Escape from Hong Kong - The Final Hours

Danish/Norwegian Midshipman Christiansen was serving as a Cadet in a ship of Jardine Matheson and company. When his ship was scuttled  he volunteered for service with the Royal Navy.  He was one of the crew of the Naval Armament Tug Gatling when she was bombed and sunk with many casualties, on 16 December. In spite of this severe ordeal he continued to volunteer for service.

On 25 Dec he volunteered to man the motorboat which took off Admiral Chan Chak's party.  He was one of the survivors who reached Aberdeen Island by swimming under fire, and later his prompt action in swimming off to the MTBs did much to ensure the safe escape of his companions.

"I consider Mr Christiansen to be a young gentleman of outstanding courage and would recommend he be granted a commission in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve".- Commander H M Montague R.N. (Retd)

 

Two days after arriving in Kukong Holgar was admitted to the Mission hospital with malaria along with Norman Halliday, Frank Penny, Arthur Goring, and Fred Quixall.

It was here in Kunming where he re-joined Jardines along with Eddy Brazel, Eric Cox-Walker, and Allen Marchant.

 

 

Back: Supt. Bill Robinson I.P., W. O. William M Wright HKRNVR, Capt. Peter Macmillan R.A.,Capt. Reginold Guest 1st Mdsx, Coxswain Yeung Chuen CN, Ted Ross B.M.I.

2nd: David MacDougall B.M.I., Admiral Chan Chak CN, Major Arthur Goring Probyns Horse, Sq-Ldr. Max Oxford RAF

1st: Cadet Holgar Christiansen MN, Lt-Cmdr Henry Heng Hsu CN.

Photo from Ted Ross collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holgar was Mentioned in Despatches For skilful and courageous services which enabled a party to make a daring escape from Hongkong. [ 2646 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 16 JUNE, 1942]