Voices behind bars: memories of internment

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About this collection

HSBC’s network closed down, branch by branch, as the Pacific War enveloped Asia in the early 1940s. Eventually only three offices remained active in India and China. Many of our employees and their family members were imprisoned across the region, and thirteen staff members did not survive their incarceration. In this snapshot, we hear from those who did. From giving birth to bartering gold for eggs, these evocative oral history clips tell a tale of remarkable resilience and ingenuity during the darkest of times.

World War Two (WW2) Employee images The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Records

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Extract from an oral history interview with Harold Davies who was working at HSBC’s Singapore office when the Pacific War broke out
Extract from an oral history interview with Harold Davies who was working at HSBC’s Singapore office when the Pacific War broke out
Photograph of HSBC’s staff in Penang, Malaya (Malaysia). Harold Davies is seated on a chair in the second row – furthest left
Photograph of HSBC’s staff in Penang, Malaya (Malaysia). Harold Davies is seated on a chair in the second row – furthest left
Extract from an oral history interview with Natalie Davis, wife of Donald Davis who worked for HSBC from 1919 until 1955
Extract from an oral history interview with Natalie Davis, wife of Donald Davis who worked for HSBC from 1919 until 1955
Extract from an oral history interview with William Stewart who was based at HSBC’s Shanghai office when the Japanese took over the bank on 8 December 1941
Extract from an oral history interview with William Stewart who was based at HSBC’s Shanghai office when the Japanese took over the bank on 8 December 1941
Photograph of HSBC’s overseas staff in Hong Kong. William Stewart is standing second from left on the back row
Photograph of HSBC’s overseas staff in Hong Kong. William Stewart is standing second from left on the back row
Photograph of a group, including HSBC staff and family members, at Lunghua Internment Camp towards the end of the war
Photograph of a group, including HSBC staff and family members, at Lunghua Internment Camp towards the end of the war
Extract from an oral history interview with Michael (Mike) Turner who was interned in Singapore during the war
Extract from an oral history interview with Michael (Mike) Turner who was interned in Singapore during the war
Photograph of HSBC's rugby team in London, UK. Michael (Mike) Turner is holding the ball
Photograph of HSBC's rugby team in London, UK. Michael (Mike) Turner is holding the ball
Extract from an oral history interview with Dorothy Cautherley who began working in the securities department of HSBC’s Shanghai office in 1931
Extract from an oral history interview with Dorothy Cautherley who began working in the securities department of HSBC’s Shanghai office in 1931
Dorothy and George Cautherley pictured at Holy Trinity Cathedral on their wedding day in Shanghai, 1938
Dorothy and George Cautherley pictured at Holy Trinity Cathedral on their wedding day in Shanghai, 1938