27 Jul 1945, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Noel Croucher's still not playing ball. He's brought in for questioning again, this time with Franklin Gimson.  Croucher's asked once more about the bomb's origin, and claims he can't read the markings; he asks Nomura ((see note)) to lend him his. When he does, he inspects the markings and declares that 'it must have been captured from the Americans'.

At this point, Gimson interrupts and says, 'Of course it's an American bomb, Croucher.'

The two men are required to sign a document stating this. As they leave the office, Gimson says to Croucher, 'What's the use of annoying these people? You only make it bad for everyone.'

Source:

Vaudine England, The Quest of Noel Croucher, 1989, 150

Note: In yesterday's entry I pointed out that George Wright-Nooth tells this story with 'Noma' for 'Nomura', which is probaby wrong. Vaudine England says that the 'General' (yesterday Colonel) involved was nicknamed 'the Fat Pig' - that was one of the names given to Colonel Tokunaga, who was head of all camps in Hong Kong, and my guess is that he was the man involved.

The stories were originally recorded by Croucher for John Luff, whose The Hidden Years (221-222) offers no further clues.