Diary pages from this date

Feeling so much better in heart today because we had a piece of fried fish this morning with the rice.  I felt dreadful for 4 days, my cold hasn't quite gone.  Food had been dreadful - one day the meat would have to be thrown away because it was bad, and the rice is still an effort for me.  I have walked into the chocolate which Mr Bailey gave me.

Mrs Hawkett has left us, and we now have Mrs ((Magdalene)) Greenwood, from Stonecutters ((an island in Hong Kong harbour)).  Somehow she managed to bring with her more luggage than about 6 other people put together, including several folding chairs and a supply of candles.  Every night she reads by candlelight when we're all longing for sleep and in fear of getting into trouble by the Japs for having candle on so late.
 
Mabel not yet arrived ((from Bowen Road Hospital)).

We have some Jam and Oxo and a little cheese, but stocks are decreasing daily and there's no sign of the promised store.
 
On Sunday we went to Mass in 'Prison Officers' Club'.

Rumours of repatriation, some say we might be sent to Saigon as a clearing centre, some say Australia, others Canada.   It was in the local newspaper ((printed byJaps in English and a few copies reached camp)) that repatriation of women and children might be done.
 
Olive has written to CSO in camp to see if she and Topper can get married ((her Royal Artillery fiance who was in Shamshuipo camp: they had planned to marry this summer:  sadly, he was sent to Japan and died there.))

Each been given a post card on which we can say only 'safe and well' to send to England etc.

The Japanese-sponsored Hongkong News reports on conditions at Stanley:

The enemy aliens at Stanley are receiving good treatment, and all extol the kindness and consideration of the Japanese authorities.

American internee Norman Briggs mocked the British for drawing down the wrath of the Japanese by responding to a newspaper claim that conditions in Stanley were good by pointing out that they weren't - it was perhaps today's report that gave rise to this incident!

The Red Cross truck that's been bringing 'odds and ends of goods and supplies for individuals and the American community' is hijacked on the road.

Sources:

Hong Kong News: John Luff, The Hidden Years, 1967, 171

Hijack: The Maryknoll Diary, February 5, 1942

Note: At this time there were two teams of drivers bringing in items - both approved and illegal -  from Hong Kong, and it's not known which was involved in the hijacking. The first was based at St. Paul's (the French) Hospital: Owen Evans, Dr. Robert  Henry and Charles 'Chuck' Winter. The second was living in May Road: Eugene Pawley, Charles Shafer, John Morton and Albert Fitch.  It's possible that Carl Neprud was living with this group until he was moved to St. Paul's for medical treatment.

All the drivers were American except for Owen Evans, who was Welsh.

For more details see:

https://jonmarkgreville2.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/thomass-work-6-more-o…

At the first American Committee Meeting on February 5th, the administrative group that had previously emerged was confirmed in office ... ((list of names follows))

Trench digging. Black-outs to come for one week. Does this mean Japs expect trouble? We hope so. News re Singapore, Lybia & Russia, plus Wavell’s message is much more encouraging.