When a British army wife went on hunger strike in Singapore in housing protest, before move to Hong Kong and an apartment
- The 18-year-old wife of a British soldier in Singapore stopped eating in protest at the lack of ‘proper accommodation’ provided since the family left the UK
- Her hunger strike in 1962 ended when her husband was deployed to Hong Kong and the army rented the family a ‘very nice’ two-bedroom flat in Chungking Mansions
“The 18-year-old blonde wife of a British soldier here has gone on a hunger strike because she claims the Army is not providing them with proper accommodation,” reported the South China Morning Post from Singapore on March 26, 1962.
“Mrs Cynthia Mitchell, of Durham, mother of a 15-month-old daughter, has lost 14lbs [6kg] since she stopped eating three days ago.
“‘We have had to live in hotels and hostels ever since we left England last October. They have just refused to put us into proper army accommodation,’ she said. ‘I have gone on a hunger strike in protest against this treatment, and I am not going to give in.’
“Tea and plain water are the only forms of nourishment she is allowing herself.
“Her husband, Eric, a signaller, is due to be posted to Hongkong soon – but Cynthia said she would rather take herself and her daughter home than face similar accommodation.
