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Even in the darkest of
times it was possible to
find some lighter moments.
times it was possible to
find some lighter moments.
The cello.
When they could laugh the pain was a
little easier to bear.
little easier to bear.
It is also true that in times of despair, sadness, fear and uncertainty, man will seek
to lighten those times with laughter. So it was with the prisoners of war captured
after the Battle of Hong Kong. A group of officers and men got together to
entertain their fellow prisoners with concerts, skits, and plays, thereby injecting a
little light into the squalid world in which they lived for 44 long months. It did much
to bolster morale and to literally keep the men's spirits alive. A good example is
the cello. It was constructed from old oil cans, bits of wood, and other odds and
ends, for my father by RR of C Cpl. Stewart Hendersen, Rfm. Wilbur Lester and
another soldier by the name of Ampi. How my Dad loved that cello, or viola as
Cpl. Henderson called it.
to lighten those times with laughter. So it was with the prisoners of war captured
after the Battle of Hong Kong. A group of officers and men got together to
entertain their fellow prisoners with concerts, skits, and plays, thereby injecting a
little light into the squalid world in which they lived for 44 long months. It did much
to bolster morale and to literally keep the men's spirits alive. A good example is
the cello. It was constructed from old oil cans, bits of wood, and other odds and
ends, for my father by RR of C Cpl. Stewart Hendersen, Rfm. Wilbur Lester and
another soldier by the name of Ampi. How my Dad loved that cello, or viola as
Cpl. Henderson called it.
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A Particularly Nasty
Guy,Katyama "affectionately"
known as Deadly Nightshade.
Guy,Katyama "affectionately"
known as Deadly Nightshade.
Keeping busy was
important to morale. The
prisoners did many things
to keep their minds active.
important to morale. The
prisoners did many things
to keep their minds active.
This lamp was constructed for my Dad
by someone whose name I don't know. It
is a tobacco barrel with the badges of
many of the units who fought in the Battle
of Hong Kong. Note the bullet which, I
believe, is Japanese. Unfortunately some
of the badges have gone missing over the
years.
by someone whose name I don't know. It
is a tobacco barrel with the badges of
many of the units who fought in the Battle
of Hong Kong. Note the bullet which, I
believe, is Japanese. Unfortunately some
of the badges have gone missing over the
years.
The Japanese locked up their body but they couldn't lock up the prisoners' mind.
Keeping the mind working and boredom at bay was a daily challenge. Though
their bodies were frail, due to disease and malnutrition, they kept their mind active
in many ways. Chess and bridge tournaments were organized, volunteers gave
lectures on a variety of topics that they were familiar with and language courses
were given.
One activity gave the prisoners a great deal of pleasure. Instruments donated by
the Canadian YMCA had been allowed into the camp and an orchestra was
quickly formed and gave frequent concerts The cello was built especially for my
Dad so he could help entertain. A number of the prisoners, my Dad included, were
hams at heart and enjoyed creating and staging plays and skits that brought the
medicine of laughter into the camp.
Each concert included an appearance by the "girls" dressed to the nines in fetching
outfits that made the crowd give out a chorus of wolf whistles. Sonny Castro, a
gentleman of Portuguese ancestry, was a particular hit. Sonny was a member of
the HKVDC. He should have insured his legs for several cartons of cigarettes,
worth more than money in the camp.
Dad's interest in performing went back to when he was a teenager. He and his
brothers and sister formed a performing group called "The Parker Concert
Company of Sherbrooke, Quebec". My uncle Gault played piano, uncle Fenwick
the violin and a Harry Lauder impersonation, and Dad played the cello. My aunt
Marion assisted. My thanks to my cousin Gerald Parker for this information.
Keeping the mind working and boredom at bay was a daily challenge. Though
their bodies were frail, due to disease and malnutrition, they kept their mind active
in many ways. Chess and bridge tournaments were organized, volunteers gave
lectures on a variety of topics that they were familiar with and language courses
were given.
One activity gave the prisoners a great deal of pleasure. Instruments donated by
the Canadian YMCA had been allowed into the camp and an orchestra was
quickly formed and gave frequent concerts The cello was built especially for my
Dad so he could help entertain. A number of the prisoners, my Dad included, were
hams at heart and enjoyed creating and staging plays and skits that brought the
medicine of laughter into the camp.
Each concert included an appearance by the "girls" dressed to the nines in fetching
outfits that made the crowd give out a chorus of wolf whistles. Sonny Castro, a
gentleman of Portuguese ancestry, was a particular hit. Sonny was a member of
the HKVDC. He should have insured his legs for several cartons of cigarettes,
worth more than money in the camp.
Dad's interest in performing went back to when he was a teenager. He and his
brothers and sister formed a performing group called "The Parker Concert
Company of Sherbrooke, Quebec". My uncle Gault played piano, uncle Fenwick
the violin and a Harry Lauder impersonation, and Dad played the cello. My aunt
Marion assisted. My thanks to my cousin Gerald Parker for this information.
Pencil sketches of Japanese guards going about
their daily lives done by one of the prisoners.
their daily lives done by one of the prisoners.
