L) Indications of the End

Indications of the End

It was a surprise to internees to learn, after the relief of Hong Kong, that the British and American combatant authorities expected the war to last into 1946. Judging from the remarks about their difficulties let fall by the Japanese officials, and reading between the lines of their propaganda newspaper, we came, early in 1945, to the conclusion that peace could not be far distant. This impression was confirmed at the end of May when we were told that the supply of the newspaper would cease forthwith. Fortunately Chinese newspapers continued to come in as wrappings of goods, and some of us drew a fine dividend from Chinese language studies.

The great majority of internees had no contacts with the Japanese. Sporadic face-slappings and beatings-up occurred, but the worst incidents were: The execution of several, it is believed in connection with the alleged possession of wireless sets, though the Japanese refused to divulge particulars of the charges; and the doing to death by slow starvation of the Hong Kong Bank’s Chief Manager (Sir Vandeleur Grayburn), and the Hong Kong Office Manager (Mr D C Edmonston), apparently for refusal to collaborate in currency matters. The Japanese were so reckless as to deliver the bodies of these two gentlemen to the camp for burial, so that medical reports on their shockingly emaciated condition are available.  Permission to send in to the gaol, where these prisoners were incarcerated, the vitamin preparations, which would probably have saved their lives, was refused.