The Escape of the 2nd MTB Flotilla

D M MacDougall 1904 - 1991

Mr. D. M. MacDougall, Cadet Officer, was seconded to the Colonial Office from 1st February, 1937.

David MacDougall of the Ministry of information, Hong Kong escaped from Aberdeen in HMS Cornflower's motor launch under heavy machine gun and mortar fire before joining up with the 2nd MTB Flotilla on the South West of Ap Lei Chau Island.

Some of David's personal letters to his wife Catherine from his time in Hong Kong, including his experience escaping in HMS Cornflower's launch from Aberdeen are held at the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford.

In 1944 he was appointed head of the Hong Kong Planning Unit within the the authority of the Colonial Office. The unit was eventually incorporated into the armed forces as civil affairs staff, and MacDougall given the rank of Brigadier. Thus began a game of political chess with the Americans and Chinese for the restoration of British Sovereignty in Hong Kong as the prize.

He returned as Brigadier Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong 1945 - 1949, and was acting Governor from May 1947 - 25 Jul 1947

Brigadier David MacDougall arrived back in Hong Kong on 7th September 1945 and witnessed the surrender to Admiral Harcourt in Government House on the 16th September.  Harcourt was head of the military administration with MacDougall looking after the civil admin. MacDougall was responsible to Harcourt ‘on matters which the Admiralty’ or War Office had an interest and to ‘the Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to other matters’. Even for affairs in the latter category, MacDougall had to report through Harcourt and the Admiralty as Harcourt was given the right ‘to make such comment on such communication’ as he saw fit on grounds of military consideration. Harcourt gave support to MacDougall, which enabled him to focus his limited resources dealing with Hong Kong’s urgent needs. He quickly restored the administration in Hong Kong to a level of efficiency that made it the most shining example of all the territories liberated from the Japanese.

Among his staff were Lt-Colonel Owen-Hughes & Lt-Colonel Arthur Pittendrigh of the great escape on Christmas Day 1941 He focussed on the immediate needs of the Colony, feeding the local population and maintaining stability. Two months in and he still only had 18% of the required administrative staff required. He was a doer, and believed in getting on with the job and informing London afterwards, this kept bureaucracy down to a minimum and kept the momentum going. He inspired all who worked with him to take initiatives and responsibilities in finding practical solutions to problems they encountered. Many who served in the eight month military administration stayed on in Government and declared it was one of the most rewarding times in their Colonial administrative careers.

 

The Gloucester Building where David MacDougall had his office at the time of the escape.

 

 

 

 

David MacDougall during the escape

 

Photos from Admiral Chan Chak's & ILN collections ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo from the Ted Ross collection ©

 

Back: Supt Bill Robinson I.P., W. O. William M Wright HKRNVR, Capt Peter Macmillan R.A.,Capt Reginold Guest 1st Mdsx, Coxswain Yeung Chuen CN, Ted Ross B.M.I.

2nd: David MacDougall B.M.I., Admiral Chan Chak CN, Major Arthur Goring Probyns Horse, Sq-Ldr Max Oxford RAF.

1st: Holgar Christiansen MN, Lt-Cmdr Henry Heng Hsu CN.

 

 

Admiral Chan Chak and David MacDougall were treated by Dr So for their bullet wounds while the party rested at the American run Wai On hospital mission complex by the river in Waichow.

 

 

 

Photo from the MacDougall family collection ©

 

 

 

David MacDougall socialising with the Chan & Hsu families in Hong Kong 1969

 

 

 

 

 

General Chiang, David MacDougall, Commander Hugh Montague RN, General Yu Han Mow, Admiral Chan Chak, Lt-Colonal Owen H Hughes, and General Wong at Kukong [Shaoguan] 6th January 1942.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"David retired from the Colonial Service and farmed in Suffolk until the late 1960s. Latterly he divided his time between East Anglia and Scotland, and died in Strathtay, very close to his home town of Perth, in May 1991 at the age of 86.”