Sir Vandeleur M. Grayburn died in Stanley Prison. His body was given for burial 3 days later.
Diary pages from this date
Sir Vandeleur Grayburn dies in Stanley Prison at about 7.30 p.m. The cause of death is debated, but malnutrition, sepsis and medical neglect all played a part.
'Indian Orderly Number 3' ((probably Khader Bux, although other names are sometimes given)) has made four separate attempts during the morning to get medical help for Sir Vandeleur. After his final failure, he cries uncontrollably.
Bux brings Harry Talbot in secretly to see the dying man in the afternoon, but there are no medicines available and it's too late for anything else.
Lady Mary Grayburn (Bungalow D) was not sent for to see her husband for the last time.
Sources:
George Wright-Nooth, Prisoner of the Turnip Heads, 1994, 175
Orderly: Morrison's evidence to war crimes trial, China Mail, April 4, 1947, 2
See also yesterday's entry.
Note:
Wright-Nooth misdates Grayburn's last illness and death to August 6/7.
See:
http://brianwedgar.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/wystan-auden-christopher-isherwood-and_4.html
"Goodness, How Sad" by Robert Morley ((see 19th for details))
Sir Vandeleur Grayburn died in Stanley Prison Hospital at 7.15pm.
Dearest,
I haven't written all week - I have been a little depressed - I had such high hopes first that I'd be home for the 31st and then when that hope passed that at least it would be very soon. The Yanks seem to have got in first again and the C.S. was informed the other day that a boat would leave Japan on the 15th and after calling at Shanghai, and perhaps elsewhere, be here before the end of September to take Americans and Canadians. I still have a sneaking feeling that the women and children and perhaps sick men may also get away then; if not then the boat will be back by November for them and perhaps for us all. So we may be home for Christmas. I do so hope we are. We (Govt.) may of course only go as far as India but I think we must have holiday at home before we can tackle the problems of re-occupation.
We had our I.Q. elections the other day - Pentreath and Bevan stood down and also Miss Ward. So we had only 4 nominations for 4 seats and voting was unnecessary. We now have Perdue as Chairman (I declined), Rev Alton as Vice, and Mackenzie Dow Saunders (Police) and [?Tully Wood] Sec. Terry and I are members ex officio as members of the B.C.C. Now elections for that are to be held. Terry has retired, funked it I think because Pentreath is standing. I thought of retiring and consulted the C.S. and as he apparently wants me to stand I consented. The only other candidate is Markar who was a member of the Bolshy B.C.C. at the beginning. I hope he's not elected.
Some more of the anti-Govt., and especially anti-Gimson lot are standing for the other Blocks so we may have fireworks in the B.C.C. in future. The Japs have said that on repatriation we may not take letters with us so how I'm going to smuggle this out D.O.K. but I hope to manage it some way. All my love. Billie.