BB.
70
MOST SECRET.
ENCLOSURE No. 3.
REPORT GIVING FURTHER PARTICULARS REGARDING
SIR MARK YOUNG.
The following information is based on conversations with Sir Mark Young, and observations made in Woosung Camp.
1.
TREATMENT IN HONG KONG.
After meeting Lieutenant General Sakai, who informed him he might retain his sword, in the Peninsular Hotel on 25th December, 1941, Mir Mark Young remained in the hotel until he was transferred to Shanghai in February, 1942. During this period he was confined to his room and was not allowed to go outside for exercise or to receive visitors. He was allowed some books of his own but no newspapers or radio; he was, therefore, entirely without news for the seven weeks he was in Kowloon. A suitcase containing clothes, toilet articles and books was sent to him from Government House a day or two after capture, but otherwise it is understood that he received no additional personal gear. Although he repeatedly asked to see his Colonial Secretary and other members of the Government, these requests were refused together with a request for information about our casualties. After the first few days, he received no visits from senior Japanese Officers. About the 17th February, 1942, he was transferred by air to Shanghai with his servant, Private John Waller of the Middlesex Regiment, and taken to the Woosung Prisoners-of-War Camp; he was not informed of his destination until he was on his way to the camp by car.
2.
TREATMENT AT WOOSUNG.
Sir Mark Young occupies two rooms, a bedroom and a sitting room, at the end of one of the Barracks; Private Waller is in an adjoining room. He has been given a bed with mosquito net and has his own bathing and toilet facilities; these are believed to be rather crude. His sitting room is furnished with an arm chair, two other chairs he has bought himself, a table and hard chair; shortly before an inspection some time after his arrival, this room was papered and a chair cover and curtains were made. After his arrival the Japanese offered to build him a separate hut, but he declined the offer and considers he is better off where he is.
His treatment is similar to that of other prisoners of war in the camp and he has no privileges. He is supplied with the same food as the men, principally stew, rice and bread, and as he has not received any pay, he has not joined the officers Mess which provides somewhat better and varied food bought through a canteen.
3.
He has requested that he might be paid and has written letters on the subject to the authorities at Nanking. No reply had been received up to 8th August, but the Japanese appear to claim that they do not know what his rank is. He has, however, been allowed to order clothes, food and books from Messrs. Whiteaway & Laidlaw, a British shop in Shanghai, and they have supplied him on extended credit. He is now in receipt of regular parcels from the British Residents Association Prisoners of War fund.
4.
There have been instances of discourteous conduct to- wards him and on one occasion, when he refused to sign a form promising he would not escape and that he would obey all orders, he was confined to his room for a week or two; the matter was settled when he signed a statement that he had no present intention of escaping and that he would obey all orders that were in accordance with international law. At morning and evening rollcall he has to stand at his open door and is supposed to bow to the officer of the day. He was included in a general order that all prisoners must bow to any Japanese they meet including civilian interpreters and sentries.
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