Escape from Hong Kong - The Final Hours

Arthur Pittendrigh from Newcastle, temporary Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve; HMS Tamar.

Lt Pittendigh RNR was 1st Lieutenant, Aberdeen Dockyard under Commander Hugh Montague RN. (Rtrd) Arthur escaped along with Cmdr Montague on the Tug C-410 and joined up with the MTB escape party at NanAo, deep behind enemy lines in China.

"During the siege of Hong Kong this officer performed the duties of 'Lieutenant of the Dockyard' at Aberdeen.  He displayed exceptional utility and zeal and was cool and unshaken under repeated shelling and bombing. He is an excellent leader of men, resourceful in overcoming difficulties, and cheerful and resolute under trying circumstances.
He was one of the party which escaped from Hong Kong. It is recommended his further employment should be such as to fully utilize his excellent qualities". - Commander Hugh Montague RN. (Rtrd)

Arthur was Mentioned in Despatches for skilful and courageous services which enabled a party to make a daring escape from Hong Kong". [THE LONDON GAZETTE, 16 JUNE, 1942

Arthur returned to Hong Kong after the war and along with Harry Owen-Hughes joined Colonial Secretary David MacDougall's team getting Hong Kong running as a going concern again after the Japanese occupation. Among other Christmas Day escapees to return were Max Oxford as the Deputy Director of Civil Aviation, SOE agents Colin McEwan as Head of Physical Training and John Talan who went back into the travel sector before becoming a Director of a laundry business. Arthur Gee also returned to his pre-war employers as night editor on the China Mail. Admiral Chan Chak became the first post-war mayor in neighbouring Canton.

 

 

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

 

 

Lt Pittendrigh RNR, Lt-Cmdr Yorath RN, & Sub-Lt Brewer HKRNVR relaxing at Kukong

Lt Kennedy met Arthur Pittendrigh in Hong Kong in 1945 after the Japanese surrender to find him a Lt-Colonel in the Civil Affairs Administration along with Lt-Colonel Owen-Hughes under Brigadier Colonial Secretary David MacDougall.