Weihsien Paintings

Memorial Items

This badge was given to internees arriving by train in Tsingtao from Weihsien after release.
It is a welcome by the Mayor of the town.
© Norman Cliff, June 12, 2006

VISA 身分證明書

Norman Cliff's visa in Chefoo in 1942

通行許可證

Norman Cliff's pass in Chefoo in 1942

以中文再次書寫的通行證

The Chinese copy of a pass sent out by the then British Consul of Chefoo on 9/10/37 warning all British subjects of the possibility of a Japanese invasion, and how to be ready for it. In fact the Japanese only arrived in Feb. 1938, and came without any resistance.
The Chinese characters are a translation of the English message. These two items were recently sent to me by Tony Railton in New Zealand.
© Norman Cliff, June 12, 2006

Findings...

Welcome to Allies Banner

• This banner contains a message that reads: "Welcome to Allies from the Mayor of Tsing Tao (Qingdao)." The use of English and the message suggest that this was likely used during the liberation period, welcoming Allied forces or representatives, possibly during or after World War II.

• The presence of Chinese characters and red, white, and blue flags suggest this banner was made in a Chinese context to welcome Allied forces, reflecting cooperation during the war.

ID Card from Chefoo, 1942

• This is an identification card from 1942, issued in Chefoo (modern-day Yantai, China). It belongs to a person named E. H. Cliff, aged 17 at the time. Chefoo was also a location where foreign nationals were interned during World War II under Japanese occupation.

• The official stamps and the date (昭和十七年, meaning the 17th year of the Shōwa era, or 1942) confirm the document's historical setting during Japanese rule.

Travel Pass with Photo

• This seems to be a travel pass or permission document, also from the Japanese occupation period (as indicated by the use of Japanese script and red official seals). It contains the name E. H. Cliff and allows the individual limited travel within the occupied territory.

• The date 昭和十五年 (Shōwa 15, or 1940) suggests this was issued during the early years of World War II, possibly allowing limited movement within Japanese-occupied areas

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Summary

These documents seem to belong to a person named E. H. Cliff, who lived through the Japanese occupation of China during World War II, likely interned in Chefoo. The first image shows a banner welcoming Allied forces, possibly from a later stage in the war when liberation was near. The identification and travel documents reflect the strict control exerted by Japanese authorities over foreign nationals during this time.