Lt Col Price, OBE

PRICE, John Herbert, Major, OBE, MC

Royal Rifles of Canada

Canada Gazette dated 15 June 1946 (No. 24, Vol. 80, p.3849) and CARO/6632 dated 17 June 1946. It would appear from RG.7 Group 26 Volume 59 folio 8 that this was originally recommended as a DSO.

Lieutenant-Colonel Price was second-in-command of the Royal Rifles of Canada during the operation at Hong Kong and for the period of the battle displayed courage and resource in the performance of his duties. When, in February 1943, he was transferred from Argyle Street Prisoner-of-War Camp to Shamshuipo Camp to rejoin other prisoners-of-war he made his first contact with a daring escape organization which had been formed to plan a mass escape to join with Chinese troops. He undertook to deliver a packet from Colonel Newnham, MC, General Staff Officer Grade I, China Command Headquarters to Captain Ford, 2nd Royal Scots at Shamshuipo. He was informed that the package contained information of a highly dangerous nature which, if found by the Japanese, would certainly endanger his life and many others. Having been moved many times between the various camps, Lieutenant-Colonel Price knew thoroughly the Japanese methods of searching kit. He concealed the packet in a packet of Japanese issue tooth-powder, placing this in his kit in a position that experience had taught him would escape the notice of the searching officer, and safely got it by the Japanese interpreter Innouye and delivered it to Captain Ford. Shortly after, Captain Ford entrusted Lieutenant-Colonel Price with the information that communication had been established with British intelligence officers in Waichow through Chinese agents in the colony. Although a channel of communication existed with Argyle Street Camp, the organization in Shamshuipo Camp was in the hands of junior officers who asked Lieutenant-Colonel Price, on account of his rank to enter the group and give his advice and assistance thus obviating the necessity for communicating with Argyle Street to avoid resultant delays in decision. Although realizing the danger inherent in such a task, Lieutenant-Colonel Price agreed on the understanding that no action would be taken or communications exchanged without his knowledge and approval, and undertook to assume full responsibility for final decisions. Lieutenant-Colonel Price was then informed fully on the organization’s existing communication with Waichow and the channels through which supplies were received from outside. Arrangements had been made for medical supplies, news, etc. to be brought to Hong Kong, and this supply was most helpful to the general welfare of the prisoners of war. Many requests for escapes were made, but, owing to the general low state of health in the camp and the certainty of reprisals against defenceless personnel who would be left behind, Lieutenant-Colonel Price refused to permit either individual or small party escapes, but agreed to work out a plan for a large break. A plan was finally developed which had as its basis an aerial raid on Hong Kong followed by a guerilla raid on the camp to destroy a section of the perimeter fence through which a large organized party could escape, be armed and guided to safety. In principle, this meant a rescue and not an escape and Lieutenant-Colonel Price felt that it could be carried out without serious reprisals on those left behind. Unfortunately, at this time the channels of communication were closed when one of the agents through which the camp was dealing was arrested. This occurred in May 1943. The result of this was the execution of three British officers and the torture and imprisonment of several other members of the organization. The very great peril involved in the work in which Lieutenant-Colonel Price was engaged cannot be over-emphasized and, although no escapes were actually effected, this organization did work of a very important and beneficial nature to all the prisoners-of-war in Hong Kong. During the battle and the full period of captivity, Lieutenant-Colonel Price displayed qualities of initiative, resource and courage which merit the highest recognition.