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[Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps] Jean-Baptiste Étienne Rodéric Égal

Born

6 March 1892, Monclar, France

Death

29 December 1947, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Unit/Organization

Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps

Rank/Post

Captain

Pre-war

Jean-Baptiste Étienne Égal, nicknamed Rodéric, was 22 years old in 1914. Engaged in the First World War, he lost the use of his right arm and was awarded the Légion d’Honneur. In 1920, Rodéric Égal settled in Shanghai (calling himself Roderick to sound more English) and opened a flourishing trade in imported wines, which he then extended to fabrics and other French luxury goods. He was a well-established merchant in the city's French concession, well known in business circles. In 1940, shortly after General De Gaulle's appeal to the French to continue the fight against the German occupiers (on 18 June), the Frenchman founded a committee to support Gaullism: "France Quand Même". He was soon appointed de Gaulle's representative for all of China and fled to the international concession. From there, he published a weekly bulletin, hosted radio broadcasts, and spared no effort to rally his compatriots to the Free French cause. A strong head, his colourful temperament annoyed the local French authorities (rallied to Vichy) and even embarrassed the British diplomats in Shanghai.

In 1940, he caused the desertion of many sailors from the French warship Francis Garnier. This was the last straw... While attending a secret meeting in the French concession, he was denounced, arrested, and deported to Saigon (French Indochina) to stand trial. He remained in prison for several months before being released, at the end of August 1941, under astonishing circumstances, and after diplomatic negotiations between London, Singapore, Shanghai and Hanoi.

He was stripped of his nationality and his property was confiscated. Everything fell apart. Far from being depressed by these events, his commitment was redoubled. After a short stay in Shanghai, he realised that it would be difficult for him to work for France from that territory. He therefore decided to go to Hong Kong, where he was to meet a Free French liaison officer, Lieutenant Jacosta.

Wartime

When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong, Rodéric Égal had only been there three days. He thought he was just passing through before going to Singapore and, from there, to join the Free French forces in Africa. He nevertheless placed himself at the disposal of the Free French Committee of Hong Kong, then of the HKVDC.

Appointed captain, he was associated with Major Paterson's group of Hughesiliers, which included several dozen expatriates in their fifties. They took part in the defence of the North Point power plant after the Japanese troops landed on the island. Overwhelmed by the offensive and without ammunition, the unit was lost on the 19th of December. Rodéric Égal owes his salvation to a Chinese shopkeeper who hides him in the last moments of the battle. He was taken prisoner the next day.

The Frenchman was imprisoned in the Sham Shui Po camp from 20 December 1941 to 23 April 1942. He was noticed for his leadership and outspokenness, which earned him the nickname "The Tiger". He was then transferred to the Argyle Street camp until October 1945.

Post-war

Released in October 1945, he decided to settle in the British colony and start a new business from scratch. Weakened by the years of captivity, he was especially bruised by not being recognised by the French authorities. Although he obtained some important awards, he did not get the ultimate honour he wanted: the Liberation Cross, reserved for the companions of the first hour of General de Gaulle. In 1947, the years of deprivation quickly caused his health to decline. He was admitted to St. Theresa's Hospital in Kowloon for kidney complications and died there on 29 December. (text by François Drémeaux)

Awards (other than the campaign medals)

Légion d’honneur; Croix de Guerre (14-18 and 39-45) ; Médaille d’officier de la Résistance.

Sources

Photo: François Drémeaux, Véronique & Marion Égal; Text: François Drémeaux