Diary pages from this date

A petition, signed by 1594 internees, is presented to the camp authorities complaining about the rations. They mention the cut of 75% in the flour ration, the absence of meat, and the inadequate supply of 'proper food' - they stress that for them, rice is not a proper food and no substitute for flour.

Grayburn and Streatfield are moved.

They are taken to Happy Valley Gendarmerie (on the site of the former Italian Convent) where they are seen by C. M. Faure, who later testifies they are held in a cage-like cell in filthy and noxious conditions. On the left are a row of three cages and on the right one big one taking up the same area. Streatfield is assigned to cell two on the left, Grayburn to the large cell on the right, where he finds himself next to Henry Ching, the courageous editor of the South China Morning Post. Grayburn was later to share food parcels sent to him by his wife with Ching.

Streatfield too describes the cells as 'literally cages' and says the smell is like 'a menagerie'. There are between 40-45 people in Grayburn's cell, just over a dozen in Streatfield's. There is not enough room for all the prisoners to lie on their backs at the same time. They are given two bowls of rice a day, soemtimes with a piece of cabbage stalk; they need to eat quickly, as the same bowls are used for tea.

In the British House of Commons John Wardlaw-Milne, M. P. for Kidderminster asks a question to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs:

(Are you) aware that private reports received regarding the Stanley camp, Hong Kong, indicate unsatisfactory conditions in regard to overcrowding, rations, shortage of drugs and instruments, books, bedding and clothing....?

Mr. Richard Law replies that he is aware that 'very disquieting' reports have been received in the past, but claims that the Red Cross report of January 25 shows a 'steady improvement'. 

Sources:

Petition: MacNider Papers, 'Stanley 1/3/43'

Grayburn and Streatfield:  E. P. Streatfield, Account, page 4, in Hong Kong Public Records Office, HKMS100-1-6; Maurice Collis, Wayfoong, 1965, 226; Evidence of E. P. Streatfield at trial of Sato Choichi, reported in China Mail, April 2, 1947, page 3; Evidence of C. M. Faure, at trial of Noma Kennosuke, reported in China Mail, January 3, 1947

Ching: http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/

House of Commons: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1943-03-24a.1600.3

Maejima granted interview to Council.

Issue of Y 25 to adults; Y 18.75 to children 5-12; Y 12.50 to under 5

Hosp. concert (O’Connor, Large, MacM., Trio ((unclear)), R. choir ((unclear)), Colledge, Kirby ((unclear)), White, Mrs. Dean Smith, Eolm Hewitt ((both names unclear)).c – CJ Norman)

((Following text undated:))

Middle of March midday meal is cut out. Only Japanese, Formosan and ex-policemen get lunch. Verandah residents expelled following big shot visit. Formosan in my cell, sleeps next to me. Takes all my nails in wall for hanging his possessions, leaving me one.

Then a wonderful day. Mum sends food. Also underclothes and pyjamas, but they are my undoing. Had fight with Formosan. Pyjamas too much for my nail and fell on his basin. He slapped my leg. I punched his nose and the fight was on. I could hit him but wasn’t hurting him. I decide let him hit me and get it over. But he wouldn’t stop. In pain bleeding and exhausted. Room made for me near shit buckets. In bad way. Formosan invites me return to other end of cell. Still in pain, I return to old space.

Sat up and took notice when someone said Europeans, Hongkong Bank. Outside Sir Vandeleur Grayburn and Streatfield. Latter to Cell 2 and Grayburn into ours. Call him and make room near me.

Arm troubling me, Sore where hit on ground. Getting septic. Still can’t get up easily so Grayburn helps me. He is second class prisoner so gets no soong, so share mine with him. Cell population now 33. Someone gave us spoon with all plating off. This we use between us, spooning rice into hand in turn and licking it off.

Van getting food parcels, sharing with me. Mutton chops or tinned meat. Potatoes, tomatoes, eggs, bread and butter, bananas and sometimes oranges. Mighty good. He wants eat everything up. I urge leave some for snacks, so we snacked bread at midnight and orange if any early a.m. He not taking his share of rice. But I manage give him biggest egg or odd one of three of anything.

One night guard thrusts bayonet through bars and whacked Van in face while he lying silently thinking. He got shock. Pessimistic, used to say wouldn’t come out alive. Tell him important thing is remain alive then you win.

Rained & muggy. Mosquitoes a big nuisance.

Meijima arrived.

Y25 issued.

Walk with Steve pm.