Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by will walker on October 20, 2006, 11:37:14
88.111.220.251

Hi all, astonished that such a web site exists, nonetheless it's a cracker. I visited Stonecutters on two postings to HK and recently revisted HK as a 'tourist.' I have seen it recently, in August this year, the island is no longer there, (as an island anyway), it is joined to the mainland as part of re-development in the harbour. The PLA has a military presence there so it is off-limits. However on my previous visits, 1965 & 1983 I stayed in two diverse locations. The former was as a guest at the military prison, (teenage soldier gone wrong), and the latterly as a WO2 who trained RHKR(v)on the island. My family stayed at some of the week-end chalets specifically located there for military families. Can anyone else remember the military prison and do you have memories of it? F'instance when did it close down?

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Mike McNamara on October 21, 2006, 18:50:19, in reply to "Military Prison on Stonecutters"
86.128.175.125

Hi and welcome to the Site. I've dropped you an email direct with some additional info and the password for the pictures area of the site. The Prison shut down in 1976, but don't know a great deal about what happened to the use of buildings after that. I know from some pictures of a number of years ago that the buildings were still there, maybe others might know. Hope you will you be able to contribute any pictures to the site? Enjoy your further visits. Mike

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Sue Toppin on October 30, 2006, 2:08:32, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
69.73.218.195

Hi I just found this site whilst browsing tonight and was so glad to find that Stonecutters lives on in so many memories... I was living there in 1976-77 with my REME husband. When I first arrived there were still a few prisoners in the military prison, but after a few months it closed completely and all personnel returned to UK. Until I left the island in December 1977, the buildings were not put to any use whatsoever. I don't know if any use was found for them later.

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Mike McNamara on November 1, 2006, 7:49:53, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
86.128.175.125

Many thanks for your post, I have written off-line with the password for the picture library. regards Mike

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Philip Windridge on December 27, 2006, 4:21:53, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
84.64.36.158

Hi All. I stayied at Stone Cutters island military prison for 2 to 3 days when i was at school (St Georges,kowloon or Sek kong school,New terrorites)it was a school trip. I loved it, I can always remember when I went it was raining, but I witnessed something I would never see again. The whole floor was moving with red crabs in the hills above the prison. I have a photo at my mums of me and all my school mates at the school trip (1980 to 1983)Not sure of the date. My father was at GCHQ. would love to hear from anyone of that time. thanks phil

Stonecutters Island

Posted by Anne Loyd on April 8, 2007, 13:12:52, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
81.131.38.47

My grandfather was in the Royal Garrison Artillary ,based on Stonecutters Island prior to the first world war. Returning to Britain September 1914. He went on to distinguish himself and survive the war. My mother and her 3 sisters all had vivid memories of living on the island. Their brother was born on Stonecutters and was 4 months old on his journey back to Britain. I would be grateful for any history of the island at this time. Hope someone may be able to help as I shall be visiting Hong Kong in september. Anne Lloyd

Re: Stonecutters Island

Posted by Mike McNamara on April 11, 2007, 15:45:50, in reply to "Stonecutters Island"
86.128.210.123

Wow! That is going back sometime, I am not sure I have seen anything that talks in detail about the pre WWI period on Stonecutters Island apart from some pages in Wikipedia. If we hear of any, we'll let you. If you get an good pictures of the Island during you trip in September, we'd be interested in getting those onto the website picture gallery. Have a good trip. Mike

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by David Boxhall on April 18, 2007, 14:42:54, in reply to "Military Prison on Stonecutters"
212.49.228.106

30 Sig Regt used the prison as accommodation during an exercise in the later half of the 1970's. We were practicing long range HF radio communications using the E-21 set. I recall the old rifle range being used as the transmitter site; it was the only flat piece of land capable of suporting an 80ft mast and 500 feet of copper cable that we used as the transmit antenna. I also remember RCT personnel ferrying us to and from Kowloon side. Fond memories of a time before the cold war ended and deploying overseas was more likely to mean an exercise than an operation.

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Mike McNamara on May 16, 2007, 22:35:57, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
86.154.73.83

Hi David, Saw your message and then forgot to reply!! Interesting that they used the rifle range for that. I think the main Naval Wireless station must have been closed by the MOD during 1977 (I left in 75) so I suppose that everyone have to do their own thing! Did you take any photo's whilst you were there? They would be great to add to the Flickr site that I am running along side the website - just added another twenty yesterday. I have just sent you an email of how to 'logon' to see the current batch of photo. Cheers, Mike.

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Tracey Conroy on October 4, 2007, 6:03:06, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
194.176.105.47

I lived on Stone cutters from1974-1976, it was a fantastic place to spend 2 years of my childhood. I was there with my father who worked in the prison.I visited Hong Kong 2 weeks ago it was fabulous, I was only sorry that it is not possible to get onto the island now.

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Mike McNamara on October 7, 2007, 21:30:30, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
81.155.212.145

Tracey, Good to see your post to the web site. I guess you must have lived at the prison end of the Island. I have written to you off-line with info as how to get to see the pictures that we have on Flickr. Would also look forward to receiving any pictures that you may have that we could post onto the Flickr site. Speak again from other email. Regard Mike

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Colin Cowie on October 17, 2007, 18:01:01, in reply to "Military Prison on Stonecutters"
86.135.174.139

Hi Will, As an RN REM(lowest of the low) in JSTS I was stationed on Stonecutters from March 1962 to Oct 1963. Half way through I started courting the daughter of OIC of military prison, one Major Butler. He was not too pleased to have his pride and joy going out with a sailor and really resented my courtship visits to his house! One fond memory was of an amzing and much loved mate, Arthur Greatorex. He decided, rather than return for his AM duty in the JSTS, to extend his two days ashore in HK for a further 3 days! We won't go into why here. On his return he was slapped in jankers for 28 days in the Military Prison. Myself and another rating handed him over at the gates and when told (at 50 decibels over the pain level) to double march, Arthur retorted "Are you talking to me my man?". We left expecting to have to collect his bady later. However on returning to take him home. the Guard were all smiles, slapping his back while arranging to meet in the Union Jack club later! I do he has survied and sees the site. I would love to check out his story so far.

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by John Brennan on March 27, 2008, 4:06:00, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
70.19.19.124

I was incarcerated there in '73(?) as a very young Irish Guard. Up the Micks! e-mail me if anyone else remembers.

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Jack on July 28, 2008, 18:28:36, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
79.74.38.180

I remember Arthur , he was some character. The story has it that when he was back from the islands he was restricted to Stonecutters due to his rather obsessive desire to spend his life-savings in Wanchai. Having met him I can believe that story but will listen to arguments. Best wishes to Colin, do you know wher 'Lofty' Armour went to after JSTS? regards Jack (and Yvonne)

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by jean foord on December 22, 2008, 19:34:49, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
62.252.204.98

Dear Colin I lived on the island from 1961 to 64, my dad worked at the prison, ref the courting saga, was the girl called Jackie? She was teaching at a Chinese School I was mates with her and a girl called Anne Mckenzie. I went out with a Navy rating from the Navyside called Dinga Bell, was he stationed with you? We had some great times me and my brothers and sisters, anyway Colin hope this info adds up. Wishing you and yours a Merry Xmas Best Wishes Jean Foord

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by jim baxter on January 4, 2011, 19:29:31, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
82.23.34.91

I recall being incarcerated in the MCTC on Stonecutters or Cutters as it was known to us,in 1967 I only did 14 days it was enough to show me the errors of my ways.I remember running about the Island and being told to keep to the paths in case of snakes(never saw any)Also getting on the Ferry over to the Island and landing and there being indian guards on duty think they had something to do with the ammo dump

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Henry on August 20, 2011, 19:07:53, in reply to "Military Prison on Stonecutters"
82.25.42.184

Is this part of the forum still active? I was there as a 'guest' of the MCTC, despite being in the Royal Navy, for 28days (sentence 42) in 1970. I remember cleaning the swimming pool at the bottom of the hill below the prison quarters, whitewashing some stones and walls in the barracks, an army guerilla exercise they made us do - which was great fun, oh and 3 days solitary with bread and water. The sergeant I remember who everyone feared was I think called Swan? a big man, but I got on great with him, in fact I got on great with all the staff as they really seemed bemused to have this RN nipper in their midst. On my return to the UK the Navy gunnery section in Collingwood was astounded than I could strip down and reassemble a Bren machine gun quicker than they could. Please send me the link to photo's if still available.

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by john dunn on September 24, 2011, 8:46:47, in reply to "Military Prison on Stonecutters"
94.1.227.211

I HAD A 28DAYS VISIT IN 1966 BEFORE GOING TO BORNEO.THEY KEPT US BUSY, HALF HOUR DRILL, HALF HOUR PT.2 CIGARETTES A DAY.WHAT A DUMP..

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Keith Locke on April 15, 2012, 16:53:57, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
2.100.189.179

Hi Colin I have just come across this message, I was stationed on Stonecutters from Dec 1964 until June 1966 (RN) Major Butler was still OIC of the military prison. I believe his daughters name was Jacqui. I remember her always reminding people of the correct spelling Jacqui not Jackie.She also had a brother John. I think the name of the Transmitting Station OIC was Lt. Hannah. Keith

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by geoff blain on May 25, 2012, 13:30:34, in reply to "Military Prison on Stonecutters"
188.28.40.178

i was posted to the new terroteries hong kong in 1972 with 3rd reg royal horse artillery i went absent and was sent to MCTC stone cutters for 56 days

Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters

Posted by Jan Chapman on November 12, 2012, 8:44:18, in reply to "Re: Military Prison on Stonecutters"
211.28.36.180

The prison was used as accommodation when I was there 79-82 (I was at St Georges school then). I stayed there a number of time on Youth club camps, Anglo Chinese camps, D of E camps and I am sure some others. The girls would be in one block the boys in the other, and we would spend half the night trying to sneak into the girls block without getting caught. Happy days.