Published literature on the years of Hong Kong’s occupation has largely been about life in the Sham Shui Po POW and the Stanley civilian internment camps. Ron Taylor will tell the story of how Arthur May stayed out of internment until the final year of the occupation, and his experiences with the Indian troops who had been forced to work for the Japanese. He will explain how this cooperation and intelligence gathering on the Japanese defences continued during Arthur’s internment in the Ma Tau Wai internment camp. 

The Speaker

Ron Taylor is the Honorary President of the RHKR Association having served in the regiment for 20 years up to its disbandment in 1995 and as the Association’s chairman for 15 of the subsequent years. His military involvement spurred his interest in the Battle for Hong Kong and the subsequent period of occupation.

Soon after arriving in Hong Kong in 1975 as an engineer, Ron met Arthur May and his wife Louise and thus developed a lasting friendship. After Arthur’s death in 2000, Ron’s wife became Louise’s legal guardian and this ultimately led to a request to clear Arthur and Louise’s flat. Arthur was not one for throwing away anything and, amongst his belongings; there were many notes and records of his time during the Japanese occupation, much of which related to untold incidents. These formed the basis of the book, The Arthur May Story, Hong Kong 1941-45. 

The Speaker: Maj. Ron Taylor, MBE, ED
Date: Thursday, 25th February 2016
Time: 6:30pm Reception opens, 7.00 pm Lecture starts
Venue: RHKR Association Clubhouse, 9th Floor, Members Grand Stand, Happy Valley Race Course
Admission: Free admission for RAS Members; Non-Members/ Guests HKD150
 

Please email in advance to president@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk to reserve your place, and pay at the door