Winnie Ho brings forward stories of 'little messengers' from the War of Resistance

In commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin retraced the steps of the brave "little messengers" to honor the local heroes' sacrifices for peace.

In a social media post on Tuesday (Sep 2), Ho shared her visit to Sai Kung's Ng Fai Tin in Pan Long Wan Village—a former site of the Urban Detachment base under the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade.

The group began their journey at the Pan Long Wan Village Office, where they examined an information board created by the Home Affairs Department. This board details the activities of a squadron established in 1943, which played a crucial role in the urban district's resistance efforts.

The base was located in the home of a courier named Lau, where Captain and Political Instructor Fang Lan also resided.

The site was once surrounded by small boats facilitating communication, making it vital for resistance efforts.

Ho and her team laid white lilies, platycodon grandiflorus, and daisies at the information board in tribute to the hard-earned efforts of those who fought for freedom.

Unexpected encounter with a messenger

Their exploration continued at the historic site, where they unexpectedly met a local villager whose 92-year-old uncle, also named Lau, was one of the little messengers.

Recalling his memories at just nine years old, Lau shared stories of how he transported messages between Sai Kung, Central, and Causeway Bay.

His anecdotes included advice on folding and preserving intelligence notes, traveling barefoot, the moment Fang asked him to become a messenger, and the difficulties of cutting off touch with his family at the time.

As Ho looked at the medals, photographs, and books documenting Lau's contributions, she expressed deep admiration and gratitude for the opportunity to gain firsthand insights from such valuable oral history.

Accessible history within the city

In addition to Lau, Ho mentioned that the local villagers' fathers also participated in the guerrilla force, illustrating the enduring love for the homeland instilled in generations. 

While history may seem distant, Ho highlighted that it is accessible within the city, encouraging the public to remember and learn about their past and to acknowledge the sacrifices made for peace.

For more information on commemorative activities, Ho encouraged the government's webpage dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resilience.

Separately, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho recently visited the Rosary Mission Centre in Wong Mo Ying, Sai Kung. The Centre, which historically functioned as a base for anti-Japanese guerrillas, was designated as a Grade II historic building in 2013.

The Development Bureau said on social media that in 1942, the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade of the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Force was established in the Centre. The location served as a site where guerrilla members settled and stored essential supplies, weapons, and ammunition.

During her visit, Linn emphasized that the capacity to lead a stable and peaceful existence is attributable to the countless martyrs who valiantly resisted the Japanese military approximately 80 years ago. She underscored the necessity of remembering the history.