29 Oct 1945, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Worrying news for the former internees and POWs.

The China Mail headline reports that Macao is 'mobilising' and that a 'state of siege' exists after the occupation of a city centre hotel by armed (perhaps communist) troops. Portuguese Volunteers there are postponing their return to Hong Kong.

Yesterday, they learn from page 2, three mystery shots were fired in Kowloon, The second, perhaps from a high-powered rifle killed a Chinese man on a sampan in the harbour.

And two kempeitai officers have escaped from Shamshuipo.

Note: The next day's China Mail reported that the incident had been resolved amicably, and that two hotels had been taken over by armed soldiers (presumably Nationalist) who, after negotiations involving amongst other British Consul J. P. Reeves, surrendered their arms.

The End of Stanley

The China Mail of October 2 reported that the Camp would be closed in 'the next weeks'. Tweed Bay Hospital was closed on October 9, with 150 people still in residence. On October 19th the Reverend J. E. Sandbach supervised the transfer of the last batch of internees to a location in Kowloon. The Rev. Sandbach, assisted by retired sea captain 'Skip' Taylor, led a party responible for clearing up what, since January 21st, 1942, had been Stanley Civilian Internment Camp - the name was changed to the Military Internment Camp in 1944, but most people then and now continued to think of it as Stanley. Today Sandbach and Taylor, the only two of the party remaining, complete their task.

After everyone else has gone, the pair search the camp carefully, looking for people or objects left behind. Sandbach experiences a 'creepy feeling' walking round the once crowded precincts that now seem more like a morgue. When they've completed their search, they place everything they'd found in a single room in the Prison, and go to the camp gate, which Sandbach locks behind them.

The time is about ten o'clock in the morning.

 Sandbach  says a short prayer -  'Please, God, may this never happen again' - then turns to his companion: 'Come on, Skip, let's go'. They get in a jeep and drive away.

Sources:

Imperial War Museum Interview with J. E. Sandbach, Reel 8 - http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80004743;

Documents in the Hong Kong GRS