大象传媒

In July 1939I was working as an engineer for Thomas DelaRue, printing banknotes for China. Currency was printed in London and sent to Shanghai. This was often intercepted by the Japanese who were in partial occupation of China.
Chiang Kai Shek, one of Chinas leaders, was supported by the west. In order to keep the countries currency stable, printing had to take place 'on the spot'. To achieve this end, an engraver, a printer and myself were asked to go to Shanghai to teach the Chinese how to print banknotes. We were told that our wives could join us when accomodation was ready!
Arriving in Shanghai in late July, we found the Japanese had complete control of the area. This meant that we were in a dangerous position! Consequently, telegrams were sent to London, telling our wives not to travel (under the pretext that all ships were commandeered for troop movements).
My wife was determined to make the journey regardless. She enlisted the help of a retired sea captain and he assisted her and annother woman with the travel arrangements. Within a few weeks they were on their way!
Cases of printing paper frequently arrived at the docks in Shanghai marked as 'playing cards'. Printing started immediately. Each night the bank notes were driven under armed escort in three private cars to the nearest Chinese bank to be locked in the vaults.
Apart from work we shopped, toured and visited friends, but were constantly stopped and searched at Japanese checkpoints, and our papers examined by soldiers bhind fixed bayonets. We bore witness to the brutal treatment suffered by the Chinese.
At the end of December, our son was born. Everything was going well with the production of money, until a damaged case of banknote paper was found by the Japanese at the port! Next day they stormed the factory and ordered the destruction of all banknotes and paper. We heard from a friend the next day (who had contacts in the Japanese establishment) that we were high on their 'hit list'.
Hurriedly, machinery and printing plates were destroyed. Two members of staff left for Burma, where it was hoped the printing would resume. We were advised against this journey!
With the help of the British consul, we boarded the last passenger ship to leave Shanghai for Canada. Orders had been given that a cabin be made available for us. We packed a few things and arrived at the docks at 1am. The ship was some distance away and in the darkness we were rowed out to the side of the ship. We climbed a rope ladder to the deck. An officer had vacated his cabin for us.
After a difficult crossing, via Japan (to take on coal!) and dodging u-boats, we docked in Canada. We then travelled across the country on the Canadian Pacific Railway. We boarded another ship for the final part of the journey, again through difficult territory. We arrived safely in Liverpool about 30 days after leaving Shanghai.

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