[Air Raid Precaution] Yip Yuek Lam
Description:
Born:
1915, Hong Kong
Death:
Unknown
Pre-war:
He received his early education at a personal institution in Tai Ping Shan and went to St. Paul College. After his failed application for a government position in 1936, he became a fruit seller in his relative's firm and helped with the shipping matters. He served as an English secretary in the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce until the outbreak of war.
Wartime:
When the Japanese invaded Kowloon, Yip led Air Raid Precaution (ARP) wardens among the Boy Scouts, helping with relief logistics and food distribution. After the battle, He became a parallel trader, smuggling food products to Guangzhou. Meanwhile, the Japanese tried to force his father to provide vegetables to the Japanese. His father, however, refused. The Japanese authority then forced Yip to accept the appointment. He was in charge of the selling of vegetables and non-staple food. He once experienced a bombing by the Allies while watching a horse race at Happy Valley with Ho Kam Tong.
First-hand Account:
Interviewee: After finishing school, I wanted to work for the government but couldn't find a job. So I went to work at a trading firm to help my uncle with import/export work. Not long after, the Japanese attacked Hong Kong. At the time, I was a team leader for the ARP (Air Raid Precautions), supplying food and provisions for the garrison, and I was also a scout troop leader so I was very active.
Interviewer: When you were with the ARP...
Interviewee: I was in charge of managing food supplies. When the Japanese attacked Kowloon, I went to the Government Godown to transport rice, beans, and other food to depots up on the Peak.
Interviewer: Where were those depots?
Interviewee: Huh?
Interviewer: Were they in caves?
Interviewee: They were the Government Godown, known as the Common Stores. I transported [the foodstuff] to places like field hospitals. When the Japanese came, we discarded everything - uniforms, hats, all discarded.
Interviewer: So you transported [the foodstuff] to the Peak, where exactly?
Interviewee: Up to Robinson Road on the Peak, where there were ambulances and volunteers. I delivered supplies there.
Interviewer: So you supplied them.
Interviewee: Yes, I supplied them.
Interviewer: Where were the government warehouses then?
Interviewee: North Point, near where I lived, near the Capitol Theatre...where the Common Store is now. The current Common Store on Oil Street, that area.
Interviewer: Where the Lai Tung Hotel is.
Interviewee: Yes, there.
Interviewer: So you transported rice?
Interviewee: Yes, rice and other food supplies.
Post-war:
After the War, Yip worked in a plastic factory for a short period. Later, he started a business in cold storage and food export until his retirement.
Born:
1915, Hong Kong
Death:
Unknown
Pre-war:
He received his early education at a personal institution in Tai Ping Shan and went to St. Paul College. After his failed application for a government position in 1936, he became a fruit seller in his relative's firm and helped with the shipping matters. He served as an English secretary in the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce until the outbreak of war.
Wartime:
When the Japanese invaded Kowloon, Yip led Air Raid Precaution (ARP) wardens among the Boy Scouts, helping with relief logistics and food distribution. After the battle, He became a parallel trader, smuggling food products to Guangzhou. Meanwhile, the Japanese tried to force his father to provide vegetables to the Japanese. His father, however, refused. The Japanese authority then forced Yip to accept the appointment. He was in charge of the selling of vegetables and non-staple food. He once experienced a bombing by the Allies while watching a horse race at Happy Valley with Ho Kam Tong.
First-hand Account:
Interviewee: After finishing school, I wanted to work for the government but couldn't find a job. So I went to work at a trading firm to help my uncle with import/export work. Not long after, the Japanese attacked Hong Kong. At the time, I was a team leader for the ARP (Air Raid Precautions), supplying food and provisions for the garrison, and I was also a scout troop leader so I was very active.
Interviewer: When you were with the ARP...
Interviewee: I was in charge of managing food supplies. When the Japanese attacked Kowloon, I went to the Government Godown to transport rice, beans, and other food to depots up on the Peak.
Interviewer: Where were those depots?
Interviewee: Huh?
Interviewer: Were they in caves?
Interviewee: They were the Government Godown, known as the Common Stores. I transported [the foodstuff] to places like field hospitals. When the Japanese came, we discarded everything - uniforms, hats, all discarded.
Interviewer: So you transported [the foodstuff] to the Peak, where exactly?
Interviewee: Up to Robinson Road on the Peak, where there were ambulances and volunteers. I delivered supplies there.
Interviewer: So you supplied them.
Interviewee: Yes, I supplied them.
Interviewer: Where were the government warehouses then?
Interviewee: North Point, near where I lived, near the Capitol Theatre...where the Common Store is now. The current Common Store on Oil Street, that area.
Interviewer: Where the Lai Tung Hotel is.
Interviewee: Yes, there.
Interviewer: So you transported rice?
Interviewee: Yes, rice and other food supplies.
Post-war:
After the War, Yip worked in a plastic factory for a short period. Later, he started a business in cold storage and food export until his retirement.
Sources: The Hong Kong Oral History Archives Project, HKU: 003
