Alex 25th December 1941Joyce Osmund Van LangenbergChristmas 1941 was one of the greyest and grimmest in Hong Kong’s history, distinctly lacking the flavour and frivolity of Christmases past. Streets and pavements were devoid of last minute shoppers as the spirit of Christmas dwindled to a dim memory now that the battle in Gin Drinkers Line, […]
Bela Vista – Recollections of a Wartime Childhood Raquel de Carvalho Remedios First published in UMA Bulletin Spring 2013; reproduced here with links to people’s personal pages and with the addition of a photo from Escola Particular Idália da Luz It was Monday morning, December 8, 1941 and our amah, Ah Say, was trying her
From Macau through China to India and Burma Hong Kong Portuguese in the Chindits Anne Ozorio February 2003When Hong Kong refugees poured out of Hong Kong after its occupation by the Japanese in December 1941, many were destitute. In Macau those who could claim any kind of British connection were supported by the British Consul,
Colonel who took a secret to the grave The South China Morning Post HongKong by Jason Wordie, Sunday October 3 1999 The death last Sunday of Colonel Henrique Alberto de Barros Botelho at the age of 93 removes a major player in a long and significant part of Hong Kong’s history – the once prominent
Colonel Who Took a Secret to the Grave Read More »
One man’s covert war mission changed Hong Kong historyIn August 1945 Roger Lobo – later a Hong Kong lawmaker – carried from Macau official confirmation war was over, allowing Britain to re-establish its rule and forestall a Chinese takeoverJason Wordie, SCMP 22/8/2015 Sir Roger Lobo (left) with retiring director of health Dr Thong Kah-Eong, in
Escape from Shamshuipo Camp January 1942 by Joyce Osmund Van Langenberg “Shit!” swore aloud. “What kind of crap place is this?” He gazed in disgust at the devastation around him. In peacetime Shamshuipo Barracks provided amenable accommodation for thousands of men particularly from The 1st Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment. More comfortable than most barracks, it was
Escape from Shamshuipo Camp Read More »
Experiences at Shamshuipo & Sendai Camps Cicero RozarioPreviously published in Voz de Macaenses de Vancouver in November, 2001 and in two issues of the Bulletin of Lusitano Club of California. The permission of the Lusitano Club to reproduce these articles is gratefully acknowledged. Drawings by Cicero Rozario and A V Skvorzov, Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force Editorial
Experiences of Frank Correa and Hetty Van Langenberg during World War II. FOREWORD It seems appropriate to mark our son Anthony’s fortieth Birthday with this document which relates to his father’s experiences during the turbulent years of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in the Second World War. We all recall Frank often reminiscing about
Lt Augusto Xavier USMC A Hero’s Tale Retold Pinky da Silva Lt Augusto (Gussie) Xavier USMC lost his life in Vietnam in March 1966 leading a flight of four A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers while assisting a beleaguered US Special Forces (“Green Berets”) base camp. He was awarded the Silver Star medal for exceptional leadership and gallantry
Hero’s Tale Retold Read More »
Hetty’s Storyby Joyce Osmund Van Langenberg Hetty had always been an early riser, a routine that stemmed from her convent days as a schoolgirl. She drew back the curtains to let in the morning light and the window reflection of a Flame of the Forest tree in the garden that from February to April proliferated in