Hi, Does anyone know about the fall of Hong Kong, please? My grandmother's cousin, Lt. Harry Hodge Scott (Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps) was wounded and one of the last to surrender (I believe on Christmas Day 1941). He then spent the rest of the war in a Japanese POW camp (on one of the islands there). He was a well qualified marine engineer. They were liberated by the Australian Army and he lived beside Sydney Harbour until his death in 1948. Any info much appreciated. Gordon
Lt Harry Hodge Scott is listed on Hong Kong War Diary as being in HK Engineer Company and hospitalised (reason not known) on 22/12/41. If you haven't come across the site it is: Hong Kong War Diary Depending on what information other Forum members come up with I would consider contacting Tony Banham who is an expert on Hong Kong and very helpful (email on Home page). For an overview of the Battle of Hong Kong have a look at Hope this helps you get going. Tim
Hi Gordon There's an account of the defence of Hong Kong (an unofficial one as you'll see) in the War Diary of the 2nd Bn The Royal Scots, who were one of the infantry battalions there at the time. There's a number of mentions of the HKVDC, which might shed some light. The transcribed diary is at: Royal Scots - KOSB / War Diaries (1940-1945) Adam
There is a regimental website for the unit as well: History of The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) which may be of some use. The name it went by changed a number of times, being known as the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps from 1920 to just after the war.
Episode 258-The Battle of Hong Kong by WWIIPodcast | Jul 25, 2019 https://worldwariipodcast.net/2019/07/25/episode-258-the-battle-of-hong-kong/ 21mins - "Show notes - London had decided that Hong Kong was to be sacrificed to the Japanese, but after Canada offered up two battalions, Churchill reversed this decision. Now, the hope was that the British Colony would hold out behind the Gin Drinker's Line, manned by Canadians, Indians and the men from a Hong Kong Chinese Regiment. Still, the odds were going to be 4 to 1." Nb there are a number of other similar episodes after this one i.e. in this "Fall of Hong Kong" series, up to Episode 264 - also dealing with Hong Kong, but linking to them is, I think, a little tricky as things seem to get shifted down to accommodate new(er) content etc. Episode 264-Black Christmas: The Fall of Hong Kong by WWIIPodcast | Sep 16, 2019 https://worldwariipodcast.net/2019/09/16/episode-264-black-christmas-the-fall-of-hong-kong/ 30mins - "Show notes - Broken by overwhelming numbers, Gen. Maltby and Gov. Young surrender the cause of Hong Kong. But in some ways, the battle over the island is just beginning, as Chinese Communists and Nationalists come together to harass the occupiers of China and Hong Kong. Then comes the tragic tale of the Lisbon Maru, full of Commonwealth POWs, sunk by an American sub." All-WW2-podcasts (with scroll-down) etc. https://worldwariipodcast.net/all-podcasts/