Admiral Chan Chak CN / Flag Lt-Cdr Henry Hsu CN / Cmdr Montague RN / Cmdr Gandy RN / Sq-Ldr Oxford / Maj Goring / Capt Guest / Capt Macmillan /
The 2nd MTB Flotilla on the Road Across China
On the road to freedom
Stoker Petty officer Charly Moore of MTB 27 looking pretty whacked. On the right is Bones Arnold and Buddy Hide with his hand on Guerrilla leader Leung Wing Yuen's shoulder. Lofty Gurd of MTB 09 is on the left hanging out of the back of the ambulance in the top right picture along with Bill Schillemore, & John Pawley.
The padded jackets were obtained by Lt- Colonel Harry Owen-Hughes at Lung Chun. Harry Owen-Hughes was the British Liaison officer to the Chinese army. The party later swapped the jackets with an incoming detachment of Australian Marines Admiral Chan Chak CN and the senior Royal Navy Officer Cmdr Hugh Montague RN being feted by Chinese Army Officers during their epic escape from Hong Kong.
Bottom right is 37 year old David MacDougall who was shot in the back while getting away on HMS Cornflower's launch in Aberdeen South. David MacDougall returned as Brigadier Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong 1945 - 1949. He was acting Governor from May 1947 - 25 July 1947
Note the Chinese favours visible on some escapees lapels in the two top pictures.
This page was found by my younger brother in The War Illustrated No 126 dated April 17 1942. in the 60s while he was at school, he did not know his father's connection until he brought it home. These photos were also featured in The Illustrated London News 21st March 1942
If you recognize any members of the escape party, or have any information on the escape please let me know via the Webmaster Thank You
This is my Father's [Acting Petty Officer Stoker Buddy Hide's] Chinese Favour proclaiming:
Chung/Loyal
Yung/Brave
Sat/Kill
Dik/Enemy
Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©
Given to each member of the escape party at KuKong while escaping through Japanese occupied China.
This is a direct translation given to me by Admiral Chan Chak's son Donald.
Click here to see the Waichow Group Photo taken on 30th December 1941
Click here to see the Kweiyang Group Photo taken on 24th January 1942
Click here for Photo's of the escape party wearing their Chinese favours
Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
