We were told that we would be leaving the ship at midnight on a ‘Secret Mission’, the details of which we would be told later. We were given kit bags and a Lancaster Machine Gun together with Ammunition clips and the necessary webbing etc., told not to discuss the matter on our messdecks and be ready in no.8’s (shirt & trousers) with our Steaming Bags (small kit bag) containing a full uniform and underwear etc. for approximately one month.

At midnight we fell in on the Upper Deck and with Steaming Bags & Kits Bags with weapons transferred on a nondescript M.V.F. to the SS Wing Sang of the Jardine & Matheson Line. This ship was a passenger cargo boat with 1st class & 2nd class accommodation and similar restaurant & bars, in fact quite a superior ship.

On boarding, which was done quietly and through a cargo loading door, we were put into a large cabin area and given Jardine & Matheson uniforms. These uniforms consisted of battledress, blouse & trousers together with a peak cap complete with a company badge. At the same time our arms were taken away & stored.

The Captain of the Wing Sang came to tell us that the ship had newspaper reporters from America, Germany & England on board as passengers to Shanghai. If asked our story must be that we were Company crew on our way to pick up ship in Shanghai and under no circumstances were we to let anyone know we were Royal Navy. We were further informed that would be told when the ship left Shanghai where we were going and why.

As we left Shanghai we were told we were on our way to Tientsin in Northern China to evacuate European Diplomats & their families etc as the Communists were closing in. We evacuated approximately 200 people and sailed back to Hong Kong. This whole
exercise took about 4 weeks.

Footnote:

Typical Royal Navy on our first pay-day back on HMS London at Pay Parade I was told "not entitled" (i.e. no pay). Explanation, on Wing Sang we could order drinks at the bar for which we signed a chit. These chits were produced by the pay office and more than consumed our pay, therefore not entitled.

I rejoined HMS London and we left for Singapore for a refit. I was still not given a part of the ship, "that will be done in Singapore" said C.P.O.S.M Stock. On arrival at Singapore on 4th September 1948 I was told "as you are spare you are being put in made up crew for Harbour Defence Motor Launch 1333". The crew made up from HMS London was 1 stoker, 8 seamen, 1 petty officer and a 19 year old midshipman as Captain. We spent the next 10/12 weeks traversing the East Coast of Malaya. We spent our time going up rivers and checking off shore islands for gun runners to the Malaysian Terrorists, mostly coming from Siam. We were kept at sea during this period and were supplied by HMS Surprise and given information by Army Spotter planes.

At London reunions I have only met one other person, E.R.A. Macdonald who was on M.L 1332, doing similar work. But I have never met anyone on the SS Wing Sang or in fact anyone even aware it happened.

Footnote: