Lance Corporal Les
Lance Corporal Les went out of the camp and returned with a 26 ounce
bottle of Johnny Walker Red Lable. He got a little table, about a foot
square, and a small stool. He carefully spread a small white cloth over the
table, and put the bottle and a glass on it. Then he sat down and poured
himself a drink, He didn't get up until he had polished off the whole bottle.
Then he got up and went out again.
When he came back he had a huge bottle of (and I'm not certain of the
name) samshui.It is a sort of wine, and it has a horrible taste.He sat down
again and poured a glass of it.He took one sip and toppled off the stool.
We carried him in to his bunk where he spent the rest of the day sleeping
it off
The Return of the Prince
Before many days, the HMCS Prince Robert, the same ship that had
escorted us to Hong Kong in 1941, docked again in Kowloon. Our first
contact with home was a visit from one of the officers from the ship.
Lance Corporal Les went out of the camp and returned with a 26 ounce
bottle of Johnny Walker Red Lable. He got a little table, about a foot
square, and a small stool. He carefully spread a small white cloth over the
table, and put the bottle and a glass on it. Then he sat down and poured
himself a drink, He didn't get up until he had polished off the whole bottle.
Then he got up and went out again.
When he came back he had a huge bottle of (and I'm not certain of the
name) samshui.It is a sort of wine, and it has a horrible taste.He sat down
again and poured a glass of it.He took one sip and toppled off the stool.
We carried him in to his bunk where he spent the rest of the day sleeping
it off
The Return of the Prince
Before many days, the HMCS Prince Robert, the same ship that had
escorted us to Hong Kong in 1941, docked again in Kowloon. Our first
contact with home was a visit from one of the officers from the ship.
This now famous picture appears in almost every book that was written
by or about Hong Kong POWs.It shows the Canadian officer handing out
cartons of good Canadian cigarettes to us at the main gate at ShamShuiPo.
If you look carefully you'll see a forlorn figure walking along at the upper
right corner. That is yours truly, uncertain about what was about to take
place, and not anxious to be seen in an emaciated state by the folks back
home.
I said afterwards that nobody would see a picture of my skinny frame.I
can identify most of the men in that picture, having lived in close quarters
with them for almost four years.
I'll name them here, and I think I am right,but no doubt there will be
differences of opinion. If so, I would appreciate hearing about it if you
don't agree.
From left to right, in a general order they are, to the best of my
recollection: Unknown, Henry Lyons, Dr. Grey, unknown, Raymond
Quirion, Bob Olscamp, Col. Jack Price, George Everett, unknown,Jim
MacLean, Louis Gignac, Canadian officer, unknown, Quentin Mulrooney,
Roman Chapados, Ken Chesser, John Hoosha, Jim Cook, George
Sands, Rfm Dimes, Graydon Heath, and of course, myself, upper right
corner.
I am reminded of what one of our fellows, a farm boy, originally, said
about being released. He said, "I feel just like a calf that has been penned
up all winter, and when the door is opened in the spring, the calf will put
out one foot cautiously, then withdraw it, then try again until he is sure that
it will be all right to go out!"
Major "B" had lived in comparative luxury, just inside the prison camp
gate. He was believed by all of us to have been a collaborator with the
Japanese. He was hauled unceremoniously from his hut and propelled by
the seat of his pants down the main street, dumped into a latrine and
locked in.
We lined up along the road and applauded his progress.I have heard that
on his return to his homeland he was tried for his behaviour in the prison
camp, and his contribution to the distress and discomfort, if not the death
of some of his fellow prisoners. He was dismissed and released. None of
us who lived through those years in ShamShuiPo wish him any kind of
good fortune.
by or about Hong Kong POWs.It shows the Canadian officer handing out
cartons of good Canadian cigarettes to us at the main gate at ShamShuiPo.
If you look carefully you'll see a forlorn figure walking along at the upper
right corner. That is yours truly, uncertain about what was about to take
place, and not anxious to be seen in an emaciated state by the folks back
home.
I said afterwards that nobody would see a picture of my skinny frame.I
can identify most of the men in that picture, having lived in close quarters
with them for almost four years.
I'll name them here, and I think I am right,but no doubt there will be
differences of opinion. If so, I would appreciate hearing about it if you
don't agree.
From left to right, in a general order they are, to the best of my
recollection: Unknown, Henry Lyons, Dr. Grey, unknown, Raymond
Quirion, Bob Olscamp, Col. Jack Price, George Everett, unknown,Jim
MacLean, Louis Gignac, Canadian officer, unknown, Quentin Mulrooney,
Roman Chapados, Ken Chesser, John Hoosha, Jim Cook, George
Sands, Rfm Dimes, Graydon Heath, and of course, myself, upper right
corner.
I am reminded of what one of our fellows, a farm boy, originally, said
about being released. He said, "I feel just like a calf that has been penned
up all winter, and when the door is opened in the spring, the calf will put
out one foot cautiously, then withdraw it, then try again until he is sure that
it will be all right to go out!"
Major "B" had lived in comparative luxury, just inside the prison camp
gate. He was believed by all of us to have been a collaborator with the
Japanese. He was hauled unceremoniously from his hut and propelled by
the seat of his pants down the main street, dumped into a latrine and
locked in.
We lined up along the road and applauded his progress.I have heard that
on his return to his homeland he was tried for his behaviour in the prison
camp, and his contribution to the distress and discomfort, if not the death
of some of his fellow prisoners. He was dismissed and released. None of
us who lived through those years in ShamShuiPo wish him any kind of
good fortune.