10 Nov 1943, John Charter's wartime journal

((The following entry was undated))

Since my last entry there has been very tragic news. Last Tuesday, 2nd Nov, our worst fears about the prisoners were confirmed, and, indeed, the news was much worse than our worst fears. At midday the following bulletin was issued:-

“The Japanese authorities have notified me that on Oct 19th, 1943, death sentence was passed on Messrs F.W. Bradley, F.I. Hall, H.S. Rees, W.R. Scott, J.A. Fraser, D.W. Waterton and C.F. Hyde. The sentence was carried out on 29th Oct 1943.

A sentence of 15 years imprisonment was passed on Messrs. William John Anderson, James Leslie Anderson and Frank Roberts and of ten years imprisonment on Mr David Charles Edmondston.

The sentences were imposed for acts contrary to the operation of Japanese Military Law and for fostering disturbance of the peace in Japanese occupied territory.

A detailed report will be forwarded to the Prisoners of War Bureau at Tokyo and the Bureau will acquaint the British Government through the proper channels.

Further details of the charges cannot be disclosed as such disclosures would be prejudicial to the Japanese interests.

No representations or any appeal will be entertained on behalf of the prisoners sentenced to imprisonment either from relatives of the prisoners or from the Camp Commandant.

No religious or communal gatherings to express sympathy with those executed will be permitted and the Japanese Authorities require that this prohibition shall be strictly observed.

The persons in charge of the internal administration of this camp will be held responsible, personally, under severe penalties, for the observance of this notice.

As Camp Commandant I direct that normal life of the camp should be continued.

(Signed) F.C. Gimson
Camp Commandant 2-11-43”

This was certainly a bitter pill for us to swallow and the whole camp was most distressed at the news and people felt very depressed.

I do not know if any of those executed had wives and families outside HK, but Mrs Hyde and Mrs Hall are in camp here. I have just looked up my brief description of the wedding of Eileen Bliss and Fred Hall that took place  not many months ago. Poor Eileen, she had two or three months of happiness in a small one roomed home, then three or four months of intense anxiety and hoping; and now she is an early widow. Her father is in camp, fortunately; her brother lies buried in one of the war graves in camp.

Mrs Hyde I hardly know. I was introduced to her when she came into the camp this spring at the same time as Lady Grayburn, Mrs Selwyn-Clarke and others, when their husbands were imprisoned. Hyde, who is another HK Bank man, was imprisoned from town and never stayed in the camp. Mrs Hyde’s small son is in camp and cheerfully tells people that “Daddy is working with Uncle Gray,” poor little chap. Mrs Edmondston is in camp and she, poor soul is in a very bad state, for she is convinced she will never see her husband alive again. I suppose one day we shall know what their crimes were.

On the day of the execution, people in one of the bungalows witnessed part of the proceedings. In addition to the seven British victims, there were 27 unfortunate Chinese as well (I described them earlier as Chinese coolies, thinking they were the burial squad). ((In fact all 34 had been convicted by the Japanese of being agents of the British Army Aid Group.)) These witnesses could see the prisoners blindfolded when their turn came and they were led forwarded to a spot, out of sight, and then came the report of a single shot. So they were evidently shot by revolver. They counted 27 shots, then there was an interval and then the last seven periodical shots. What an ordeal to stand and wait your turn. I only hope they were not forced to watch the other executions, as may quite possibly have been the case.

One or two bathers returning from the beach, passed the van which conveyed the British prisoners to the scene of execution, and as it passed a voice from the dark interior said “Goodbye” another “Cheerio” but they could see nothing and not knowing what it was about they made no reply.

No one knows about Dr Selwyn-Clarke. It is thought he is in confinement in Victoria (in town).

What must be the thoughts of Pennyfather-Evans and Whant who were released?

The following Sunday was All Souls Day, so though no memorial service to these men was possible, the character of the general memorial service was most fitting for the occasion.

Concurrently with the public announcement of the executions, the Japanese published the preliminaries of the first British evacuation which has been pending since last May. These details proved a great disappointment to many people too. The bulletin stated that a special committee from this camp were to select 700 people in the following categories (in order of priority):

• 1) All children whose parents were not in camp;
• 2) All sick people whose lives would be endangered by further residence in here; 
• 2b) All people of 70 years and over; 
• 3) Children up to 15 years of age and their mothers;
• 4) Women. 

After the first four categories had been selected, the remaining number required to make up the 700 would be chosen from amongst the women in camp at the discretion of the committee.

Gimson had proposed to the Japanese that the following constitute the committee: Dr Ashton, Dr Valentine, Mr B. Wyllie, Commander Jolly and Mr Gimson as Chairman. These names were approved by the Japanese and the committee has set about its unenviable task. Why Commander Jolly should have been chosen no one seems to know – he is the HK Harbourmaster – except that I believe Gimson thinks highly of him. Every one expressed satisfaction at Ben Wyllie’s inclusion as being the most impartial of men and one who would allow no favouritism to creep in. Now we await the list. Yvonne, the little wretch, is overjoyed at this list as there is very little chance now of her going – bless her! Still, I should feel happier if she could leave for I cannot see any chance of things improving here and every chance of them deteriorating.