COPY
F. Buckle,
82
3 Shipley Terrace,
Cotherstone.
Statement re War Damage claim.
F. Buckle,
c/o Education Dept., Hong song.
Letter (attached) from Secretariat, Hong Kong. Subject: war damage claims.
These claims, on instructions from Commanding Officer, submitted after Release, recorded by B.0.T. London.
The writer, a Volunteer officer, R.N.V.R. (H. K.) was mobilised 6 a.m. 8.12.41.
Wife mobilised also as Nursing Sister.
P.O.W. until 31.8.45.
Every worldly possession was lost, the accumulations of many years.
Returning to Colony, compelled to live in one room in local Hotel, and also, due to the cost of living and inadequate salary, forced to use capital merely to exist.
As the writer is to retire in 1950, an essential is Savings, impossible under present conditions.
In passing, it should be stated all prices in War claims were in terms of pre-war.
H.K. Govt. agrees in first instance to compensation but then repudiates all claims on grounds
(a) o funds.
(b)
Non-participation in War Damage Insurance.
In respect of
(a) Compensation from H.. Govt. or Imperial Govt is NOT expected (other than as an advance against reparations). Compensation is expected from Jap. Govt.
Dalton (as Chancellor of Exchequer 194b; stated in the House "firs claims on Reparations to aid those who lost everything."
What has happened to several million dollars collected by Custodian of Enemy property H..., acquired by sales of enemy and OUR property?
(Test case brought by Talbot against jra national, claiming his own property, was lost in Courts. Appears looting condoned by British Court of Justice).
Interesting also as to why War House paid to regular army, compensation, but Territorial and volunteers get nothing.
Re (b) European Chamber of Commerce pressed for War Damage Insurance but Chinese Chamber was against it. Government aid not press being afraid of Chinese hostility.
Commercial Interests have undoubtedly made handsome post war profits and as stated, do not require rehabilitation loans etc.
But, the writer and many others most certainly does.
Enchocked to 1070