William LEE [1916- ] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

William LEE [1916- ]

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Submitted by emride on Thu, 2015-02-26 19:50
Names
Given: 
William
Family: 
Lee
Sex: 
Male
Status: 
Unknown
Birth
Date: 
1916-02-01
Birthplace (country): 
Hong Kong
Tags: 
BAAG
police
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Submitted by Lawrence Tsui on Fri, 2015-02-27 00:07.

William Lee was a clerk at the RN Dockyard pre-War.  He was one of Group M consisting mainly of Police Reservists led by David Loie (M.S.).  Later, William worked at the BAAG Security Office during the War.  He became a Police Inspector Post-War.  He was awarded the King's Commnedation.

Submitted by emride on Sat, 2015-02-28 16:16.

Nationality Chinese-British subject, born 1.2.16 in Hongkong, Clerk in Naval Dockyard, BAAG 1.8.43 - 31.10.45.

“This man was previously employed in the RN Dockyard in Hongkong, and after hostilities, escaped to Free China and there offered his services to the BAAG.  After a period of valuable service in the forward areas, he was promoted to a more responsible post in the Security Section.  During the enemy advance on Kweilin when the area was being penetrated by enemy plain clothes operators, Lee performed most oustanding work in forming and training counter-espionage agent groups. Later he was responsible for training certain counter-espionage groups which did excellent work in both Canton and Hongkong. His is a record of long, loyal and outstanding service in the Allied cause.”

(signed) L T Ride, Colonel.

John Luff ´The Hidden Years´:  

“There was William Lee of the Special Branch of the Hongkong Police who joined BAAG in 1943. He uncovered a fantastic Japanese plot to infiltrate a fifth column of Australian Chinese into Australia.” ...

"When William Lee was probing occupied Hongkong for traitors who were betraying BAAG agents, Lee gained Wong’s confidence and then asked Wong if he could find him a job with the Japanese.  Wong replied, “Before you can get a job with them, you have to know some Japanese friends”.  “Did you know any?” Lee asked.  “Yes” replied Wong, “six months before hostilities began, I supplied them with information.” William Lee then expressed fear as to what might happen to them if, after working for the Japanese, the British returned.  Wong was affable: “Look Willie, if you think the British will ever return to Hongkong, forget it. They will never come back.”  After some persuasion, Wong took Lee along to the Kebetai (Garrison Police) HQ in Grampian road, where Wong reported to his masters recommending William Lee for employment. But Lee had completed his task and was off with the necessary information."