Dorothy Victoria FERRIER (née HOLLOWAY) [1921-1997]

Dorothy was one of pre-war Govt. stenographers (like me) who worked in the ((Stanley)) camp hospital office throughout internment - with my sister Olive and I, Norah Witchell (who was later murdered in Malaya), and Winifred Rossini.

Hi Barbara

My grandmother is Dorothy Ferrier (nee Holloway). I would love to hear anythng about her during the time that you knew her. I never knew my grandfather, Jim Ferrier, as he passed away before i was born. They had two daughters and moved to Sydney, Australia. My mum is Cathy Ferrier. I would love to hear any stories about my grandparents and any photos that you may have. 

Kind regards
James 
 

Hi James,

We also have a page for Mr James Forsyth FERRIER (aka Jim) [1916-????] who was also in Stanley. Was he your grandfather by any chance?

Regards, David

Dear Barbara,

How wonderful to have come across you, a hidden treasure! Thanks to our son James who contacted you recently, having spent Easter in Hong Kong where he visited many places I'd mentioned of my childhood in HK  & then went a step further on the internet & opened up a cornucopia  on David's site with a wealth of photos, your  diaries, & Mike Cusson's amazing photos etc!! A feast of memories & history!

You mention my mother Dorothy quite alot in your diaries, so I gather you must have been good friends , along with my father James (Jim) Ferrier. I never knew he went to French classes in Stanley camp! My parents never spoke alot  about their times in Stanley but I do recall your name, along with George Watt (my godfather) & Ginger & a few others. My parents following repatriation to UK at the end of the war, returned to HK &  married  at St John's Cathedral in 1946 . I was born in 1947 & grew up  in HK until 1965 when I came to Australia , after A levels at KGV, and trained as a nurse at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. I have lived in Australia ever since , married an Englishman Philip Plowman  in 1971 , we have 3 children &  4 grandchildren. My father retired having become an Assistant Commissioner in HK Police, in his mid 50's to Sydney, but sadly died in 1975 aged 59yrs. Mum continued to live in Sydney till 1997 when she passed away at 75yrs. My sister Rosalyn was born in HK in 1955 & came to Australia with my parents when Dad retired to Sydney. My grandparents whom you would have known in Stanley were George Robert Holloway & Louisa Victoria Holloway, along with my aunt Mabel Emma Louisa Martin (Holloway), husband Albert Martin & their 2 sons John Martin 14yrs  & Peter Martin  11yrs when they went into Stanley. Peter lives in Sydney & John  deceased in 1993. Over our married life we've had frequent trips back to family & friends  in the UK & I only wish I had known of you before now!! We were  in UK in June last year!! I could ramble on but hope to hear from you in due course, and trust you are keeping well, you are an amazing lady. Kind regards Cathy Plowman (nee Ferrier)

Welcome to Gwulo, and thanks for all the information in your comment. I've added in links to the people you mention, and also made a page for you at https://gwulo.com/node/40776

Please add any other stories or photos that come to mind as you read the pages here.

You mentioned that your family didn't talk about their time in Stanley much. You might be interested in signing up for the free daily "Wartime Diary" email at https://gwulo.com/node/39539 Each day you'll receive today's diary entries from Barbara and others who were in Stanley. We're currently at 6th April 1942, and will continue right through til the end of 1945.

Finally, Barbara is delighted to see your comments. I've passed her your email addresses so she will be in touch soon.

Regards, David