Margaret Elizabeth JAY [1900-1992] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Margaret Elizabeth JAY [1900-1992]

Names
Given: 
Margaret Elizabeth
Family: 
Jay
Sex: 
Female
Status: 
Deceased
Birth
Date: 
1900-11-29
Birthplace (country): 
Death
Date: 
c.1992-12-31 (Month, Day are approximate)

Philip Cracknell wrote these notes on the Stanley Camp list:

I came across a rather rare book or maybe booklet would be more apt titled "Memories of a Japanese Internment Camp" written by Margaret Elizabeth Jay and printed by Tyndale Press, Lowestoft.

In December 1941 she had come to Hong Kong by air for a week's holiday from teaching in a missionary school in Kunming, Yunnan. She chose the wrong week as it was the week the Japanese invaded. She volunteered as a nurse during the first week at Kowloon Hospital. In Camp she became friendly with a Polish girl Lucille Eichenbaum and their accommodation was an open verandah on one of the bungalows. Although often flooded ou they were re-accommodated until after the Americans left. She taught children in the Stanley Camp School (no desks, no seats, sitting on the floor in groups) during the mornings 8:30am to 11:30 am.

[...]

I know there was reference to their accommodation in Gwen Dew's book "Prisoner of the Japs".

She was repatriated on Glengyle and was taken there from Camp on a minesweeper. This took her to Colombo from where she took passage to Southampton (22 Oct 1945) on SS Maloja.

She returned to teaching in Yunnan in 1947.

Photos that show this person

1930

Comments

Margaret E Jay was my father's teacher. I have her booklet you referenced. There is more about her in another book called "China Call" by Leonard G. Bolton. We visited with her in her home in Bournemout,h in 1987. Thank you for mentioning her.

Passenger List London UK to New York 1946

Margaret Elizabeth Jay single teacher 46  born Castle Hedingham Essex. Accompanied by nieces Elsie and Irene Bolton  Visiting friends and relatives Mr and Mrs J Hubbard in California then on to Hong Kong final destination China Kunming .Passport Issued London 1946. Previous visit to USA 1936 Pennsylvania and Cailfornia.

Birth registered Halstead Essex Quarter 4 1900 as Maggie Elizabeth Jay.

1901 Census Maggie E Jay age 4 months living with parents in Castle Hedingham

1911 Census Maggie E Jay age 10 liiving with parents in Castle Hedingham