40.
19. 12. 41
55
Date. District.
17.
Aberdeen.
18.
19.
Aberdeen.
Aberdeen.
20.
Aberdeen.
21.
Aberdeen.
22.
Stanley.
23.
Aberdeen.
24.
Stanley.
25. Aberdeen.
Time.
Sa pana
taken over to accommodate additional Police arriving on evacuation from out stations. Work continued on the following day.
09.30 The electric system failed.
10.00 The Dockyard Police were sent into town. 10.30 H. M. S. "Tern" was shelled and as the result sunk. Oil
lighters, R.A.F. and Naval tugs ran all motor boats and launches ashore and then were beached themselves. The Officer in Charge was informed by a Military des- patch rider that a body of the enemy were advancing on Aberdeen from Shouson Village. He proceeded to the Naval Headquarters (Aberdeen Industrial School) and was informed by Commander Millet that during the night or early morning the enemy had advanced from Wong Nei Chung along the catchwater, along the lower slopes of Mount Cameron and to Violet Hill and had finally occupied Shouson Hill but he proposed to hold his present position as long as possible, though at the same time was arranging a second line of defence west of Aberdeen at Bennett Hill. Commander Millet was in charge of the whole area including the Military and he informed Sgt. Williamson that the situation was very serious. As Police and A. R. P. telephone lines were out of order Sgt. Williamson tried to get permis- sion to get in touch with Police Headquarters by Naval wireless but was told that the apparatus was fully occupied and in any case considerable delay would en- sue before the message would reach Police Headquarters. 11.15 Parties of troops in lorries passed the station in
order to take up a second line of defence west of Aberdeen.
11.30 Heavy shelling of the main road by mortar and heavier guns began. The Officer in Charge decided to get be- He was un- hind the Military second line of defence. able to consult any Superintendent but took the deci- sion on his own initiative as it appeared to him that
The the Military were evacuating their first line. Dockyard Police had already been told by their Super-! intendent "every man for himself" and were jumping into lorries to go into Hong Kong. He formed Police * from the Station into two parties under P. S. A.155 Fitzpatrick and L. S. A.145 Goldie respectively with instructions to wait at the Dairy Farm Pokfulam for his arrival but if by 14.00 hours he had not arrived to proceed to Pokfulam Station and telephone for instructions. He, himself, remained behind to warn the Aberdeen A. R. P. Headquarters and personnel at the Casualty Clearing Station, Rescue and Demolition and Food Control that the Police were leaving the Station and also to bring in the Police from the Aberdeen Re- servoir Vital Post.
12.00 Police evacuated from Tai Tam Reservoir Vital Post.
The Indian Sergeant and two men came to Stanley Stati or and it is believed that the remainder, one Sergeant. and nine Indian Constables, arrived safely in Hong Kong.
12.00 The Police under two parties under P. 5. A. 155 Fitz- & patrick and L.S. A. 145 Goldie respectively left the 12.15 Station with instructions to wait at the Dairy Farm,
Pokfulam.
From this date onwards fierce fighting took place o the hills at Tai Tam Bay and Repulse Bay.
12.30 The Officer in Charge left the station having warned all personnel concerned. (See Entry No. 21 above). He tried to make his way to the Aberdeen Reservoir to evacuate Police at the Vital Post there but was stop-