To Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Ferguson, a daughter.
Diary pages from this date
One more weary month has passed and we are now preparing to plod through the growing heat of June. How much longer shall we have to lead this futile and utterly boring existence?
There is much twittering and excitement amongst the Americans because they are due to embark for repatriation on the 16th of this month. Arrangements have evidently been completed between America and Japan for the exchange of Nationals residing in territory occupied by their respective enemies, and the latest information is that the Americans are to be ready on the 14th with a view of embarking on the 15th and setting sail on June 16th at 10:30 a.m. They are to travel, (according to the report) on the Asama Maru. This is the ship that was stopped by HMS Liverpool, within sight of the Japanese coast, (when the then Pay Comdr Crowley was in the Liverpool) and male German passengers of military age taken off.
Well, good luck to the Americans; we all wish we were in their shoes just now. I wonder if they really will go. They are each to be allowed to take 5 suitcases and their destination is Lorenzo Marques in Portuguese East Africa, via Singapore (re-named “SHONAN” by the Japanese) where they will pick up a few more Americans.
The Colonial Secretary’s Office has sent round a list asking all British subjects whether or not they wished to be repatriated and if so where they would choose to go if given a choice. The notice warned us that this list had not been instigated by the Japanese and it did not mean necessarily, that there was any likelihood of our repatriation! But that the list was being compiled for C.S.O. record purposes. I stated for Yvonne and myself that we would like to be repatriated to England or Australia unless we were required to remain here by our local Government. It would be marvellous to get out of this place.
Every one got 2 pairs of shorts and 2 shirts from Welfare today. ((The shorts were a peculiar shape, and unisex but adaptable. The shirts were bright colours which did wonders for our morale, in a sort of cotton ribbing. We girls mainly wore our shirts upside down , cutting off the original v-neck which became the bottomt hem; the original bottom hem was then sewn up to go across the shoulders, forming a more circular neck which looked quite stylish - to us.))
Frightening to remember that now it stays hot like this right through till late October - Mr Fraser's original estimate of our incarceration.
Tiger still at large.
Dr Selwyn Clarke came in yesterday and wanted nurses for Kowloon Hospital.
Mrs. Greenwood very disappointed – they wouldn't consider her because she has an operation pending. I do wish they would make it an exchange and send Mabel to us. Mum longs so much for her.
Some of the Americans have had their $75 parcels in.
Mrs K sick.
James J. Ferguson, a POW who will later be drafted to Japan, and Mrs. P. L. O. Ferguson have a girl, Heather Carol Ogilvie Ferguson.
Dr. Selwyn-Clarke comes to Stanley trying to recruit nurses for Kowloon. It seems that it's still possible to be allowed out of camp.
American forces make initial contact with the Japanese fleet sent to attack the base at Midway Island. The internees' fate is about to be decided in one of the most important sea battles in history, taking place over 4000 miles from Hong Kong.
The Americans have broken the Japanese codes and the attacking ships are sailing into a trap.
Sources:
Birth: China Mail, September 15, 1945, page 3; Dundee Courier, 30 January 1951, 2
Selwyn-Clarke: Tony Banham, We Shall Suffer There, 2009, Wednesday, June 3, 1942
Commenced German lessons with Scott A/S.P. ((Believed to be Walter Scott - see comments below))