[HKVDC] Marciano ‘Naneli’ Baptista
Description:
Born:
20 December 1896, Hong Kong
Death:
2 February 1957, Hong Kong
Pre-war:
Baptista was born to Marciano Antonio Baptista, Jr. and Clotilde de Sousa, the seventh of ten siblings. They were an artistic family; Baptista’s grandfather had studied under George Chinnery. Baptista attended St. Joseph's College in Hong Kong, and on graduation, he joined Shewan, Tomes & Co. In 1932 he married Anna Pereira, though they had no children. Later he worked at Green Island Cement Company, though always artistic he decorated the Club Lusitano in 1937 to mark King George VI's coronation. He served in the HKVDC with the 6th Light Anti-Aircraft Company and attained the rank of Company Sergeant Major by the outbreak of hostilities.
Wartime:
During the war, Naneli was imprisoned with other Allied troops in Shamshuipo POW Camp until 1945. While he was in camp he was very active in keeping up morale among fellow soldiers. The primary means of doing this was through prisoner-produced and acted shows. Naneli was pivotal in set design and decoration, creating attractive programmes for the shows, producing and choreographing acts, and participating in acting or supporting roles. His artistry was well known and appreciated not only by fellow prisoners but also by some of the Japanese guards who on rare occasions would provide him with basic paints or watercolours. It was truly remarkable what he created given the circumstances. Fellow POW Luigi Ribero noted in his diary that Baptista could create an idyllic Hawaiian beach with palm trees silhouetted against a moonlit sky, by “a deft mixture of ashes, salvaged from the kitchen refuse bins and mixed with water in the right measure”.
Solomon Bard, accomplished musician, former fellow POW, and later Honorary Colonel of the HKVDC, recalled of his camp concerts that “three single programmes, one for each concert, were written in ornate script and beautifully illuminated with coloured designs... by the Hong Kong Volunteers’ Company Sergeant-Major Baptista; small wonder for he was a descendant of the famous Macao/Hong Kong artist Marciano Baptista (1826-1896).”
Post-war:
After the war, Baptista returned to Green Island Cement. His commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 was presented to Her Majesty on behalf of the Colony. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1955, but it was his years of chain smoking that greatly contributed to his health deterioration. He was survived by six siblings and 17 nieces and nephews, one of whom (Filomeno) he practically adopted as a son. Naneli received a full formal military funeral in Hong Kong that was attended by hundreds. His remains are interred in the Baptista family ossuary in Happy Valley.
Awards:
In recognition of his contributions during his imprisonment at Shamshuipo Camp, Naneli was appointed MBE by King George VI in January 1949.
Further Reading:
Naneli Baptista, Souvenir of Sham Shui Po: WW-II Hong Kong Prisoner of War Camp Sketches (Peter Campos, 2015).
Born:
20 December 1896, Hong Kong
Death:
2 February 1957, Hong Kong
Pre-war:
Baptista was born to Marciano Antonio Baptista, Jr. and Clotilde de Sousa, the seventh of ten siblings. They were an artistic family; Baptista’s grandfather had studied under George Chinnery. Baptista attended St. Joseph's College in Hong Kong, and on graduation, he joined Shewan, Tomes & Co. In 1932 he married Anna Pereira, though they had no children. Later he worked at Green Island Cement Company, though always artistic he decorated the Club Lusitano in 1937 to mark King George VI's coronation. He served in the HKVDC with the 6th Light Anti-Aircraft Company and attained the rank of Company Sergeant Major by the outbreak of hostilities.
Wartime:
During the war, Naneli was imprisoned with other Allied troops in Shamshuipo POW Camp until 1945. While he was in camp he was very active in keeping up morale among fellow soldiers. The primary means of doing this was through prisoner-produced and acted shows. Naneli was pivotal in set design and decoration, creating attractive programmes for the shows, producing and choreographing acts, and participating in acting or supporting roles. His artistry was well known and appreciated not only by fellow prisoners but also by some of the Japanese guards who on rare occasions would provide him with basic paints or watercolours. It was truly remarkable what he created given the circumstances. Fellow POW Luigi Ribero noted in his diary that Baptista could create an idyllic Hawaiian beach with palm trees silhouetted against a moonlit sky, by “a deft mixture of ashes, salvaged from the kitchen refuse bins and mixed with water in the right measure”.
Solomon Bard, accomplished musician, former fellow POW, and later Honorary Colonel of the HKVDC, recalled of his camp concerts that “three single programmes, one for each concert, were written in ornate script and beautifully illuminated with coloured designs... by the Hong Kong Volunteers’ Company Sergeant-Major Baptista; small wonder for he was a descendant of the famous Macao/Hong Kong artist Marciano Baptista (1826-1896).”
Post-war:
After the war, Baptista returned to Green Island Cement. His commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 was presented to Her Majesty on behalf of the Colony. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1955, but it was his years of chain smoking that greatly contributed to his health deterioration. He was survived by six siblings and 17 nieces and nephews, one of whom (Filomeno) he practically adopted as a son. Naneli received a full formal military funeral in Hong Kong that was attended by hundreds. His remains are interred in the Baptista family ossuary in Happy Valley.
Awards:
In recognition of his contributions during his imprisonment at Shamshuipo Camp, Naneli was appointed MBE by King George VI in January 1949.
Further Reading:
Naneli Baptista, Souvenir of Sham Shui Po: WW-II Hong Kong Prisoner of War Camp Sketches (Peter Campos, 2015).
Sources: Photo: Tony Banham
