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Auction: 4014 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 142

An Extremely Rare Second War Hong Kong Escape and Evasion M.M. Group of Four to Private F.K. Jacobs, Royal Army Medical Corps Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6343473 Pte. F.K. Jacobs. R.A.M.C.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal, nearly extremely fine (4) Estimate £ 2,500-3,000 M.M. London Gazette 10.11.1942 No. 6343473 Private Frank Kenneth Jacobs, Royal Army Medical Corps For seven days, under relentless observed artillery fire, the garrison of Hong Kong, which numbered approximately 22,000, fought on, refusing three Japanese demands to surrender. But the great fight against overwhelming odds could not be sustained, and Hong Kong surrendered to two Japanese Divisions numbering between 30,000 and 40,000 men. On Christmas Day 1941 most survivors of the garrison, including Indian, Chinese and Portuguese, were herded into a camp of wrecked huts without doors, windows, electricity or sanitation, and by the end of January, apart from the serious lack of general medical attention, 150 cases of dysentry were reported in the camp. Private Jacobs' medical expertise was utilised to the full during that month. On 1.2.1942 Private Jacobs in company with Gunner Whitehead R.A., Sergeant Parrot R.A., and a Private Lewis, escaped from Sham Shui Po barracks, Hong Kong, at 2.00 a.m. The following abridged official report of the escape and evasion was related by 840132 Gunner J.S. Whitehead R.A. '1 Feb 42 We climbed down under a weigher in the camp, and got on to a foreshore where junks are built. There were plenty of logs used as slipways, with which to run the junks into the sea. We crawled alongside these in single file, to try and take cover from the sentry who was on guard on the wall which overlooked the junkyard. Unfortunately the sentry spotted us and fired several shots in our direction. The three of us, Parrot, Jacobs and myself, continued to proceed, but Lewis immediately turned back as soon as the firing started. We learned later from another party of escapees that Lewis managed to get back into camp safely. We heard the sentry rousing the guard, and the noise of much scuffling, but we got into the junkyard, ran across it onto the main street, across the main street and into the mountains. No Japanese patrols were to be seen on the street, and we had no difficulty in making the cover of the mountains once we had got away from the foreshore of the junk-yard. 2 Feb 42 Made for Shuimoon Reservoir. which we reached in the daytime. Slept in a cave. Saw no signs of the enemy. Passed a few Chinese but did not speak to them. 3 Feb 42 Started very early in the morning, skirted round Tai Po, and proceeded to Fan Ling. On the way fell in with an English speaking Chinese, who was very kind to us, fed us, hid us, and helped us to get rested whilst he found out if it was safe to proceed. He told us the positions of the Japanese patrols and told us what places on the road to avoid. The Japanese forces in Tai Po patrolled the countryside every day in a lorry, and collected and looted all possible foodstuffs, and anything of value they could lay their hands on. The Japanese force in Fan Ling, which was only about 50 strong, made similar patrols daily. We hid day and night in a cave in the hillside which this Chinese friend himself had used during air raids. 6 Feb 42 Pulled out just after sunset as it was getting dark. The Chinese who had befriended us showed us the way, and told us to follow the railway track for a short distance, and then cross the rice-fields, in order to avoid the Japanese patrols. We followed his directions, and soon hit the main road to Qwanti. I had been there before and knew the road well. During the night we proceeded along the road towards Shuitan-Kok. Up to within a hundred yards of the village we travelled without interruption, then we saw a light, obviously being carried by someone, and heard voices, so we immediately left the road, and made for the hills bearing north. 7 Feb 42 During the daytime we slept in the hills in a village about 4 miles past Shuiten-Kok. 8 Feb 42 Met a Chinese on the mountain track, who also spoke English, and who gave us the general direction where a Chinese Army was situated. At 4 p.m. contacted General Lo Kwan, who was in charge of a guerilla force of about 50 men at Lo Gong. General Lo took charge of us, and fed and rested us. We stayed at Lo Gong until 9 Feb 42. 9 Feb 42 The guerilla force divided up into small parties. The three of us went with a party of ten to Tan Shui, where we met two Dutch Naval officers, and a R.N.V.R. officer called Proulx, who had also escaped from Hong Kong.They joined forces with us and proceeded with us to Waichow. 10 Feb 42 Arrived at Waichow, where we met a naval party under Douglas and another party of escapees under Major Munro. Because of Chinese New Year it was impossible to proceed any further until the 18 Feb 42. Major Munro, who spoke Cantonese, more or less took charge of the party and arranged finances etc. for them through the magistrates. 18 Feb 42 Left Waichow and proceeded by river by motor boat. Each night we anchored nearby a village. Fed twice a day on board ship. 22 Feb 42 Arrived at Ho Yuan where the motor boat broke down. Accomodation was secured for us in an hotel where we stayed until we could hire sampans. 24 Feb 42 Hired sampans and left for Lung Hsien. Each night anchored by the river-bank near a village or town. 27 Feb 42 Arrived at Lung Hsien and put up at an hotel. Had to wait until the third of March before we could get a bus to take us further. 3 Mar 42 Left by bus for Kukong. The same day we left another party of escapees under Scriven arrived in. 4 Mar 42 At 2000 hrs. arrived at Kukong where we stayed with Kendal's party, until the 15th March. 15 Mar 42 Left by train and arrived at Kengyang the next day. 16 Mar 42 Stayed with Dr. Stringham. Left Hengyang (sic) for Lichiaping where I detrained and joined Mission 204.' Sergeant Parrot, Private Jacobs and Gunner Whitehead were originally recommended for the D.C.M.

Sold for
£2,800