14 Jul 1943, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

14 Jul 1943, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Date(s) of events described: 
Wed, 14 Jul 1943

A notice apears in camp:

The Japanese Camp Authorities informed me to-day that 10 Dutch bankers (2 married couples and 6 single men) will arrive here from town on 16th July probably at 2 p.m.

These 10 persons must be accomodated in the Dutch part of our block and the Camp Authorities have ordered that the billeting and re-billeting in this block are to be affected in accordance with the scheme shown below. ((Missing))

Those of the inhabitants of this block who are required to move, must do so before 6 p.m. on 15th July 1943.

The Camp Authorities further informed me that, if the new accomodations do not offer sufficient space for all, furniture and personal effects, articles which are not strictly needed, should be packed in trunks and stored, If no storage-space is available in the block, same will be arranged for by the Authorities upon application.

STANLEY, 14th July 1943

Note:

This notice is signed by a 'European' whose name I can't make out (presumably the head of the relevant Block) and by 'A. Nakazawa' - or so it seems, but according to Geofrey Emerson his name was Chikanori, a former tailor's assistant (or in another account, shipping clerk), who served as one of the two Camp Superintendents between March 1942 and September 1943. He was a young man, probably in his twenties. He and his fellow Superintendent T. Yamashita, a former barber at the Hong Kong Hotel, were dog lovers who used to walk around camp with beautiful specimens. They seem to have done their best to treat the internees decently.