The Vyner Brooke

This is a photo of a model of the Vyner Brooke taken by Dr. Neil McGregor.

Singapore Harbour Board Flag

On the 15th February 1942 as Singapore was falling to the Japanese this Australian flag, which flew at the offices of the Singapore Harbour Board (SHB), was taken down during the evacuation by Jack Finlay Stein, an Australian employed by SHB. Before the surrender Stein and 82 other Board members left the port in a vehicular ferry (which exact vessel he was on is being researched) and made their escape south to Jupes then on foot to Batavia. Fortuitously a British B.I. boat the “Modasa” put into Batavia for repairs and collected the escapees and transported them to Bombay via Colombo for on forwarding and eventual repatriation. The original flag is now framed and hangs proudly at one of Jack Stein’s decendent’s homes in Western Australia.

Sinking of HMAS Yarra March 4th 1942

The sloop HMAS Yarra was launched at the Cockatoo Dockyard, Sydney, on 28 March 1935 and commissioned on 21 January 1936. Displacing 1,080 tons, she was 81.1 metres long with a beam of 11 metres. She was armed with three 4-inch anti aircraft guns, four 3-pounder guns, a quadruple .5-inch anti aircraft machine-gun, and depth charges. She had a speed of 16.5 knots and a complement of 151.

Yarra's initial war service was in Australian waters, on patrol and escort duties. She was commanded by Lieutenant Commander W. H. Harrington, RAN, who was eventually to become Vice Admiral Sir Hastings Harrington, CBE, DSO, RAN, Chief of Naval Staff, 1962-65. In August 1940 she left for the Middle East where she was used on patrol and escort duties. In April 1941 she escorted a convoy from Bombay to the Persian Gulf where she took part in campaigns against Iraq and Iran. This was followed by service in the Mediterranean in November-December 1941.

With the outbreak of war with Japan, Yarra left the Mediterranean for Javanese waters, arriving in January 1942. She carried out escort and patrol duties and on 5 February performed a particularly fine piece of rescue work when she took 1800 survivors off the burning troopship Empress of Asia. On 11 February Harrington was relieved by Lieutenant Commander R. W. Rankin, RAN.

On 27 February orders were given to clear all remaining British auxiliary craft from Batavia (now Jakarta). About midnight Yarra and the Indian sloop HMIS Jumna sailed escorting a convoy to Tjilatjap. Arriving off Tjilatjap at 11 am on 2 March, the ships were warned not to enter harbour. The Yarra was ordered to take the convoy, which consisted of the depot ship Anking, the tanker Francol and the motor minesweeper MMS 51, to Fremantle while the Jumna sailed for Colombo. No time was to be lost, as powerful Japanese forces were known to be operating in the waters south of Java.

Steaming steadily south east at an average speed of 8.5 knots, the Yarra and her convoy made steady progress during the night of 2-3 March. Except for a faintly discerned shadowing aircraft sighted in the evening, there was no sign of the enemy. On the morning of the third two lifeboats were sighted. From these, Yarra picked up a number of exhausted survivors of the Dutch merchant ship Parigi, sunk by the Japanese two days earlier.

At 6.30 am on 4 March, as the sun rose the lookout in Yarra sighted the unmistakable topmasts of a Japanese heavy cruiser squadron to the north-east. The squadron consisted of Atago, Takao and Maya, each armed with ten 8-inch guns, and two destroyers. Immediately Lieutenant Commander Rankin made a sighting report, ordered the ships of convoy to scatter and, placing his ship between them and the enemy, laid smoke and prepared to engage. Yarra was outgunned and out-ranged, and the enemy ships were faster. Against such odds her task was hopeless, yet she kept fighting even as her convoy was overwhelmed and sunk, ship by ship.

Anking, which was carrying many RAN personnel was sunk first. Overwhelmed by many hits she was despatched in ten minutes. By then Yarra was on fire and listing heavily to port but still shooting. MMS 51 was on fire and was put down shortly after by a hail of close range automatic gunfire from one of the cruisers. The Francol took more punishment and still remained afloat, finally succumbing at about 7.30. Yarra, shattered by numerous hits, was the last to go. Soon after 8.00 am, Rankin ordered that the ship be abandoned. Minutes later he was killed when an 8-inch salvo hit the bridge. Leading Seaman R. Taylor, manning the last remaining gun, kept on firing until he too was killed, and the Yarra's guns fell silent. Her end, which came after close-range shelling by the two Japanese destroyers, was witnessed by 34 survivors on two rafts. All, except the Dutch captain of Parigi, were naval ratings.

When Yarra sank, the Japanese made off to the north-east after picking up one boatload of survivors from Francol. A collection of boats, rafts and floats was left scattered over a wide area of sea. Towards evening, a passing Dutch vessel, Tawali, rescued 57 officers and men from Anking. However, in spite of frantic signals, she failed to sight two Carley floats, which held 14 men from MMS 51. For the next two and a half days they drifted about until picked up by the Dutch steamer Tjimanjoek on 7 March. Meanwhile Yarra's men, their numbers sadly reduced by wounds, exposure, and thirst, continued to drift helplessly. On 9 March 13 of the sloop's ratings were picked up by the Dutch submarine KlL. Of the complement of 151, 138 (including the captain and all officers) were killed in the action or died subsequently on the raft.

Singapore Harbour Tug St Breock

Civilian Evacuation list

Evacuation of Civilians from Singapore December 1941 - February 1942

Michael Pether has complied a list of Ships/Vessels carrying Civilian Evacuees and the dates of departure from Singapore. He has complied this list only for vessels knwon to be carrying civilians and vessels carrying only servicemen have not been included where known. Michael is keen to add names and details where possible and should you have any further information I would be pleased to put you in contact with Michael.


January 1942;

• 16 Jan. “SS. NARKUNDA” with many passengers including a Mrs. Hosking and her children on board. Reached Australia.
• Some time mid-Jan. a British India steamer with probably over 1000 Japanese women and children internees and some allied civilians including a Miss Norah Inge (a missionary). Went to India.
• 23 Jan. – “ISLAM/ISLAMIC” reported to have reached India ( this could be the ship above)
• 30 Jan. “USS WAKEFIELD” with the “WESTPOINT” and “DUCHESS OF BEDFORD” in same convoy which altogether had 4000 passengers. Including a Mrs. McCormac (wife of “You will die in Singapore” author). Went to Tanjong Priok.
• 30 Jan. “USS WESTPOINT”
• 30 Jan. “SS DUCHESS OF BEDFORD” including Mrs. Pelton and Mrs. Barbara Parnell ( nurse with Malayan auxiliary service MAS in Ipoh)
• 31 Jan. “EMPRESS OF JAPAN “with 1221 evacuees including a Mrs. Dora Gurney plus 3 children, to Tanjong Priok where it left again on 15 Jan.

Some time in either January or February;

• “SS. ANGLO INDIAN” which reached Tanjong Priok on 12 February
• “SS. AUBY” (636 tons) reached Tanjong Priok
• “TIEN KWANG/ TUN KUANG” which had many Government servants on board plus RAF , but was bombed and sunk at Pom Pong Island on 14 Feb along with the “SS KUALA”
• “SS. AQUARIUS”(6094 tons) with 110 passengers but was sunk with possibly only 3 survivors
• “SS. NORAH MOLLER” (4433 tons?) which left with 57 passengers, some were women and children. It was shelled and set on fire. Passengers were rescued by the “HMAS HOBART” and the HMS TENEDOS” ,the latter rescued 28 wounded of whom 6 did not survive the voyage to TP which was reached on possible 4 FEB?
• “SILVER GULL” which was towed from RHIO by the famous Capt Bill Reynolds in his converted Japanese fishing boat (later the “KRAIT”) with women and children (totals vary between 166 and 216people) who were mainly families of Dutch Indonesian garrison soldiers on RHIO; they went to Pom Pong Island and then Rengat
• “MADURA” reported to have later sailed from Batavia (TP) in the last few days of Feb.

February 1942;

• 1 Feb. “ROCHUISSEN” a Dutch cattle boat with no passenger accommodation. Took 200 passengers including 50 Malayan Broadcasting personnel (Enid Innes Ker amongst) and reached Tanjong Priok on 5 Feb.
• 4 Feb. “SEDJATRA” a wooden schooner (30 tons) with 4 civilians on board – later left Tjilitap with 5 civilians and 3 RAF
• 6?? Feb. “SS. CITY OF CANTERBURY” with RAF personnel from 453 sqdn. and women and children
• 7 Feb. “HMS BAN HONG LIONG” (1671 tons) with troops and civilians in company with the “SIN AIK LEE” and reached TP from where it sailed again after two days to an unknown destination
• 8 Feb. “SS. PLANCIUS” which later (15 Feb ) sailed again from Tanjong Priok with 840 evacuees ( principally women and children) from ships that had arrived from Singapore, possibly for South Africa according to some, but more likely to Bombay.
• 8 Feb. “SS. MONARCH” sailed for New Zealand
• ?? Feb. “DOMINION MONARCH” for New Zealand
• 8 Feb. in the evening “FELIX ROUSSEL” (Free French ship) with 110 passengers mainly women and children including Mrs. Marjorie Hudson and Mrs. Dorothy Fawcett.
• 10 Feb. “SS. SILVERLARCH” which reached Java
• 10 Feb. “SS. IPOH” (Straits Shipping Co) left with 200 women and children (many were wives of Survey dept. personnel) plus 300 RAF and reached TP on 14 Feb.
• 10 or 11 or 12 Feb. “BULAN/ BULANG” which arrived TP and then went on to Ceylon
• 11 Feb. “AGAN” (244 tons) with 150 civilians including women and children – it either reached Palembang at midday on 13 Feb. or was sunk with the survivors being picked up by the “TENGORRAH”
• 11 Feb. “GIANG BEE” (1200 tons) a Chinese owned coaster with 200-300 old men, women and children on board. It was sunk by Japanese navy and 200-240 passengers were killed or drowned after getting in lifeboats
• 11 Feb. “PING WO” a pre War Yangste steamer of 200 feet in length and with only a 6 foot draft. Had 200 civilian passengers and ended up towing the destroyer “VENDETTA” all the way to Freemantle where it arrived on 4 March.
• 11 Feb. “KLIAS” which reached Palembang

- the next group of ships probably left in the major convoy of up to 40 vessels which actually departed from Singapore harbour (perhaps in groups according to their speed) early on 12 February ,

• 11 Feb. “SS. JALAVIHAR/ JALIBAHAR” ( 5330 tons) suffered heavy bombing through the Durian straits but passed through TP and finally reached Colombo
• 11 Feb. “SS. JALAKRISHNA” sailed at 1700 hours, possibly clearing the harbour on 12 Feb, in the convoy with the “DELAMORE”, “EMPIRE STAR”,”JALIBAHAR” and “LI SANG”. It was damaged by bombing in the Sunda Straits and via TP reached Colombo. Some reports say it carried no passengers but there was a Mrs. Francis Clarke who, with other evacuees from Singapore later boarded the “PLANCIUS” from TP.
• 11 Feb. “EDANG” left with 11 other vessels to form the slower part of the convoy heading for TP
• 11-12 Feb. “LI SANG” sailed about 1730 hours on 11 Feb (might have actually cleared the Harbour on the 12 Feb.)
• 11-12 Feb. “SS. JALRATNA” (3942 tons) sailed on the night of 11 Feb. and reached Tjilitap from where it left again on 19 Feb.
• 11-12 Feb. “ SS. GORGON’ ( 3533 tons0 a Blue funnel Line ship with 358-380 passengers ( the same convoy as the “DURBAN’, “KEDAH”, “STRONGHOLD”, “EMPIRE STAR” and “YOMA”)and reached TP and later Freemantle, Australia.
• 11-12 Feb. “SS. HONG KHENG” ( 6167 tons) which sailed on the night of 11 feb
• 12 Feb. SS. EMPIRE STAR” with 2000 RAF ground crew and service families, it reached Batavia (i.e. TP) on 15 Feb and then sailed on to Freemantle.
• 12 Feb. at daybreak, “HMS. SCOTT HARLEY” with 170 women and 30 men on board including,
o Michael Ashe
o Roland Braddell
o Miss Linda Brash
o Mrs. Annie L Clark ( wife of Norman Clark engineer Govt. Rice Mills)
o Mrs. Elliott / Mrs. Sharpe – Elliott ( a canteen worker with MAS whose husband was a engineer at the Naval Docks)
o Mrs. W.F. Joyce Fitzpatrick ( husband with Singapore Cold Storage)
o Eliza Martin / Mrs. Eric Martin
o Mrs. Enid Miller
o Mr. & Mrs. Pery
o Nessie Rhodes / Mrs. “Dusty” Rhodes of KL
o Winifred Sinclair
o Dr. J. W. Scarff, his wife, two daughters (Elizabeth and Jopin) and 2 boys
o Joan Winchester / Mrs. V. A. Winchester (wife of a vet and whose brother in law was a doctor)
o A Russian mother and daughter (the latter had a hairdressing shop in Raffles Hotel, Singapore)
o The Secretary to the Governor of Singapore – she is described as about 35 years and 16 stone.
o A naval policeman
o Plus possibly a Mr. Potts, Melvin Thompson, Mrs. Duke, and Mrs. Ray “..of the Municipality” and one child
- most of the “SCOTT HARLEY” European passengers on shipped from Batavia on 21 Feb. to Bombay on the “PLANCIUS”. Some then went on to Australia on the “JOHAN DE WITT”. For a full story of the “SCOTT HARLEY” see the item on the COFEPOW website.
• 12 Feb. “SS. REDANG” (531 tons) of the Thai Navigation Co. with 89 passengers including 6 women and 3 children. It was shelled in the Berhala Straits and sunk – some 30 passengers including 4 women and 2 children got away by boat but were captured by the Japanese.
• 12 Feb. “SING WO” a Yangste river boat (2500 tons) left with 230 passengers including Rohan Rivet who authored “Behind Bamboo” ,it was bombed and ran aground at Muntok where passengers were taken prisoner.
• 13 Feb. “FANLING” a motor launch with 47 passengers which was sunk with only 4 survivors in the Banka Straits
• 13 Feb. “HMS CHANG TEH” sunk in the Durian Straits
• 13 Feb. “SS. KUALA” (at the same time as the “MATA HARI and the “VYNER BROOK” mentioned below) with about 500 people on board including a large group of nurses who had been ordered to leave Singapore. It was sunk on 14 Feb at anchor off Pom Pong Island. The following were on board,
o Nurse Brenda Macduff (who today lives in NZ)
o Nurse Jean Smith
o Nurse Edith wood
o Nurse Olive MacFarlane (killed whilst the ship was at anchor in Singapore)
o Nurse “Paddy” Corke (killed in the bombing at Pom Pong Island)
o Nurse MacPherson (who left Pom Pong Island on the “TANJONG PINANG” which was sunk on the way to Sumatra with almost total loss of life)
o Matron Margot Turner
o Nurse Paddy Clarke
o Nursing Sister Marjorie de Malmanche
o Mary Cooper (Irish)
o Mrs. Doughty
o Miss Doughty
o Jenny Doughty (27 years who lost her leg in the bombing and died later in Padang)
o Dr. Elsie Crowe (Singapore Obstetrician)
o Dr. Marjory Lyon (Johore Government Obstetrician and Surgeon)
o Mrs. Madden
o Olga Neubronner
o Mr. Bruce – Smith (a NZer)
o Group Capt. Nunn and his wife (later died in the sinking of the “ROSENBOOM”)
o Mr. G. T. O’Grady a Public works engineer
• 13 Feb. “SS. SING KHENG SENG” of the Straits Shipping Co with 45 crew from the “EMPRESS OF ASIA” and unknown others.
• 13 Feb. “MATA HARI” with 320 passengers including a large group of nurses. It was captured by the Japanese in the Banka Straits and taken into Muntok harbour. Passengers included Nurse Phyllis Briggs who lives today in the UK.
• 13 Feb. “SS. VYNER BROOK” with 200 evacuees, mainly civilians and nurses. Attacked and sunk in the Banka Straits with heavy loss of life. A large group of the nurses were later murdered by the Japanese on a beach with only Vivian Bullwinkle surviving..
• 13 Feb. HONG KWANG” later abandoned in Java on 9 March
• 13 Feb. a small coaster with 12 British men and a woman named Mary Jenkins
• 13 Feb. in the evening “RELAU” a palm oil tanker of the Straits Shipping Co (75 tons) with 66 passengers. It picked up shipwreck survivors along the way ( including 13 from “SCORPION”) but was captured by the Japanese
• 13 Feb. in the evening “BLUMUT” a small craft of the Johore Marine Dept. with 29 passengers. It was captured by the Japanese off Banka around 16-17 Feb.
• 14 Feb. in the early hours, “HMS. KEDAH” a small costal ship of the Straits Shipping Co. with possibly about 750 men, women and children. It reached Batavia. Mrs. Muriel Reilly, a cipher officer to the Governor, was on board.
• 14?? Feb. “SS. BARLINE / BARLANE” with ships named “BARRIER” , BARRICADE” and “FASTNET” – this one may be an inaccurate piece of info .

What happened to the flags on Percival's car?

Thank you to Mike Stein who shared a photo of of the flags that were removed from the mudguards of the car of British Lt-Gen. Arthur Ernest Percival, the officer in charge of Allied forces at the fall of Singapore on February 15, 1942. According to the recounts by Mike Stein's father Jack - on that day as surrender became imminent Percival ordered that as many vehicles as was possible be driven into the harbour to impede the Japanese fleet from an easy berthing and to stop the vehicles falling into Japanese hands.

An Australian Singapore Harbour Board employee, Jack Stein, took the opportunity to remove the flags from Percival’s car for posterity before pushing the car off the wharf as he had been instructed.Later that day Percival surrendered to his Japanese counterpart Ganeral Yamashita at the Ford Motor Factory on Bukit Timah Road.

Jack Stein then with other Harbour Board members escaped to Java and that story will be documented further in this website. The historical flags are now framed and hanging on display in Western Australia.

SS Kuala sunk off Pom Pong Island

The Kuala was sunk off Pom Pong Island and Michael Pether sent me a note that he met with an elderly lady, Mrs. Brenda Macduff, (now 95 years old but with a sharp mind and memory) recently whom he has come to know well in his research.

She was a British nurse, married to a British lawyer who was serving in the Federated Malay States Volunteer Forces, working in Ipoh who ended up nursing in Alexandra Hospital as the Allies retreated into Singapore. She and other Alexandra nurses were strictly ordered to evacuate on 13 February 1942 from Singapore and boarded the "SS Kuala" which was bombed and machine gunned (with about 500 people on board) as it tried to camouflage itself a day later off Pom Pong Island in the Rhio Archipelago. Many (possibly 100-150) were killed in this cruel event and then another 200 (mainly women ,children and wounded) of the complement died when they were "rescued " from Pom Pong island a few days later by the "SS Tanjong Pinang" which was sunk by the Japanese on its way to Sumatra.

Brenda was rescued with the remainder (by the famous Capt Bill Reynolds and his converted Japanese fishing boat - the one that was later renamed the "Krait" and which took the Australian Commandoes to Singapore to blow up Japanese shipping) and continued nursing the wounded on the escape trail across Sumatra to Padang so as a result arrived at Padang after the last evacuation ship had left there - she ended up in a Japanese POW camp in Sumatra for the remainder of the War.

HMS Scorpion

Motor Launches 'Osprey' and 'Mary Rose'

On the evening of February 13th, Captain George Mulock was ordered to report to Fort Canning, where he was informed that his tenure as Extended Defences Officer was complete, because within hours there would be no colony to defend. Although unwilling to abandon the colony, Mulock had important work to carry out and his knowledge of naval and military intelligence, including the MAGIC/ULTRA machines made him a potential Japanese target.

He was ordered to requisition the Osprey, a motor launch, and convey key Australian diplomatic personnel to safety. The Osprey was designed to seat ten persons, but when the party arrived it numbered nearly forty. At the party’s head Australian Commissioner Vivian G Bowden CBE, and his staff. Bowden had refused to leave, but on Percival’s urging he finally decided to leave. However, in the early hours of February 14th the group was confronted by a mob of Australian deserters armed with Tommy-guns and hand grenades.

The party, led by Captain Mulock, eventually was able to make their way onto the Osprey, but because of the large number of persons aboard, transferred to the motor launch Mary Rose, anchored in the middle of Keppel Harbour. The Mary Rose, a forty-foot motor launch would fittingly be probably the last ship out of the colony. According to Richard Gough’s The Escape from Singapore’ the launch was skippered by an elderly RN officer ordered to take it through the Banka Straits to Pulembang in Sumatra. The launch carried some 38 passengers including Mr Vivian Gordon Bowden (Australian Commissioner to Singapore), Mr A.N. Wootton (Commercial Secretary) Mr J.P. Queen (Political Secretary), Lt. Colonel John Dalley (Commanding Officer, SOE 101st Special Training School), Captain C. Corry, Wayne of Special Branch and a Policeman.

Captain Mulock’s main priority was the safe passage of key personnel, however at his side also lay a secondary and more important duty. Boarding the Osprey and later the Mary Rose, Mulock carried a large case carrying a vital component of the Allied war effort. Mulock had received orders from Admiral Spooner, to take the top-secret de-coding machine, used to decipher and re-assemble Japanese naval ciphers, and throw it into the harbour once clear of the colony. It was vital that this piece of technology not fall into Japanese hands less they discover that the Allies had been able to decipher the so-called ‘Emperor’s Codes’ for some considerable time.

From his new headquarters at the Ford Motor Factory on Bukit Timah Road, General Yamashita warned the Japanese Navy and Air Force to comb the seas around Singapore for a possible Expeditionary force. A large naval force anchored at the head of the Banka Straits was now positioned directly in front of the ships carrying evacuees. General Percival would write “I regret to have to report that the flotilla of small ships and other light craft which left Singapore on the night of 13-14 February encountered a Japanese naval force in the approaches to the Banka Straits. It was attacked by light naval craft and by aircraft. Many ships and other craft were sunk or disabled and there was considerable loss of life. Others were wounded or were forced ashore and were subsequently captured.”

On 17 February 1942 the Mary Rose was caught in a searchlight by two Japanese patrol vessels that threatened to open fire. In the absence of a white flag, a pair of underpants was hoisted. The craft was escorted to Muntok harbour, Banka Island in the East Indies.

The prisoners were held in a cinema-hall at Muntok where Bowden informed his captors in their own language of his diplomatic status and remonstrated with guards who attempted to remove his personal possessions. Soldiers punched him and took him outside. During the struggle, Captain Mulock, himself only two years younger than Bowden had his nose broken by a rifle butt. A local resident saw 'an elderly white-haired gentleman' forced to dig a shallow grave and stand at its edge before being executed.

This insight was kindly provided by

Mr R B D Hughes
Nephew of Captain George Mulock DSO, RN, FRGS
Head of Extended Defences/Extended Defences Officer for Singapore August 1939-February 1942

Last boat away from the bomb damaged Kung Wo

Yangstze Steamer Wu Chang

Civilian Evacuation list by Michael Pether

Evacuation of Civilians from Singapore December 1941 - February 1942

Michael Pether has complied a list of Ships/Vessels carrying Civilian Evacuees and the dates of departure from Singapore. He has complied this list only for vessels knwon to be carrying civilians and vessels carrying only servicemen have not been included where known. Michael is keen to add names and details where possible and should you have any further information I would be pleased to put you in contact with Michael.


January 1942;

• 16 Jan. “SS. NARKUNDA” with many passengers including a Mrs. Hosking and her children on board. Reached Australia.
• Some time mid-Jan. a British India steamer with probably over 1000 Japanese women and children internees and some allied civilians including a Miss Norah Inge (a missionary). Went to India.
• 23 Jan. – “ISLAM/ISLAMIC” reported to have reached India ( this could be the ship above)
• 30 Jan. “USS WAKEFIELD” with the “WESTPOINT” and “DUCHESS OF BEDFORD” in same convoy which altogether had 4000 passengers. Including a Mrs. McCormac (wife of “You will die in Singapore” author). Went to Tanjong Priok.
• 30 Jan. “USS WESTPOINT”
• 30 Jan. “SS DUCHESS OF BEDFORD” including Mrs. Pelton and Mrs. Barbara Parnell ( nurse with Malayan auxiliary service MAS in Ipoh)
• 31 Jan. “EMPRESS OF JAPAN “with 1221 evacuees including a Mrs. Dora Gurney plus 3 children, to Tanjong Priok where it left again on 15 Jan.

Some time in either January or February;

• “SS. ANGLO INDIAN” which reached Tanjong Priok on 12 February
• “SS. AUBY” (636 tons) reached Tanjong Priok
• “TIEN KWANG/ TUN KUANG” which had many Government servants on board plus RAF , but was bombed and sunk at Pom Pong Island on 14 Feb along with the “SS KUALA”
• “SS. AQUARIUS”(6094 tons) with 110 passengers but was sunk with possibly only 3 survivors
• “SS. NORAH MOLLER” (4433 tons?) which left with 57 passengers, some were women and children. It was shelled and set on fire. Passengers were rescued by the “HMAS HOBART” and the HMS TENEDOS” ,the latter rescued 28 wounded of whom 6 did not survive the voyage to TP which was reached on possible 4 FEB?
• “SILVER GULL” which was towed from RHIO by the famous Capt Bill Reynolds in his converted Japanese fishing boat (later the “KRAIT”) with women and children (totals vary between 166 and 216people) who were mainly families of Dutch Indonesian garrison soldiers on RHIO; they went to Pom Pong Island and then Rengat
• “MADURA” reported to have later sailed from Batavia (TP) in the last few days of Feb.

February 1942;

• 1 Feb. “ROCHUISSEN” a Dutch cattle boat with no passenger accommodation. Took 200 passengers including 50 Malayan Broadcasting personnel (Enid Innes Ker amongst) and reached Tanjong Priok on 5 Feb.
• 4 Feb. “SEDJATRA” a wooden schooner (30 tons) with 4 civilians on board – later left Tjilitap with 5 civilians and 3 RAF
• 6?? Feb. “SS. CITY OF CANTERBURY” with RAF personnel from 453 sqdn. and women and children
• 7 Feb. “HMS BAN HONG LIONG” (1671 tons) with troops and civilians in company with the “SIN AIK LEE” and reached TP from where it sailed again after two days to an unknown destination
• 8 Feb. “SS. PLANCIUS” which later (15 Feb ) sailed again from Tanjong Priok with 840 evacuees ( principally women and children) from ships that had arrived from Singapore, possibly for South Africa according to some, but more likely to Bombay.
• 8 Feb. “SS. MONARCH” sailed for New Zealand
• ?? Feb. “DOMINION MONARCH” for New Zealand
• 8 Feb. in the evening “FELIX ROUSSEL” (Free French ship) with 110 passengers mainly women and children including Mrs. Marjorie Hudson and Mrs. Dorothy Fawcett.
• 10 Feb. “SS. SILVERLARCH” which reached Java
• 10 Feb. “SS. IPOH” (Straits Shipping Co) left with 200 women and children (many were wives of Survey dept. personnel) plus 300 RAF and reached TP on 14 Feb.
• 10 or 11 or 12 Feb. “BULAN/ BULANG” which arrived TP and then went on to Ceylon
• 11 Feb. “AGAN” (244 tons) with 150 civilians including women and children – it either reached Palembang at midday on 13 Feb. or was sunk with the survivors being picked up by the “TENGORRAH”
• 11 Feb. “GIANG BEE” (1200 tons) a Chinese owned coaster with 200-300 old men, women and children on board. It was sunk by Japanese navy and 200-240 passengers were killed or drowned after getting in lifeboats
• 11 Feb. “PING WO” a pre War Yangste steamer of 200 feet in length and with only a 6 foot draft. Had 200 civilian passengers and ended up towing the destroyer “VENDETTA” all the way to Freemantle where it arrived on 4 March.
• 11 Feb. “KLIAS” which reached Palembang

- the next group of ships probably left in the major convoy of up to 40 vessels which actually departed from Singapore harbour (perhaps in groups according to their speed) early on 12 February ,

• 11 Feb. “SS. JALAVIHAR/ JALIBAHAR” ( 5330 tons) suffered heavy bombing through the Durian straits but passed through TP and finally reached Colombo
• 11 Feb. “SS. JALAKRISHNA” sailed at 1700 hours, possibly clearing the harbour on 12 Feb, in the convoy with the “DELAMORE”, “EMPIRE STAR”,”JALIBAHAR” and “LI SANG”. It was damaged by bombing in the Sunda Straits and via TP reached Colombo. Some reports say it carried no passengers but there was a Mrs. Francis Clarke who, with other evacuees from Singapore later boarded the “PLANCIUS” from TP.
• 11 Feb. “EDANG” left with 11 other vessels to form the slower part of the convoy heading for TP
• 11-12 Feb. “LI SANG” sailed about 1730 hours on 11 Feb (might have actually cleared the Harbour on the 12 Feb.)
• 11-12 Feb. “SS. JALRATNA” (3942 tons) sailed on the night of 11 Feb. and reached Tjilitap from where it left again on 19 Feb.
• 11-12 Feb. “ SS. GORGON’ ( 3533 tons0 a Blue funnel Line ship with 358-380 passengers ( the same convoy as the “DURBAN’, “KEDAH”, “STRONGHOLD”, “EMPIRE STAR” and “YOMA”)and reached TP and later Freemantle, Australia.
• 11-12 Feb. “SS. HONG KHENG” ( 6167 tons) which sailed on the night of 11 feb
• 12 Feb. SS. EMPIRE STAR” with 2000 RAF ground crew and service families, it reached Batavia (i.e. TP) on 15 Feb and then sailed on to Freemantle.
• 12 Feb. at daybreak, “HMS. SCOTT HARLEY” with 170 women and 30 men on board including,
o Michael Ashe
o Roland Braddell
o Miss Linda Brash
o Mrs. Annie L Clark ( wife of Norman Clark engineer Govt. Rice Mills)
o Mrs. Elliott / Mrs. Sharpe – Elliott ( a canteen worker with MAS whose husband was a engineer at the Naval Docks)
o Mrs. W.F. Joyce Fitzpatrick ( husband with Singapore Cold Storage)
o Eliza Martin / Mrs. Eric Martin
o Mrs. Enid Miller
o Mr. & Mrs. Pery
o Nessie Rhodes / Mrs. “Dusty” Rhodes of KL
o Winifred Sinclair
o Dr. J. W. Scarff, his wife, two daughters (Elizabeth and Jopin) and 2 boys
o Joan Winchester / Mrs. V. A. Winchester (wife of a vet and whose brother in law was a doctor)
o A Russian mother and daughter (the latter had a hairdressing shop in Raffles Hotel, Singapore)
o The Secretary to the Governor of Singapore – she is described as about 35 years and 16 stone.
o A naval policeman
o Plus possibly a Mr. Potts, Melvin Thompson, Mrs. Duke, and Mrs. Ray “..of the Municipality” and one child
- most of the “SCOTT HARLEY” European passengers on shipped from Batavia on 21 Feb. to Bombay on the “PLANCIUS”. Some then went on to Australia on the “JOHAN DE WITT”. For a full story of the “SCOTT HARLEY” see the item on the COFEPOW website.
• 12 Feb. “SS. REDANG” (531 tons) of the Thai Navigation Co. with 89 passengers including 6 women and 3 children. It was shelled in the Berhala Straits and sunk – some 30 passengers including 4 women and 2 children got away by boat but were captured by the Japanese.
• 12 Feb. “SING WO” a Yangste river boat (2500 tons) left with 230 passengers including Rohan Rivet who authored “Behind Bamboo” ,it was bombed and ran aground at Muntok where passengers were taken prisoner.
• 13 Feb. “FANLING” a motor launch with 47 passengers which was sunk with only 4 survivors in the Banka Straits
• 13 Feb. “HMS CHANG TEH” sunk in the Durian Straits
• 13 Feb. “SS. KUALA” (at the same time as the “MATA HARI and the “VYNER BROOK” mentioned below) with about 500 people on board including a large group of nurses who had been ordered to leave Singapore. It was sunk on 14 Feb at anchor off Pom Pong Island. The following were on board,
o Nurse Brenda Macduff (who today lives in NZ)
o Nurse Jean Smith
o Nurse Edith wood
o Nurse Olive MacFarlane (killed whilst the ship was at anchor in Singapore)
o Nurse “Paddy” Corke (killed in the bombing at Pom Pong Island)
o Nurse MacPherson (who left Pom Pong Island on the “TANJONG PINANG” which was sunk on the way to Sumatra with almost total loss of life)
o Matron Margot Turner
o Nurse Paddy Clarke
o Nursing Sister Marjorie de Malmanche
o Mary Cooper (Irish)
o Mrs. Doughty
o Miss Doughty
o Jenny Doughty (27 years who lost her leg in the bombing and died later in Padang)
o Dr. Elsie Crowe (Singapore Obstetrician)
o Dr. Marjory Lyon (Johore Government Obstetrician and Surgeon)
o Mrs. Madden
o Olga Neubronner
o Mr. Bruce – Smith (a NZer)
o Group Capt. Nunn and his wife (later died in the sinking of the “ROSENBOOM”)
o Mr. G. T. O’Grady a Public works engineer
• 13 Feb. “SS. SING KHENG SENG” of the Straits Shipping Co with 45 crew from the “EMPRESS OF ASIA” and unknown others.
• 13 Feb. “MATA HARI” with 320 passengers including a large group of nurses. It was captured by the Japanese in the Banka Straits and taken into Muntok harbour. Passengers included Nurse Phyllis Briggs who lives today in the UK.
• 13 Feb. “SS. VYNER BROOK” with 200 evacuees, mainly civilians and nurses. Attacked and sunk in the Banka Straits with heavy loss of life. A large group of the nurses were later murdered by the Japanese on a beach with only Vivian Bullwinkle surviving..
• 13 Feb. HONG KWANG” later abandoned in Java on 9 March
• 13 Feb. a small coaster with 12 British men and a woman named Mary Jenkins
• 13 Feb. in the evening “RELAU” a palm oil tanker of the Straits Shipping Co (75 tons) with 66 passengers. It picked up shipwreck survivors along the way (including 13 from “SCORPION”) but was captured by the Japanese
• 13 Feb. in the evening “BLUMUT” a small craft of the Johore Marine Dept. with 29 passengers. It was captured by the Japanese off Banka around 16-17 Feb.
• 14 Feb. in the early hours, “HMS. KEDAH” a small costal ship of the Straits Shipping Co. with possibly about 750 men, women and children. It reached Batavia. Mrs. Muriel Reilly, a cipher officer to the Governor, was on board.
• 14?? Feb. “SS. BARLINE / BARLANE” with ships named “BARRIER” , BARRICADE” and “FASTNET” – this one may be an inaccurate piece of info .

SS IPOH

Edward Marriott writes that in relation to the SS IPOH that an ex POW was interviewed and he is adamant he sailed on the SS IPOH from Singapore to Sumatra. Captain Jannings (IPOH) last report apparently doesnt mention stopping at Sumatra, but mentions the voyage to Batavia.

The memoirs "LIFE OF RILEY", can be found on the Far East Heroes page of the FEPOW FORUM and the relevant section is the chapter Escape from Singapore onwards. The relevant extract is:-

Ahead of Dennis, on Jan 30th, a convoy of small ships had left with troops and equipment heading for Pladjoe and Palembang in Sumatra. Sam was aboard this convoy. I haven’t yet found out if my dad was with him or Dennis.

The next day, still in Singapore, Dennis’ group came across the 100ft “SS.IPOH,” the only vessel moored up at the quayside lying empty and idle. Dennis heard the captain shouting to the men that he had no fuel (coal), no crew and would not be able to put to sea.

The soldiers looked about the quayside and saw heaps of coal ready to be loaded for ships boilers. Within minutes orders were given and men toiled to shovel the coal aboard as fast as possible. A few soldiers jumped aboard and started stoking up the boiler. The troops on the quayside made their way along the decks, but being so many the boat began to list heavily. Immediately the order was given for a more orderly dispersion of weight across the deck and men were sent below as the decks became crowded.

Eventually the New Zealand Steamship Company’s little ship cast off and slowly steamed away from the hell of Singapore. Building up speed she headed towards Sumatra, everyone on board praying that the ship would not turn turtle with so many aboard.

Above them a lone Jap bomber had spotted them and released three bombs. Already patched up from previous damage, Dennis wondered just how much more this craft could take as he held his breath watching the line of bombs heading toward them.

Fortune was smiling on them as the bombs hit the water yards away exploding in a line and showering the huddled troops with water. A lad from Bridgenorth, *Jimmy Green of the 6th HAA, suffered an injury to his leg from shrapnel. Dennis did not know if any other injuries occurred to the rest of the men.

* Eventually, Jimmy would have to have the leg amputated in the P.O.W. camp and Dennis would make him crutches.

The picture of the SS IPOH was provided by Edward and is from an an oil painting kindly sent to him from Alex Norrie. His grandfather owned the painting after serving as an engineer aboard her in the 1920’s.

Another ship that Edward is looking for information on is a ship named the SS DARVEL that left Singapore on the 31st Jan 1942. If anyone has any information about the SS IPOH or can verify this information relating to the IPOH and Sumatra and or information relating to the SS DARVEL I would be happy to pass the information on. Thank you Edward for this contribution!

HMS Scott Harley

Michael Pether from New Zealand shared with me this facinating insight into a story related to the HMS Scott Harley.

There are well documented accounts of some of the ships that fled the chaos of Singapore as the Japanese troops were advancing across that small island in the final days before its surrender - these include the tragic story of the SS 'Vyner Brooke' which left on the night of 12 February and, earlier, the SS 'Empire Star' which had left at dawn on that day with a convoy that is variously described as ranging from six to thirty two vessels.

Other vessels mentioned as being in this convoy are 'Gorgon', 'Yoma', 'Delamore', 'Jalibahar/Jalibar', 'Jalakrishna /Jalikrishna' and 'Li sang/Lee sang'. This convoy was apparently accompanied by the light cruiser HMS 'Durham', HMS 'Stronghold' and possibly the HMS 'Kedah'.

No published accounts, however, seem to record the fact that at dawn that day the Royal Navy requisitioned auxiliary minesweeper HMS 'Scott Harley' (620 tons, built 1913) also departed (possibly with the convoy) and was one of the few ships leaving at that time which successfully reached the safety of Batavia (now Jakarta).

Some authors have estimated that only two or three of the approximately 40 ships (i.e. not including small craft such as junks and launches) that left Singapore during 11 - 13 Feb 1942 actually made it to safety and that only about one in four evacuees/escapees during the last week before the surrender reached sanctuary. Our family's recollections include the statement that eight out of the thirty two in the convoy mentioned above safely made it to Batavia, but this cannot be proven.

On the 'Scott Harley' was my grandmother Annie Clark, a New Zealander in her fifties, who had been living in the Far East (as it was called at the time) for some years with her husband and children. This is also a slice of the story of Annie Clark and her daughter Kathleen who both experienced the war as wives of men in Japanese POW camps.

To make it easier to understand the context of her following account of the harrowing last week before surrender and (with the benefit of knowing the massive loss of life and ships escaping Singapore at this time) the very lucky voyage of the HMS 'Scott Harley' I will include some information on the family she refers to in Singapore at the time.

Annie was a gentle lady who, in the decade leading up to the fall of Singapore, had travelled and lived with her husband as he worked in Siam, Borneo, Shanghai, and by 1940 in Malaya. In 1941 they moved to Singapore where her husband Norman "Nobby" Clark (also a New Zealander) was an engineer in the Government Rice Mills. Nobby was a NZ Artillery veteran of the First World War campaign at Gallipoli. Also in Singapore by 1940 were my father Harold Pether (an Englishman and a manager with C.C. Wakefield & Co. - now known as Castrol Oil), mother Kathleen (who was Annie's daughter) and their baby daughter Maureen. Harold wisely put his wife and daughter on a ship to New Zealand in Dec 1941 when the Japanese invaded Malaya.

In 1940 Nobby and Annie had left behind in Kuala Lumpur their 17 year old son John "Jack" Clark, fresh out of boarding school in New Zealand and in his first job as an Assistant with ICI. Malaya Ltd. In 1941 Jack joined up with the Federated Malay States Volunteer Forces, where he was a Private in the 2nd Selangor Battalion.
Nobby Clark and Harold Pether were to become civilian internees after the fall of Singapore - firstly in Changi and then Sime Road Camp. Jack Clark went missing (some recollections point to him being executed by the Japanese) whilst escaping from Singapore's island fortress of Blakang Mati after the surrender on 15 February 1942. He is remembered on the Singapore War Memorial at Kranji (his last days and the FMSVF are the subject of ongoing research by our family).

Michael has sent me an account of Annie's experience during the last days prior to the fall of Singapore and her evacuation to Batavia on the HMS 'Scott Harley' - from Batavia she spent many weeks on ships to India, Ceylon and Australia, before reaching New Zealand in June 1942.The account was written by Annie and her husband (probably in 1961) - According to Michael it seems they are referring to a diary for much of the content.

If anyone can help Michael with any further information related to this ship or to any of the pople mantioned in this contribution Michael would be pleased to hear from you and I can put you in touch with him. I can also forward further information related to Annie Clark's experience that Michael has shared with me if it would help garner more information.

I am also keen to obtain a photo of the HMS Scott Harley should anyone know where I can find one.

Evacuation and Rescue Ships 1942

This is a list created by Arthur Lane ex-FEPOW as listed on COFEPOW website. It is not complete but but it does give an overview of what happened to some of the ships and vessels that I am researching.

16.1.42 Motor Launch KELANA (R, 88t) - Sunk by aircraft Malaya
21.1. 42 Collier ZANNIS L CAMBANIS (R, 5317t, 1920) - Mined off Singapore
22.1.42 Armed Trader LARUT (R, 894t, 1927) - Sunk by aircraft off E Coast of Sumatra
22.1.42 Armed trader RAUB (R, 1161t, 1926) - Sunk by aircraft off E Coast of Sumatra
27.1.42. Destroyer THANET (1000t, 1919) - Sunk in action with Japanese surface craft off Malaya.
2.42. Auxiliary anti-submarine vessel TIEN KWANG (R, 787t, 1925) - Lost or destroyed to prevent falling into enemy hands Singapore area.
2.42. Boom defence vessel DOWGATE (290t, 1935) - Lost or destroyed to prevent falling into Japanese hands at Singapore.
2.42. Boom defence vessel LUDGATE (290t, 1935) - Lost or destroyed to prevent falling into Japanese hands at Singapore.
2.42. Examination vessel SOLEN (R) - Presumed lost at Singapore.
2.42. Landing craft personnel (Large) LCP (L) No 180-185 (Total 6, 8 - 11t each) - Lost at Singapore.
2.42. Motor launch ML PENGHAMBAT - Lost or destroyed to prevent falling into enemy hands at Singapore.
2.42. Motor launch ML PENINGAT (R) - Lost or destroyed to prevent falling into enemy hands at Singapore.
2.42. Patrol vessel GIANG BEE (R, 1646t, 1908) - Lost or destroyed to prevent falling into enemy hands - Singapore area.
2.42. Small craft SHUN AN (R) - Lost or destroyed to prevent falling into Japanese hands at Singapore.
2.42. Tug WO KWANG (R, 350t, 1927) - Assumed lost at Singapore.
11.2.42. Armed trader LIPIS (R, 845t, 1927) - Believed lost by enemy action off Singapore.
13.2.42. Auxiliary anti-submarine vessel SHU KWANG (R, 788t, 1924) - Sunk by aircraft Dutch East Indies.
13.2.42. Auxiliary anti-submarine vessel SIANG WO (R, 2595t, 1926) - Bombed and beached Dutch East Indies.
13.2.42. Boom accommodation ship SUI WO (R, 2672t, 1896) - Lost or destroyed to prevent falling into Japanese hands at Singapore.
13.2.42. Minesweeper HUA TONG (R, 280t, 1927) - Sunk by aircraft in Palembang River, Sumatra.
13.2.42. River gun boat SCORPION (700t, 1938) - Sunk by gunfire from Japanese surface craft Banka Straits after aircraft attack on 9.2.42.
14.2.42. Armed trader VYNER BROOKE (R, 1670t, 1928) - Sunk by aircraft off Banka Straits, Sumatra.
14.2.42. Auxiliary anti-submarine vessel KUALA (R, 954t, 1911) - Sunk by aircraft Dutch East Indies.
14.2.42. Minelayer KUNG WO (R, 4636t, 1921) - Sunk by aircraft bombs near Lingga Archipelago, Singapore area.
14.2.42. Minesweeper CHANGTEH (R, 244t) - Sunk by aircraft bombs, Singapore area.
14.2.42. Motor launch ML No. 311 (73t, 29.11.41.) - Sunk by Japanese gunfire Banka Straits, Sumatra.
14.2.42. River gunboat DRAGONFLY (625t, 1939) - Sailing from Singapore and sunk by aircraft bombs.
14.2.42. River gunboat GRASSHOPPER (625t, 1939) - Sailing from Singapore and sunk by aircraft bombs.
14.2.42. Tug PENGAWAL - Sunk by aircraft Durian Straits, Singapore.
14.2.42. Tug ST BREOCK (810t) - Sunk by aircraft bombs off Sumatra.
14.2.42. Tug ST JUST (810t, 1919) - Sunk by aircraft Durian Straits, Singapore.
14.2.42. Whaler TRANG (R, 205t, 1912) - Fired and abandoned Cooper Channel, Singapore.
15.2.42. Minesweeper KLIAS (R, 207t, 1927) - Scuttled at Palembang, Sumatra.
15.2.42. Tug YIN PING (R, 1914) - Sunk by gun fire.
16.2.42. Motor launch ML No. 1062 (40t) - Sunk by gunfire Banka Straits, Sumatra.
17.2.42. Minesweeper JARAK (R, 208t) - Sunk by Aircraft bombs Singapore area.
18.2.42. Minesweeper MALACCA (R, 210t, 1927) - Scuttled in Tjemako River, Sumatra.
27.2.42. Destroyer ELECTRA (1375t, 1934) - Sunk by surface craft gunfire Java Sea.
27.2.42. Destroyer JUPITER (1760t, 25.6.39.) - Sunk by torpedo Java Sea.
28.2.42. Auxiliary anti-submarine vessel MATA HARI (R, 1020t, 1915) - Sunk by aircraft in Sunda Strait, Java Sea.
2.3.42. Minesweeper FUH WO (R, 953t, 1922) - Lost by enemy action or destroyed at Singapore.
2.3.42. Minesweeper LI WO (R, 707t, 1938) - Lost by enemy action or destroyed at Singapore.
2.3.42. Minesweeper SIN AIK LEE (R, 198t, 1928) - Lost by enemy action or destroyed at Singapore.
2.3.42. Minesweeper TAPAH (R, 208t, 1926) - Lost by enemy action or destroyed at Singapore.
3.42. Whaler JERAM (R, 210t, 1927) - Presumed lost, Sinngapore area.
1.3.42. Cruiser EXETER (8390t, 1931) - Sunk in action with Japanese surface craft, Java Sea.
1.3.42. Destroyer ENCOUNTER (1375t, 1934) - Sunk in action with Japanese surface craft, Java Sea.
1.3.42. Motor launch ML No. 1063 (40t, 1.42.) - Sunk in action, Tanjong Priok, Java.
1.3.42. Tanker/Oiler WAR SIRDAR (5518t, 1920) - Lost on reef NW Batavia.
1.3.42. Whaler RAHMAN (R, 209t, 1926) - Lost or destroyed Batavia.
2.3.42. Destroyer STRONGHOLD (905t, 1919) - Sunk in action with Japanese surface craft, south of Java.
2.3.42. Whaler GEMAS (R, 207T, 1925) - Scuttled Tjilatjap, Java.
3.3.42. Minesweeper SCOTT HARLEY (R, 620t, 1913) - Sunk, probably by surface craft Indian Ocean.
3.3.42. Tanker Oiler FRANCOL (2623t, 1917) - Sunk by gunfire of Japanese surface craft south of Java, Indian Ocean.
3.3.42. Base ship ANKING (R, 3472t, 1925) - Sunk by gunfire of Japanese surface craft, south of Java, Indian Ocean.
4.3.42. Motor minesweeper MMS No 51 (226t, 26.11.41.) - Scuttled south of Java to prevent capture by Japanese.
8.3.42. Whaler JERANTUT (R, 217t, 1927) - Scuttled Palembang, Sumatra.
25.12.42. Landing craft personnel (Large) LCP (L) No 36 (8211t) - Lost by fire at Chittagong, India. Date given as 24th/25th.

Black Friday - 13th of February 1942

HMS Kedah in her wartime colours


Captain George F A Mulock, D.S.O., R.N., F.R.G.S. (1882-1963) served as Extended Defences Officer at Singapore from August of 1939 until the colony’s fall on February 15th, 1942.

It is believed that Captain Mulock and his staff at Extended Defences, under the in-direct command of Admiral EJ Spooner, co-ordinated the evacuation of some sixteen vessels which sailed from Singapore at dawn on the 12th February, or ‘Black Friday’ as it would later be known.

The exact size of the so-called ‘Empire Star Convoy’ is unknown and numbers range from six to over thirty, but included the Empire Star, Gorgon, Yoma, Delamore, HMS Scott Harley. The light cruiser HMS Durban, HMS Stronghold and HMS Kedah would escort the convoy. It is estimated that only two or three of the dozens of ships to leave Singapore during 11 - 13 Feb 1942 actually made it to safety.

Three ships, which he personally oversaw the evacuation of were Blue Star cargo ship SS Empire Star (which left on the 12th February), the SS Vyner Brooke (left on the night of 12th February), and the SS Malacca (which left on the morning of the 13th February 1942). The Empire Star and HMS Kedah were two of those who did make it without being sunk by the Japanese.

Evacuation of Rear Admiral EJ Spooner & Captain GFA Mulock

Photo of Rear Admiral Spooner and his wife Megan at Admiral House in Singapore

Mr RBD Hughes provides this fascinating insight regarding his Uncle and the evacuation:-

I have been provided with your e-mail address by very helpful members of the FEPOW community in Britain. I have also viewed your blog relating to the evacuation from Singapore. My uncle Captain George F A Mulock, DSO, RN, FRGS (1882-1963) served as Extended Defences Officer at Singapore until the colony's fall in February 1942. He personally arranged the 'evacuation?!' of Rear-Admiral Jackie Spooner aboard a motor launch, and when the Admiral left Singapore, my uncle was in effect SNO, he being the most senior naval officer to be captured at Singapore. I write to you as I know that it is an area of some interest to you.

I believe, from the limited papers relating to my uncle's time at Singapore, that he assumed some control over the evacuation of civilians from the colony, as the government there had more or less let people pursue their own passage. I know that he arranged the evacuation of women, children and a selection of naval officers aboard the Blue Star cargo ship SS Empire Star. Nevertheless, it was the sight of women and children left to fend for themselves in Singapore that haunted my uncle for the rest of his life. He believed, perhaps unfairly given the apathy displayed by the Straits Settlement Government, that he did not do enough.

I would very much like to contribute a small piece for your blog, relating to my uncle, who was the nephew of British Poet Laureate Sir Alfred Austin, and served under Captain R F Scott during the 1901-1904 British National Antarctic Expedition and at Gallipoli in 1915-1916, winning the DSO for saving lives from HMS Ocean and the evacuation form Suvla Bay and the Cape Helles.

I hope that some more information can be gleaned from interested parties, as I know nothing about his time as Extended Defences Officer, except for his brief memoirs, in which he devotes little time to Singapore. I am hoping to re-write and publish his memoirs under the title White Ribbon, White Flag.

With thanks
Mr R B D Hughes
Nephew of Captain George Mulock DSO, RN, FRGS
Head of Extended Defences/Extended Defences Officer for Singapore August 1939-February 1942

If anyone can help with any further information relating to Captain GFA Mulock I would be happy pass the information on.

Christopher Thorne has kindly shared the information below relating to the passenger list of ALL those on the Fairmile M/L 310

KEY: A = Reached Java / B = Died Tjebia / C = PoW / D= Survived / E = Missing / F = Dcd Singapore.

Lt J Bull RNZVR CO A, Rear Admiral EJ Spooner RAMY B, LLt Henderson XO 310 B, Air Vice Marshal CW Pulford ACC Far East B, Mne Day C, Act Lt Brough Coxwain 310 A, Cdr. PL Frampton RN B, StSgt Lockett RE EAB Hill A, Wing Cdr. PA Atkins RAFVR C, StSgt Ginn RE EA B, Oldenall C Lt RAW Pool RN C, StSgt Davis RE BA B, Johnstone C Lt IW Stonor Argyll/Sutherland Highlanders C, Sgt Wright RMP C, AB Flower B, Mr. Richardson, Warrant Bosun RN C, L/C Shrimpton RMP F, AB Hayward B, P/O Keeling B, L/C Turner RMP C, AB Russell B, P/O Firbank C, L/C Schief RMP C, Teleg'st Tweedale C, P/O Sto. Bale B, L/C Stride RMP C, P/O Motor Mech Johncock C, Telg'fst Smithwick RN C A, A/C Smith RAF C, Sto Tucker C , Sgt. Hornby RM B, A/C Bettany RAF C, Sto Paddon C , Mne Sully B, Sto Townsend B, Mne Robinson C , Sto Scammell RN B, Sto Little B, Mne Smith C, Pte Docherty Gdn Hi'l'ers B, Cook "Charlie" Chinese D, Mne Sneddon C , Mr Dimmert RN D'yd S'pre B.

This makes a total of 47 bodies on a boat built for a crew of 6/7

Artist's image of the last moments of the Li Wo

What finally happened to the "Mata Hari"?

What was the background behind the sinking of the MATA HARI?

There are possibly conflicting records I hope that someone maybe able to verify what actually happened to the vessel.

An Account by H. WALKER, M.B.E., a Civilian Engineer at the Naval Dockyard, Singapore, who stayed behind to destroy the Naval Fuelling Installations gives a very interesting personal account and states that the MATA HARI was captured 10 miles S.E. of Muntok by the Japanese. The captain surrendered because the passengers were mostly women, children and nurses, there was also a few Argylls and Royal Marines on board. They were taken ashore at Muntok on Banka Island

The MATA HARI originally left Singapore on the 12th February 1942 preceded by the VYNER BROOKE and when captured there were apparently no casualties despite the fact that ship had apparently been attacked by over 80 Japanese planes.

The voyage included the rescue of five sailors who were survivors from the gunboat HMS Scorpion who had been swimming about in the dark for five hours and had almost given up hope of rescue. Later that night they reached the mouth of the Moesi river which runs into Palembang but a hitch occurred - a pilot was required and there wasn't one available so the MATA HARI anchored.

H. Walker stated it was a very dark night and during the dark suddenly shells began to 'zip' overhead with two Japanese vessels appearing from behind the shadows of the mangroves and the Captain of the MATA HARI formally surrendered upon the realisation that they were sitting ducks and owing to the large numbers of civilians including women and children who were on board.

When daylight broke the two dark shapes in the night were shown to be a big four-funnelled Japanese cruiser and a Japanese destroyer. The captain of the MATA HARI was instructed to lift anchor and follow the Japanese vessels to Muntok Bay, Banka Island. I understand most of the passengers were then subsequently interned in prison camps.

In http://www.naval-history.net it states the fate of the MATA HARI as being:- MATA HARI, Auxiliary anti-submarine vessel (R, 1,020t, 1915) Sunk by aircraft in Sunda Strait, Java Sea, 1942, February 28.

As the eye witness account states that the MATA HARI was "captured" I am looking to understand if the Japanese then sunk the vessel after capture and if so - why?

What happened to the HMS Laburnum?

In a number of evacuation records the ship "LABURNUM" is referenced. However I could not track down any records of this ship having actually left Singapore. In my request for information I was kindly provided with the following summaries:-

HMS Laburnum
Acacia Class Sweeping Sloop.
Launched by Charles Connell & Company Scotstoun, Yard No: 375, on 10/6/1915 and lost in 1942 Singapore.
1200t normal
76.2m x 10.1m x 3.4m
1 shaft TE, 2 boilers, 1800ihp giving 16.5 knots
2 x 12pdr, and 2 x 3pdr AA guns
Crew 90

1935 became the drill ship in Singapore.
1942 scuttled during the Japanese takeover.

From a another reference on SHIPS OF THE ROYAL NAVY:-
LABURNUM - Sloop 'Acacia' class - Connell (shipbuilders)-10/6/1915. Became a drillship 1935 - Lost 2/1942 Singapore
LABURNUM -(EX WAKATAKA) Drillship, 1890 tons Japanese minelayer seized 17/10/1947, renamed 1949

SHORE ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE ROYAL NAVY
LABURNAM - Singapore Drill Ship
1) Sloop (1915)- Reserve Drill Ship - Straits Settlement 1935, arrived 10/03/1935, lost 2/1942 Singapore Paid Off 28/02/1942
2) Ex Japanese WAKATAKA, Minelayer seized, renamed LABURNAM as drill ship 09/1949 to 1951

This excerpt from a Royal Malaysian Navy website that I was kindly provided is also interesting:

On 18 January 1935, the British Admiralty presented Singapore with an Acacia-class sloop, HMS Laburnum, to serve as the Reserve's Headquarters and drill ship. It was berthed at the Telok Ayer Basin. HMS Laburnum was sunk in February 1942, prior to the capitulation of Singapore at the beginning of the Pacific Second World War.

In Ralph Armstrong's book "Short Cruise on the Vyner Brooke" where he documents his personal experiences during the evacuation he stated "We were told to report to the HMS Laburnum at the wharves. It turned out to be a land station by that name......"

Ralph Armstrong and family ended up being allocated to the "SS Vyner Brooke" so I assume that based on his description the "Laburnum" it seemed that a number of evacuees were told to report to the "Laburnum" but upon arrival were allocated to other ships.

Various sources have confirmed that the vessel was used as a Navy "land station" and that she was scuttled during the Japanese takeover and so may also have been damaged while berthed. Thank you also for the lead with the photo!

William A Choppin interned in Changi Prision

WA Choppin b1898 in Greenwich was living in Harbour Board accommodation in Bukit Chermin Road at the time of the fall of Singapore. His wife Nora Olive evacuated to UK on the second last ship out of Singapore according to relatives and lost a number of close friends on the last ship out that did not make it.

WA Choppin was the son in Law of AL Lawrence (father of Nora) and voluntarily decided to stay in Singapore for the surrender (aged 43 in 1942) despite being given the opportunity to escape on a Harbour Board Steamer with many other harbour Board Staff. He was interned at both Changi and Sime Road jails and after the liberation he continued to live in Singapore up until around 1949 when this photo was taken.

I was kindly provided with the following Singapore directory record:

CHOPPIN W.A. [William Augustus] b.1898 Greenwich. Ironworker,Dockyard Staff, Harbour
Board Singapore. Aged 43 in 1942. Lived at 20 Bukit Chermin Rd, Singapore. Wife Nora Olive evacuated to UK. Changi and Sime Rd internee. Died 1985 Gloucestershire.

Changi Prison records state that his cell number was 3 2 26 (which he shared with A Lawrence) and his camp reference number was 318. I am looking for any information related to WA Choppin's Changi or Sime Road Prison internment or information related to his tenure with the Singapore Harbour Board.

Alfred Lawrence interned in Changi Prison

Alfred Lawrence arrived in Singapore in 1898 and worked for the Civil Engineer's Dept of the Singapore harbour Board. He reported to HK Rodgers, Chairman of the Harbour Board and spent his years in Singapore primarily focused on the building and construction of the docks in Keppel Harbour. This photo of GW Lawrence was taken around 1933 or 1934.

In the last days before Singapore capitulated he was given the opportunity to evacuate on the Harbour Board Steamer ferry the "Bagan" but refused to do so and made the personal decision to stay in Singapore which had been his home for some 44 years at that point. His son in law, WA Choppin who was responsible for the Dockyards at Keppel harbour (also reporting to HK Rodgers) made the decision to stay behind and not escape despite also being given the opportunity to also depart on the "Bagan".

Upon the official surrender both men went to one of the Harbour Board houses on Bukit Chermin Road which was tenanted by WA Choppin and waited for the Japanese to intern them. Both gentlemen subsequently spent the occupation years in Changi Prison where they shared the same cell and survived to see the liberation but I understand that Alfred Lawrence died not long afterwards having never being able to fully recover from the interment.

WA Choppin on the other hand returned to the Harbour Board after the liberation and continued to live in the same Harbour Board house on Bukit Chermin road up until 1949.

I was kindly provided the following information relating to Alfred Lawrence who was listed in the Singapore directories in 1933 and 1940:-

LAWRENCE A. [Alfred] Foreman of Works, Civil Engineering Dept , Singapore Harbour Board. Aged 62 in 1942. Changi and Sime Rd internee. Wife E. evacuated to UK.

I am looking for any further information on these two gentlemen and in particular any stories, accounts or photos relating to their interment in Changi Prison and Sime road and or during their employment with the Singapore Harbour Board.

HK Rodgers & Cliff House

I am looking to establish where HK Rodgers, Chairman Harbour Board, Straits Settlements lived before his escape from Singapore in February 1942.

I believe that he may have lived at “Cliff House”on Bukit Chermin Road which is located in walking distance from Keppel Harbour and where some other housing that were originally occupied by senior staff from the Harbour Board still stand today.

Cliff House apparently burnt down or was demolished in the mid 1960s but the site shows that it would have had a very prominent view of the Harbour and as it was actually listed in a 1913 town map of Singapore it would no doubt have been a very prominent house at the time.

Does anyone have any information concerning the history of Cliff House and can confirm that HK Rodgers did in fact live there before the evacuation? The 1938 Malaya Who's Who only gives his address as Bukit Berlayer, Singapore.

HK Rodgers – Chairman Harbour Boards, Straits Settlements

HK Rodgers was the Chairman, Harbour Boards, Straits Settlements based in Singapore who escaped on the "TENGARROH" (There are several different spelling versions of this ship but I believe this spelling is the correct one) on the 14th of February at 1.30 am under heavy shelling. He survived the evacuation and ended up in Fremantle, Western Australia

I am keen to know more about HK Rodgers including his tenure in Singapore, where he lived (Cliff House on Bukit Chermin Rd?) and hopefully track down a photo of him for my research. I was kindly provided with the following information being complied for a 1941 "who's who of Singapore":

RODGERS H.K.[Henry Knight] AMICE b.1900 Glasgow. Educated Sir Joseph Williamson’s School and Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Singapore Harbour Board Chairman 1937-42. Evacuated 14.2.42 on Tengarah. Left Tjilitjap on the coastal steamer Khoen Hoea 26.2.42; arrived Fremantle WA 9.3.42.

Other details include:

1923 Assistant Manager, Messrs Clover, Clayton & Co Ltd, Birkenhead.

1924-1927 Assistant General Manager, Messrs William Beardmore & Co.Ltd

1928-1931 General Manager, the Shalimar Works Ltd, Calcutta

1932-1933 Technical Advisor, Messrs Alcock Ashdown & Co. Bombay

1934 Assistant to Chairman, Singapore Harbour Board

1935 Assistant General Manager, Singapore Harbour Board

Clubs: Royal Societies
Recreations: Cricket, Tennis