54344/40(2)/45.
Colonial Office,
Downing Street,
S.W.1.
1st September, 1945.
12
26
Deur Symmott,
You know the position of Gimson, the Colonial Secretary in Hong Kong and the signals that were sent to hear Admiral Harcourt about him, and the Admiral's references to him in recent signals to you.
Considering that he arrived in Hong Kong on the day before war started there on promotion to be Colonial Secretary, and has been in the hands of the Japs since Christmas Day 1941, he has shown admirable initiative in taking up the cudgels until Rear Admiral Harcourt assured the military administration. Gimson cannot be in a particularly robust state of health and should obviously be sont home for a rest as soon as possible. It may be that Admiral Harcourt would wish to keep him in Hong Kong until Brigadier McDougall and his Civil Affairs staff arrive it is for
Admiral Harcourt to decide on that point, having regard to Gimson's state of health. Subject to his freedom of discretion in that respect we should be grateful if you could send Admiral Harcourt a signal to say that the Secretary of State for the Colonies would be grateful if Gimson could come to the United Kingdom for leave and consultation with him as soon as he can be relieved of his present duties in Hong Kong.
We feel that a signal of this sort is necessary because personal knowledge of Gimson is such as to lead us to believe that he would not be inclined to leave Hong Kong, whatever his condition, unless he had specific
.N.N. SYMMOTT, ESQ.
instruction