From: Natasha Petersen
To: weihsien
Sent:
messages
Dear Weihsieners,
I have not had any messages since 12-18 Has
anyone?
Natasha
Petersen
From: Buddy Grant
Sent:
Re: messages
likewise
Buddy
From: Donald Menzi
Sent:
Re: messages
Natasha,
Not I.
Donald
From: Bobbie Bridger Backhouse
Sent:
Re: messages
Hi
Natasha Last message I had was from Terri Stewart Was
that the one you had ? Bobbie Bridger
Backhouse
From: Dwight W.
Whipple
Sent:
Re: messages
NOPE!
~Dwight
From: George Kaposhilin
Sent:
Re: messages
nor I
george
From: "Donald Menzi"
<dmenzi@earthlink.net>
Sent:
-: Messages
Ø
> Well, at least we've all received a lot of messages in the last day or so,
so we know we're still alive.
>
>
> This is a good time to wish everyone a "Happy Chinese New
Year." How
do the Chinese say that?
> Donald Menzi
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
Re: messages
Hope
yr'all OK ?
I
can tell you that "our" website is visited about 160 times a month
and that there are about 3200 pages in it --- so far! However, we are once more --- censored in China !!!!!
Leopold
From: "Natasha Petersen" <np57@cox.net>
Sent:
Re: Messages
> Yes, Donald, thank goodness we now know
that the website is in working
> order. I am happy about that as I am a first grader in computer
workings
> and problems. " Kung cee fa tsai"
is happy new year in Chinese.
>
From: Ted Margrett
Sent:
Re: Messages
|
|
From: claude giguere
-
Sent:
Re: messages
no, nothing....
From: Laura Hope-Gill
Sent:
: Re: Messages
It's nice to see you all.
Guo Nian Hao!
Sincerely,
Laura (grand-daughter of Donald and Grace Hope-Gill)
From: "Buddy Grant" <jlgrant@sympatico.ca>
Sent:
Re: Messages
Ø
In
> Buddy
From: "Natasha Petersen" <np57@cox.net>
Sent:
: Re: Messages
> My error --"Gung cee
fa tsai"
--Hard "g"
> Natasha
From: Alison Holmes
Sent:
RE: E-mail Address Change
Oh I am so glad to have had this jog of my
memory! When Sass and Serendipity came out I tried in vain to get in touch with
you but I would so enjoy having a copy of it. I don't do Pay Pal so as with the
Mushroom Years I would need your address to send a cheque to...or if it is
easier for you, I could just order it from Amazon...
I hope all is wondrously well with
you...though I must say that getting creaky is not a lot of fun.
Everything has gone very quiet on the
Weihsien Topica front for me...do you think we might possibly have said all
that could be said about that time? It amuses me to see grandchildren getting
involved now.
Wonderful snowstorm happening right now
here in the mountains of
All the very best,
Alison (Martin...daughter of Gordon and
Heather Martin, teachers at Chefoo and Kuling)
From: Ron Bright
Sent:
- Re: E-mail Address Change
Pamela,
Do you recall Kamal
at Weishein, am sure you do. He later became a very
famous muslin and was featured in a new book '"Mosques in
Ron Bright
(ps Still
haven't found Amelia)
From: Pamela
Masters
Sent:
-: Re: E-mail Address Change
Hi Allison -- Great hearing from you. I'm still
wondering how you heard about the change of address through Weihsien Topica as
I don't recall sending notification to Topica. Be that as it may, I
repeat, it's great hearing from you.
If you'd like a copy of "Sass &
Serendipity" it's still available. It's quicker to send your request to me
direct, along with your physical address, and I'll ship it with
a statement enclosed. You can pay for it after you receive it. The price
is $15.00 plus shipping.
Thanks for touching base; it's always great to hear
from someone who walked the walked with me years ago.
Warmest regards, Pamela
From: Pamela
Masters
Sent:
-: Re: E-mail Address Change
Hi Ron --
If I recall, I sent you all the info I had
about Ahkmid (sp?) Kamal in
Good hearing from -- keep well,
Pamela
From: Raymond Moore
Sent:
-: My story
Hi everyone,
At the behest of my family after we had celebrated our Golden Wedding, I have
made my story available to them online. It includes some chapters on my
stay in Weihsien. It is still a 'work in progress' so there are
unfinished bits and empty chapters here and there.
I thought some of you may be interested to check it out, and so I have set up a
website for this. You will find it at: www.raymoore-moondani-kyema.com .
Although I am largely a silent partner in this group, I do however, keep a very
keen eye on all the contributions and often go to the Weihsien pictures website
for information.
best wishes
Ray Moore
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
- Re: My story
Dear Ray,
Thanks for the new link :-)
This is great and very professional.
Congratulations. I already printed a few pages and am now settling down to read
them. I do not have a iPad (yet) but A4-paper seems
perfect for the job !!
I shall also have to learn more about
"scribd" --- all this is new for me (and I
guess that I am not the only one !!)
Oh! Yes!, I already added your new book on
the Weihsien-Paintings' website with the correct link ---
---
best
regards,
Leopold
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
- Father Van Genechten
I
finally received it -- in my letter-box -- the book I ordered about "Mon
Van Genechten"
I
ordered it on amazon.uk, and three months later they told me that it was
unavailable. I was disappointed of course (and forgot all about it).
Recently,
I had a e-mail contact with a very kind archivist of the town of
http://upers.kuleuven.be/nl/titel/9058672220
---
so, I ordered the book and got it just a few days later.
To
whoever might be interested --- just click on the link. Father Van Genechten is indeed a fine artist and there are many of his
paintings reproduced in the book. The only portrait of a person smoking a pipe
is a self-portrait of the artist. Also a few colour reproductions at the end of
the book. The texts are mostly in English and a few in Flemish.
Janette,
Nicky and I will be going to Geel on the very
beginning of May to visit Geel's town-hall and what
can be seen of Father Van Genechten's paintings.
For
Ron's listings, I asked for an official document with the mentioning of Van Genechten's presence in Weihsien but unfortunately ---
nothing for the moment. I wrote to the Belgian Prisoners Association but got no
answer yet !!
Hope
everybody is OK ! Easter soon, and Russian Easter too --- the same
day this year!
Best regards,
Leopold
From: Donald Menzi
Sent:
-: Re: Father Van Genechten
Leopold,
I think I already sent you the following
two references to Fr. Genechten in George Wilder's
diary, but here they are anyway:
...I had had a full day, sitting for a pen portrait by Father Genechten for an hour.
He couldn't get the likeness as he did with Porter and Britland, both in characteristic pipe-smoking attitudes.
... I saw Father Genechten's picture of the dead Father, who is to be buried
Friday temporarily in the cemetery cow pasture.
Do we know what happened to
the portraits that he did in Weihsien?
I'd love to see the one he did of my grandfather, if it exists.
Donald Menzi
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
- Re: Father Van Genechten
Hello Don,
Yes! we will be looking for these two
sketches that you mention in your message.
I will let you know :-)
--- all the best,
Leopold
From: Mary T. Previte
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
-: Proposed Eric Liddell movie -- an update
The producer who has been working on a new
Eric Liddell movie for several years told me last week that he
is very hopeful that the project is moving again. He envisions it as a
sequel to Chariots of Fire. Money has been the big problem
-- like finding $30 million
Ken Wales, the producer, is
now working with Twentieth Century Fox on a different movie and says
that his new working relationship with Twentieth Century Fox has
opened the door to the Eric Liddell story.
Ken Wales and script writer, Rich Swingell, told me again that they continue to consider
I was delighted to be part of their
four-way telephone interview today with former Chefoo
student, Jack Graham, who lives in
Because Jack doesn't use the
Internet, we are missing out on a gold mine of Weihsien
information. Jack says the Americans who liberated Weihsien
inspired him to choose a career in the Armed Services. Jack ranked
as Colonel in his military service.
I'll send a later account of what
Jack told us about his hair-raising adventure of stealing a radio tube
from a radio in one of the buildings in the Japanese quarters. He says he was
given the assignment by an internee, Gerry "Lucky" Luckor. Luckor is listed in
my prisoner list as a 23-year-old American, "company employee."
What do you remember of this man?
Mary
T. Previte
From: Natasha Petersen
Sent:
-: Re: Proposed Eric Liddell movie -- an update
Mary, this did go to the weihsien list. I will check in a day or two to see
whether you are re-listed.
I remember Gerry Luckor.
I believe that he worked for the British - American Tobacco Co.
Natasha
From: berean@xplornet.com
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011
-: Mrs. Evelyn Huebner--nee Evelyn Davey
I am asking a favor of you
who remember Evelyn Davey from the Chefoo contingent. She was in
Weihsien for the duration of the war.
She will be celebrating her 96th birthday on May
20th. I thought it would be a very nice gesture for us
to send her birthday cards. She loves to receive cards.
One of her daughters has kindly allowed us to use her
e-mail address for those who would wish to write her that way. Any
memories you have of her would no doubt delight her and brighten her day.
The letters will be printed and given to Evelyn.
Evelyn lives in her own apartment and does her own cooking.
She has a very good memory.
Some of you from Weihsien might remember Evelyn
Davey as your teacher, as she taught kindergarten --
She was an active leader in Brownies and has
contributed to the book by Janie Hampton called "How the Girl Guides Won
the War".
She met her husband-to-be, Mr. Huebner, in
Weihsien. He was the roommate of Eric Liddell.
The e-mail address is happy_123@comcast.net
Evelyn Huebner's mailing address is as follows:
Mrs. Evelyn Huebner
Greenbrier
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
- a visit to Geel - Belgium
Hello, Weihsien friends ---
We rendezvoused with Janette in a
supermarket parking just East of the battlefield where Napoleon’s French army
was defeated in June 1815. It was mid-morning of a beautiful sunny day. I set
my
We had lunch and walked around a bit. Just
before
Of course, I had in my papers: the photo
of Claude Giguère’s painting. I was quite certain
that it was painted by Van Genechten but Lorry Sweerts confirmed the contrary. Although the painting was the good style, it
was not by Van Genechten. The signatures do not match
and Lorry told us that in Van Genechten’s entourage,
many other Chinese painters painted the same way. He thinks that the painter
could be Luke Chen. Then we talked about George Wilder’s diary extracts.
Unfortunately, no such sketches exist in
I know that Donald will be disappointed,
but, IF the smoke-pipe-attitude-paintings still exist, they must be somewhere
in
After that, Lorry and Gonnie
guided us in the different offices and conference rooms of the Geel’s town hall. Van Genechten’s
paintings are magnificently visible and Lorry has a long explanation for each
one of them. What a fine artist he was!
Lorry also told us how all those paintings
came from
Janette asked Lorry, what “
Of course, I checked with Father Hanquet’s listings of all the Belgians in camp but did not
find any “Mon”. I did find one
Lorry then showed us a quite a large room
where he had the project of making a Van Genechten
Museum.
It was already over
Our heads, buzzing with all the
information we got in such a short time, we parted … very happy of such a nice
afternoon in such good company.
#
Leopold
From: MTPrevite@aol.com
Sent:
-: update on proposed Eric Liddell movie
The producer who has been working on a new
Eric Liddell movie for several years tells me today that he is very hopeful
that the project is moving again. He envisions it as a sequel to Chariots
of Fire. Money has been the big problem -- like finding $30
million
Ken Wales, the producer, is
now working with Twentieth Century Fox on a different movie and says
that his new working relationship with Twentieth Century Fox has
opened the door to the Eric Liddell story.
Ken Wales and script writer, Rich Swingell, have told me again that they continue to
consider
I was delighted to be part of their
four-way telephone interview recently with former Chefoo
student, Jack Graham, who lives in
Because Jack doesn't use the
Internet, we are missing out on a gold mine of Weihsien
information. Jack says the Americans who liberated Weihsien
inspired him to choose a career in the Armed Services. Jack ranked
as Colonel in his military service.
I'll send a later account of what
Jack told us in this interview about his hair-raising adventure of
stealing a radio tube from a radio in one of the buildings in the Japanese
quarters. He says he was given the assignment by an internee,
Gerry "Lucky" Luckor. Luckor is listed in my prisoner list as a 23-year-old
American, "company employee."
What do you remember of this man?
Mary
Previte
From: Donald Menzi
Sent:
-: Re: a visit to Geel - Belgium
Thanks, Leopold.
Yes I am disappointed, but am grateful to
you for making the effort. Also happy that George Wilder's diary helps
confirm Fr. Genechten's presence in Weihsien.
At least you had a pleasant drive and visit,
which you will always remember with pleasure.
Best wishes.
Donald
From: A. Knüppe- de Jongh
Sent:
-: getting into touch.
Dear Mrs Petersen,
To my great dismay I only recently discovered the
wonders of internet and I was able to find the Weihsiensite,
full of
all my camplife memories.
My attempt to contact Leopold Pander, my neighbour in
Block 22, failed. I used the address L=E9opold-Pander?=
but it didn't work. Would you be so kind as to let me
know his e-mail?
I am Anne de Jongh (now mrs Knüppe) and I was interned
with my parents and was the eldest of the 6 de Jongh
children. The past week was very emotional- all the
events described in the various papers were familiar and I
was back in my childhood years. As an 80- year old I
have been blessed with a good memory and it was quite a
sensation to read all the different stories, that I so
well remember.
Thanking you in advance, kind regards,
Anne.
P.S. this letter was originally sent to np-@cox.net-
but it couldn't get there. So
I'm trying it this way.
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: re: getting in touch
Dear
Anne,
What
a good surprise to read you after such a long time ...
Of
course, I just phoned to Janette and forwarded your message to her. I am sure
that you have much in common with her about our Weihsien days. This is her
e-mail address: pierre.ley@pandora.be (in fact, it is her husband's
name).
I
don't remember Weihsien, but I took a liking for computers (as a hobby) and
built all this website to try to remember those days. Already more than 3200
pages to read and I still hope to get more and more memories ---
Here
is my private e-mail address: tapol@skynet.be
Hope
to read you soon,
Leopold
From: anne knüppe-
de Jongh
Sent:
-: Fw: Weihsien
I tried to send you this message to your
home address, np-@cox.net, but it wasn't accepted, Thank you for your prompt
reply by email.
-----
Original Message -----
From: A. Knüppe- de Jongh
Sent:
-: Weihsien
Dear Natasha
,
How nice that you remember our family. I'm afraid I
can't exactly recall you but I'll ask my sister Wies
in
To my great surprise I succeeded in joining the club
and this morning Leopold P. sent me a reply so that I can contact him at home.
Thanks
for your offer to help me register as a member.
All the messages and summaries of our Weihsien years
are really keeping me quite busy these past and coming days. Although I realize
they were hard times, I still somehow enjoy
experiencing the feelings of a young girl with her whole life ahead,
waiting to be released from camp.
I'm sure we'll have regular contact in future.
With kind
regards,
Anne.
From: berean@xplornet.com
Sent:
-: Miss Eveklyn Davey (Huebner)
In case some of you didn't receive the letter about
Evelyn Davey's 96th birthday--it is today and the above e-mail will reach
her--if you wish to send her a birthday greetings to brighten up her day.
She lives alone in her apartment. Her memory is
good--the above e-mail is one of her daughter's e-mai
address. They will kindly print off any message received to give to
her.
Evelyn was involved with brownies etc in Weihsien and
also gave much information about brownies etc. for the book on
"How the Girl Guides Won the War" by Janie Hampton. Her future
husband, Mr. Huebner, roomed with Eric Liddell.
Audrey Nordmo Horton
From: Dwight W.
Whipple
Sent:
-: Re: My story "moondani kyema"
Ray Moore~
Thank you for your life story in the book, "moondani kyema." A lot
of familiar names and places because my parents were also missionaries in
~Dwight
W Whipple
From: MTPrevite@aol.com
Sent:
-: Weihsien -- The Len Mapes Story
Today, I received a copy of a fascinating
-- and illustrated -- story in the June issue of Leatherneck Magazine
written by retired Lt. Colonel Tom McKenney of
the U. S. Marines. (Here in the
Because we four
Here's a small excerpt about the
confrontation at the air strip. I quote verbatim from the story::
"A
"Among the
prisoners in Weihsien was a 72-year-old White Russian of distinguished
background. She might have been a countess, related to Czarina Alexandra. Her husband was a Romanov, related
to the late czar. She would have had
enormous propaganda value to the Chinese Communists, who were aware of her
presence.
" Lt. Mapes was briefed about her presence and that the Chinese
Communists might take her, and the team was prepared. Sharp
shooters were stationed at open windows. instructed to open fire on
the Chinese the moment a shot was fired by anyone.
"Into Weihsien
"Mapes landed in Weihsien without opposition and taxied to
the landing area The prisoners had been trucked to the airfield,
and when the R4D rolled up and stopped, they were ready.
"Leaving the copilot at the controls with one engine running and the
brakes on, Mapes climbed down to supervise the
loading of the prisoners as the sharpshooters took up their positions.
The prisoners climbed aboard on the fold-out ladder and the loading was
accomplished smoothly. The starboard engine continued to run at a fast
idle with the engine straining against the brakes.
"I Will Have the Countess"
"As the last
prisoners were being seated, a Chinese Communist colonel arrived with a escort
of soldiers. With an air of belligerent authority, he announced that he
would take possession of "the countess." The sharpshooters
were at the ready, their M1s locked and loaded. To fire, they had only to
push the safety forward with their trigger finger and squeeze. The
colonel's escort stood at order arms.
"Mapes' reply could not be misunderstood, no matter what the
language, and the colonel seemed to expect the negative reply.
Without another word, his hand moved toward his pistol and opened the holster
flap. Mapes instinctively drew his .38 from its
shoulder holster. In one uninterrupted motion, before the
colonel's pistol cleared its holster. Mapes shot the
colonel in the forehead.
"There was no
turning back. With that first shot, the Marine sharpshooters opened fire
with a fusillade on the colonel's escort. Shocked at what they were
seeing, the Communist soldiers hesitated, and most were
down before they could bring their rifled to the ready. It happened
in a matter of seconds.
"A Little Too Quick on the
Throttles"
"When
the firing began, the copilot started the port
engine, released the brakes and eased the throttles forward. The Chinese
were not all dead and fired a few ineffective rounds as Mapes
sprinted after the R4D. He caught the trailing edge of the fold-out
ladder, skipped along as the R4D picked up speed and, with the help from the
sharpshooters, scrambled through the open door. As he caught his breath,
the aircraft lifted off the runway.
"Mapes and the sharpshooters pulled in the ladder and closed
and secured the door. He then went forward settled into his seat as the R4D's
1,200 horsepower engine roared, clawing away toward safety. Mapes made a climbing, wide left turn, set a
course of
Great Work That Never Happened
"Although
there were free drinks and backslapping at the officers' club back at
_________________
The author notes that "no official
record of the details of this particular mission is available; this account is
based on Maj. Mapes' recollections, which remain
vivid after more than 65 years."
Since the evacuated internees in this
story were flown to
After reading this story, I wish
Weihsien liberator 1st Lt. Jim Hannon were still alive to add what he
remembers of this incident. After Major Stanley Staiger and most of
the Duck Mission rescue team left to set up an
I've asked Lt. Col. Tom McKenney to give permission to post this fascinating story
on the Weihsien web site.
Mary
Taylor Previte
From: Ron Bright
Sent:
-: Re: Weihsien -- The Len Mapes Story/Earhart?
Mary,
Although there is no physical
description of the Russian Princes or her condition at the Camp, I wonder if
that is the "comatose" woman that Hannon believes was Amelia Earhart
who was separated from the other prisoners and eventually flown out secretly?
Have you read Hannon's book?
Ron Bright;
Earhart researcher
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: Re: Weihsien -- The Len Mapes Story/Earhart?
Hello,
The story Mary sent to us mentions :
"Among
the prisoners in Weihsien was a 72-year-old White Russian of distinguished
background. ---
72 years old, thus born in 1873 !
If you make a search in
|
Smets |
Leonie Anastasia |
Mother |
Belgian |
1873 |
F |
Household Work |
|
|
Trans 16.08.43 |
|
---
According to this list, the Belgian lady
was transferred with the large group of Americans in August 1943 on the Grispholm.
Who was that lady?
Leopold.
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: Fw: Weihsien -- The Len Mapes Story/Earhart?
oooops! My
mistake ----
--- it was not the Gripsholm
but the group of priests ---
Leopold
From: Ron Bridge
Sent:
-: RE: Weihsien -- The Len Mapes Story/Earhart?
Dear All,
The lady that Leopold mentions Smets was a member of the Franciscan Missionary of Mary
captured at TaiYuan and transferred to Peking on 16
Aug 1943 tshe was not moved with the Americans during
Sep 43( only move in August was 224 on 16 Aug 43 and 226 onP 23 Aug 43 all of whom were RC Priests and relgious) and I suspect irrelevant to this
quest.
Rgds
PS Ron Bright suggestion re Aemelia Earhart is very very
unlikely
From: "Donald Menzi"
<dmenzi@earthlink.net>
Sent:
-: Helen Burton's Barter Shop
Ø Do
any of you know if the barter shop that Helen Burton set up in Wehsien (perhaps called "The White Elephant's
>
> Donald
From: Terri Stewart
Sent:
-: Re: Helen Burton's Barter Shop
|
Hi again Donald, In the attached document of another email to you,
there is a quote of what happened to the shop at the camp. I do not
know who the writer was, but at least there is a brief explanation of what
happened after Helen left Weihsien. Terri |
From: "Donald Menzi"
<dmenzi@earthlink.net>
To: "weihsien"
<weihsien@topica.com>
Sent:
-: Helen burton's Barter Shop
Ø Do
any of you remember if the Weihsien barter shop continued to operate after its
founder, Helen Burton, was repatriated. A very heartwarming
thing has happened recently with regard to her, which I will share with you
when I have more time to write it.
>
> Donald
From: Donald Menzi
Sent:
-: Re: Helen Burton's Barter Shop
Thanks, Terri,
As you can see I canceled
my request after reading your email. Thanks again for the excerpts.
Don
From: Natasha Petersen
Sent:
-: Re: Helen Burton's Barter Shop
Would it be possible for the rest of us to read about
the "White Elephant". Did it not
continue to exist?
Natasha
From: Donald Menzi
Sent:
-: Re: Helen Burton's Barter Shop
Yes, I'll send you the whole story -
hopefully this evening.
Donald
From: Natasha Petersen
Sent:
-: Fw: Tad Nagaki
Mary Previte is on and off the Weihsien
member listing. I have not been able to get a response from Topica, and I
have promised Mary that I would forward her email to Topica, and emails from
member Weihsieners will be forwarded to Mary.
Natasha
Petersen
From: Natasha Petersen
Cc: Previte, Mary
Sent:
-: Fw: Weihsien internee John Taylor visits Len Mapes
I will forward any email messages for Mary
Previte sent to Weihsien-Topica.
Natasha
Petersen
From: George Kaposhilin
Sent:
-: Re: Weihsien internee John Taylor visits Len Mapes
I was evacuated to
George Kaposhilin (aka
George Watts in the camp)
From: "mncpether"
<mncpether@xtra.co.nz>
Sent:
-: Re: Weihsien internee John Taylor visits Len Mapes
Hello George,
I had a relative ( originally from New Zealand but married to a British captain
of Shell Oil tankers) who was interned in Tsingtao at the Iltis
Huk Hotel – Mrs Flora Goodyear aged about 60 at the
time – who lived in quite a grand house at 10 Yueh
Yang Road she built built around 1938.I have attached some photos to help
stimulate anyone's memory.
She was a widow and she appears not to have been moved to Weihsien with others
for the duration. She was not well but survived the war and remained in
A long shot but did you or anyone else come across such a person after the War?
Thanks,
Michael Pether
From: Ron Bridge
Sent:
-: RE: Weihsien internee John Taylor visits Len Mapes
I must support George in his statement. It
was actually called Edgewater Mansions and was sort of Small appartments. There is no record of the shooting incident in
any report of the Duck Mission or the other visiting military teams. That does
not mean to say it did not take place but I suspect in anoher
context
I transitted
Tsingtao in August 1946 en route from Tianjin to Shanghai in an ex USN LST
called the Wanhsien run by the China National Relief
and Rehabitation Adminstration,
ostensibly distributing UNRRA aid to Chinese but a useful vehicle to line
Kuomingtang offcials bank accounts.
The very natural harbour was packed with
USN ships of all sizes. Bear in mind too that the 3rd Amphibious Crops of the
USMC comprising the 1, 3 and 5? divisions total 50,000 plus marines had been
shipped into
Those evacuated from Weishien
by rail to
those that flew out mainly by C
47 although an occasional C46 was used had left Weishien
by 24 October.
I hope that this refereshes
memories or edcuates those who were no their
[Ron Bridge]
From: "Donald Menzi"
<dmenzi@earthlink.net>
Sent:
-: Helen Burton
Ø
Hi, All,
>
> Family visits have taken more time than I thought and my piece of the
Helen Burton story is going to take longer than I had planned. Sorry, but it'll
get there eventually.
>
> Donald
From: Donald Menzi
Sent:
-: Fw: Weihsien Camp song, add'l letters
Leopold,
I'm forwarding this from Terri Stewart,
who was unable to get it through to the web site. Can you also check as
to the reason it might have bounced.
Donald
-----Forwarded Message-----
From: Terri Stewart
Sent:
To: dmenzi@earthlink.net
-: Fw: Weihsien Camp song, add'l letters
|
Hi Again Donald, Would you please forward this to
Leopold for me? I tried using the web site's email contact and the whole
thing kicked back at me. Thanks! Terri
|
WEIHSIEN CAMP SONGS
Blues by Nancy Cochran, Tune by Solomon Levi
We used to
be executives who labored
with our brains,
With
secretaries neat and quick to spare us many pains.
And when
the ticker tape gave out we didn’t touch a thing,
The office
staff could tend to that, we did the ordering.
Chorus
But now
we’re in Weihsien
Nothing’s
too dirty to do
Slops, pots
or garbage or stirring a vegetable stew
To shine in
this delightful camp, you join the labor corps
Where, if
you do your work too well, they work you more and more.
For since
we’ve come to Weihsien camp they’ve worked us till we’re dead
Though now
we’re called the labor corps, we’ll be a corpse
instead.
Baker
Some say
that white’s a color pure so baking should be chaste
So now you
see me plastered up from head to foot in paste.
But since
Cordell’s supporting us the bakery can go
For now the
comfort money’s come, why should we raise the dough!
Butcher
I used to
take my steak well done. I could not stand it rare,
But now whene’re the cows come home, the blood gets in hair.
We call it
roast or steak or chops, but when the cookings
through
No matter
how we cut it up, it all turns into stew.
Stoker
If mama
just could see me now, she wouldn’t know her boy
My rosy
cheeks and golden locks were once her pride and joy
But stoking
fires and hauling coal have crusted me with jet
Though
ladies may prefer us blondes, alas I’m now brunette.
Officer
I thought
I’d take an office job to spare my lily hands
And so I
signed with the police and issued my commands
But when
police began to count they put me on the shelf
For though
I counted everyone I clean forgot myself.
Ladies
You’d think
to hear these fellows sing, the men do all the work
But I am
here to tell you now, the ladies never shirk.
We clean
the leeks, we scrub the floors but then, what really hurts
When they
have done the dirty work, we have to wash their shirts.
Tune – The Old Oaken Bucket
How dear to
our hearts are the scenes of old Weihsien
When fond
recollection presents them to view
The court
yards, the main roads, the well trodden by ways, paths
And every
loved spot where we stood in a queue
The
beautiful garden , the wide spreading shade trees
The birds
whose gay songs start the day with good cheer
But
foremost among them a holding our mem’ries
The
wonderful people that dwell with us here.
They’re
folks that we eat with
They’re
folks that we play with
They’re
folks that we live with
The best of
all here.
They’re
preachers and teachers and doctors and nurses
Professors,
musicians, and artists a few
They’re
blonde and brunette and ones and all in between ones
They’re old
ones and young ones and wee babies too
They’re
Catholic fathers and busy Dutch cleansers
They’ve
fashions in headgear and gowns without end
We list to
the talk that betrays many nations
But all of
them now are just neighbors and friends
They’re
folks that we eat with
They’re
folks that we play with
They’re
folks that we live with
The best of
all here.
When we are
far away will mem’ries throng
Of Weihsien
as we knew it in tale and song?
And as we
sit imbibing ice-cold tea
Will we
remember soup in kitchens three?
And as we
motor o’er country wide
Think of
the garbage cans we dumped outside/
No matter
where we roam when once we’re free
Weihsien
will ever be part of you and me.
No matter
where we roam when once we’re free
Weihsien
will ever be part of you and me.
Take Me Back Home, F.W.
Cheney
Oh give me
a home where the buffaloes roam
And they
don’t cut things up to make hash!
Where the
boy mops the floors and does all the chores
And looks
after the garbage and trash.
Oh give me
a home near the old Canidrome
Quite
content ‘neath its roof I’ll remain
And I never
will scold if it’s hot or it’s cold
Or the
weather brings sunshine or rain.
Chorus
Home. Let
me go home
Where the
beer and the cantaloupes stay
And I will
not complain if never again
See my
little gray bunk in Chapei.
In my
slumbers I dream of strawberries and cream
And the
waffles my cook used to make
Of
Real coffee
and angel food cake
Then I wake
with a jump, I am still in this dump
And it’s
time to get something to eat.
So I
mutter, “Oh well” as I answer the bell
And come
back with a dish of cracked wheat.
I’ve stopped
using a comb on my once furry dome
I am
needing new specks for my eyes
And my
teeth day by day are dropping away
Cause they
don’t get enough exercise.
Oh! How
gladly I’d change everything within range
For a
platter of good Chinese chow
Oh! How gladly
I’d swap for a breaded pork chop
All the
rice between her and
Oh! Let me
go back to my seven room shack
Where my
cook and my amah abide
Where the
blue bottle flies don’t crawl over the pies
And the
screens keep the skeeters outside.
For I’m tired
of this range and the measles and mange
And I’m
weary of standing in line.
And I’d
give the whole lot to get out of this spot
And go back
to the that old home of mine.
My Souvenirs
I used to
live at the
Where I was
happy and free
They caught
me and brought me to Chapei
Oh! They
can’t do this to me.
There’s
nothing left for me
Of days
that used to be
There’s not one
Among my
souvenirs.
I used to
have a car
And dine on
caviar
But now I
thank my star
If I get
beef and tea.
My one and
only wish
Is for a
glorious dish
That
doesn’t smell of fish
Among my
souvenirs.
I had upon
my rack
A white
farina sack
It’s now an
apron black
Among my
souvenirs.
My days are
filled with gloom
There’s 15
in my room
A bucket
and a broom
My only
consolation.
A
sentimental soul
I keep my monthly dole
Of Happy
Paper Roll
Among my
souvenirs.
My one and only aim
To have a
wooden frame
I guess you
know the name
Among my souvenirs.
My life is
not my own
I want to be alone
I think
that I’ll go home
And drink
my gin and vodka.
My arm band
bright and gay
Embroidered with an “A”
Is safely
tucked away
Among my
souvenirs.
Going To Goa
There’s a
ship a comin’
from the good old homeland
And she’s
due most any day.
We’re goin’ to
Till we hit
the
We’ve stuck
it out till the last call sounded
And we ain’t made any fuss
But now
we’re packing for the last long voyage
For the
east is through with us.
Chorus
Yes, the
east is through with us
We can no
longer stay
We’re goin’ to
Till we hit
the
When the
war first started we were settin’ pretty
And the
skies were bright and blue
We thought
we owned most of
And the
natives thought so too.
Now we’ve
lost it all but the socks we stand in
And there’s
just one thought to cheer
We’ve done
our bit for this Greater East Asia Co-
Prosperity
Sphere.
Since we’ve
moved to this
We’ve lived
like kings and jacks
We’ve grown
so fat that our clothes hand on us
Like a
bunch of gunny sacks.
Oh! There ain’t no kickin’ and there ain’t no crabbin’
‘Bout the
way they treat us here.
We like
chicken peas better’n old fried chicken
And we’d
rather have tea than beer.
There’s a
lot of prayers that we all been prayin’
‘Sides the
one ‘bout daily bread
There’s a
lot of things we might be sayin’
That are
better left unsaid.
There’s a
lot of roads that a man can travel
And they
don’t all lead to home
But there’s
just one song we all are singin’
And it sure
is “Home Sweet Home.”
There’s a
guy back home by the name of Sweeney
Who will
meet us at the pier
And he’ll
want to know all we can tell him
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: website
Dear
Terri,
I
sent your message via topica and it came back to me perfectly :-) --- so, I
hope that you all got it the same way.
I
shall gladly add all that on the website for everybody to read.
Could
you help me for the layout? Photos? Sound recordings of the songs! ?? It could
be amusing to have those words put into music ? (just a suggestion) ---
thanks in advance
--- all the best,
Leopold
From: Terri Stewart
Sent:
-: Re: website
|
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: Ruth’s Letters – new batch
Hello
Terri,
Here
comes the first batch for "topica"
I
shall try to get it on the website asap ---
A+
Leopold
Ruth’s Letters – new batch
Article written by Robert O’Brien,
“Frederick B. Snite,
father of the young man in the “Iron Lung,” was here last week. One of the friends
he looked up and took to dinner was Miss Ruth Kunkel of
Another clipping, no year or name of paper or writer:
“Mobilized Women To Hold Luncheon”
The experiences of an American woman as a Japanese prisoner of war in
Miss Ruth Kunkel, the speaker, was returned to the
name,
Newspaper clipping – source and date unknown
“Prison Celebration: There Were No
Fireworks, but
Fourth of July a year ago is sharp in the memory of Miss Ruth Kunkel,
American nurse who recently returned to the Bay Area (
“Celebration of the Fourth in Weihsien camp,” said Miss Kunkel, “was
lacking in fireworks, but it furnished us with a storm we used to good effect.”
“All of us Americans spontaneously appeared that morning in red, white
and blue, at least as to hair ribbon or necktie, and we sat long over and
bread-and-water breakfast in the mess hall watching our fellow prisoners come
in and admiring their efforts. Now and then the applause got so loud some of
the Britishers dropped by to see what we Yanks were up to.”
“The cheers about lifted the roof when Helen Burton, famous for her
Camel Bell gift shop in
The interned Americans, Miss Kunkel went on, spent the day entertaining
their friends at parties, refreshments being crackers and jam they had left of
their hoards, or precious items like peanuts or hard-boiled eggs that had come
in “over the wall.” Celebrations and a baseball game were interrupted, however,
by an unexpected rain.
“It was a cloudburst, really,” she explained, “and almost as unusual in
that part of
“But we used that wall for its full propaganda value. ‘Look,” we said to
our Jap guards. “This is an omen. Today, on
“And, believe me,” added Miss Kunkel, “those Japs turned really pale.”
Letter from Ruth, Nov. 8 1945
On
the Lavaca were the following whom I saw: Stephen Shaw, Luscious Porter, The
Norman Hos, Orchestra man West and his wife who was
the Desmond girl with their cute little chocolate drop of a daughter, John and
Mary Stanley with little Charlie, Mrs. Helen Chien
with Marguerite and Jeannie, Dr. Sam Young, John Hayes and his old mother, Lang
Gilkey, Mrs.Lang and other I think but can’t remember
at the moment, Mrs. Pyke and Mrs. Hubbard.
It
was a big day. I spent hours on the pier but did not mind a bit since we had a
regular old home week there. Saw Shirley Duncan, Dolly Gray, Selma Payne, Dr.
Ralph Lewis, Mrs. Fason Jordan, Eleanor Shaw, Dr. Pettus, Mrs. Luscious Porter, The Stanley’s, etc. Fun!
That evening Eleanor Breed (friend in
Yes, Iris Sidow came back and was met by her
“real” husband. The Albert girl had a baby in camp – no marriage – father was
Wade. Mosley, Laughlin, Dorland remained suspect up to the end. Payton was
flown out because he had been very ill and in the hospital for several months.
After
After Hummell and Tipton escaped in June of
1944, the discipline became rigid. For ten days, ten of the prominent men,
especially those who had lived near the two escapees, were put into the church
and were closely guarded. They had to do everything at the same time and were
not allowed to talk to each other. Luscius Porter
says this worked OK except that the Japs could not figure out a plan whereby
all could go to the toilet at the same moment. So when a man had to go he went
to the church window and called out to the guards “benjo.”
Then an armed guard escorted him.
They had to go to the toilet that was in the newly walled off Italian
compound and the Italians fixed up a code whereby they left messages and cigs
in the twilley for the marooned men. Slick I think,
but the very best plan was that used in getting news into camp. Mr. Chu of
Tipton and Hummell worked for over a year
right near the camp with the so called communists and when they came into the
camp after the Americans got there, they were held. Were they sore, oh boy. And
I do not blame them.
Charlie Stanley is the cutest kid. Mary said that after they reached
The Arthur Wrights have gone back and will live with Mr. Husselmann in one of Mr. Chin’s house which had been rented
by Bob Drummond.
The day the paratroopers came, John Stanley said he spent in dodging
“help.” It seemed that in whatever direction he ran the plane seemed to follow
and there was real danger of being hurt. All went well, however, and only one
man was damaged slightly.
The ones who came home were among the first five hundred out of the
camp. Only that many could go out at a time since they had to be housed in
The two roll calls a day were a source of annoyance but lasted to the
end. People were shuffled around too after the boys left (Hummel et
Helen Burton’s White Elephant functioned to the end and was greatly
appreciated. It became too big a job for Mary Wright to handle and was taken
over by a committee of men. Shows how big the child became.
It
was reported that all D’anjou girls are safely
married. Mr. Marshall of Du Nord is dead. I can’t remember all the news but
hope that some of this is new to you and that you’ll get a kick out of it as I
did. Gladys Ryan was a peach all
through.
Magazine clipping – source & date unknown
The American Presbyterian Mission Compound, two miles southeast of
Weihsien, a city of 30,000 inhabitants in
After the above transfers, and the repatriation of a majority of the
Americans and Canadians at Weihsien, there remained about 1400 internees. Mr. Egle, the Shanghai Delegate of the International Committee
of the Red Cross, visited Weihsien on November 9 and 10, 1943. He reported that
there were 202
The Mission Compound comprises a tract of land about the size of five
large city blocks, and is surrounded by a high brick wall. Buildings consist of
several three-story school buildings, some residential bungalows, a church, and
a hospital. Single men are housed in small rooms and dormitories, single women
live in school rooms converted into dormitories, while families use single or
double rooms. Frequently four persons in a family share one 12’ x 8’ room. Heat
is furnished by small cast iron stoves.
The hospital, built in 1924, was originally well equipped, but waves of
guerilla warfare throughout this region have left buildings with very little
except four walls and a roof. Interned doctors and nurses with the help of
others, however, have done much to restore the building and equipment. Favored
with good weather from March until September, doctors have maintained a
surprisingly good standard of health, the chief problem so far being a high
incidence of gastroenteritis during the summer.
The church, in addition to being the center of religious activities, is
used as a general recreation hall. Theatricals and concerts are held regularly,
one of the features being two-piano recitals made possible by the possession of
two grand pianos. Outdoor sports are also popular, particularly softball,
tennis, basketball, and volleyball.
How the “
(Note: Helen Burton had spoken of her many
visits to Ruth Kunkel’s
EVICTION ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Did you ever hear of a woman holding a party in honor of her eviction
from her home? Well such a gathering was held in
Miss Kunkel was at teacher in the Rockefeller Foundation in Peking
(PUMC) and later at the American School (
The mansion and grounds had been the home of the Duke Chin, brother of
In
When Miss Kunkel occupied the mansion the coffin room was used to store
the books from
Japanese did not bother Miss Kunkel until two years ago this month. In
China foreigners are not allowed to own property in their own name and it took
the Japanese until November 1942 to decide finally that the Roberts estate –
part of the property settlement Mrs. Roberts received with her divorce –
actually was American owned.
Around
In
fact, she overdressed – putting on several dresses, two suits and her fur coat.
Then taking her little dogs on leashes, she walked to the home of another
teacher and friend, Miss Frances Russell. Of course she was followed, but that
evening wouldn’t have been such a hectic one for the two women, if one of the
The Japanese soldiers and their civil detective companions demanded to
be fed. Miss Russell had her cook prepare a meal. Then suddenly one of the
Japanese started frothing at the mouth and fell to the floor. “White devils
have poisoned us!” shrieked his companions as they rushed out.
Miss Kunkel, who is a registered nurse, worked over the stricken
Japanese. As she loosened his kimono out popped choice linens he had stolen
from her house.
In
a few minutes the streets were filled with Japanese troops, infantrymen and
machine-gun units. Five army ambulances, with sirens wailing, sped toward the
Russell home. The Misses Kunkel and Russell and the latter’s servants were
dragged to a car and carried to the city jail.
Then the Jap who had thrown the fit came, thanked Miss Kunkel for
administering first aid, saying, “Such like fits am I have three a year,
thanking you.” Replied Miss Kunkel, “To think you had to pick such a time and
place to have this one.”
The two women were allowed to return to the Russell home, but were kept
under Japanese surveillance constantly. Then in March 1943, they were taken to
the American Presbyterian Mission Compound at Weihsien. This compound was the
birthplace of Henry Luce, magazine tycoon and husband of Clare Boothe Luce, Republican congresswoman.
More than 500 Catholic priests were among the civilians also confined
there. Food consisted of stew made from cheap cuts of meat, some bread and weak
tea. The war prisoners had lost weight before they were brought there and soon
lost on an average 25 lbs more. Miss Kunkel’s weight dropped from 135 to 114
pounds.
One of the priests had died. Permission to bury him in the Catholic
cemetery was refused and he was laid to rest in the
Finally a Trappist monk organized a “black market” deal on a credit
basis with Chinese outside the compound. The internees had become desperate.
Often the meat given them by the Japs was so bad it could not be cooked. It was
buried at night so the Japs would not know and refuse to supply more meat.
While the “black market” flourished the food situation was better.
Peanuts and peanut oil, fruit and native honey were tossed over the compound
wall at night. Then the Chinese traders bored hole in the wall and sometimes
rolled through the opening dozens of eggs at a time – eggs that cost a dollar
each, Chinese money.
When the “black market” system was discovered by the Nips they cruelly
punished the Chinese. The Trappist monk, who true to his vows of his order, had
not spoken a word to anyone except Trappist superiors for 15 years, was given a
term of solitary confinement.
For such a devout churchman being locked up by himself actually was a
treat. The Jap realized that in a few days and he was released. Miss Kunkel
said it was marvelous to see how he directed Chinese by his sign language. “We
certainly owe much to those wonderful men of the cloth, “ she told us. “They
were indeed a great help to us.”
Miss Kunkel is a native of
Miss Kunkel was assistant superintendent and teacher of nursing at
Now Miss Kunkel is a graduate student at the
There is one person she hopes she will never meet – the Japanese student
whose untimely apoplectic fit threw him into convulsions and his countrymen
into consternation two years ago last night.
Newspaper clipping, source & date unknown
Under the title of “The Trappist Trapped” Anne Cochran, interned in the
Presbyterian Mission Compound in Weihsien, tells of the way Father Scanlon of
the Trappist Monastery, about 100 miles from Peiping, and priests of other
Catholic orders added to the scanty food supplies of the internees.
A
dispensation from the Pope to war prisoners had released Father Scanlon from
his vows of silence and he not only gave eloquent lectures for the benefit of the
internees, but with the cooperation of other priests, managed to communicate
with the Chinese farmers of the vicinity who had plenty of fruit and eggs to
sell, although the Japanese allowed the camp canteen to sell only one pear to
every five people.
Clerical garb lent itself
admirably to smuggling in supplies which were drawn up over the wall and even
if the suspicions of the guards were aroused it was hard for them to tell one
father from another, so honey, fruit, peanut oil and other grievously-needed
edibles were shared with the camp.
“Diets and dispositions in camp began to look up,” says Miss Cochran,
“as Presbyterians, infidels and Holy Rollers alike gorged illegitimately on
Catholic bounty.” Father Scanlon outwitted the guards until early in July when
he was caught and put in one of the houses out of bounds for a week in solitary
confinement.
Even then he managed to communicate with camp and one of the hits of the
Fourth of July concert was the “Prisoner’s Song,” sung by one of the Benedictine
fathers, of which two stanzas ran:
O, they trapped me, a Trappist, on Wednesday
Now few are the eggs to be fried
I sit in my lone cell and wonder
If my clients are hallow inside
O, there’s a big bag on the outside
Overflowing with honey and jam
But how can it get on the inside
Till the bootleggers learn where I am?
In
August the Catholic nuns and fathers were taken away from camp to be interned
in the monasteries in
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: Excerpts of letters from Ruth Kunkel and friends:
Hello
again,
here
comes the second batch
hope
y'all get it fine ---
A+
Léopold
"
Excerpts of letters from Ruth Kunkel and
friends:
“THE WHITE ELEPHANT
It was found that some people had taken to
camp articles which they didn’t need. So Helen Burton of “The Camel Bell” in
Oct 15, 1948
“Yes, Helen sailed from
Ruth
Oct 30, 1948
“Ma Yu Kuei has
a second child , a girl, Oct. 27. (Helen Burton’s adopted daughter).” Ruth
Dec 19, 1948
“After the guests left an embroidery boy and
Tzu Ju Burton arrived. The latter is very worried
because she lives so close to the new airfield. She said that she has a
suitcase packed against an emergency. She stayed behind locked doors all
morning as people kept knocking at her door to be let in. She expects to move
any moment and is worried about Helen Burton’s things. Ruth offered her the two
spare rooms in the back for her and the child. Tzu Ju’s
husband has been called on already to work on the Tung Tan blinding.”
Lillian
Li
Dec 22, 1948
“Tzu Ju and
child have moved in with Ruth and Alice (
Lillian
Li
Dec 24, 1948
“No gunfire for so long! Cocktails and
Christmas presents at Ruth and Alice’s. Came back loaded with presents from
R&A (Ruth and Alice) and Tzu Ju. Rewrapped the mittens from Tzu Ju for my sister-in-law because my hands are too big for
them. Kept the “beanie” for myself though.
Lillian
Li
Dec 27, 1948
“No question of water shortage any more.
Dropped in on Ruth to see if papers had arrived safely. They had come. The news
was that Fu (General Fu) had retreated. Tzu Ju has
heard that the Reds have given us grain which we are lacking in exchange for
cloth which they are lacking. Two truckloads of wounded soldiers have moved
into Yu Ying.”
Lillian
Li
“Grand Central Station was very crowded
today but there was little or no news to be gleaned. (The Moore-Kunkel’s ménage
is so called because it is a sort of central gathering place). Press and mail
censorship, along with constant arrests of evildoers has certainly cut down our
crops of rumors. Tzu Ju and Robert (Robert Wu) are
both looking for houses. Miss Moore will start classes in her private school
next week – 23 South Compound PUMC. (
Lillian
Li
Jan 4, 1949
“The nicest part about this Christmas was
that it snowed during the night. Thanks
to our refugee guest, Tzu Ju Burton Lu, we had a nice
tree. She had ordered it ahead and we were glad, because just before the 25th
it was impossible to bring trees in and many people had a treeless Christmas.”
Ruth
Jan 20, 1949
“Luxuries are cheap now before the
Christmas New Year and I have bought some lovely tribute silks for Helen
Burton. Only hope I can get them to you Hel. “
Ruth
Jan,
(no day) 1949
“Tzu Ju Burton
was just here and told us the latest so far as her family is concerned. Her
husband has been taken for a six-month training after which he may be given a
professor’s job in the
Ruth
March 13, 1949
“There are so many lovely things to be had
these days for almost nothing. The best tribute silk is now selling for 2
dollars a yard. It is cheaper than cotton. I have bought quite a lot for Helen
Burton. Just had a letter from Hell (Helen). Tzu Ju
has a little shop at her house and is working hard. She’s a dear. Ma’s baby is
darling. Husband doing nothing I believe.”
Ruth
April 17, 1949
“Helen Burton’s Tzu Ju
sent us the cutest Easter basket – pansies with two tin foil wrapped eggs at
the side and all wrapped in orchid paper and tied with the same shade string.
Helen trained those gals to know how to do the nice things.”
Ruth
“It was rumored at Helen Burton’s birthday breakfast this
morning that a ship may be leaving
Ruth
“I am afraid there is no good news of Ma
Yu Kuei; in fact there is no news. There was a rumor
some time ago, apparently, that she had been allowed out and had gone with her
husband to
To
Helen Burton from Peter Lum Crowe
Aug (no
day), 1949
“I read Helen’s round robin (letter) when
it was in the rough but did not see the completed copy. It gave such a good
picture of her summer which she considers the perfect one. As usual she was
lucky. Wonder if the purchase of the public toilet property will turn out as
good a deal as most of Helen’s gambles?”
Ruth
This will doubtless be the last gasp from
behind the curtain. Alice and I are booked to leave
Ruth
Ruth and Alice Moore made it to
From: Estelle Horne nee Cliff
Sent:
-: Edgewater Mansions
|
We of the
Chefoo School contingent were evacuated from Weihsien to Tsingtao in
September. We were met by a brass band of the British Navy and taken to the
Edgewater Mansions - black tie waiters and crisp snowy table napkins. We were allocated a US ship to take us to Hong Kong
to be handed over to the British forces for repatriation. If you go to Wikipwdia and look up the USS Geneva, you will see a
paragraph which I submitted on that trip. The typhoon was so bad, I was the
only passenger on deck, and had to climb to the third deck to watch the storm
without being washed off by the waves. But I must tell you an episode that took place
between our release and our departure. We were in the matric
form of the Chefoo School, who always did the Oxford Matriculation Exemption.
Our schooling had been interrupted in Temple Hill because we were interned in
different houses, pupils and teachers. The School had plans for us to write
our exam in October, using spare papers reserved since the beginning of the
war. "Pa" Bruce, our headmaster came to our
lesson, and proposed to us that we sit the exam in a week's time, before we
were scattered. We swotted for the week, with B24's flying over and
dropping food parcels in the surrounding fields. So to the roar of
engines and the buzzing of the scissor-grinders (cicadas) in the trees we did
our exams, myself and eight boys. Pa Bruce took them personally to Oxford
when he got "Home". They were accepted and marked, and in April
1946, we heard that most of us had passed. Estelle (Cliff) Horne
|
From: Natasha Petersen
Sent:
-: Do you remember?
HAPPY JULY 4TH. Do you remember the celebration
of the day in Weihsien? I
remember the outdoor Dinner and Dance.
Natasha
From: annemoen
Sent:
-: 4th July
Dear Natasha,
Sorry, but I can't remember the camp celebration of july 4th. What I do remember is that my father put up a
tiny Dutch flag on the top of our little summer house on the patch of land in
front of our rooms
on Aug. 31 for Queens day (Wilhelmina) and that
a Jap. guard noticed it and asked what country the flag
represented and why. When he had heard the answer the flag had do be removed
immediately.
This summerhouse was an octagonal construction of
wooden beams or tree branches, with a straw matting
roof and inside there were benches along one side and I remember that on
terribly hot nights
my sister Wies and I would
sleep there under mosquito nets. It might have been cooler but I remember
hearing all kinds of creepy noises and I was really scared and
didn't sleep very well after all!
I am still enjoying reading all the camp stories
and thank you for passing them on to me.
Annie de Jongh, block 22
rooms 2 and 3.
From: Ron Bridge
Sent:
-: Re: Do you remember?
Natasha,
There were three 4th July in 1943, 1944 and 1945
Ron
From: Natasha Petersen
Cc: Previte, Mary
Sent:
-: Re: Do you remember?
Ron, I know that were three, but I remember only the
Dinner-Dance celebration.
Natasha
From: Ron Bridge
Sent:
-: Re: Do you remember?
By 1944 there were frictions developing between the
various nationalities mainly due to the sequestering of the first Red Cross Parcels
by the Americans as they had been provided by the US Red Cross. by 1945 people
were getting so tired and hungry any big dance was beyond them.
Rob
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: Fw: Len Mapes Story
Dear Mary,
Thanks very much for the Len Mapes' story from the Leatherneck Magazine.
You can now access it by clicking on your
chapter (last picture (bottom) of left frame) or by clicking on the
"log-book" --- it is the latest entry.
Let me know if you get it?
---
I wonder who took the pictures?
The second photo with the people waiting to
board the plane.....
The little girl in the GI's arms is my
little sister MaryLou, born in camp on July 7, 1944.
The man waiting to board the plane and
seeming to have a good laugh, is my father. The little boy next to him is me!
--- and I bet that the hidden person climbing the ladder to the plane is my
mom! --- no wonder my dad is having a good laugh !!!!
If all this is correct, the picture was
taken on
Best
regards,
Leopold
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/Mprevite/Leatherneck/LenMapes.pdf
From: Carol Ann Vaughn
Sent:
-: RE: Len Mapes Story
Wow. I am trying to imagine what
conditions and emotions must have been for your mother who went through labor
and delivery and postnatal care in the camp.
Thank you for this link and information!
Sincerely,
Carol Ann Vaughn Cross
__________________________
Carol Ann Vaughn Cross, Ph. D.
Core Curriculum
Office: 205.726.4226
Email: cavaughn@samford.edu
From: MTPrevite@aol.com
Sent:
-: Tad Nagali, Weihsien liberator
Natasha
Please forward.
Mary
Tad Nagaki,
the last living American on the Weihsien rescue team, is being
treated for internal bleeding in the Intensive Care Unit of the
Because Tad is being treated in the
Intensive Care Unit, I have not been able to speak to him by telephone.
However, his grandson tells me that Tad feels good, looks good, and sounds
good.
If you'd like to drop him a card or
letter, his address is
Tadashi Nagaki,
Tad, who has continued
farming in
Mary
Previte
From: "Donald Menzi"
<dmenzi@earthlink.net>
Sent:
-: My Piece of the Helen Burton Puzzle
Ø
> Hello, all,
>
> I finally finished "My Piece of the Helen Burton Puzzle - A
Progressive Revelation." It turned out to be too long to send as an
email, and topica doesn't allow attachments, so I've asked Leopold to put it on
the site with a link so that you can either read it on line or download it for
later.
>
> http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/DonMenzi/HelenBurton/My_Helen_Burton_Story.pdf
>
> Even though Helen Burton left the camp in the prisoner exchange of
September 1943, you may remember the Elephant's Bell exchange shop that she had
started, and which was so useful that it was continued after she left.
I'd be curious to know if you have any memories of that place - things that you
or someone else might have bartered there, for example.
>
> In any case I think you'll find Helen Burton to be a fascinating person,
and the re-emergence of her persona at this time is an example of something
that the has been made possible only by the existence of the Weihsien web
site. Thanks again, Leopold.
>
> Best wishes for an enjoyable summer.
>
> Donald
>
>
> I
> Hi
> fixed it :-)
> http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/DonMenzi/HelenBurton/My_Helen_Burton_Story.pdf
> all the best
From: Terri Stewart
Sent:
-: Re: Fw: My Piece of the Helen Burton Puzzle - Sent Again
|
Hi Donald, I rec'd it just fine when you sent it before,
although I will admit that I didn't check the email address to know if you
sent it via Topica or my personal address. Terri |
From: Estelle Horne nee Cliff
Sent:
-: Re: My Piece of the Helen Burton Puzzle
|
Thank
you, thank you Donald, |
From: Donald Menzi
Sent:
-: Re: My Piece of the Helen Burton Puzzle
Estelle,
Thanks for your kind note. I'm so
glad you liked it. I found it very exciting to see this person gradually
emerge from mystery into reality.
Of course you can send it to anyone you
think might be interested.
Thanks again.
Donald
From: rod miller
Sent:
-: Re: My Piece of the Helen Burton Puzzle
Donald
I enjoyed reading it.
My mother who knows nothing of the Weihsien story also found it fascinating.
Rod
From: MTPrevite@aol.com
Sent:
-: For Weihsientopica
Weihsien liberator, Tad Nagaki, was released today from the hospital and is
at home in
I talked with Tad this evening. He
sounds good. He says he feels good. He says doctors have placed no
limits on his activities.
Tad lives alone. His wife and sons
have been dead for several years. So I was especially pleased when he
told me that one of his two grandsons was outside mowing Tad's lawn.
Mary
Previte
From: berean@xplornet.com
Sent:
-: Dr. Stanley H. Nordmo
It is with great sadness that we,
For those of you who are in the
If there are any who are interested in attending any
of the above events please write Audrey at berean@xplornet.com
for the addresses as we don't have them right now. Phone: 1-602-819-9207
From the remaining
Nordmo three;
Kathleen,
Audrey and Rowland
From: Dwight W.
Whipple
Sent:
-: Re: Dr. Stanley H. Nordmo
Our condolences to the entire Nordmo
family.
-Dwight W Whipple
From: berean@xplornet.com
Sent:
-: Stanley
If any of you have memories of
The Nordmos.
From: Natasha Petersen
Sent:
-: Re: Dr. Stanley H. Nordmo
My condolences to the entire Nordmo
family.I am so sorry for your loss.
Natasha
Petersen
From: G.K.Stillbrook
Sent:
-: Re: My Piece of the Helen Burton Puzzle
Donald ,
Your piece of the puzzle was totally
delightful. Thankyou for making it possible for us
all to meet the wonderfully whimsical Helen .Ida Talbot , mother to Christine
,Peter and me was also one of a kind and full of surprises.
Thank you
again.
From: "Donald Menzi"
<dmenzi@earthlink.net>
Sent:
-: Weihsien Stew
Hello Weihsieners,
I may have sent this to you already, but I came across it again recently, so
here it is (again?) in hopes that it will bring back pleasant memories.
My uncle, describing my grandparents homecoming after the 1943 repatriation,
had written the following:
"Among our 1943 Xmas presents was a small, blue and white granite-ware
bowl which Mother ate from throughout her time in the Concentration Camp and in
the bowl was a card with the following:
Beautiful Stew
(to the tune of Lewis Carrol's "Beautiful
Soup")
“Beautiful stew, so thin but hot,
Waiting in the steaming pot,
Who would not give all else in lieu
Of a big bowlful of beautiful stew?” (repeat)
Chorus:
“Beautiful stew, beautiful stew -
Stew of old Weihsien,
Beautiful, beautiful stew.”
Hope you are all as well as can be expected at our age.
Donald
From: "Ted Margrett"
<yanshida@Yahoo.com>
Sent:
-: Re: Weihsien Stew
Thank you for this delightful reminder of what it must
have been like in the Weihsien Camp.
Sincerely,
Ted Margrett,
Yantai, Shandong,
PRChina
From: Terri Stewart
Sent:
-: Re: Weihsien Stew
|
Thanks so much Donald, I will add this to the little
collection of camp songs my G.Aunt wrote down. Terri |
From: "Léopold
Pander" <tapol@skynet.be>
Sent:
-: Re: Weihsien Stew
Hello don,
All is well in the best of worlds --- thanks from
Thanks for the beautiful stew song ---- could you send me a photo of the
bowl --- (for the website)?
--- all the best,
Leopold
From: berean@xplornet.com
Sent:
-: Fw: In memory of Stanley Haldor Nordmo, who was a Chefusian interned in Weihsien
From: MTPrevite@aol.com
Sent:
-: Re: In
memory of Stanley Haldor Nordmo,
who was a Chefusian interned in Weihsien.
Most of
the following was taken from the time line
Sister Audrey
has added a little here and there. I trust you enjoy
reading the highlights of
Any questions
can be addressed to Audrey Horton at raks732@hotmail.com.
Stanley Nordmo was born in Chefoo, Shantung, China
to pioneer missionaries, Jacob Martin Nordmo and Esther
Oberg Nordmo who were with the
The family returned to Shanyang,
The
family went on furlough from 1933-1935.
Stanley and Kathleen did not know that would be the last time they would
see their home until 1997 when Stanley paid his three siblings’ way for the
four of them to visit their China roots.
They found the churches flourishing that their parents had
pioneered. They even met Chinese
Christians who remembered them.
Sister Audrey joined the family in Farnam,
Rowland
was born on June 10, 1936 in Shangshien,
1939-1940 Parents came to
spend Christmas together as a family.
Stanley, Kathleen and Audrey were interned
by the Japanese with the Chefoo schools in Chefoo and Weihsien. In Weihsien,
August 17, 1945 was Liberation Day in
Weihsien when all were liberated by an American rescue team, which
included Chefoo alumni James Moore.
The
Nordmo three were on the ship Tamaroa
en route to
Mrs. Nordmo
had been the cow woman for the
He
entered the
1947-1950 he
finished his pre-med course in three years. Was salutatorian of his class at
1950-1951-Spent a year at the
1951-1955-Boston University School of Medicine
M.D. 1955. His wife was in the hospital
having given birth to their first child so there was no family member watching
him receive his hard earned medical degree.
His parents were in
!954 he married Naomi Taylor, a wonderful
helpmeet. She had her degree in
elementary education. She understood about being separated
from missionary parents. Her parents
were Nazarene missionaries in
1955-1956 rotating internship,
1956-1957 Treated for tuberculosis in
1957-1959-Pathology residency at
1959-1961 - Pathology residency
1961-1966- Taught at the University of
South Dakota School of Medicine Department of Pathology, Assistant to Associate
Professor
1962- Became
1964—Certified by Pathology Board in
Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.
1966-1990—staff Pathologist at
1992-2000
Stanley taught survival English to wives of students from mainland
Second
time in 1992 he went to teach English in summer school session at the
August 1st
Third
time in 1997 to mission stations in Shangzhuo and
Two trips to
A
trip to
He was well versed in Mandarin,
Norwegian, and Spanish, Latin and other languages. During his retirement he took on the task of
translating his parents’ letters from Norwegian to English which brought a
deeper understanding of their lives. He was a Macintosh enthusiast and attended
their weekly meetings. His hobbies
included stamp and coin collecting and photography. He was an avid reader, a
perpetual student. He was a long time
member of the
In
the words of his children and son-in-law (an army chaplain)
He
is survived by his wife of 57 years: Naomi Taylor Nordmo,
Sisters: Kathleen Nordmo Rictor
of Ocean Shores, WA, Audrey Nordmo Horton of
Kamloops, B.C., and Brother Rowland Nordmo of
Indianapolis, Indiana. Children: Eileen Neiford of Beaumont, Texas, Sylvia Schmitt of Tomah,
Wisconsin, Edwin of Tempe, Arizona and Phyllis Hanna of Aurora, Colorado and 5
grandchildren including: Benjamin Schmitt of Henderson, Nevada, Sonja Shaver of
Aurora, Colorado, Lauren Schmitt-Boyd of Nampa, Idaho, Bob Shaver of Aurora,
Colorado and Kendra Schmitt of Anchorage, Alaska. Three of the five grandchildren are following
him in medical fields, pharmacist, nurse, and doctor.
Stanley is already missed
by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings and many friends. To his sisters and brother he was their
older brother who was very kind and helpful when in need of medical advice and
knowledge of family history. He was
buried at the City of Mesa Cemetery with a private graveyard service for the
family followed by a memorial service at their church, Bethany Community Church
in Tempe, AZ.
From: G.K.Stillbrook
Sent:
-: Re: In memory of Stanley Haldor Nordmo, who was a Chefusian interned in Weihsien
The adventures never stop coming. Thanks
so much for sharing this account. May Stanley rest
in peace.
Ga talbot Stratford
From: berean@xplornet.com
Sent:
-: Re: In memory of Stanley Haldor Nordmo, who was a Chefusian interned in Weihsien
Thank you for your response--yes,the ones from
From: Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: Book
Hello,
---
a good book to read, (I just discovered it!!) ---
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/books/StolenChildhoods/p_FrontCover.htm
Best regards,
Leopold
From: Ron Bridge
Sent:
-: Re: Book
Dear All,
Nicola Tyrer the
author was very thorough in her research and spent many hours in my study for
those who read the book all is revealed on Page ix of the Acknowledgements. I
read it at an early stage and either provided or arranged for some of the
photos. The publishers editor inevitably changed the very occasional fact.
Those readers in England my wish to know
that Nicola has written a book about the Women's Land Army those who left the
cities in the UK to till the fields during World War 2 and another Sisters in
Arms the story of the British Military nurses caught up in WW2 (includes the
story of those in HK and in the Sumatra Camps.
Rgds
Ron Bridge
Weihsien 1943-5
From: Donald Menzi
Sent:
-: Re: Book
Hello, All,
Modestly, Ron didn't mention his own
wonderful (and beautifully produced) book,Prisoners
of Empire, TJapanese Internment of Allied Civilians
in
Don
From: "chris
brain" <chris.brain@cipfa.org.uk>
Sent:
-: Cyril & Anna Burge
>A bit of a stab in the dark, but I was wondering
whether anyone on the
> message board that spent time in Weihsien Camp have any recollections of
> Cyril James Burge and his Russian wife Anna (or Anya) Burge. They
were
> both British Citizens and Cyril worked for the Customs Service in
>
>
> On a list of inmates I have seen they are recorded as being located in
> Kitchn1.
>
> Any memories of either of them would be cherished as they are the great
> aunt and uncle of my wife.
>
> I can be recahed by email on chris.brain@cipfa.org.uk.
>
> Best regards
From: "Léopold
Pander" <tapol@skynet.be>
Sent:
-: Fw: Cyril & Anna Burge
Ø
>
>> Hello Chris & Anna,
>> Did you try to enter "burge" in
the search engine on the
>> Weihsien-Paintings' website - (home page)?
>> http://www.weihsien-paintings.org
>> Best regards,
>> Leopold
From: "chris
brain" <chris.brain@cipfa.org.uk>
Sent:
-: RE: Cyril & Anna Burge
Hi Leopold, and many thanks for responding.
Yes I have done that general search and it simply produces links to the inmate
list. I was hoping there may people with personal stories or even
sketches or photographs. I have not heard from anyone else as yet but it
is early days.
Thanks again.
Chris Brain
From: "Pamela Masters" <pamela@hendersonhouse.com>
Sent:
-: Re: Cyril & Anna Burge
Ø
Chris -- I knew both the Burges, but I didn't know
Dick was known as Cyril.
> Anyhow, Dick was employed by the Chinese Maritime Customs, and in 1941 he
> and Anya were in
>
> I am surprised to learn Anya was in camp with us as I don't recall seeing
> her there. If my memory serves me correctly, Anya, being Russian, opted
out
> of going to Weihsien Prison Camp with the rest of us.
>
> I'm afraid that's all I recall, except that Dick always gave a prize to
one
> of us kids when we found the first violet of Spring pushing it's pretty
face
> out through the snow. He loved children, but they were childless.
>
> Pamela Masters-Flynn
> (nee Simmons)
>
From: "
Sent:
-: Re: Cyril & Anna Burge
However, they are named in a Memorial book of the
19400 British civilians
and 1550 Commonwealth civilians who were captured by
leather bound in an oak display case housed in St Michaels Cornhill Church
the course of the year there are 100 names per page listing names forename
and one camp. Each alphabet letter lists British and then Australian,
Canadian New Zealand etc
St Michaels is a Wren church dating from the late 17th Century. There are
copies of the Book in A4 size held by the
Archives Kew the Guildhall library
( A3 size) as well as the
Rgds
Ron Bridge
From:
Sylvia Walker
Sent:
-: Photos
Was browsing through the Weihsien site
and came across Leopold Pander's Photographs frpm
Weihsien Camp.
No 20 shows 4 unidentified persons... I
am the little girl Sylvia Tchoo and my mother is next
to me with hands crossed in front of her, Lillian Tchoo.
What a tremendous job you have done with
the website.
Leopold, how old were you when in camp
????
Does anyone know what happened to the Alberts who had two girls Patricia (Patsy) and Camille ????
Also what about Cesspool Kelly (Daniel
Kelly) ???
Hope you are all well and fit
Sylvia Walker (nee Tchoo)
From:
Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: Re: Photos
Dear Sylvia,
Could you help me to identify the picture
No20? In which chapter (and/or subchapter) was it? As soon as I locate the
picture, I will complete the caption.
Oh! yes, to answer to your question: I was
4 years old when we were liberated in 1945. I hardly remember anything from
those days. All rubbed out of my memory I guess !
Best
regards,
Leopold
From:
Christine
Talbot Sancton
Sent:
-: Ida Talbot's recipes
Dear Leopold:
thank you for putting the recipes which my
mother, Ida Jones Talbot, collected in Camp on the Weihsien site.
I see you had to tweak them quite a bit,
thank you for that.
You do do a
wonderful job with this site.
Christine
Talbot Sancton
From:
Sylvia Walker
Sent:
-: Re: Photos
----- Original Message -----
From:
Léopold Pander
Sent:
-: Re: Photos
Dear Sylvia, Hello Leopold,
Could you help me to identify the picture
No20? In which chapter (and/or subchapter) was it? As soon as I locate the
picture, I will complete the caption. For
the life of me, can't remember how I got onto the photos... there were about 20
photos on the page and the one I'm in I think was the last one. Will keep my
eye open for it again.
Oh! yes, to answer to your question: I was
4 years old when we were liberated in 1945. I hardly remember anything from
those days. All rubbed out of my memory I guess ! I was a but older than you so remember a fair bit.... Two of us kids got
polio in camp, the other was a boy. I also remember being in the hospital with
chicken pox . Our room backed onto the moon gate and as I had the top bunk
where there was a window could see all the parachutes piled up on the verandah. Should I tell you this ..... I got a
licking from my mother when a friend came in telling Mum that I was out and
about giving all the kids balloons !!!!! They turned out to be condoms
which Dad had brought with him. Of course Dad got a terrific ribbing about
bringing these important items instead of say food... and poor Mum was so embarrared. I also remember in our little room, Dad and
George Wallis making "hooch" with some sort of drip apparatus our of
sweet potatoes or whatever peels they could get. George apparently got pretty
tight one night and started climbing a lampost and
serenading Trudy, his girlfriend !!! Also remember being bitten by a
scorpion after night roll call.... the things one remembers !!!
Best regards, and to you too
Leopold Sylvia