Diary pages from this date

Mum had her womb removed.  It took 2 and a quarter hours.  At 5pm we went up to ward and saw her just for a moment.  She was just round from the anaesthetic, and said 'it's so sore' and 'don't worry', but her poor head was so heavy.   Her legs were lashed up.  She looked dreadfully pale, her hands so thin.  We have to get hold of all the food we can for her.  Dr Kirk and Prof. Digby did the operation.

I've been back working at the hospital.  They made lovely scones yesterday.

When Mum is out of hospital, either Olive or I will have to give up working at hosp. because Mum won't be strong enough to queue or do things for herself.  Selwyn-Clarke was in today - there's apparently no hope of getting Mabel into camp, she counts as a prisoner of war.

Japs have offered us HK$75 each, and we have made out lists of what we want to buy and it's hoped they will let someone in to town to buy it soon.

Heaps of flour has been coming in.

H. C. Woo, the superintendent of blocks 2 ,3, 4 and 5, posts a notice saying it's essential that he be informed if any resident of these blocks is 'called to Hong Kong'.

The Harbourmaster Commander Jolly and A. K. Dimond, manager of the Hong Kong Hotel, enter Stanley.

It seems that there's still a fair bit of movement between the camp and the outside world.

Source:

Woo: MacNider Papers, 'Roll Call, Church' 13, 'Urgent Notice'

Jolly, Dimond: Constance Murray Diary , p. 2 (Weston House, Oxford).

Rain all day 

Repatriation rumours rife again 

Cdr. J. Jolly & A.K. Dimond came to Camp.

Rained off & on all day.

Riots in Italy? Potsdam & Salzburg bombed. Churchill says “No need to repatriate Britons in Far East as they will soon be taking over again. (“Cannot enter into negotiations re repatriation because events are moving too fast”)

AJ Savitsky completes a portrait of Ron (Roland) Brooks in civilian clothes: