Dates

• Existence: 1890-09-10 - 1975-02-13

Biography

Colin Hugh Gimson was a dedicated researcher and the cousin of Sir Franklin Charles Gimson (1890–1975). His work was primarily driven by a desire to document the harrowing experiences of his family and the broader community during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong (1941–1945).

Sir Franklin Charles Gimson, the central figure of Colin’s research, arrived in Hong Kong on December 7, 1941, to take up his appointment as Colonial Secretary. He arrived only hours before the Japanese attack began. Following the British surrender on Christmas Day 1941, Sir Franklin was interned at Stanley Civilian Internment Camp. As the highest-ranking British official in the camp, he took on the critical responsibility of maintaining a shadow government, representing the internees to the Japanese authorities, and maintaining morale and discipline under extreme conditions.

Colin Gimson’s research efforts spanned several decades, during which he acted as an informal family archivist. He corresponded with survivors, such as his cousin Judy (Franklin’s daughter), and collaborated with historians and official bodies like the Hong Kong Public Records Office.

His collection is characterized by a "bottom-up" approach to history. Rather than focusing solely on high-level military strategy, Colin meticulously gathered lists of internees from hotels and hospitals, personal narratives from local residents (including the Portuguese and Chinese communities), and ephemera like camp sketches and music scores. His work serves to bridge the gap between Sir Franklin's official administrative legacy and the lived, daily reality of those who survived the occupation.

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