"
48
Report by Samuel K. Szete, Acting Corps Superintendent, The St. John Ambulance
Brigade, Hong Kong, during the Japanese Invasion.
7th December 26th Decembor, 1942.
I. The first Air-Raid began at 8.a.m. on the morning of December 8th. All members reported to their nearost posts and I had a hard time in the allocation of personnel. My first few days were spent without any meals, a cup of coffee now and again with toast takon in order to keep going, and old members reporting with their Certificates and wanting to do their bit. The Acting Commissioner urged to accept all and sundry irrespective of tho Certificates held, as with 21 posts to fully man there would be room for all in some capacity or other.
*
2. The first three days were very busy on the Mainland, especially the Heep Yun First Aid Post and Marylmoll Convent First Aid Post, but enough time had been gained to have those post fully organised and equipped and everyono was ready when called upon to do their bit.
3. On the Island extremely fine work was performed at the Contral Market First Aid Post, in Wanchai, and at the Fung Keung factory &
Casualties were very heavy and the boys showed great gallantry, rendering first-aid inspite of continuous bombing and shelling, and thanking the Supervisor and Training Officer ( Dr. John Edward Dovey) for his good works.
4. I shall never forget the day when tho Fung Keung Factory was shelled and set ablazo causing about 1,000 wounded and killed on the spot. I was down thore attending to cases under the continuous fire from the Japanese. The factory finally exploded and The St. John mon wore thus kept more busy than ever, and of course there were not nearly enough of us present to deal with the casualtios. My uniform was torn and sonkod with blood. Later, Dr. Shaw of the Health Department, who was an oye witness of the work which we did evidently sorted me out as a type of the character of tho Ambulanco men for I was reported to the Honorable Director of Medical Servicos with these words" His bravery was an example to all and he saved many lives".
5. On Christmas night, all persamel from all posts were instructed to report at King's College First Aid Post, I was with the Director of Medical Scrvices Dr. Selwyn-Clarke and I went with him a last trip round the Island posts. Then we had dinner at the American Club with Doctor and Mrs. Valentine and after that we just had to wait for it.
6. On the afternoon of December 26th the Japanese arrived.
7. Through unimaginable difficultios and hardships I managed to get away with my family on May the 28th. I had nothing in my pocket but I escaped with my family of eight including two kid brothers of school age, and a widow mother of 52.
8. I carried in my pocket this Certificate received from Dr. Selwyn-Clarke:-
" Mr. S.K.Szeto, Corps Superintendent in the St. John Ambulance Brigade, A non military organisation designed to assist in the prevention of suffering and in the relief of distress, has boon known to me personally for four years.
I became particularly acquainted with him during the very difficult conditions which prevailed in Hong Kong in December, 1941. At this time, I was impressed with his courage, his high sense of public service, his organicing ability, his control of men and his complete dependability. It would be only fair to say that he was responsible in considerable measure for keeping up the moral of the stretohor boarers and nurses giving first aid and succour to the wounded. His bravery was an example to all, and saved many lives. It is with a foeling of very real regret that I learn that he is returning to his native village and I shall lose a good and loyal friend when he leavos Hong Kong".
(sa) P.S.Selwyn-Clarke
J
Formerly Director of Medi Hong Kong Medical Departme
Services,
3rd May 1942,