Lessons from the diary of a Chinese soldier who fought at D-Day
Imagine discovering secrets in a diary hidden within an old Hong Kong building. That is what happened to Angus Hui Chong-yin 10 years ago.
The history enthusiast heard about the discovery of a diary written in the 1940s by a Chinese naval officer named Lam Ping-yu. Intrigued, Hui got digital copies of the pages so he could study them closely and uncover the stories hidden within.
Lam's diary was special because he was part of D-Day. That is when brave soldiers from many countries stormed the beaches of France to fight against the Axis Powers during World War II. It was a huge turning point in the war, and Lam, a Chinese officer, was right there.
'I was amazed that someone local had been part of such a significant historical event,' Hui said. 'I was captivated by Lam and imagined what his life was like.'
Lam's story
At the time, Hui was studying history and culture at the University of Hong Kong. He studied the documents with another history lover, John Mak Hiu-fai.
They discovered Lam was born in Indonesia, joined the Chinese navy, and went to England for training. His diary tells us what it was like for him to be part of D-Day. It is the only diary we know of from a Chinese officer who was there.
After the war, Lam lived in Hong Kong for some time before moving away and leaving his diary behind. The documents revealed more than just war stories. They showed Lam's thoughts on war and peace. There was one letter that hinted at a love story.
'These are all very interesting stories that show Lam's thoughts and ask us to reflect on the cost of war,' Mak said.
Lam's story also shows how Hong Kong has always been connected to the rest of the world.
'It shows that ... [Hong Kong] has a front-row seat bearing witness to the making of world history,' Mak said.
John Mak (left) and Angus Hui (right) organised the exhibition 'Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes of D-Day'. Photo: Emily Tsang
Curiosity is key
Hui, who is now 30, recalls his parents questioning his choice to study history. But he was confident in his decision.
'History isn't just something that happened in the past; I love discovering how it matters to me. It affects how we see the world,' he said.
Hui and Mak shared their research in an exhibition called 'Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day'.
They are now planning a trip to Britain and France to learn more about the Chinese soldiers who fought there in World War II. They hope to connect with war veterans and researchers.
'Extraordinary stories by ordinary people deserve to be explored and shared,' Hui said.
Mak added: 'There are a lot of unknowns in every corner waiting to be uncovered. The most important thing is to be curious.'
Use the puzzle below to test your knowledge of the vocabulary words in the story.
Suggested answer
Read and answer: Why was Lam's diary so important? Lam's diary described D-Day, which was an important event where soldiers came to France to battle in World War II. This was a turning point in the war!
Stop and think: How did Hui feel finding this historic diary? Hui is a history enthusiast, and he felt 'amazed' to be a part of discovering this important historical artifact which gave insight on the event.
Reflect: Why is it important to discover and share hidden stories from the past? These stories from the past give us information about historical moments. It can give historians today a clearer understanding of the action and events that took place. It can also honour important figures who may have gone unnoticed. (answers may vary)
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