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The Chinese Labour Corps
From Amazon product page: As the young men of Europe were fighting in the trenches, a little known contingent of Chinese labourers crossed the world to provide support vital to the Allied war effort. Largely illiterate farmers from northern China, these men were simply attempting to make a better life for themselves, ignorant of the war and its causes. Under brutal conditions many died for their efforts, and their involvement wasn't recognised for decades – it is still not widely known. In this fascinating First World War China Special, journalist Mark O'Neill brings their story to light, describing in detail the labourers' recruitment, their daily experiences in a foreign land and the horrific work they carrier out – including the clearing of remains from battlefields.
122 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2014
About the author
Mark O'Neill
10 books5 followersMark was born in London, England and educated at Marlborough College and New College, Oxford. He worked in Washington D.C., Manchester and Belfast before moving to Asia in 1978. He has lived here ever since. After a long journalistic career, in 2006 he turned to writing books and has completed 12 so far in English. Seven have been translated into traditional Chinese and three into simplified Chinese. He speaks French, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese and lives in Hong Kong with his wife. He is busy with new books and hopes to bring them out in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 10, 2015
Current colleague Mark O'Neill's The Chinese Labour Corps does a lot for my imagination.
The various facts in here beg to be a great motion picture, stirring all sorts of emotions, pushing buttons, and wondering what else could stem from this. I wish I knew how to write a screenplay.
My four stars out of five is a very strong four, and itching to be five. It is a five in thought provocation.
So many times over the decades of our lives we have read an seen action-packed accounts of those brave men in uniform. Behind the scenes there is a lot going on, too. There certainly was in World War I in France.
The lives differed considerably between those hired to work for the French and those with the British. The French Chinese workers had much more freedom, and a little more money. Some 3,000 remained in France after the war married to local women. But, it was different in the English camps. Some were shot down in riots.
Some of the lasting effects of the Chinese-French connection can still be seen today if you know where to look. Mark O'Neill's very well-researched book will point the way.
I noticed a seemingly strange interest in France and French things when I first came to Asia in 2010. I thought this book might have indicated that that WWI employment story was the root of it. It didn't say directly that it was, but maybe that is for another book?
The various facts in here beg to be a great motion picture, stirring all sorts of emotions, pushing buttons, and wondering what else could stem from this. I wish I knew how to write a screenplay.
My four stars out of five is a very strong four, and itching to be five. It is a five in thought provocation.
So many times over the decades of our lives we have read an seen action-packed accounts of those brave men in uniform. Behind the scenes there is a lot going on, too. There certainly was in World War I in France.
The lives differed considerably between those hired to work for the French and those with the British. The French Chinese workers had much more freedom, and a little more money. Some 3,000 remained in France after the war married to local women. But, it was different in the English camps. Some were shot down in riots.
Some of the lasting effects of the Chinese-French connection can still be seen today if you know where to look. Mark O'Neill's very well-researched book will point the way.
I noticed a seemingly strange interest in France and French things when I first came to Asia in 2010. I thought this book might have indicated that that WWI employment story was the root of it. It didn't say directly that it was, but maybe that is for another book?
September 23, 2024
3.5* — packed with details, facts, etc., but a little on the dry side. (The author’s other Penguin China Special is better, focusing on the Chinese workers who helped build railways in Russia.)
June 21, 2018
Chinese Labour Corps.
Just dry bones fact, no testimony, would like to have read more about the men's experience particularly during the clear up operations after the war ended.
Just dry bones fact, no testimony, would like to have read more about the men's experience particularly during the clear up operations after the war ended.
January 8, 2015
A small and very easy to digest little book which serves as a splendid introduction to an under appreciated and perhaps to many, an unknown aspect of the Great War.
The book covers the origins of the CLC right up to the out right betrayal of the Chinese at Versailles. A betrayal and among many other deceptions which has helped to shape the Chinese political and cultural character to this day.
Although relative to many other ethnic groups in the employ of the European powers, the Chinese working for the British and French experienced a 'generous' employment. That being said it was still a considerably racist and biased term of employment. Though compared to those CLC men who worked for the United States and Canada it was some what humane. The CLC were treated a lot more favourably when contrasted as to how the African and Indians were employed by the Allied powers.
The conclusion sums up the deception experienced by the Chinese at the hands of the Allies who fell back on an initial promise of dropping the Boxer Rebellion indemnity. Right up to giving the Japanese colonial possessions once held by the Germans. Such a platform was later used by the Japanese to launch operations into Northern China. The lack of credibility granted to the Chinese at Versailles also helped to play into Japanese Imperial arrogance further leading onto a future history of bloody consequence.
The book goes further into looking at the impact that such an expedition to Europe had on the Chinese members as well as the Society around them, both back in China and in France.
The book is small and has few pages despite this it becomes a little repetitive in parts. It also fails to go into greater detail in some areas that could be of more interest. O'Neil however has managed to compile a considerate book on the subject matter. It is a book which should inspire recognition, respect and interest to learn more on the subject of the Chinese Labour Corps.
A well enjoyed book.
76 %
The book covers the origins of the CLC right up to the out right betrayal of the Chinese at Versailles. A betrayal and among many other deceptions which has helped to shape the Chinese political and cultural character to this day.
Although relative to many other ethnic groups in the employ of the European powers, the Chinese working for the British and French experienced a 'generous' employment. That being said it was still a considerably racist and biased term of employment. Though compared to those CLC men who worked for the United States and Canada it was some what humane. The CLC were treated a lot more favourably when contrasted as to how the African and Indians were employed by the Allied powers.
The conclusion sums up the deception experienced by the Chinese at the hands of the Allies who fell back on an initial promise of dropping the Boxer Rebellion indemnity. Right up to giving the Japanese colonial possessions once held by the Germans. Such a platform was later used by the Japanese to launch operations into Northern China. The lack of credibility granted to the Chinese at Versailles also helped to play into Japanese Imperial arrogance further leading onto a future history of bloody consequence.
The book goes further into looking at the impact that such an expedition to Europe had on the Chinese members as well as the Society around them, both back in China and in France.
The book is small and has few pages despite this it becomes a little repetitive in parts. It also fails to go into greater detail in some areas that could be of more interest. O'Neil however has managed to compile a considerate book on the subject matter. It is a book which should inspire recognition, respect and interest to learn more on the subject of the Chinese Labour Corps.
A well enjoyed book.
76 %
August 7, 2025
“So it was that in the early summer of 1915, the Chinese government offered to send a total of 300 000 workers to Britain and France to perform non-combatant duties.”
Although part of a neutral nation, the Chinese Labour Corps were an instrumental part of trench-warfare. Involved in dangerous constructions and cleanups, they were ultimately betrayed by the Treaty of Versailles, and mostly forgotten by all nations, including their own.
The story of the Chinese Labour Corps is probably the most forgotten of all WWI stories, which is made further problematic by the lack of interest the general public seems to have in this war. Mark O’Neill does the essential work of summarizing the limited information we have. His book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of this increasingly forgotten conflict.
Although part of a neutral nation, the Chinese Labour Corps were an instrumental part of trench-warfare. Involved in dangerous constructions and cleanups, they were ultimately betrayed by the Treaty of Versailles, and mostly forgotten by all nations, including their own.
The story of the Chinese Labour Corps is probably the most forgotten of all WWI stories, which is made further problematic by the lack of interest the general public seems to have in this war. Mark O’Neill does the essential work of summarizing the limited information we have. His book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of this increasingly forgotten conflict.
September 22, 2015
The astonishing account of an entirely forgotten episode of World War One - the over 100,000 Chinese labourers who went to Europe in order to provide vital industrial and field support work for the Anglo-French war effort. Working in mines, factories, farms, docks, munitions depots and on war-related infrastructure projects, they were frequently exploited, mistreated, bullied, and short-changed - and just as often exposed to German bombardments and air raids. Even after the war ended, many did not leave Europe until 1922, being used for tasks that ranged from the reconstruction of destroyed farming land to the recovery of battlefield casualties. Britain deported all its Chinese labourers; France enabled about 3,000 to stay in the country, where they formed the core of the now thriving Franco-Chinese community. Tens of thousands returned to China traumatised or disabled by their experiences, and were soon swallowed up by the poverty they had hoped to escape. China, which had hoped to gain diplomatic benefits, including the recovery of territories lost in 19th century colonial wars, was shamefully betrayed by the Allies and left to contend with a far more dangerous imperial power - Japan. Approximately 3000 died in service and are buried in segregated cemeteries in France. A powerful, if tragic, piece of modern history.
June 1, 2015
I'm French, and Chinese, and yet, I never knew about this little piece of history before reading this book.
The author very soberly yet very pertinently tells the tragic tale of the hundreds of thousands of Chinese labourers that came to Europe during the war, doing all the thankless job that no European wanted to do and yet was essential to the war effort and to help the Allies win the war, and were mostly left to themselves after the war.
They encountered the same dangers during the war than our troops, even though they were theoretically not supposed to approach the front line, but they are now mostly forgotten.
The author brings back to life their memory, so that their efforts take their rightful place next to all that of the others who gave their lifes for our countries.
The author very soberly yet very pertinently tells the tragic tale of the hundreds of thousands of Chinese labourers that came to Europe during the war, doing all the thankless job that no European wanted to do and yet was essential to the war effort and to help the Allies win the war, and were mostly left to themselves after the war.
They encountered the same dangers during the war than our troops, even though they were theoretically not supposed to approach the front line, but they are now mostly forgotten.
The author brings back to life their memory, so that their efforts take their rightful place next to all that of the others who gave their lifes for our countries.
February 24, 2016
One of the more engaging titles in the series. This is an important story, told interestingly and with accessible brevity. Recommended as an introductory read about Chinese involvement in World War I.
February 3, 2015
The little-known sad story of the 130,000 Chinese men who were recruited to go to France in World War I to support the war effort.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews