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On the path to history

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The beautiful campus, the well-tended lawns, peace in the air and students at their desks - at first glance, St Stephen's College barely recalls its wartime past. But despite sitting on the scenic Stanley Peninsula, the school has a dark past: it was once an internment camp.

It's impossible to miss St Stephen's heritage buildings, some of the best preserved in the city. But the school's use as a prison camp for non-Chinese civilians during the Japanese occupation in the second world war is only one part of its rich history, which dates from 1903.

The public can go on a heritage trail, opened in December 2008, to learn more.

Geoffrey Charles Emerson, who wrote the book Hong Kong Internment, 1942-1945: Life in the Japanese Civilian Camp at Stanley, has been a frequent visitor, taking the trail to do research for his book.

Emerson said he was thrilled with the idea of a heritage trail. 'I first visited the school in 1970 because I was attracted by its rich history. The buildings are preserved very well. It is a very valuable history resource for Hong Kong. So little has changed in this place since the war.'

The trail joins up nine historic spots, including the Tang Shiu Kin Sports Field, which is known as 'The Big Field', and the Stanley Military Cemetery.

During the Japanese occupation, the field was turned into a vegetable garden to provide food for the internees.

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