4 Jan 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Today Hong Kong's 'European' civilians begin the journey that will lead to Stanley Camp.

The Japanese-run English language newspaper The Hong Kong News publishes a notice telling enemy civilians to assemble on the Murray Parade Ground tomorrow. Placards to this effect are also sent to the main residential areas and posted on the streets. But some people in outlying areas don't see the notice, while others choose to ignore it.

Up until today the civilians have been scattered all over the former colony: there's a substantial number at the Kowloon Hotel, some are in a camp at North Point, some in public edifices like the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Building or the Lane, Crawford Headquarters, while others are in some else's house. It's probably rare to find a family living on their own at their pre-war address. The concentration effect that has already moved them into larger groupings is about to get much stronger.

Sources:

Hong Kong News: Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 2007, 36

Notices posted: John Stericker, A Tear for the Dragon, 1958, 140.