Escape from Hong Kong - The Final Hours

 

Stoker A/B: George [Bones] Arnold C/JX154986 [MTB 07] (Petersham Surrey)

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

The crew of MTB 07 in Kowloon 1940

• Lt: R.R.W. Ashby DSC
• Sub-Lt: ???
• P.O. Coxswain: John.W. Prest P/JX.128494 [MiD]
• Telegraphist: T.G. Duckworth [killed 19th Dec 41 MiD]
• A/S.P.O.: S.J. Hide P/KX.82873 [MiD] Joined MTB 07 on 1st January 1940
• Leading Stoker: R. Barker [Killed 19th Dec 41]
• A/B: Albert E Rutter
• A/B: Pawley
• A/B Stoker: G. [Bones]Arnold [C/JX.154986]

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lt Ron Ashby and crew

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ron Ashby and crew on patrol

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 07 alongside HMS Robin in Mirs Bay

 

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out on a jolly, Buddy Hide & Bones Arnold both seated

 

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bones Arnold leading the intrepid party ashore

 

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 1/24 scale model of MTB 07 takes to the water in 2009 in memory of Ron Ashby & the crew. MTB 07 on patrol in Hong Kong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The real deal MTB 07 on high speed patrol

Photo from Lt Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hiding in Telegraph Bay Just hours before the escape that evening.

 

 

MTB 07 alongside the stone pier with 09 covered in straw and branches hiding from enemy aircraft in Telegraph Bay just hours before the escape on Christmas Day 1941.

07 still has a full complement of depth charges on deck.

 

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shaoguan [Kukong] 6th January 1942

 

A/B Stoker George [Bones] Arnold, Mr Au Yeung

, & L/Stoker Charlie Evans arriving in Kukong.

The padded jackets were obtained by Colonel Owen-Hughes at Lung Chun. Owen-Hughes was the British Liaison officer to the Chinese army. The party later swapped the jackets with an incoming detachment of British Marines.

 

Photo from the Ted Ross collection ©

 

The 2nd MTB Flotilla on the Road Across China