Escape from Hong Kong - The Final Hours

Coxswain Leading Seaman: William Schillemore M.i.D. from Dunfirmline

Coxswain Leading Seaman: William Schillemore [MTB 09](Dunfirmline) was recommended for promotion to Petty Officer with immediate effect for his actions in Kowloon Harbour on the 19th December 1941]

Below is an extract from Lt-Commander Gerard. H.Gandy R.N. (Retd) MTB 10 (S/O  2nd MTB Flotilla) report

"The Coxswain Leading Seaman William Schilliemore P/JX142194 I recommend for mention in dispatches, and for immediate promotion to Acting Petty Officer for good handling of the boat and crew under his Commanding Officer both during this attack and on other occasions".

Schillemore was "Mentioned in Despatches" for his action in Kowloon Harbour on the 19th December 1941.

Some of the crew of MTB 09 taking a smoko in Aberdeen Channel 9th December 1941

From the left Stoker A/B Charlie Foster, Coxswain Bill Schillemore, and A/B Bob Hempenstall

Photo from the Ashby collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

After 3000 miles traveling overland through China and Burma he arrived in a deserted Rangoon. After five weeks he left onboard the Armed Merchant Cruiser Heinrich Jessen bound for Calcutta along with Lt-Cmdr Gandy, Lt Collingwood, Lt Ashby & Jix Prest, Buddy Hide, Charlie Evans, Al Rutter, John pawley, Jack Holt, Les Barker, Ron Priestley, and others.

Bill then elected to join the staff of the Department of Medical services (DMS) in Calcutta along with Lofty Gurd.

 

The Crew of MTB 09 at Waichow on 30th December 1941

MTB 09 Crew at Waichow, photo from Lt Ashby's collection ©

Back Row: A/B; Penny, A/B; Leslie [Lofty] Gurd, Tel; Harold.P. Hill, A/B Robert Hempenstall

Middle Row: Stoker A/B Charles Foster, L/S; Coxswain William Schillemore,"Mentioned in Despatches" L/St; P.O. Ronald J.C. (Jez) Priestley, "Mentioned in Despatches"

Front Row: Sub-Lt; Tommy Brewer, Lt; Alexander Kennedy [CO] "Mentioned in Despatches"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shiukwan

Albert Rutter, Chinese Guerilla Leader Leung Wingyuen with StokerPetty Officer Buddy Hide, & Bones Arnold. Hanging out the truck are Les [Lofty] Gurd, Bill Schillemore, & John Pawley during the epic journey across China.

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/Australian Marines.