Bob Tatz: Lost in the Battle of Hong Kong

Bob Tatz’s long-awaited memoir is now available, from Amazon;

I’ve written an introduction that highlights the remarkable way in which Bob’s memoir tells a story that is of interest not only to historians of Hong Kong but also to anyone who wishes to understand the currently much discussed topics of trauma and resilience.

Bob, a ten year old orphan, was in effect abandoned to fend for himself on day one of the Japanese attack. He was initially cared for by the a missionary family, then moved to Stanley Camp, and finally transferred to the Canossian Convent, where the care of the Italian nuns ensured his physical survival until the end of the war. This is remarkable enough, and Bob’s narrative provides invaluable glimpses of the various people and locales he encountered. But what is perhaps even more surprising is that a ten year old boy who had already lost his father, his step-father, his mother and his beloved Chinese amah, should have eventually recovered  enough from all these traumas and the unimaginable burden of his experiences during the Japanese occupation to find fulfilment in career, marriage and parenthood.

It is a moving story that will give any reader plenty to think about. And historians of the Hong Kong war will be in no doubt about their special good luck in finally being able to read this memoir.