nuns. Thanks to Barbara Anslow for providing their names as listed in Greg Leck's book Captives of the Empire:
- Sr. St. Philippe (formerly Annette Beaudoin)
- Sr. Marie de Georges (formerly Corinne Crevier)
- Sr. St. Antoine de Padoue (formerly Yvonne Forest)
- Sr. St. Etienne (formerly Aurore Plouffe)
))
Comments
A list of Canadians NOT
A list of Canadians NOT wishing to take part in a future repatriation was drawn up in July/August 1942 and included 9 French-Canadian sisters. Perhaps the other five stayed by this decision while four changed their minds or were instructed to return?
Their names are:
Josepehine Boldue
Anna Bourbeau
Yvonne Gerin (sic - but maybe Guerin?)
Germain Gonthier (?)
Jeanne Moquin
Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
In the Good Hope School 1954-2004 Year Book, it recalls the MIC Sisters first arrival in HK in 1927. Some or all of the Sisters named here were likely founders/teachers of the first school in 1954.
re: A list of Canadians NOT
Hi Brian,
Thanks for the extra names. Please do you also know their "Sister ..." titles?
Regards, David
Germaine Gonthier
She was also known as Sister St. Stanilas de Kostka. I know her quite well as she sposored me at my Second Holy Communion at Easter 1942 in Stanley Camp, presided by Canadian Bishop .
She had missioned to Hong Kong in 1933. She did not return to Canada but instead elected to go to Canton in December 17, 1942. Sister St. Stanislas passed away in Canton on September 3,1945, a victim of T.B.
I am in touch with the Order's Archivist in Quebec, Sister Huguette Turcotte, MIC.
re: Germaine Gonthier
Thanks Bob, I've made a page for her at: http://gwulo.com/node/28900
Regards, David
Sorry, I have no more
Sorry, I have no more information. But interesting to learn about Germaine Gonthier and the 'China group,' and hopefully more will emerge.
Another thing I noticed on the lists of Canadians seeking/not seeking repatriation: Anne Costello (wife of George of the CPR) who Bob Taztz has told us about before is not on themost comprehensive list of would-be repatriates I could find (October 29, 1942) but her husband George is. I found some discussion of 'special cases' but not of hers - if she was or had claimed to be Irish I guess that some attempt would have been made to get her back to Canada. To me that looks like she chose to stay
Yvonne Gerin
A bit of googling found details of this lady:
http://gwulo.com/node/28982
Mrs. Costello
I only have a limited memory of Mrs. Costello residing in the Canossian Convent as a refugee in 1942. I knew her husband was connected with shipping and I had a few conversations with her about a career in the navy. Maybe I was inspired by her as eventually I did join the navy as a young man.
I remember well how she gently chided me once for being too serious for a young boy 10 years old, not realizing my circumstances. I knew she meant well that's why I was drawn towards her.