St Stephens College

St Stephens College, Stanley

St Stephen’s college was formed in 1903 in Pokfulam to provide English education for Chinese students.  The college expanded and moved to Stanley in 1928.  The main building was built in a European style with columns and arches but has a Chinese roof to suit HK’s hot climate.

During WWII the School House was used as an emergency military hospital.  Early on Christmas day 1941 the Japanese Troops attacked the hospital and viciously massacred wounded soldiers and medical and college staff.  Following the Japanese victory, the Japanese Imperial Forces used the college as a prisoner of war camp.  About 2,800 non-Chinese men, women and children were held there until August 1945 when the Japanese forces surrendered.

St Stephen’s college re-opened as a school after the war and is now one of the largest secondary schools in Hong Kong.  Many of its buildings are listed as historic monuments.

I chose this historical site because of its personal significance.  If I had lived in Hong Kong during WWII, my family and I would have been held prisoner there because we are British citizens.