Colin Mitchell MCEWAN [1916-1985]

Colin McEwan.PNG, by EMRide

“For 18 months this officer was in command of the BAAG forward post in the Samfou area and for about six of these months his post was isolated behind the enemy lines.  He was responsible for the escape and evasion and intelligence network in the large area from Hongkong east to Kwangchowwan including Hainan Island.

During this period, enemy advances twice compelled him to move his HQs and re-set his evasion lines; yet in spite of this Captain McEwan was able to rescue and pass through the enemy lines over 20 American airmen, some of whom were rescued from but a few miles from Hongkong.  In 1944 it was learned that some Allied POWs had escaped from a camp in Hainan Island, and were free in the jungle. Captain McEwan was given the job of making contact with these Dutch and Australian officers and effecting their rescue.  This meant passing through the strongly enemy-held Luichow Peninsula and penetrating right to the centre of the almost completely unknown Island of Hainan. Early in 1945 this was accomplished and a written communication was received from a Dutch officer giving all the names of the Dutch and Australian officers and information as to the P/W Camp.

Plans for their rescue [Operation Man Friday] were drawn up by Capt. McEwan and were already in operation and had passed the initial and most difficult stage when the whole operation had to be handed over to the Americans.

Under the difficult and primitive conditions prevailing in his area, Capt. McEwan’s achievements were outstanding and the high standard of service could only be maintained by careful planning and continual preparedness for any eventuality.”  (signed) L T Ride, Colonel.

Passenger lists  Southampton to Hong Kong  1947, 1951 and 1956

Colin Mitchell McEwan born 20 April 1916 school teacher

Elizabeth Munton Kennedy McEwan born 29 September 1916

Elizabeth Jane McEwan born 21 July 1948

Catherine Alison McEwan born 24 April 1950

Rachel McEwan born 20 January 1952

Address in UK 27 Marchmont Road Ayr Scotland

Death

I believe that McEwan was the SOE agent from whom Captain “Potato” Jones, (O.C. A Coy 2 Royal Scots), was waiting to receive a report just before the Japanese attacked his position on the Shing Mun Redoubt on the night of 9 Dec 1941. Jones had just finished receiving the report of his alleged recce patrol of the Shing Mun Valley from 2/Lt Thomson, and he instructed the latter to remain in the Command Post as he wanted Thomson to hear what McEwan had to say.

Also, I understand that it was to McEwan whom R E Jones handed his diary many years after the war, which David Bellis is serialising on this website on a daily basis.

Thanks to Alison for sharing her father's wartime diary with us. It is online at https://gwulo.com/node/45104