CO129-592-4 Reports on current situation- Police 14-11-1945 - 1-7-1946 — Page 109

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morning to collect men at No. 8 and bring them back the same day. This was done at my request. Le did not carry out these instructions but appeared by himself at about 16.00 hours. I obtained no satisfactory explanation as to why he had not brought his men with him. A145 received similar orders and carried them out, bringing six men back with him - all that had reported by the time he left. He arrived about 15.30 hours. After consideration I now say that after his lapse of time I am not certain if he did bring men back with him or not. It may have been that Al45 had collected all or nearly all the available men as he must have started a short time only before A55. About 7 men deserted on the way in to the airy Farm Hill, on the first evacuation, and I traced and got back five the next day. Neither A55 nor A145 remember losing men from their party.

Taken by me

—

b. H. C. CALTHROP,

Penior Superintendent of Police, 25/1/43.

P. S. A55 Fitzpatrick states :

I agree that we were instructed by P. S. Al62 to wait at the Dairy Farm Hill, but when I arrived first with my party I was told by an Army Sergeant that we could not wait there. He did not want a concentration there he said. Besides of my party of 12 14 men there were about 20 Dockyard Police and two military lorries. We were offered a lift on the lorries and we and the Dockyard Police got into them. I decided to go as far as the University. The Interpreter and Detective Lai Kwong started with my party but hung back and said they would wait for the Officer in Charge. I am certain that the remaining numbers of my party got on the two lorries together with me apart from the two above mentioned stragglers. Setgeant Goldie's party left the Station before me. We out- stepped his party as we got a lift on a lorry, by "we" I mean our party. The interpreter and detective did not get on this lorry as they were already in the rear. This lorry was a military one and it stopped at the Dairy farm. Setgeant Goldie did not see my party getting on the lorry as he was well ahead still. I could not give his party a lift as the lorry was travelling too fast and was practically full, composed of us and Naval Yard Police. I deny that I ever boarded a lorry by myself and left my men. I did not insist on the interpreter and detective coming with me as I considered they were of no importance. I cannot understand why the interpreter and detective say I boarded the lorry by myself.

I had all my men with me including two Cantonese non-commissioned officers but excepting the two stragglers. When we got to the University our party

They did not put disembarked and we waited for Sergeant Goldie's party.

in an appearance so after about a quarter of an hour we moved off towards Bonham Road as I thought it was safer there as I noticed a Japanese plane.

Later his party came up and joined mine except that Sergeant Goldie

I took both parties to went up a side street about 100 yards from me. No. 8 Station, but found it was full from some European there, I cannot remember whom. I reported to the Inspector on Duty at No 7, Sub-Inspector Orem, with my men. The Chinese then went to the barrack rooms and I went to the European quarters. I had no option but to leave the Dairy Farm Hill but I left a message with the military. (Officer in Charge, Aberdeen, st.tes that he was told that Police had been at Dairy Farm, but had gone on) I received instructions from the Inspector on Duty, West, to call at

I collected one man, the only Upper Levels to see P. S. A162, Williamson.

one still at No. 7, and went to Upper Levels, met Sergeant Goldie who told

I then said me the Officer in Charge had left and returned to Aberdeen. I would return also. I walked to the Chinese Cemetery near the Queen Mary Hospital, and then boarded a passing taxi. I found at least five Chinese' Constables who were returning to Aberdeen. I got in with my one man and we all went back to Aberdeen. I reported direct to the Charge Room with

The Police drifted back in my five men on my arrival at the station.

I batches. I never received definite instructions to collect men.

I asked the Folice. arrived back at berdeen before sergeant Goldie. Constable with me where the other men were and he told me they had all left io. 7 station.

L.H.C.Calthrop,

Taken by me

Senior Superintendent rolice, 26/1/43.