There are three ways to learn about the cases in the HKWCT Collection:

1. By clicking on ‘Snapshots of cases’.  This provides you with an overview of critical information on all the cases, such as the War Office file number, name of the accused and the first few lines of the charge.  From there, you can click on the hyperlink for each case number (for example, WO235/927) to get into the case note.  From the case notes, you can only get into the case files themselves if you are working from an authorized computer, i.e. from a computer at one of the universities of Hong Kong.  The case files can be accessed by clicking on the PDF icon at the top of each case note.

2. By clicking on ‘Search’.  This takes you into the search function.  It will search the case notes, but not the case files.  This is because the documents in the case files have been microfilmed, and converted into PDF files.  The search facility will pick up keywords in the detailed case notes that have been prepared for each case, detailing the most relevant information.  There are four ways to search the case notes: using any keyword of your choice, using ready prepared keywords, using the War Office file number or by using the name of the accused.  You should just select one mode.  If you enter your choice and press ‘search’ or the ‘enter’ tab on your keyboard, the results will be displayed in the lower portion of the search page.  If there are cases that have been identified, you can click on the hyperlink for each case number (for example, WO235/927) to get into the case note.  From the case notes, you can only get into the case files themselves if you are working from an authorized computer, i.e. from a computer at one of the universities of Hong Kong.  The case files can be accessed by clicking on the PDF icon at the top of each case note.

3. By clicking on the ‘Google Map’ section.  This provides a visual overview of the approximate locations of crime scenes using Google Map.  Our locations are limited to offences committed on land; we are not able to pinpoint the locations for the cases involving offences on the High Seas. The case numbers are displayed on the left hand side of the screen.  If you click on the link, you will see the location displayed.  If you wish to zoom in closer, you should just click on the map until you get to the detail that you require.  Please note that these are estimated locations – for example, we are not able to pinpoint streets or specific buildings.  The case files can be accessed by clicking on the PDF icon at the top of each case note.

If you do not have access to the case files, and you click on the PDF icon, a message will appear saying ‘We are very sorry, but you do not have access to the documents in the case files.  Please see the conditions of use’.

If you have access to the documents in the case files, and you click on the PDF icon, you will be brought into a PDF file containing all the documents for that particular case.  It could take a while to download if your computer is not powerful.  Once you get to the first page, you will find, on the left hand side, detailed bookmarks. Almost all contain subsections.  These are designed to facilitate your movement around the file – all you need to do is to click on the particular bookmark, and it will bring you to the desired document.  Should you so wish, you may manually scroll down the entire file on a page by page basis.  Please note that consistent with the practice for British Military Trials of the time, there were no reasoned judgements.  For legal analysis purposes, the Judge Advocate reports are particularly important, as are the Opening and Closing Statements. We do not have permission from The National Archives to enable printing of documents.