31 Jul 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Birth of Elizabeth Mary Fyffe.

Almost from the start the bankers at the Sun Wah Hotel have been raising money to provide relief for Stanley and Shamshuipo and for Allied nationals still in Hong Kong. At first they've been getting Indian and Chinese customers to agree to divert some of their funds for this purpose, but they realise that, although quite large sums are involved, still more is needed. Today HKSBC chief Sir Vandeleur Grayburn gets a message to the British Embassy at  Chungking through a British Army Aid Group agent asking for the honouring of financial instruments (Rupee and Sterling drafts on paper dated 23/12/41) that they're selling secretly to raise the extra funds. After a period of confusion - the authorities in London are aware that the bankers are now working under 'duress' and not all their financial transactions should be accepted - the Rupee and Sterling drafts are honoured.

Sources:

Birth: China Mail, September 15, 1945, page 3

Bankers: Frank King, History of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Volume 3, 613-614