Brief résumé, personal history of Frederick Charles Oppen.
I was born in Purley, Surrey on the 29th. June, 1906, educated at King's College School, Wimbledon and the Nautical College, Pangbourne, Berkshire.
I joined the Royal Naval Reserve but resigned some years later as I found it difficult to schedule naval training with my other work.
I was an officer with the Blue Funnel Line until joining the Chinese Maritime Customs Service in 1933.
on annual leave in the United Kingdom in September 1939 when war broke out and took a naval training course. However, in the meantime, I was advised by the Non-Resident Secretary of the Chinese Maritime Customs, 26 Old Queen Street, London SW 1, that I should return to my duties in China with the Chinese Maritime Customs. In this connection, I was given to understand that this was the wish of the British Government. At that time, the Japanese had seized the Inspectorate General of the Chinese Maritime Customs (which, amongst other things, guaranteed the repayment of large British loans to China), in Shanghai and were filling all vacancies with Japanese nationals.
I was appointed to the Kowloon (Hongkong) district and was eventually taken prisoner by the Japanese.
Meanwhile in August 1940, in Hongkong, I had married Hermena Jean Phemister, a Canadian subject. She was one of the women who stayed in Hongkong carrying out essential duties, and was also taken prisoner.
We were returned to Canada in December 1943 as a result of an exchange of prisoners.
F.C, &ppen
F. C. Oppen. 20th.
March 1991.