Roy Francis Denton (aka Wright-Brown) born. ((His mother Ivy (nee Thirlwell) had given birth the previous year in camp to Camille Tweed, who only survived for 2 months. There was an older sister Betty aged about 4 years.))
Diary pages from this date
"Belinda" by A.A. Milne ((for cast list see 25th))
To Mrs. Ivy Denton, a son Roy Francis Wright-Brown (fr. Glen Smith, HKD ((sp? maybe "HKP")) ) ((The only male Smith with first initial G in John Black's list is G L Smith, Police.))
St. And. Ch. reunion party
No Date has yet been announced for the repatriation. The reaction of various people to the published list of probable repatriates was really quite remarkable. Of course it was easy enough for people like Y and me to read the list quite dispassionately; I, because I had never expected to go, and Y because she had not wanted to go by herself in any case. But it came as a bitter blow to many women who had been led to expect repatriation for themselves before the end of the year and many (especially the more elderly ones) have given a display of jealousy and acrimony which is quite disgusting, though really very understandable. I feel sorry for them as they had built all their hopes and had planned their camp lives and economies on the expectation of going soon: “Before the end of the summer,” first and then, “probably some time in November”.
Heavens above! This camp is teaching us patience if nothing else. Meanwhile we still fervently hope that this is the first move only towards complete repatriation of the camp.
Poor old Maudie has been conscious of much jealousy and hostility at her inclusion on the list. She has always been cheerful in camp and in any case she hates the idea of being ill and will never stay in bed, let alone the hospital, one moment longer than she considers necessary (whether the doctor likes it or not!) and consequently I think very few people realised that she had been threatened with quite serious internal trouble. It seems to me that people here are very small minded, but I daresay it would be the same the whole world over. Vera Murrel, one of the disappointed people, has been really marvellous and is so pleased for Maudie that she is going.
After the repatriation Yvonne and I hope that we shall be able to secure a small amah’s room to ourselves or, preferably, one of the converted kitchens in the old American blocks, A1, 2 or 3. As yet the billeting committee is not making any plans for re-billeting people as they do not know yet which rooms will definitely be vacated, neither do they know if the Japanese will take it into their heads to shut off part of the camp (say, the bungalows and St Stephens) and push us all into a smaller number of buildings at our present rate of overcrowding. Some people seem to think these married quarters blocks may be closed as they overlook the gaol. However, we are taking what steps we can and are giving our names to the block chairmen in question pending the preparation of re-billeting lists.
We have got on very well with the Bidwells, Mr Lammert and Isa, but a little privacy would be marvellous after two years of this communal existence. If we get a room we really intend to make something of it. I am trying to devise a method of cutting our double bed in two and fixing two bunks, one above the other, in such a way that the top bunk will swing down during the day time and form a back to the other bunk, so we shall have a comfortable seat – rather like a railway carriage seat! These rooms are very small – about 6’ x 10’ or 11’ (amah’s rooms) or about 8’ square kitchens, so conservation of space is most important. Maudie is bequeathing a lot of her gear to us (including a most important hot plate) and Olive Burt is also giving us one or two things; so we hope to feather our nest quite nicely (if we are successful in securing a nest).
Dearest,
I stopped my letter on the 12th when I heard my name was on the list for repatriation as I thought I'd be busy preparing. Now it is the 27th and we are no further on. A Jap doctor, civilian, came in the other day and checked up the sick men - he seemed quite interested in my case as I had a record of all my blood counts and injections to show him. But the lists have to go to Tokyo and it is said to London also for approval so D.O.K. when we'll get away. I had so hoped to be a free man by Christmas. However it is something to be on the list. I am thankful. I feel all right in many ways - I've had a little cold recently but nothing but it is the ghastly weakness that gets you down and the knowledge that that if these injections stop (the supply is nearly exhausted) then I'm for the high jump!
Poor Harmon died the other day - he has had anaemia for years of course; he went into hospital with dysentery (quite mild I believe) but he was allergic to Dagenin, - it attacked his kidneys and he couldn't pass water. We've had a few other deaths, some solely from anaemia and malnutrition generally so naturally I am thankful that I am going to get away. Dora took it rather badly at first - and said it was the biggest disappointment she's ever had in her life and I'm sorry for her but-------- . I only heard the other day too that Bertie's burns mightn't have gone septic if he had stayed on in Bowen Road and not wangled a move back to the Univ. Relief Hospital. So she didn't really help him there.
I have been busy since I last wrote. I got rid of the Auction business on Tuesday so now I can give all my thoughts to repatriation. I am to be O.C. Party and so I'll have plenty to do. I've already had a lot of people asking me to take messages but it will be the official messages I shall have to concentrate on. I don't suppose we'll be allowed to take out any written matter - not even a list of addresses but I shall have to get my official documents passed.
I wonder when you'll hear first that some people are getting away, next that I'm on the list, next that it is because I'm "sick". I hope you won't worry too much - of course I'll cable to you at the very first opportunity and tell you how I am. I get quite excited at times thinking of it and yet one feels one should not bank on anything until it is absolutely fixed up. If we have to have all the injections the Canadians had we won't be away for a month yet - I hope it's not as long as that.
Food I very poor and the little supplements - beans and - we were able to get from the local I.R.C. man are exhausted and he reports he has no money to buy more - and no money for our allowances. Dora lent me another 5 Yen the other day or I wouldn't have been able to get my cigarettes today. What a life. I hope to get away soon and begin to live again.
All my love always. Billie.