Death of Oriana Elizabeth, 15 weeks’ old d. of Mr. + Mrs. John Barrow
Diary pages from this date
Tony ((Cole)) invited Mabel and I to tea, he had had his $75 parcel. So generous of him, he had saved part of his yesterday's bread ration and we had toast and butter, and tea with sugar. Splendid of people to be so kind in days like this.
Mrs. Barrow's baby Oriana died this morning, of water on the brain. Mrs B ((a Govt. nursing sister)) took it very quietly, though had been expecting the death.
Death of Oriana Elizabeth Barrow, aged 3 months.
Eric MacNider transcribes a notice that is posted today:
The Council has approved of a resolution submitted by Blocks 8, 9 & 11, to the effect that Eurasian (crossed out) families should not be billeted in Block 11. The Council recognises that such a state of affairs would be highly undesirable, and, as this is a matter of extreme urgency the Camp Billetting Officer in small groups to other blocks as soon as opportunity occurs.
This seems to offer a glimpse of the continuing racism in the British community, But why was 'Eurasian' crossed out in the transcription, and what was different about Block 11?
Sources:
Barrow: Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 1973, 271
Notice: MacNider Papers, 'Billetting', 46
Finally we are on our way. It’s grand to be moving. The trip is very interesting for one sees islands.
Rommell’s lines of comm. cut?
Camp optimism on the upward trend again.
Rain & wind.